Had to be one or the other.
Since Lincoln Park Charter and Math, Civics & Sciences spent the entire 2013-14 season parked atop PennLive’s Class A boys’ basketball rankings — and since both reached Friday’s PIAA Class A championship game — whichever side bounced out of Hershey’s Giant Center clutching gold medals would finish at No. 1.
And since Lincoln Park collared a come-from-behind 70-66 decision — Mark Javens’ outfit trailed by 15 points (32-17) in the opening half before rallying for the victory — the Midland-based Leopards aren’t about to budge.
They’ll stay at No. 1.
CLICK HERE FOR A PIAA CLASS A TOURNAMENT BRACKET
CLICK HERE FOR ADDITIONAL RANKINGS: AAAA ... AAA ... AA
Short synopses of our top 10 appear below, with PIAA district, overall records and record for the week displayed in parentheses.
1. Lincoln Park Charter (7, 30-1, 2-0) — previous ranking: 1 — Following an easy 70-28 victory over Bishop Carroll in the state semifinals — Mark Javens’ Leopards sported a 39-13 lead at the break — Lincoln Park captured its first state title by rallying from a 32-17 deficit to down Math, Civics & Sciences 70-66. While Maverick Rowan posted two massive outings (32/37), Elijah Minnie and Ryan Skovranko took turns checking in with 10-point efforts. Minnie had 10 blocks in the final.
2. Math, Civics & Sciences (12, 15-15, 1-1) — previous ranking: 2 — Danny Jackson’s Mighty Elephants earned their way into their first state final since 2011 by coming from behind to defeat St. John Neumann 76-53 in the semis, then watched a big first-half lead disappear several days later in a 70-66 loss to Lincoln Park. Samir Doughty (17/26) popped a pair of double-digit performances, while 6-9 Penn State verbal Mike Watkins churned out two double-doubles (15 points/15 rebounds and 17 points/20 rebounds). Presence of Nazeer Bostick was another plus.
3. Church Farm (1, 25-5, 0-0) — previous ranking: 5 — Did not play. Finished season in state quarterfinals with 47-46 loss to Math, Civics & Sciences.
4. Mahanoy Area (11, 25-3, 0-0) — previous ranking: 6 — Did not play. Finished season in state second round with 56-52 loss to Church Farm.
5. St. John Neumann (4, 30-1, 0-1) — previous ranking: 4 — Although Paul Petcavage’s Golden Knights sported a 41-38 advantage halfway through their state semifinal-round dustup with Math, Civics & Sciences, Neumann ultimately dropped a 76-53 decision despite a double-double from Alize Johnson (18 points/10 rebounds) and 11 points from reserve Kamaal Burkholder.
6. Bishop Carroll (6, 28-1, 0-1) — previous ranking: 3 — Unbeaten heading into the state semifinals, a slow start ultimately proved troubling as Cosie Aliquo’s Huskies were humbled 70-28 by eventual champ Lincoln Park. Brandon Martinazzi netted 10 points for Carroll, which trailed 15-2 after one quarter and 39-13 at the break.
7. Monessen (7, 21-7, 0-0) — previous ranking: 7 — Did not play. Finished season in state quarterfinals with 69-65 loss to Bishop Carroll.
8. Vincentian (7, 24-4, 0-0) — previous ranking: 8 — Did not play. Finished season in state quarterfinals with 99-64 loss to Lincoln Park.
9. Cardinal Wuerl North Catholic (7, 17-11, 0-0) — previous ranking: 9 — Did not play. Finished season in state quarterfinals with 63-59 loss (OT) to Bishop Carroll.
10. New Hope Academy (3, 16-10, 0-0) — previous ranking: NR — Did not play. Finished season in state quarterfinals with 78-68 loss to St. John Neumann.
OTHERS TO WATCH: Berlin Brothersvalley (5) 23-3, Bishop Guilfoyle (6) 19-7, Cochranton (10) 21-4, Elk County Catholic (9) 23-5, Erie First Christian (10) 15-10 Forbes Road (5) 17-9, Greenwood (3) 18-8, Homer-Center (6) 23-4, Johnsonburg (9) 23-5, Lebanon Catholic (3) 17-9, Mount Calvary (3) 22-5, Phil-Mont Christian (1) 20-6, Pius X (11) 20-5, Ridgway (9) 21-7, Sullivan County (4) 20-7.
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