Here's installment No. 2 of The Patriot-News’ PIAA Class AA boys' basketball rankings for the 2012-13 season — along with some needed nuggets. Records through Jan. 6.
1. Meyers (8-1) -- preseason: 3 -- Sentenced to a pedestrian Wyoming Valley Conference schedule, the Mohawks spiced up the non-league slate and it’s worked beautifully. Tumbled at Math, Civics & Sciences, but already have popped preseason No. 1 Holy Cross and nipped Class AAA hammer Abington Heights in overtime. Dangerous side with size and scoring punch.
2. Trinity (8-2) -- preseason: 2 -- Shamrocks have potent first six, but haven’t gotten much production beyond that — and that’s been especially problematic with Dylan DeFrank nursing chronic ankle injury. Mid-Penn Keystone playmates have taken their shots, with Mechanicsburg and Bishop McDevitt delivering losses. Tough week ahead as Palmyra visits Monday and a trip to Susquehanna Twp. on Wednesday.
3. Beaver Falls (8-2) -- preseason: 6 -- Sheldon Jeter may have taken his multi-pronged game to Vanderbilt, but Doug Biega’s Tigers remain tough out at Double-A level — especially with gifted guards Drew Cook and Elijah Cottrill tormenting opponents. Picked off West Middlesex opening night and WPIAL rival New Brighton last weekend — losses came against New Castle and Montour — so difficult slate in store.
4. Communications Tech (6-2) -- preseason: 4 -- Lou Biester always seems to have something cooking and this year is no different. Just beginning to dig into difficult Philly Public League Division A slate — downed Philly Electrical, but fell to Vaux — so this group will endure plenty of tests. Another non-league biggie comes Sunday in suburban Harrisburg against Berks Catholic.
5. Holy Cross (6-3) -- preseason: 1 -- Has had a rough go against a really strong early-season slate — Abington Heights, Meyers and Scranton caught Al Callejas’ outfit — but have won last three and appear to be righting things behind powerful all-state forward Josh Kosin.
6. Constitution (8-3) -- preseason: Not ranked -- Rob Moore’s Generals may not yet have the household names they sported a season ago while winning the Class A title — Savon Goodman, Daiquan Walker — but they are getting there. Vaux on tap Tuesday night.
7. Jeannette (10-1) -- preseason: Not ranked -- Terrelle Pryor may be busy quarterbacking the Oakland Raiders, but the Jayhawks never have to look too far to find talent. Duke Brown and Julian Batts share 37 points per game for a club that’s 10-0 against Pennsylvania sides. West Mifflin visits Wednesday.
8. Greensburg Central Catholic (10-1) -- preseason: Not ranked -- Lugging the nickname Centurions certainly carries plenty of oomph, but Dr. Greg Bisignani appears to have another terrific club on hand in southwestern Pennsylvania. Tough test coming up Friday against Serra Catholic.
9. West Middlesex (5-3) -- preseason: 5 -- Stepping into the Class AA ranks following a splendid Class A run last season, the Big Reds sport veteran crew led by 6-5 guard and Gannon recruit Matthew Dogan. Chad Mild’s club is facing tough schedule with another difficult test Tuesday at Lakeview.
10. Loyalsock (7-1) -- preseason: 10 -- Ron Insinger has won hundreds of games in suburban Williamsport — three freshmen played serious minutes last season — and this group will add plenty more to his victory count. Have rebounded nicely since holiday loss in State College.
OUR HONORABLE MENTIONS
Certainly a meaty group since Bishop McCort (5-2), Mercyhurst Prep (5-5) and Sto-Rox (5-4) were able-bodied parts of the preseason top 10. And they could wind up back among the lofty few before everything comes to a close. ... Jim Dooley’s Delone Catholic Squires (6-4) still have 10-year veteran Brett Smith at the point, but soph Devon Moore can light it up. ... Lakeview (9-1) suffered its lone loss to Cleveland’s John Hay at a holiday event. ... Seton-La Salle (9-2), honorable mention at the start, dropped a four-point affair at 7-A power North Catholic last weekend. ... Unbeaten Lewisburg (8-0), part of a terrific Heartland II pack, will spend the week trying to turn aside several league opponents before taking its first shot at Loyalsock. ... Serra Catholic (9-1) was perfect through nine games before encountering No. 7 Jeannette. A duel with No. 8 GCC comes Saturday on the road. ... Del-Val Charter (5-3) is part of the Philly Public League’s rugged Division A so plenty of challenges await. ... And perennial 2-AA contender Dunmore (6-3) just keeps rolling along.