The challenges for the elite boys basketball teams throughout Pennsylvania are about to change from regular season hurdles to district postseason challenges that could be season ending.
Playoffs are about to begin in all 12 districts with two immediate goals: doing what it takes to qualify for the state playoffs and claiming gold in the district championship.
Two teams did not survive the final week of the regular season as Class 5A No. 1 Hershey lost to rival Milton Hershey and tumbled out, and Williamsburg dropped out of the Class A rankings and was replaced by York Country Day School.
There also were more changes at the top in Class 6A and 5A.
In 6A, District 12 teams Roman Catholic and Imhotep Charter played hot potato with the top spot with this week, the Panthers being back at No. 1, bumping the Cahillites to No. 3.
In 5A, District 12 Neumann-Goretti is back on top, taking over for Hershey.
The rest of the classifications remain the same at the top with Cathedral Prep in 4A, Mohawk in 3A, Delone Catholic in 2A and Sankofa Freedom Academy in A still at No. 1.
Here is the latest Top 5 in each of the six classifications. Teams are listed with overall record, district and last week’s ranking.
Class 6A
1. Imhotep Institute Charter (17-6) (12) (3)
2. Methacton (19-3) (1) (2)
3. Roman Catholic (16-7) (12) (1)
4. Upper St. Clair (21-1) (7) (4)
5. New Castle (21-1) (7) (5)
Out: None
Class 5A
1. Neumann-Goretti (17-4) (12) (2)
2. Chartiers Valley (19-2) (7) (3)
3. Holy Ghost Prep (17-2) (1) (4)
4. Monsignor Bonner-Archbishop Prendergast (17-5) (12) (5)
5. Milton Hershey (20-2) (3) (NR)
Out: Hershey (3)
Class 4A
1. Cathedral Prep (20-1) (10) (1)
2. Berks Catholic (19-2) (3) (2)
3. Pope John Paul II (18-3) (1) (3)
4. Bishop McDevitt (17-2) (3) (4)
5. West Philadelphia (19-5) (12) (5)
Out: None
Class 3A
1. Mohawk (20-1) (7) (1)
2. Taylor Riverside (20-1) (2) (3)
3. Bishop Guilfoyle Academy (19-3) (6) (4)
4. Camp Hill Trinity (18-2) (3) (2)
5. Warrior Run (21-1) (4) (5)
Out: None
Class 2A
1. Delone Catholic (22-0) (3) (1)
2. Sewickley Academy (21-1) (7) (2)
3. Jeannette (19-1) (7) (3)
4. United (22-0) (6) (5)
5. Tri-Valley (20-2) (11) (4)
Out: None
Class A
1. Sankofa Freedom Academy (17-7) (12) (1)
2. Neighborhood Academy (18-3) (7) (2)
3. Elk County Catholic (21-1) (9) (3)
4. Bethlehem Christian (20-2) (11) (4)
5. York Country Day School (19-3) (3) (NR)
Out: Williamsburg (6)