Here's installment No. 2 of our PIAA Class AAAA boys' basketball rankings for the 2012-13 season — with a few needed nuggets tossed into the mix. Records through Jan. 6.
1. Chester (7-2) -- preseason: 1 -- Larry Yarbray’s Clippers may have had their 61-game winning streak snapped during a pre-holiday tournament in Florida, but so what? Rondae Jefferson & Co. have run off 58 consecutive victories against Pennsylvania playmates. Until someone beats them here, they’re No. 1.
2. Lower Merion (9-1) -- preseason: 2 -- Have claimed nine straight wins since tumbling to Neumann-Goretti in season-opening tilt — a number in Central League play — so Gregg Downer’s Aces are doing just fine. And as long as Syracuse recruit B.J. Johnson continues to fill it up, they’ll continue to do fine.
3. St. Joseph’s Prep (8-2) -- preseason: 3 -- With Hawks funneling offense through D-I guards Stephen Vasturia (Notre Dame) and Miles Overton (Wake Forest) — St. Joe’s skipper Speedy Morris is in hoops Hall of Fame so that’s hardly a surprise — these guys will be a handful each night out.
4. Harrisburg (10-1) -- preseason: 5 -- Stumbled at home against York, but have rattled off seven in a row and takendown some notable opponents (Berks Catholic, Church Farm, Williamsport, State College). Steven Stoney may be coming off bench, but he’s breathing fire by the time he hits the floor.
5. McCaskey (9-2) -- preseason: 6 -- Dropped a road pair early — Harrisburg, Chester — but Steve “Bird” Powell’s Tornado haven’t tumbled since. Terrific starting five features Diante Cherry, Devonne Pinkard and little-known Keyon Cowan, all of whom can light it up. Highly flammable side.
6. New Castle (10-0) -- preseason: 8 -- Speaking of highly flammable sides, Ralph Blundo’s high-octane Hurricanes have blown past 10 opponents, running up a plus-291 total. Have an interesting five-day stretch coming up against WPIAL playmates North Allegheny, Montour and Hampton.
7. Cathedral Prep (9-1) -- preseason: 4 -- Ramblers didn’t exactly start slow, but Mark Majewski’s club still trying to fit football star Delton Williams into mix after state championship run. All-state guard Sheldon Zablotny (17.7 ppg) recently notched career point No. 1,000.
8. North Allegheny (10-0) -- preseason: Not ranked -- Dave DeGregorio’s ballclub has harvested several nice results already, but if the Tigers complete the week unbeaten they’re definitely due for an upgrade. Hampton is in town on Tuesday night, while high-powered New Castle stops by on Friday. Nice.
9. Hampton (10-0) -- preseason: Not ranked -- Bumped to Class AAAA prior to the school year, Joe Lafko’s Talbots have made an oft-difficult transition look rather easy. Presence of Luther twins — Ryan stands 6-8, while Collin is an inch shorter — certainly helps. Particularly with North Allegheny on tap.
10. Williamsport (9-2) -- preseason: 7 -- With Millionaires steaming following foul-infested loss at Harrisburg last week — Williamsport’s second straight setback — wouldn’t want to be Central Mountain tomorrow night. Jahad Thomas and Penn State verbal Isaiah Washington can really play.
OUR HONORABLE MENTIONS
Although York (8-2) clipped Harrisburg, the Bearcats tumbled at McCaskey over the holidays. Beyond that, still waiting for legitimate 3-AAAA contenders to surface. ... On the other hand, District 1-AAAA has depth below Chester and Lower Merion with Abington (8-2), Bensalem (7-2), Council Rock North (8-1), Norristown (8-2) and Penn Wood (7-1) jostling for state position. Bensalem and Council Rock North square off on Tuesday night. ... District 11 also has its customary big-school depth as well, as Bethlehem Liberty (6-2), Easton (6-3) and Parkland (8-1) will beat each other up in Lehigh Valley Conference play before taking on Pocono Mountain West (7-1) for 11-AAAA supremacy. ... Gateway (7-1) sports a perfect 7-0 mark against Pennsylvania competition. ... State College (8-2) is clearly the class of 6-AAAA, with losses to top 10 clubs North Allegheny and Harrisburg the only blemishes. ... And while La Salle College (7-3) and Roman Catholic (7-4) will compete with St. Joseph’s Prep for Philly Catholic League supremacy, Martin Luther King (10-0) hopes to make a run in the Pub after amassing a talented roster. Lack of regular-season competition — King resides in Division C — may not have Sean Colson’s club ready.