Tri-State basketball Top 20: Week 5

Robert Morris-bound guard Kavon Stewart has sparkled of late as both a facilitator (38 assists last five games) and a timely scorer. The Hawks put their 15-game win streak on the line Thursday against 15-2 Marist in Bayonne.

The Royals continue to roll along, beating Archbishop Molloy, Holy Cross and Fordham Prep last week. Next: Archbishop Stepinac (Tuesday, 7:30 p.m.)

The Highwaymen's offense is clicking with Shaakir Lindsey's dribble penetration and passing, Joel Hernandez' shooting and the steady play of Marcus Fulmore and others. Teaneck has won nine straight since a loss to St. Benedict's.

The Lions will look to avenge league losses this week when they take on Molloy and Christ the King this week. Next:  Archbishop Molloy (Tuesday, 4 p.m.)

After being stopped by St. Anthony, 48-37, the Bears continued their own brand of defensive excellence by yielding just 57 total points in the next two games. Rob Ukawuba and Gary Baumer paced the offense against Colonia and Bishop Ahr.

The Lions fell to Gill St. Bernard's, 63-59, last Friday despite a 21-point, 17-rebound outing from Syracuse-bound forward Tyler Roberson. Roselle Catholic visits No. 12 Linden Tuesday night and faces South Jersey power Atlantic City Saturday at the PrimeTime Shootout in Roselle.

Hakeem Rogers turned in consecutive 18-point games and Isaiah Davis averaged 12 in victories last week over Plainfield and North Bergen. Jahad Thomas and Kason Campbell continue to provide tough defense for the Minutemen.

Billy Turnage’s squad picked up three more league wins last week, beating Monroe, Lehman and Mott Haven. Next: @ Gompers (Tuesday, 5 p.m.)

The Ghosts have spun off six straight wins behind Thomas Rivera, Jetor Brown and Asim Johnson. They face a tough test at home Thursday against Don Bosco Prep.

The Orange Wave appears to be turning a corner, beating Grady and South Shore last week. But can Jefferson slay undefeated Lincoln? Next: @Lincoln (Tuesday, 5 p.m.)

On Saturday, the Pride lost at home for the first time since February 4, 2011, to Spring-Ford, one of the best teams in Pennsylvania. The Pride should get back on track this week as they face Blind Brook and end the season against Irvington. Saniya Chong will be looking to go out in style in her final regular season home game.

Led by Aaliyah Jones, the Falcons crushed nationally-ranked Riverdale Baptist and defeated rival Nazareth in less than 24 hours. Next: @ Christ the King (Friday, 4:30 p.m.)

The Knights had their 14-game win streak snapped on Saturday in a 73-62 loss to Christ the King at the Rose Classic in New York despite 34 points and 12 rebounds from junior guard Taylor Rooks.

While senior point guard Mary Kate Caverly turned up her offense last week, the defense was in lockdown mode. Caverly went for 15 in a 47-37 decision over No. 9 Holmdel and backed that with 14 to fuel the Caseys past No. 12 Rumson, 49-34.

The Bulldogs put a hurting on Ardsley, a team they could face in the County Center. Irvington travels to Ossining on Friday to face Saniya Chong for the last time. Can the Bulldogs spoil Chong’s final regular season home game?

Ashanae McLaughlin scored 22 points and Jasmine Nwajeil added 11 in a 58-47 win over Brooklyn Collegiate. Next: @ Francis Lewis (Wednesday, 5 p.m.)

The Gaels topped Holy Trinity and St. John the Baptist in close games.

Shannon McGill (12 points) and Kristen Olsen (10 points) led the Warriors to a 77-52 win over Petrides, career win No. 499 for coach Bob Daggert. Next: @ Tottenville (Tuesday, 6 p.m.)

A day after a tight loss to Long Island powerhouse St. Mary’s at the Bishop Ford Coaches vs. Cancer tournament, Moore edged St. John Villa, 36-32, Sunday. Next: @ St. Joseph by the Sea (Tuesday, 7 p.m.)

The Red Raiders went through a nightmare on Monday. Both Maia Hood and Tiffany Corselli were badly injured in Hamilton’s loss to Harrison, and the Huskies took care of business down the stretch. It looks like Hood and Corselli could return for the playoffs, so we’ll see how everything shapes up.