NYC girls basketball power rankings (1/24/12)

No. 1 Nazareth (5-1)

The Lady Kingsmen suffered their first loss of the year, a humbling lopsided defeat against Riverdale Baptist, ranked No. 2 in the country by USA Today. Naz bounced back, though, to beat H.D. Woodson (D.C.) thanks to 33 points from sophomore Bianca Cuevas.

Next: St. Francis Prep (Friday, 6:15 p.m.)

No. 2 Bishop Ford (13-1)

Winners of 12 straight games, Ford is on quite a roll right now and appears to be on a collision course with Nazareth. Their highly anticipated first meeting is Jan. 31 at Naz.

Next: St. Francis Prep (Wednesday, 4:15 p.m.)

No. 3 South Shore (14-2)

The Vikings were playing like the favorites to win the PSAL Class AA title before running into a hungry and determined JFK squad. South Shore didn’t match the intensity and suffered its first league loss.

Next: Neptune (N.J.), Kennedy Challenge (Sunday, 2:30 p.m.)

No. 4 Archbishop Molloy (11-4)

Molloy picked up a big league win against Christ the King and comfortably defeated St. Francis Prep, but Monday, without star guard Amani Tatum (concussion), the Stanners fell to Loughlin, 61-56.

Next: No. 6 Moore Catholic, Kennedy Challenge (Saturday, 2:30 p.m.)

No. 5 Bishop Loughlin (7-6)

It’s hard to figure these Lions out. Loughlin’s rollercoaster season continued Monday with a huge win against Archbishop Molloy, which came after a disheartening loss to Bishop Ford, which came after a victory against Norland (Fla.). You get the picture.

Next: JFK (NJ), Kennedy Challenge (Saturday, 2 p.m.)

No. 6 Moore Catholic (12-3)

The Mavericks bombed away from 3-point range to the tune of 11 trifectas in a lopsided win against Cardinal Spellman Friday and defeated a sound St. John Villa squad. Next up, Briarwood’s Archbishop Molloy in The Bronx.

Next: No. 4 Archbishop Molloy, Kennedy Challenge (Saturday, 2:30 p.m.)

No. 7 Christ the King (5-8)

The Royals seemed to take the frustration out from a rare loss to Archbishop Molloy out on Mary Louis because Christ the King came away with a 30-point road win Sunday.

Next: Archbishop Wood @ Archbishop Carroll (Sunday, 2:30 p.m.)

No. 8 Mary Louis (7-9)

The Hilltoppers have been topsy-turvy this year, but the good news is they’re not alone. Mary Louis will need a consistent effort in order to beat Teaneck (NJ) at the Kennedy Challenge Sunday night.

Next: Teaneck (NJ), Kennedy Challenge (Sunday, 7 p.m.)

No. 9 Murry Bergtraum (10-4)

We warned everyone about the Lady Blazers, who beat John F. Kennedy by 13 on Wednesday. Ed Grezinsky’s side appears to be rounding into form at the right time. Could PSAL title No. 14 in a row be in the books?

Next: HD Woodson (D.C.), Kennedy Challenge (Sunday, 2:30 p.m.)

No. 10 McKee/Staten Island Tech (16-1)

Wondering what makes McKee/Staten Island Tech tick? Look no further than Kaitlyn Astel, a senior swing who averages 19.2 points and 7.3 rebounds per games for the best PSAL team on Staten Island.

Next: Port Richmond (Feb. 1, 6 p.m.)

No. 11 John F. Kennedy (15-6)

A loss at Murry Bergtraum stung, but not as much as the home loss to Truman in December. Since that defeat, JFK has talked about defending its home court better and that was certainly the case in its biggest win of the year – beating PSAL powerhouse South Shore Friday.

Next: National Christian Academy (D.C), Kennedy Challenge (Sunday, 11 a.m.)

No. 12 Cardinal Spellman (10-3)

Friday’s anticipated showdown for first place in the Archdiocesan proved to be a dud as Moore Catholic handily defeated Cardinal Spellman. The Pilots were hoping to bounce back right away, but a home game against St. Joseph by the Sea was postponed because of inclement weather Saturday.

Next: @ No. 14 St. John Villa (Friday, 7 p.m.)

No. 13 Truman (15-6)

The Mustangs were thin to begin with, but are now even thinner with Joella Gibson leaving the team to concentrate on academics. Still, John Burke’s squad has proven to be one of the PSAL’s elite.

Next: New Rochelle, Kennedy Challenge (Sunday, 11:30 a.m.)

No. 14 St. John Villa (9-5)

Utilizing a balanced, guard-oriented attack, the Bears hung tight with No. 6 Moore Catholic, only to succumb in a 47-37 loss Sunday. Another test comes up at home Friday when No. 12 Cardinal Spellman comes to Staten Island.

Next: No. 12 Cardinal Spellman (Friday, 7 p.m.)

No. 15 Francis Lewis (8-7)

After a tough three-point loss to Truman, the Patriots returned to their winning ways with back-to-back victories against Grand Street Campus and Midwood. It wasn’t easy, but Lewis prevailed and hopes to build on that against Curtis at the Kennedy Challenge.

Next: Curtis, Kennedy Challenge (Saturday, 12:30 p.m.)

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