Still rolling.
And while Carl Arrigale’s streaking Neumann-Goretti Saints maintained their hold on the No. 1 spot in PennLive’s Class AAA boys’ basketball rankings by packing away two more victories — Neumann-Goretti has won 12 straight — additional wins could be en route once the state tournament gets underway on Friday.
We’ll see.
Although Neumann-Goretti continued its surge by defeating Class AAAA No. 1 Roman Catholic to win the Philly Catholic League title — and avenge an earlier loss — Arrigale’s Saints closed out last week by defeating Philly Electrical in the District 12-AAA championship game.
Quality opponents, both.
Even though Neumann-Goretti and several others held firm in their respective spots, results in several other district tournaments prompted a few adjustments.
Central Valley’s double-overtime victory over Chartiers Valley moved the Warriors up to No. 5, one spot above Tim McConnell’s perennially strong Colts and one spot below an elevated Abington Heights club that climbed to No. 4.
Susquehanna Twp. also returned to the top 10 after claiming the District 3 championship with victories over Bishop McDevitt and Manheim Central. Earlier, the Indians downed Berks Catholic just to reach the 3-AAA semis.
Imhotep Charter slipped two spots to No. 7 following its loss to No. 2 Archbishop Carroll in District 12-AAA’s third-place game, but that could change rapidly since Andre Noble’s Panthers will meet No. 8 Susquehanna Twp. in suburban Harrisburg on Friday when the state tournament opens.
Short synopses of our top 10 appear below — PIAA district, overall record and record during the past week are displayed in parentheses — as does a list of teams hoping to impact the state tournament.
1. Neumann-Goretti (12, 22-4, 1-0) — previous ranking: 1 — Claiming yet another Philly Catholic League crown by beating Roman Catholic (53-48) in last Monday’s title game, Carl Arrigale’s Saints weren’t done as they clipped Philly Electrical (69-55) in Friday’s District 12-AAA final. Miami (Fla.) recruit Ja’Quan Newton remained red hot as he piled up 49 points in N-G’s two wins. Jamal Custis (12/13) and Troy Harper (10/16) also reached double figures twice for the Saints, who will open state play on Friday near home against Berks Catholic.
2. Archbishop Carroll (12, 21-4, 1-0) — previous ranking: 2 — Rebounding from their loss to Neumann-Goretti in the Philly Catholic League semis, Paul Romanczuk’s Patriots starched Imhotep Charter (53-37) in Wednesday’s District 12-AAA third-place game. Derrick Jones cranked out a double-double (18 points, 12 rebounds) and Samir Taylor added 10 points for Carroll, which will meet Manheim Central in Friday’s state opener at Garden Spot.
3. Allentown Central Catholic (11, 27-0, 2-0) — previous ranking: 3 — Make that four consecutive District 11-AAA championships for Dennis Csensits’ Vikings, who pounded Pottsville (64-34) in Friday’s final behind 34 points from Muhammad Ali Abdur-Rahkman. Abdur-Rahkman also became the program’s all-time leading scorer with that 34-point burst, passing former great Billy McCaffrey. Landed in the 11-AAA final after downing Bethlehem Catholic (81-68) in the semis behind 25 points from Jeanlee Baez and 18 from Abdur-Rahkman. Will open state play on Friday night against West York.
4. Abington Heights (2, 25-1, 2-0) — previous ranking: 6 — Ken Bianchi’s high-powered club claimed two more victims, raising their winning streak to 15 games with victories over Honesdale (61-36) and Pittston (67-28) and socking away yet another District 2-AAA title. J.C. Show (22/27) and Tim Toro (12/11) reached double figures in both victories for Abington Heights, which will meet Central Columbia in Friday night’s state opener.
5. Central Valley (7, 22-3, 2-0) — previous ranking: 7 — Brandon Ambrose’s Warriors reeled in their first WPIAL championship, defeating Thomas Jefferson (68-59) in the semis before outlasting Chartiers Valley (70-69, 2 OT) in the title game. John George (15/12) and Mike Sims (14/10) posted a pair of double-digit outings for Central Valley, which will open state tournament play Friday against Mars.
6. Chartiers Valley (7, 24-2, 1-1) — previous ranking: 4 — Advancing to yet another WPIAL championship game with a win over Uniontown (71-57) in the semis, Tim McConnell’s had to settle for silver following a loss in two overtimes to Central Valley (70-69). Jerrad Tuite (29/26) and Matty McConnell (10/22) unloaded a pair of double-digit outings for the Colts, who will meet Erie’s Strong Vincent on Friday when the state tournament begins.
7. Imhotep Charter (12, 20-6, 0-1) — previous ranking: 5 — Back in action in Wednesday’s District 12-AAA third-place game, Andre Noble’s Panthers suffered a 53-37 setback to Archbishop Carroll. Basil Thompson and Jaekwon Carlisle bagged eight points apiece for Imhotep, which will visit Harrisburg on Friday for a scrap with Susquehanna Twp. in the opening round of the state tournament.
8. Susquehanna Twp. (3, 19-7, 2-0) — previous ranking: HM — Vince Rogers’ Indians moved back into the state spotlight after defeating Bishop McDevitt (60-57, OT) and Manheim Central (59-44) to win the school’s sixth District 3 championship. Nehemiah “Bud” Mack collected 15 of his game-high 28 points in the final nine minutes of the McDevitt win, then pocketed 18 points in the conquest of Manheim Central. Quintin Ward and Takhi Turner added 15 points apiece for the Indians, who will meet Imhotep Charter in Friday’s state tournament opener.
9. Bishop McDevitt (3, 26-2, 1-1) — previous ranking: 8 — Jeff Hoke’s Crusaders nearly thrust themselves into their first District 3-AAA title game, but a 60-57 loss in overtime to Susquehanna Twp. spoiled those hopes. Dyllon Hudson-Emory popped a double-double (22 points, 11 boards), while Milik Gantz (18) and Justin McCarthur (15) also reached double digits. McDevitt rebounded in Thursday’s 3-AAA third-place game, downing Bermudian Springs (57-44) behind a combined 23 points from Caleb Barwin and Donte Vaughn. Will open state tournament play on Friday against District 2-AAA runner-up Pittston.
10. Uniontown (7, 21-2, 0-1) — previous ranking: 10 — Uniontown was one win away from appearing in the WPIAL title game, but couldn’t get past Chartiers Valley in the semis, falling 71-57 despite a combined 44 points from Lyric Ellis (15), Jordan Pratt (15) and Xavier Ellis (14). Loss of big man Joe Campbell to an ankle injury didn’t help the Red Raiders, who will open states against Punxsutawney.
OTHERS TO WATCH: Berks Catholic (3) 24-5, Bermudian Springs (3) 22-4, Blue Mountain (11) 21-6, Elizabeth Forward* (7) 20-4, Erie East (10) 20-5, Farrell (10) 22-3, GAR Memorial (2) 20-6, Holy Ghost Prep (1) 22-6, Lancaster Mennonite (3) 20-7, Manheim Central (3) 24-4, Mars (7) 15-9, Montour (7) 16-8, Philly Electrical (12) 16-11, Pittston (2) 18-8, Pottsville (11) 23-5, Scranton Prep* 21-3, Shamokin (4) 22-3, Strong Vincent (10) 17-8, Thomas Jefferson (7) 22-3, West York (3) 24-4.
*season complete
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