NYC girls basketball power rankings (2/14/12)

No. 1 Nazareth (14-1)

After a huge win against Manasquan (N.J.) Sunday at the Mecca Challenge, Nazareth defeated No. 2 Archbishop Molloy, 55-46, Monday with Bianca Cuevas scoring a team-high 16 points.

Next: @ No. 4 Bishop Ford (Saturday, 4 p.m.)

No. 2 Archbishop Molloy (15-7)

Carolyn Gallagher continues to impress, scoring a game-high 28 points in a loss against Nazareth at home Monday. The Stanners have a huge game against Christ the King Friday.

Next: @ No. 3 Christ the King (Friday, 6 p.m.)

No. 3 Christ the King (11-10)

Don’t look now, but here come the Royals. Led by Sierra Calhoun, who had 20 points, Christ the King upset Cicero-North Syracuse, ranked No. 5 in the country by USA Today, at the Mecca Challenge Sunday at Gaucho Gym.

Next: @ No. 7 Bishop Loughlin (Wednesday, 6 p.m.)

No. 4 Bishop Ford (19-4)

Brittany (Pookie) Martin had seven points, including a pair of clutch free throws late in the fourth quarter, and seven rebounds and Shanice Vaughan added 18 points, nine rebounds and seven steals in a 46-43 win against No. 7 Loughlin Monday.

Next: No. 1 Nazareth (Saturday, 4 p.m.)

No. 5 Moore Catholic (17-3)

Jamie O’Hare had 19 points and Gabriella Rubin added 17 points in a loss to LaSalle Academy (R.I.) at the Mecca Challenge at Gaucho Gym.

Next: @ No. 10 Cardinal Spellman (Wednesday, 4 p.m.)

No. 6 Mary Louis (8-13)

Freshman Jordan Agustus made a triumphant return from knee tendonitis to score 18 points in a loss to Christ the King.

Next: @ St. Francis Prep (Wednesday, 6 p.m.)

No. 7 Bishop Loughlin (10-11)

Ayanna Ratliff had 13 points and Nyree Alston added 12 for Loughlin in a three-point loss to No. 3 Bishop Ford.

Next: No. 3 Christ the King (Wednesday, 6 p.m.)

No. 8 South Shore (17-5)

The Vikings are officially the favorite to win the PSAL Class AA title as the top seed in the upcoming tournament. Still, Anwar Gladden’s team, which suffered a loss to Life Center (NJ) at the Mecca Challenge, will need to turn things around to make the trip to the Garden.

Next: TBA, PSAL Class AA quarterfinals @ Hunter College (March 3, 5 p.m.)

No. 9 Murry Bergtraum (15-8)

The Lady Blazers were the hottest team in the PSAL, but lost back-to-back games to Francis Lewis and Long Island Lutheran. Still, the 13-time defending champions, the No. 2 seed in the PSAL Class AA playoffs, is expected to be back at the Garden next month.

Next: TBA, PSAL Class AA quarterfinals @ Hunter College (March 3, 11 a.m.)

No. 10 Cardinal Spellman (14-5)

Maria Backman continues to prove she’s one of the top underclassmen in the city. The super sophomore exploded for a career-high 31 points against Maria Regina.

Next: No. 5 Moore Catholic (Wednesday, 4 p.m.)

No. 11 Truman (19-6)

A pair of wins against rival John F. Kennedy and Francis Lewis proved Truman was for real. The Mustangs were rewarded with the No. 3 seed in the PSAL Class AA playoffs, the squad’s highest in John Burke’s seven years as head coach.

Next: Boys & Girls, PSAL Class AA first round (March 1, 5 p.m.)

No. 12 John F. Kennedy (17-8)

The Knights don’t have the biggest roster, but O’Neil Glenn gets the most out of his reserves. Last Wednesday’s regular season finale at Francis Lewis is a perfect example – JFK had a 24-3 edge in bench points in a 49-30 victory.

Next: Grand Street Campus, PSAL Class AA first round (Feb. 29, 5 p.m.)

No. 13 Francis Lewis (12-9)

Steve Tsai called a 19-point loss against JFK one of his team’s worst performances of the season, but the Patriots turned things around quickly with a huge win at Murry Bergtraum Friday. Tyese Purvis led the way with 21 points and seven boards.

Next: Medgar Evers, PSAL Class AA first round (Feb. 29, 5 p.m.)

No. 14 McKee/Staten Island Tech (19-2)

Led by Kaitlyn Astel, MSIT won a seventh PSAL Staten Island title and earned the No. 4 seed in the PSAL Class AA citywide playoffs.

Next: Manhattan Center, PSAL Class AA first round (Feb. 29, 5 p.m.)

No. 15 St. John Villa (14-7)

The Bears defeated Notre Dame Academy and St. Joseph by the Sea before suffering a tough one-point loss to Maria Regina. Liz Blanchard’s squad can get revenge Saturday afternoon.

Next: Maria Regina (Saturday, 2:45 p.m.)

More from MSGVarsity.com