As the season heads into its final week, PennLive’s Class AAAA boys’ basketball rankings have a new outfit sitting atop the top 10 — and that’s an unbeaten New Castle side that’s been waiting all season for its opportunity.
One that’s finally arrived.
While New Castle spent last week turning back WPIAL rivals North Allegheny (64-54) and Hampton (57-55), Ralph Blundo’s high-powered Red Hurricanes benefited when previous No. 1 Roman Catholic was upended 64-52 by Lower Merion.
So, in addition to earning a spot in Tuesday’s state semifinals in Chambersburg opposite Abington, No. 2 became No. 1.
Lurking right behind New Castle is Chester, which will try to land in its fourth consecutive Class AAAA title game by besting LaSalle College in the other semifinal-round contest in Coatesville.
Short synopses of our top 10 appear below, with PIAA district, overall record and record for the week displayed in parentheses.
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CLICK HERE FOR A PIAA CLASS AAAA TOURNAMENT BRACKET
1. New Castle (7, 29-0, 2-0) — previous ranking: 2 — Now plugged in at No. 1, Ralph Blundo’s club didn’t have it easy last week as the high-powered Red Hurricanes had to fend off WPIAL playmates North Allegheny (for the third time) and Hampton (for the fourth time). And both games were tight. While Malik Hooker (22) and Stew Allen (12) shared 34 points in a 64-54 win over North Allegheny, Hooker (11) and Allen (10) were joined in double figures by Robert Natale (11) and Drew Allen (10) as Blundo’s bunch rallied to beat Hampton 57-55. Up next for New Castle is a date in Tuesday’s semis with Abington.
2. Chester (1, 25-5, 2-0) — previous ranking: 5 — With Mahir Johnson (29/14) and Tyrell Sturdivant (19/10) cranking out a pair of double-digit efforts, Larry Yarbray’s outfit ran their winning streak to nine games by defeating Hazleton (79-71) and West Chester Rustin (66-36). On deck for the Clippers is a scrap in Tuesday night’s state semis with Philly’s LaSalle College.
3. Abington (1, 23-5, 1-0) — previous ranking: 9 — Endured a pair of tight scrapes last week with York (59-53) and Martin Luther King (56-52), but prevailed in both outings and moved forward into the state semifinals. Matt Penecale (21/13) and Amir Hinton (20/11) reached double figures in both victories, while Anthony Lee’s 19-point effort fueled the Ghosts’ win over King. Will meet New Castle in Tuesday night’s state semis at Chambersburg High School.
4. LaSalle College (1, 22-6, 1-0) — previous ranking: 10 — Although Joe Dempsey’s resourceful Explorers needed a second-half rally to squeeze past Cedar Crest (49-43, OT) in a second-round game, they came out firing in Saturday’s quarters and housed Lower Merion 71-48. Najee Walls netted 22 points as LaSalle rallied from a 26-19 deficit (after three) to down Crest, then scored all 13 of his points in the second half against Lower Merion. Jalen Herdsman and Shawn Witherspoon each racked up 14 points for the Explorers, who will meet Chester in Tuesday’s semis.
5. Hampton* (7, 24-5, 1-1) — previous ranking: 4 — Popped four players into double figures in a decisive win over McDowell (67-45) in the second round — David Huber (15), Collin Luther (14), Jack Kramer (12) and Joey Lafko (10) — but couldn’t hang on to a second-half advantage in a 57-55 setback to WPIAL nemesis New Castle in Saturday’s quarters. Luther racked up 26, while his twin brother, Ryan, scored 13 and Huber added 10 as Hampton lost for the fourth time to New Castle.
6. Lower Merion* (1, 23-8, 1-1) — previous ranking: 8 — Gregg Downer’s Aces flashed their typical balance to defeat previous No. 1 Roman Catholic (64-52) in Wednesday’s second round, but couldn’t maintain their momentum and lost to LaSalle College (71-48) in Saturday’s quarters. JaQuan Johnson (20/11), Justin McFadden (14/16) and Jule Brown (11/16) posted a pair of double-digit efforts for Lower Merion, which had its hopes for a second straight state title extinguished.
7. Roman Catholic* (12, 23-5, 0-1) — previous ranking: 1 — Maybe Roman’s opening-round challenge from Oxford should have been a strong hint, as Chris McNesby’s Cahillites followed up that win by falling to Lower Merion 64-52 in the second round. Rashann London scored 19 points and Shep Garner added 17 for Roman, which had been at No. 1 all season.
8. Martin Luther King* (12, 25-6, 1-1) — previous ranking: 3 — Although Sean Colson’s Cougars popped Pennsbury (65-43) in the second round, they tumbled to Abington (56-52) in Saturday’s quarters — despite holding a lead late in the third quarter. Jahmir Taylor cranked out a double-double (16 points, 11 rebounds) against Pennsbury, while Sammy Foreman tossed in 16 in the loss to Abington.
9. North Allegheny* (7, 22-5, 0-1) — previous ranking: 6 — Dave DeGregorio’s club had its season brought to an end by WPIAL rival New Castle, as the Tigers dropped a 64-54 decision despite 32 points from Cole Constantino. North Allegheny played New Castle three times in 2013-14, dropping all three.
10. Pennsbury* (1, 23-6, 0-1) — previous ranking: 7 — Undone by a slow start, Bill Coleman’s Falcons never could catch up and were ousted from state play by Martin Luther King 65-43 in Wednesday’s second round. Mekhi Bryant bagged 25 points and Derrick Woods added 11 for junior-heavy Pennsbury, which trailed King by a 14-5 margin heading into the second quarter.
OTHERS TO WATCH: Allderdice* (8) 19-6,Bethel Park* (7) 18-7, Carlisle* (3) 18-9, Cedar Crest* (3) 26-6, Central York* (3) 24-5, Conestoga* (1) 24-6, Cumberland Valley* (3) 19-8, Emmaus* (11) 18-9, Great Valley* (1) 22-3, Harrisburg* (3) 17-7, Hazleton* (2) 22-5, Hershey* (3) 18-9, McDowell* (10) 23-4, Obama Academy* (8) 22-1, Oxford* (1) 22-8, Parkland* (11) 22-6, Spring-Ford* (1) 24-5, St. Joseph’s Prep* (12) 16-7, West Chester Rustin* (1) 19-11, Wilson* (3) 26-4, York* (3) 23-7.
*-season complete
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