While Neumann-Goretti continued its drive for its fourth state title in five seasons by winning twice last week, Carl Arrigale’s high-octane Saints maintained their hold as the No. 1 team in PennLive’s Class AAA boys’ basketball rankings.
Neumann-Goretti’s victories over Wilkes-Barre GAR and previously unbeaten Allentown Central Catholic also bumped the Saints’ winning streak to 15 games heading into Tuesday’s showdown with Philadelphia Electrical.
Arrigale’s Saints won an earlier matchup with Philly Electrical 69-55 in the District 12-AAA championship game.
And while Neumann-Goretti and Philly Electrical are busy trying to land a trip to Hershey for Friday night’s Class AAA championship game, Susquehanna Twp. and Central Valley will be deciding the other finalist in Altoona.
Stay tuned.
Short synopses of our top 10 appear below, with PIAA district, overall record and record during the past week displayed in parentheses.
CLICK HERE FOR ADDITIONAL STATE RANKINGS: AAAA, AA AND A
CLICK HERE FOR A PIAA CLASS AAA TOURNAMENT BRACKET
1. Neumann-Goretti (12, 25-4, 2-0) — previous ranking: 1 — Make that 15 consecutive victories for Carl Arrigale’s streaking Saints, who smacked GAR (73-57) in a second-round game Tuesday before sidelining previously unbeaten Allentown Central Catholic (60-50) in Friday’s quarterfinals. Ja’Quan Newton (19/20), on a crusade since midseason, totaled 39 points in N-G’s victories. Up next for the Saints is a rematch with No. 4 Philly Electrical. Those two met in the 12-AAA final.
2. Central Valley (7, 25-3, 2-0) — previous ranking: 5 — Although Brandon Ambrose’s resilient Warriors downed Thomas Jefferson (61-51) in the second round — those two also met in the WPIAL semis, with CV winning in OT — Central Valley trailed Farrell by double digits at halftime and after three quarters before rallying. Tony Gates (14/18), Mike Sims (14/16) and Matt Kline (11/11) racked up double-digit efforts in both wins for the Warriors, who trailed Farrell 38-22 at the half and 50-39 after three quarters. Up next is a Tuesday night date in Altoona with Susquehanna Twp. in the state semifinals.
3. Susquehanna Twp. (3, 22-7, 2-0) — previous ranking: 7 — By turning back Pottsville (52-45) and using a sensational third quarter to pull away from Lancaster Mennonite (75-57), Vince Rogers’ Indians reached their first state semifinal since 2008. Bud Mack (22/25) totaled 47 points, while Gabe Mack netted 11 second-half points against Pottsville and popped a double-double (12 points, 12 assists) in the win over Mennonite. Quintin Ward (13 points, 15 rebounds) also dropped a double-double against Mennonite, which trailed Susquehanna 28-27 at the break.
4. Philadelphia Electrical (12, 19-11, 2-0) — previous ranking: 10 — Keeping their fans in suspense throughout a pair of dramatic victories, James “Flames” Lewis’ Chargers reached their first state semifinal by pulling off one-point wins over Holy Ghost Prep (53-52, OT) and Archbishop Carroll (52-51). Larenz Thurman netted 18 points against Holy Ghost, then bagged five treys against Carroll. Big man James Suber added a double-double (16 points, 10 rebounds) in the win over Carroll for the Chargers, who will meet Neumann-Goretti in Tuesday’s semis.
5. Allentown Central Catholic* (11, 29-1, 1-1) — previous ranking: 3 — Although Dennis Csensits’ Vikings hammered Bishop McDevitt (82-55) in Tuesday’s second round behind a combined 46 points from Muhammad Ali Abdur-Rahkman (25) and Brendan Wagner (21), ACC fell to Neumann-Goretti (60-50) in Friday’s quarters. Abdur-Rahkman, still undecided on his college destination, poured in 30 points against No. 1 Neumann-Goretti.
6. Archbishop Carroll* (12, 23-5, 1-1) — previous ranking: 2 — While one Derrick Jones double-double (17 points, 10 rebounds) helped ignite Carroll’s triumph over Abington Heights (59-55) in Tuesday’s second round, a second (15 points, 12 boards) wasn’t enough to lead Paul Romanczuk’s Patriots past Philly Electrical in Friday’s quarters. Austin Tilghman (13/12) also reached double figures twice, while Ryan Daly tossed in 12 in Carroll’s 52-51 loss.
7. Abington Heights* (2, 26-2, 1-1) — previous ranking: 4 — Despite 17 points from Bucknell recruit J.C. Show and 14 from Ethan Danzig, Ken Bianchi’s Comets dropped a 59-55 decision to Archbishop Carroll in a taut second-round game in Allentown that brought an end to Abington Heights’ season and Show’s outstanding career.
8. Farrell* (10, 24-4, 1-1) — previous ranking: NR — While Roland Shannonhouse’s Steelers outlasted Uniontown 86-72 (OT) in a foul-plagued, second-round scrap, the District 10-AAA champs watched a sizable second-half lead disappear in Friday’s 69-62 loss to Central Valley in the state quarters. Jamel Brown (23), Ike Jones (20) and Chris James (16) shared 59 points against Uniontown, while Malik Miller (21) and James combined for 36 in Farrell’s loss to Central Valley. Farrell led Central Valley 38-22 at halftime and 50-39 after three quarters.
9. Bishop McDevitt* (3, 27-3, 0-1) — previous ranking: 8 — McDevitt had its season come to an end in the second round of states, as Jeff Hoke’s high-powered Crusaders were defeated by Allentown Central Catholic (82-55) despite double-digit efforts from Dyllon Hudson-Emory (14), Milik Gantz (11) and Mark Ray (10).
10. Lancaster Mennonite* (3, 22-8, 1-1) — previous ranking: NR — With all five starters reaching double figures — Julian Collazo (22), Matt Hess (13), Zach Lehman (11), Darris Bair (10) and Tyler Constein (10) — Geoff Groff’s Blazers upended Chartiers Valley (68-64) in Tuesday’s second round. With Hess bucketing 19 of his game-high 29 in the first half, Mennonite was pushing Susquehanna Twp. before the Indians pulled away to a 75-57 victory in Friday’s quarterfinals.
OTHERS TO WATCH: Berks Catholic* (3) 24-6, Bermudian Springs* (3) 22-5, Blue Mountain* (11) 21-7, Chartiers Valley* (7) 25-3, Elizabeth Forward* (7) 20-4, Erie East* (10) 20-6, GAR Memorial* (2) 21-7, Holy Ghost Prep* (1) 23-7, Imhotep Charter* (12) 20-7, Manheim Central* (3) 24-5, Mars* (7) 15-10, Montour* (7) 16-9, Pottsville (11) 24-6, Scranton Prep* 21-3, Strong Vincent* (10) 17-9, Thomas Jefferson* (7) 23-4, Uniontown* (7) 22-3, West York* (3) 24-5.
*season complete
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