By Michael Bullock
1. Neumann-Goretti (12, 15-4, 3-0) — previous ranking: 2 — While Wednesday’s 64-58 victory at Archbishop Carroll obviously caused yet another flip-flop at the top of the Class AAA rankings, Carl Arrigale’s Saints spent the rest of last week defeating Archbishop Ryan (80-45) and Martin Luther King (85-75). Miami (Fla.) recruit Ja’Quan Newton uncorked three sparkling efforts, totaling 90 points in N-G’s sweep. Newton also grabbed 11 boards to go with his week-high 31 points in the win over MLK. Up next for the Saints is a Friday night date at Archbishop Wood.
2. Archbishop Carroll (12, 17-3, 3-1) — previous ranking: 1 — Although Paul Romanczuk’s Patriots tumbled at home to Neumann-Goretti (64-58), Carroll’s busy seven-day stretch included wins over Archbishop Wood (83-52), Cardinal O’Hara (64-17) and Archbishop Ryan (79-38). Derrick Jones posted a double-double (21 points, 10 rebounds) against Wood, while Austin Tilghman totaled 54 points in Carroll’s first three outings. Return to action Friday at Father Judge.
3. Allentown Central Catholic (11, 19-0, 3-0) — previous ranking: 3 — Dennis Csensits’ Vikings continued their impressive run by claiming three more victims: Parkland (77-63), Stroudsburg (86-65) and Allentown Dieruff (72-43). Muhammad Ali Abdur-Rahkman played a leading role once again, posting double-digit efforts (17/32/23) in the sweep. Brendan Wagner and Jeanlee Baez, meanwhile, reached double figures twice. Another crosstown scrap arrives Tuesday night at Allen.
4. Imhotep Charter (12, 18-4, 3-0) — previous ranking: 4 — Just another three-game sweep for Andre Noble’s Panthers, who closed out the regular season with victories over Constitution (41-40), Frankford (67-46) and Williamsport (52-31). Sean Lloyd, Jakwan Jones and Deion Evans each cracked double figures in two of the wins. Will spend the next few days preparing for the Philly Public League playoffs.
5. Berks Catholic (3, 17-3, 2-0) — previous ranking: 5 — Make that 12 consecutive victories for Snip Esterly’s Saints, who ran their winning streak to an even dozen by popping Hamburg (64-26) and Twin Valley (53-31). While Bucknell recruit Nana Foulland paced Berks Catholic both nights with 18 and 25 points, Connor Jack produced a double-double (11 points, 10 boards) in the win over Hamburg. Will play host to Conrad Weiser on Tuesday night.
6. Chartiers Valley (7, 18-1, 2-0) — previous ranking: 7 — With Matty McConnell still on a productive roll, Tim McConnell’s Colts extended their winning streak to 11 games with wins over Montour (65-55) and Knoch (61-47). The younger McConnell smacked Montour with a 32-point salvo, then uncorked a triple-double (22 points, 14 rebounds, 10 assists) as CV bested Knoch. Eddie Flohr added 17 points in the Knoch win, while Jerrad Tuite wound up with 12. Up next is a Tuesday night scrap at South Park.
7. Abington Heights (2, 17-1, 2-0) — previous ranking: 8 — Encountering little resistance, Ken Bianchi’s Comets stretched their winning streak to seven games by devouring Valley View (73-25) and Wallenpaupack (74-30). J.C. Show (20/13), Tim Toro (10/12) and Ethan Danzig (10/10) reached double figures in both successes for Abington Heights, which will visit Scranton Prep on Tuesday night.
8. Scranton Prep (2, 17-1, 2-0) — previous ranking: 9 — Thanks to convincing victories over Scranton (68-33) and once-beaten Honesdale (70-50), Prep bumped its winning streak to eight games. Tim Rose (13/26), Noah Beh (16/15) and Bobby Casey (10/13) cracked double figures in both wins. On deck for the Cavaliers is a Tuesday night date with Abington Heights, which handed Prep its lone setback.
9. Central Valley (7, 16-2, 2-0) — previous ranking: 10 — Rebounding from its loss to Hampton, Central Valley got back on track last week with victories over Beaver Area (81-63) and Ellwood City (69-42). Four players reached double figures in each of the Warriors’ wins, with Mike Sims (18/13) and Tony Gates (11/10) performing that feat twice. Have a tough WPIAL Section 2 scrap Tuesday night at Blackhawk.
10. Bishop McDevitt (3, 19-1, 3-1) — previous ranking: 6 — Playing four times in five days — McDevitt opened the week by mauling Mechanicsburg (90-54) — Jeff Hoke’s Crusaders rebounded from Thursday’s loss to Susquehanna Twp. (78-65) by defeating Red Land (70-47) and York Catholic (87-45). Milik Gantz reached double figures in all four outings (16/15/16/10), cranking out a triple-double against Red Land and a double-double at York Catholic. McDevitt’s victory at Red Land also was highlighted by Dyllon Hudson-Emory collecting career point No. 1,000. Will visit Steelton-Highspire on Tuesday night.
OTHERS TO WATCH: Archbishop Wood (12) 11-9, Blue Mountain (11) 18-2, Boiling Springs (3) 18-2, Boys Latin (12) 19-3, Crestwood (2) 15-3, Elizabeth Forward (7) 15-3, Erie East (10) 14-3, Farrell (10) 16-1, GAR Memorial (2) 14-4, Girard (10) 10-5, Hickory (10) 13-3, Holy Ghost Prep (1) 15-5, Honesdale (2) 16-2, Indiana (7) 17-2, Knoch (7) 14-4, Manheim Central (3) 18-2, Mars (7) 11-6, Montour (7) 12-6, Oil City (10) 13-2, Philly Electrical (12) 13-9, Pottsville (11) 17-3, Salisbury (11) 14-6, Shamokin (4) 17-2, South Fayette (7) 11-5, Steel Valley (7) 13-3, Steelton-Highspire (3) 17-4, Strong Vincent (10) 9-5, Susquehanna Twp (3) 13-5, Thomas Jefferson (7) 17-2, Uniontown (7) 17-1, West York (3) 21-1.