Here's installment No. 2 of The Patriot-News' PIAA Class A boys' basketball rankings for the 2012-13 season — along with some background info. Records are current through Jan. 6.
1. Math, Civics & Sciences (10-0) -- preseason: 1 -- Led by D-I recruits Jeremiah “Lump” Worthem (Robert Morris), Britton Lee (Robert Morris) and Quadir Welton (St. Peter’s), Dan Jackson’s Mighty Elephants already own victories over Imhotep, Meyers and Norristown. Another showdown comes Tuesday against Philly Public League playmate Philly Electrical.
2. Vaux (4-5) -- preseason: 3 -- Early-season record may not sparkle, but we’ll cut the Philly side some slack since all five setbacks were delivered by out-of-state sides. Especially if the Giant Center gathering has a chance to see star guard Rysheed Jordan, who has Temple, St. John’s and UCLA on his short list.
3. Church Farm (7-3) -- preseason: 5 -- Athletic group with solid bigs Larry Cermak and Mylunge Reeves lurking on baseline has played strong slate thus far. Certainly hung with Archbishop Carroll, Harrisburg and Holy Ghost. Third straight 1-A crown strong possibility.
4. Lincoln Park (5-4) -- preseason: 2 -- 2012 PIAA Class A runner-up endured a tough stretch right before the calendar changed, but spate of WPIAL Section games should help erase any lingering sting. Freshman 6-6 Maverick Rowan has impressed early while averaging just under 24 ppg.
5. Johnsonburg (8-1) -- preseason: 7 -- Veteran side paced by experienced guards Cole Peterson and Cameron Grumley, J-burg has already bagged two victories over perennial 9-A hammer Elk County Catholic and one over Ridgway. Stumbled at Smethport, but ...
6. North Catholic (7-2) -- preseason: 6 -- Terrific WPIAL group led by all-state senior Danny Savulchak, Trojans have claimed some notable scalps (Ridgway, Seton-La Salle) and been dropped by some notable foes (Johnsonburg, North Allegheny). First meeting with Vincentian (Tuesday night) will tell plenty.
7. Vincentian (9-0) -- preseason: not ranked -- May not have the biggest group on the court, but George Yokitis’ program always seems to be in the mix come playoff time and a perfect start thus far backs up the history. Tough week ahead with North Catholic (Tuesday) and Bishop Carroll (Saturday).
8. Ridgway (9-2) -- preseason: not ranked -- Still plenty of pop left following deep state run a year ago — Jesse Reynolds is averaging just over 17 points per game — so beware of the Elkers. Two more scraps with Johnsonburg still in the offing.
9. Shade (10-0) -- preseason: 9 -- Productive senior pair of Ryan Fyock and Wade Walker get the Panthers nearly 45 points per game between them. No wonder this 5-A power is beating teams — closest victory was 14 points — by 26-plus.
10. Sullivan County (9-0) -- preseason: 10 -- Obviously there’s been no lingering effects from last year's tough season-ending loss to MC&S in state playoffs as Glenn Vaughan’s balanced Griffins — four players are averaging in double figures — have charged past first nine foes. Neumann on tap Tuesday night.
OUR HONORABLE MENTIONS
Aside from perennial 2-A entry Old Forge (8-2), 10-A hammer Kennedy Catholic (4-3) and a Shanksville-Stonycreek outfit (7-1) that likely will battle Shade for 5-A supremacy, other districts feature clusters of worthy teams. And that means fans in those respective areas who can’t wait for postseason play to arrive should be drained by the time it ends. ... Defending 3-A champ Greenwood (9-2) has rattled off nine consecutive victories, but Lebanon Catholic (9-2) and New Hope Academy (7-2) appear poised to pounce. ... Same in District 4, where St. John Neumann (8-0) and Lourdes Regional (8-2) will challenge Sullivan County. ... District 6-A is highlighted by Bishop Carroll (6-2) and Bishop Guilfoyle (5-1), which will meet Monday night in Altoona. Carroll also has a date with No. 7 Vincentian on Saturday. ... PIAA Class A football champ Clairton (3-1), still catching up, will make lots of noise in 7-A. Same for Our Lady of Sacred Heart (9-1) and Union (9-1). ... District 9-A — with Johnsonburg and Ridgway already listed above — sports a deep, competitive field that should lead to a ridiculously good tournament. Others in the mix include Elk County Catholic (6-3), North Clarion (8-1) and Smethport (8-1). ... Another competitive set of teams can be found in 11-A, where Mahanoy Area (8-3), Marian Catholic (8-2), Pius X (8-2) and Shenandoah Valley (6-3) keep taking turns authoring wins over one of the others.