The time to separate the contenders from the pretenders is now. As is the case in Class AA, the city’s lower-level playoffs get going full throttle this week. The CHSAA and private schools will name champions by Sunday while the PSAL will get down to a final eight.
We break down our top 10, similar to last week because of such inactivity, below:
1. Long Island City (23-3) (Last week: 1)
The Bulldogs have the perfect recipe for postseason success: experienced and versatile seniors desperate to go out on top after falling just short a year ago. Arthur Santanna, Kevin Green Jr., Sadji Camara and Xavier Jones are primed to bring home the PSAL Class A crown to Long Island City.
Next: Martin Luther King Jr., PSAL Class A first round (Feb. 29, 5 p.m.)
2. Mott Haven (22-5) (2)
The top seed in the PSAL Class A playoffs, Mott Haven has a fairly open draw into the quarterfinals. Then, it gets tricky. The high-scoring Mavericks could meet Construction in the quarterfinals and Bedford Academy in the semis – neither of which would be easy.
Next: FDR, PSAL Class A first round (Feb. 25, 5 p.m.)
3. Collegiate (22-3) (3)
It was a solid tune-up weekend for the Dutchmen in the Collegiate Invitational: wins over Bedford Academy and Hunter College HS, followed by a hard-fought loss to Long Island Lutheran in the title game. Collegiate is a heavy favorite to win its fifth straight NYSAIS Class B title this week.
Next: Riverdale/Dalton, NYSAIS Class B semifinals (March 2, 5 p.m. @ Trinity)
4. Bedford Academy (21-5) (4)
The Panthers rebounded from a heartbreaking overtime loss to Collegiate on Saturday with a quality 76-66 win over Fieldston on Sunday in the Collegiate Invitational. Sophomore point guard Darren Thomas has emerged as a lethal scorer to match his playmaking ability.
Next: Harry Van Arsdale, PSAL Class A first round (Feb. 28, 5 p.m.)
5. Nazareth (18-6) (5)
The regular season is over and now Nazareth must prove its worth in elimination games. The Kingsmen get nemesis Salesian, the defending ‘B’ champion, in the semifinals Tuesday before a potential date in the championship game Friday with St. Agnes or Sacred Heart.
Next: Salesian, CHSAA Class B semifinals (Feb. 28, 6 p.m. @ Fordham Prep)
6. Brooklyn Collegiate (21-5) (6)
By Wednesday, the Lions will have had 22 days of rest between their Brooklyn borough quarterfinal loss to South Shore and PSAL Class A playoff opener against Bronx Science. Now that’s a layoff. The Wolverines should look to get out to a quick start against the potentially flat Lions.
Next: Bronx Science, PSAL Class A first round (Feb. 29, 5 p.m.)
7. St. Edmund Prep (18-6) (8)
Matt O’Neill has been the high scorer this year, but St. Edmund has received invaluable contributions from Nick Grasso and Chris Tsatsis. No one expected the Eagles to be in this spot, but Tuesday they will play Xavier with a chance to go to the CHSAA Class A championship game at Fordham University.
Next: Xavier, CHSAA Class A semifinals (Feb. 28, 6 p.m. @ Mount St. Michael)
8. Pathways (19-4) (10)
Jordan Washington, Romario Fletcher and Co. are the heavy favorites in the PSAL Class B playoffs. The Trailblazers won the ‘B’ crown last year and they are deeper, more versatile and explosive now – bad news for the rest of the ‘B’ division.
Next: Chelsea, PSAL Class B first round (Feb. 28, 5 p.m.)
9. Fieldston (20-6) (7)
Coach Steve Bluth started the regular season by scheduling PSAL Class AA foes and ended it against defending state Federation Class A champion Long Island Lutheran and PSAL Class A favorite Bedford Academy. The longtime hopes such games have his kids prepared for a big week in the NYSAIS Class B playoffs.
Next: FDA, Collegiate Invitational (Feb. 23, 4 p.m.)
10. Poly Prep (14-9) (10)
The Blue Devils enter the playoffs coming off a 66-54 win over Trinity, significant considering they had dropped their previous two contests against Ivy Prep League rivals Collegiate and Fieldston. Poly Prep will get an early test in the NYSAIS Class B tournament: NYCAL champion Columbia Prep and sharpshooter Brian Lissak.
Next: Columbia Prep, NYSAIS Class B first round (March 1, 5 p.m.)
New: None
Dropped out: None
On the bubble: Springfield Gardens (17-4), Moore Catholic (20-5), Xavier (13-9), Construction (17-7), , Dalton (13-11), Evander Childs (16-4), WHEELS (17-2), Riverdale (10-11), Packer Collegiate (22-3) and Columbia Prep (16-8)