Eastern, Delone crack boys' state rankings
The first night of high school hoops season is just about done. Be sure to check out GameTimePA.com for coverage from the various tip-off tournaments around our area. I spent the night at Northeastern for the Bobcat Tip Off Classic (for that story, head here). One quick note before I take off for the weekend... Earlier this evening, I happened across the Patriot-News preseason state boys' basketball rankings. Mike Bullock knows his stuff, and always does a great job providing some perspective on the state hoops scene. Of course, I wouldn't be putting any of this up here if there wasn't a local flavor to the rankings. And sure enough, defending District 3 Class AAA champion Eastern York finds itself quite high in the triple-A Top 10. The Golden Knights are ranked second, behind only Philly-area power Archbishop Carrol. Wouldn't you know it, those two just happen to play each other. They're scheduled to matchup in a game at Philadelphia University on Jan. 23. One other YAIAA boys' team also found its way into the state rankings. Delone Catholic snuck into the No. 9 spot in the Class AA field. I'm reserving judgment on Delone for now, but they have solid coaching and some promising talent. Definitely a team to watch. The Patriots' girls' preseason rankings, put together by Andrew Shay, also features a pair of YAIAA teams. York Catholic -- surprise, surprise -- finds itself on top of the Class AA rankings. Rivals Delone Catholic are right on the Irish's tail, taking up the No. 3 spot. I don't think either ranking comes as much of a surprise. Mark you calenders for Jan. 14 and Feb. 8 -- the two days when the Irish and Squires are scheduled to meet in the regular season. Sandwiched between them is Villa Maria, the two-time defending state champion.