Tri-State basketball Top 20: Week 4

Senior guard Hallice Cooke was 6 of 10 from 3-point range and had 22 points Wednesday in a 54-41 win over Central Jersey Each One Teach One, and scored 22 points again three nights later to spur a 52-45 victory over Long Island Lutheran for the SNY Invitational crown. The Friars play undefeated East Brunswick Tuesday and undefeated St. Benedict's Friday.

The idle Railsplitters return to the rigors of Brooklyn AA with games against Transit Tech and Boys & Girls. Next: Transit Tech (Thursday, 5 p.m.)

The Crusaders, despite falling to NJ's St. Anthony. hold firm at No. 5

Syracuse-bound forward Tyler Roberson averaged 26 points and 18.5 rebounds to guide the Lions to consecutive wins over Plainfield and Elizabeth. Roselle Catholic faces an improved Gill St. Bernard's Friday at the Newark National Invitational at the Prudential Center.

Junior guard Gary Baumer has been showcasing his perimeter range of late, and that's opened up the lane for Rob Ukawuba and Jake Krantz. The Bears travel to Jersey City Tuesday night to take on No. 1 St. Anthony.

The Cardinals lost to Long Island Lutheran, but bounced back to beat Boys & Girls in the SNY Invitational. Next: @ St. Francis Prep (Tuesday, 4 p.m.)

The Knights get back to league play this week with a home game against Mamaroneck and on the road at Scarsdale. They still may get shut out of getting a No. 1 seed in Class AA if North Rockland keeps winning.

Junior forward Karl Towns led five scorers in double figures with 22 points (also 13 rebounds) Sunday in a 78-50 win over Phelps (Pa.). Guard Jimbo Long sank 11 points for his first double-digit performance this season.

The Celtics received strong play from DeAndre Bembry and Chris Regus to rebound from a 59-48 loss last Tuesday to Elizabeth with convincing wins over Don Bosco Prep and Parkland (Pa.).

The Ravens beat Mount St. Michael and Stepinac, but fell to Fordham Prep in overtime Sunday. Next: Cardinal Hayes (Friday, 7:30 p.m.)

The Bulldogs logged plenty of miles last week (334 round trip to be exact) but weren’t weary travelers. De’Ashia Jones collected 13 points and 13 rebounds in a 53-48 victory to hand No. 7 Phillipsburg its first loss. Sunday, it was off to Holy Spirit in Absecon for the Prime Events Shootout and a 54-38 triumph against Middle Township, keyed by 18 points and 10 boards from Zaire O’Neil.

Stout defense, smart execution and the selfless principles behind both have enabled the Knights to run off 12 straight victories, the most recent a 73-53 showing at  Bridgewater-Raritan. Taylor Rooks clicked for 30 points, Jasmine Sina hit five 3-pointers on her way to scoring 17 and Trevena Bennett added 14 points and nine rebounds.

The Falcons move back to the top spot after impressive wins against Archbishop Molloy, Capital Prep (CT) and Mary Louis. Next: @ Bishop Loughlin (Wednesday, 6 p.m.)

Senior swing Kerry Malleck scored at a 10.7 clip during the Panthers’ current four-game winning streak while senior forward Jess Macchi cleared 36 rebounds in the last three contests, including 10 on Sunday in a 61-55 triumph over Archbishop Molloy (N.Y.).

Despite a game-high 28 points from Columbia-bound Carolyn Gallagher, the Stanners fell to Point Pleasant Boro (NJ) 61-55 Sunday. Next: @ St. Francis Prep (Wednesday, 7 p.m.)

After a week off, Brianna Fraser and the Lady Vikings return to the court Thursday against Boys & Girls. Next: Boys & Girls (Thursday, 5 p.m.)

DePaul managed to do what no other has done to the Blue Eagles’ offense thus far when it held firm in pinning IHA with a 34-33 upset on Thursday. The top-seed in the Bergen County Tournament rebounded to open play in the event with a 62-23 victory over Hasbrouck Heights in the preliminary round behind 20 points from Samantha Wilkes and 10 more by Taylor Anderson.

The Lady Friars were idle this week.

The Crusaders have won eight straight, with seven of those victories coming by at least 35 points.

While the supporting cast continues to develop, sophomore Marina Mabrey and junior Katelynn Flaherty have proven their will is just as tough to stop as their wealth of skill. Mabrey had 35 points, 15 rebounds, seven steals, three assists and two blocks to engineer a 69-68 decision over St. Rose and Flaherty dropped 27 to spark the Garnett Gulls past Holy Spirit, 70-61.