Here's installment No. 5 of our PIAA Class AAA boys' basketball rankings for the 2012-13 season — with a few needed nuggets tossed in. Records are current through Jan. 27.
1. Neumann-Goretti (13-4) -- last week: 2 -- Returning to their customary perch atop the Class AAA rankings — Imhotep’s 22-point tumble against Vaux had something to do with the Saints’ promotion, but so did dustings of Philly Catholic League rivals Roman Catholic and Monsignor Bonner — the reigning three-time champions have some interesting games ahead. Philly’s Bishop McDevitt, Archbishop Ryan and Father Judge are the next three pieces of the regular season’s closing stretch.
2. Imhotep Charter (16-4) -- last week: 1 -- While losing to a formidable Vaux outfit that’s been parked at No. 2 in the Class A rankings for some time isn’t a complete surprise, getting drilled 73-51 at home can’t sit well with Andre Noble’s talented Panthers. And undoubtedly it won’t. While Imhotep will close out regular-season play with dates at Philly Public League rivals Bartram and Communications Tech, look one or both of those Division A playmates to pay and pay dearly.
3. Allentown Central Catholic (15-2) -- last week: 3 -- With relatively comfortable victories last week over Lehigh Valley Conference opponents Nazareth and Whitehall, the Vikings raised their winning streak to 11 games. Mike Kammerer poured in 25 points against Nazareth — including five 3-pointers — splendid 6-4 junior Muhammad Ali Abdur-Rahkman paced ACC’s win over Whitehall with 18. Although Stroudsburg and Dieruff visit later in the week, Tuesday’s trip to Parkland will have everyone in the LVC paying close attention. Some might even decide to wander into Parkland’s spacious digs.
4. Archbishop Carroll (13-4) -- last week: 5 -- Can’t quite get a grip on Paul Romanczuk’s talented Patriots, but maybe that’s why Carroll keeps jumping floors on an up-and-down elevator ride. Opened last week with a nice win at home over HM Archbishop Wood, but followed that up by falling 52-46 at Class AAAA power St. Joseph’s Prep despite 18 points from Binghamton recruit Yosef Yacob. Three more Philly Catholic League tests this week against Lansdale Catholic, Cardinal O’Hara and Archbishop Ryan. Going up?
5. Beaver Area (15-1) -- last week: 6 -- Andy Podbielski’s Bobcats just keep plugging along, adding victories over WPIAL Section 2 playmates West Allegheny and Ambridge to a win total that just continues to grow. Maybe several more will get tacked on this week, but they won’t come without a struggle as journeys to Central Valley and District 10-AA power (Class AA No. 8) West Middlesex will keep Beaver Area’s bus driver extremely busy. Probably have a fleet of cars and SUVs right behind.
6. Chartiers Valley (16-1) -- last week: 7 -- With lopsided victories over outmatched Waynesburg Central, McGuffey and Sto-Rox tucked away — Char Valley won by an average of 52 points per — it looks like Tim McConnell’s consistently powerful Colts have their transition game cranked up to a full boil. Comes at a good time, too, since a visit to Montour is set for Tuesday night. Another road trip will occur later in the week when the Colts make the jaunt to Knoch.
7. Susquehanna Twp (18-1) -- last week: 8 -- Even though 6-6 senior Jonas Page and his trusty perimeter game were idled by illness, Vince Rogers’ explosive Indians stretched their winning streak to eight games by popping Mid-Penn Keystone rivals Hershey and Red Land. And that’s eight straight wins since Jan. 4, when the Tribe tumbled at Palmyra. Fittingly, the Field House marquee will be flashing Palmyra until the Cougars visit on Tuesday night. Mechanicsburg will make a stop on Friday.
8. Abington Heights (14-2) -- last week: 9 -- Ken Bianchi’s Comets certainly had a productive week, sweeping Scranton, Delaware Valley and Gill (N.J.) St. Bernard’s. And while the latter tumbled when all-state junior guard J.C. Show buried a pair of late free throws — despite foul difficulties, Show finished with 19 in the Lehigh Valley showcase success — the others were turned away much more decisively. Northeast Pennsylvania opponents Valley View and Wallenpaupack are up next for Abington Heights.
9. Mars (13-3) -- last week: 4 -- Tough to keep things going every night in the WPIAL — even in non-league play — as Rob Camody’s Fighting Planets watched their six-game win streak go poof in a 61-60 loss to a North Hills club that’s several games below .500. No word if former North Hills great LaVar Arrington rocketed in for the Mars contest, but he may have dropped a line or two at some point on one of his suburban D.C. talk shows. Testy Section 1 scraps with Indiana and Kittanning should get the Planets’ full focus.
10. Berks Catholic (15-3) -- last week: 10 -- Make that 10 consecutive victories for Snip Esterly’s Saints — Fleetwood was the latest to fall — who should make a healthy run at next month’s Berks County crown before defending their 3-AAA championship against a host of potential contenders. While Hamburg and Twin Valley are sitting nervously on deck, Berks Catholic will cap a three-game week on Saturday by welcoming Class A’s New Hope Academy to suburban Reading.
OUR HONORABLE MENTIONS
Speaking of District 3, unbeaten Donegal (19-0), a Steel-High club (15-2) that sports a 15-game winning streak, Bishop McDevitt (11-6), Palmyra (14-5), Greencastle-Antrim (14-3) and Gettysburg (15-5) are just some of the other programs that hope to supplant Berks Catholic atop the medal stand. ... Montour (13-4) will carry a five-game win streak into Tuesday’s matchup with WPIAL rival Chartiers Valley. Thomas Jefferson (12-5) — which last week lost to Montour — Uniontown (13-2) and West Mifflin (12-3) also are making noise in District 7. ... Meanwhile, District 10 contenders such as General McLane (11-4), Hickory (12-3) and Girard (11-4) keep beating up on one another. ... District 11’s Wilson Area (17-1), thanks to conquests of Pen Argyl and Southern Lehigh, now owns a 15-game winning streak. Dave Mullaney’s Pottsville Crimson Tide (13-4) has won five straight and 12 of 13. ... Reigning 4-AAA champ Danville (12-2) won its eighth straight by hammering Heartland-I rival Milton. ... Archbishop Wood (10-6) continues to play its Philly Catholic League brethren tough, but needs a signature victory. Philly Electrical (10-10) trailed by 14 points early on Saturday against McCaskey, but had it down to two (48-46) before falling by 13. ... Glen Mills (11-6) is getting terrific play from Harrisburg native Jay’re Jackson, and he’ll need another strong effort this week when the Battlin’ Bulls meet Chichester and Penn Wood. While Holy Ghost Prep (12-4) split a pair of games last week, but another toughie awaits the perennial 1-AAA power Tuesday night at Church Farm.
MICHAEL BULLOCK: mbullock@pennlive.com
BULLOCK ON TWITTER: @thebullp_n