Here's installment No. 5 of The Patriot-News’ PIAA Class AA boys' basketball rankings for the 2012-13 season — along with some needed nuggets. Records current through Jan. 27.
1. Beaver Falls (15-3) -- last week: 2 -- Combining victories over Laurel, Central Valley and Riverside with Meyers’ narrow loss — Class AAA Central Valley had won six straight before the week began — last season’s state runners-up now sit No. 1. Doug Biega’s Tigers don’t have as much size as last year since Sheldon Jeter is now playing at Vanderbilt, but guards Drew Cook and Elijah Cottrill are capable. A two-sport standout, Cottrill is beginning to attract interest from Duquesne, Seton Hall and West Virginia. This week, however, he’ll be more interested in beating New Brighton and Mohawk.
2. Greensburg Central Catholic (16-1) -- last week: 3 -- Although the Centurions enjoyed a light week — aside from practice, a victory over South Allegheny was GCC’s lone outing — Dr. Greg Bisignani’s club will carry an eight-game winning streak into matchups with Riverview and Springdale. Since GCC spanked those two by a combined 78 points the first time around, that sparkling run could stand at 10 real soon.
3. Jeannette (14-2) -- last week: 4 -- Jeannette kept pace with WPIAL Section 3 playmate GCC by waxing Riverview in a light slate made lighter by Friday’s wintry weather. That won’t be the case this week as division rival Serra Catholic and a non-league date with West Mifflin will test Adrian Batts’ Jayhawks. Should be an interesting few days, especially since the Serra game is on the road.
4. Meyers (14-2) -- last week: 1 -- So much for the Mohawks’ winning streak, which was halted at nine games in suburban Harrisurg by an aroused Cedar Cliff side (64-62) that rallied from a double-digit deficit. Ryan Krawczeniuk and Rasheed Moore posted 17 points apiece for Meyers, which had its 13-point halftime lead shaved to one (42-41) by the end of three quarters. Wyoming Seminary and Wilkes-Barre playmate Holy Redeemer could feel the wrath, since those two are next on Meyers’ schedule.
5. Holy Cross (12-3) -- last week: 5 -- Speaking of nine-game winning streaks, that’s where Al Callejas’ Crusaders sit after spending last week beating Riverside and New York City’s William Howard Taft. Josh Kosin cranked out 24 points and five boards in the latter win — which came in the Bronx — while Casey Gaughan added a double-double (11 points, 11 boards). If the Crusaders extend their winning streak this week, Ws will come against local rivals Lakeland, Montrose and Old Forge.
6. Trinity (13-3) -- last week: 6 -- With Josh Trumpy and Brad Wesner cranking up their offensive games, Jay Agnew pestering the opponent’s best attacking option and Dom Antonelli effective at the point, Trinity bumped its win streak to four by popping Lower Dauphin and avenging an earlier loss to Mechanicsburg. While winless Red Land will visit Shiremanstown on Tuesday, late-week scraps at surging Class AAA sides Palmyra and Steel-High should offer plenty of resistance to the ‘Rocks of Larry Kostelac Jr.
7. Communications Tech (12-4) -- last week: 7 -- Since dropping back-to-back outings against Berks Catholic and Math, Civics & Sciences, Lou Biester’s Phoenix responded by winning four straight — with three coming last week against Boys’ Latin, Constitution and Philly Central. Have a little more work to do before the Philly Public League’s rugged Division A slate comes to a close, but scraps with Frankford and Imhotep Charter should have these guys ready for postseason play. Same for a Saturday trip to Williamsport, where the Phoenix will square off against No. 9 Loyalsock.
8. West Middlesex (13-3) -- last week: 8 -- Encountering no resistance whatsoever, Chad Mild’s streaking Big Reds hammered consecutive victims No. 8 and No. 9 last week, posting huge numbers against fellow District 10 playmates Sharpsville and Rocky Grove. While a jaunt to Mercer on Tuesday is next on West Middlesex’s to-do list, a visit from Class AAA No. 5 Beaver Area on Friday will definitely have everyone’s undivided attention. Even those in Pennsylvania’s eastern half.
9. Loyalsock (12-2) -- last week: 9 -- Racked up two more victims last week, as Heartland-II rivals Central Columbia and Southern Columbia tumbled to a Lancers outfit that’s lost only to Class AAAA contenders State College and Williamsport. Plenty of work this week for Ron Insinger’s club, which will meet South Williamsport, Warrior Run and Mount Carmel before closing out a hectic six-day stretch against Philly power and current No. 7 Communications Tech at Williamsport’s Magic Dome. Should be an electric atmosphere.
10. Lewisburg (13-1) -- last week: 10 -- Business as usual for John Vaji’s consistent Green Dragons, who added to their growing victory total last week by downing Selinsgrove and Hughesville. Well-balanced team, but the backcourt play of leading scorer Travis Conrad (15.8 ppg) and junior lead guard Jesse Flannery — he’s the son of former Bucknell skippper Pat Flannery — will certainly play a leading role this week when Lewisburg collides with Montoursville, Mifflinburg, Mount Carmel and Central Columbia.
OUR HONORABLE MENTIONS
While WPIAL outfits now sit 1-2-3 atop the Class AA rankings, others such as Seton-La Salle (15-2), Serra Catholic (12-3), Quaker Valley (12-4) and Sto-Rox (9-7) continue to angle for postseason position. Seton will play Thomas Jefferson on Tuesday, while Sto-Rox had a tough week that ended with a lopsided loss to Chartiers Valley. ... Dunmore (9-5) and Mid Valley (13-2) collide Monday night in a District 2 scrap that will draw plenty of attention. Riverside (10-5) also in mix. ... In District 10, Mercyhurst Prep (10-5) has collared seven consecutive victories since a forgettable start. Lakeview (14-2) also piling up victories. ... Bald Eagle Area (14-1) continues to front a District 6 group that’s gaining steam behind Bellwood- Antis (14-1) and a Penn Cambria (12-3) outfit that’s won six of seven and just knocked off Bishop McCort. ... Constitution (11-8) and Freire Charter (13-7) will challenge Communications Tech when the 12-AA playoffs begin. ... Tucked away near Pennsylvania’s New York border, Wellsboro (16-1) may wind up wresting District 4’s top seed from Loyalsock and/or Lewisburg. Williamsport Sun Gazette’s Chris Masse lobbying for systemic overhaul in District 4 and the good doctor is absolutely correct that significant changes are needed.
MICHAEL BULLOCK: mbullock@pennlive.com
BULLOCK ON TWITTER: @thebullp_n