The Power 5 is back! We will highlight the top five throughout the season and keep you up to speed on their success. We know this article will stir the pot, but that’s what it’s all about.
1. Long Island Lutheran (4-5)
The Crusaders are back in the top spot despite some early-season struggles. We say that only because of the loss column. You have to respect any program whose losses are from teams ranked 4, 5, and 6 . One of their leaders 6’5” SG Kiyan Anthony (Long Island Lutheran HS, NY ‘25) has been sidelined after their 2-0 start and it definitely has hurt them at times. The emergence of 6’5” PG Dylan Mingo (Long Island Lutheran HS, NY ‘26) has been exciting to watch. Don’t sleep on LuHi they are still ranked inside the top 15 nationally.
2. Archbishop Stepinac (3-2)
Archbishop Stepinac checks back in at No. 2 but has certainly closed the gap a little with LuHi. They lost on a tough buzzer-beater at home and the third-ranked country. While those early hiccups were tough they have looked sharp and just recently picked up a nice win over the Wasatch Academy. Their rotation looks terrific, they have a different leading scorer every night and seem to improve by the game. Look out for Stepinac.
3. Lawrence Woodmere Academy (6-0)
Lawrence Woodmere has two teams in the program and their squad under Head Coach Dwayne “Tiny” Morton is off to a great start. They are currently 6-0 with quality wins over the Patrick School (NJ), and Father Judge (PA) outwest LWA is 2-0. This squad has talented guards who take care of the scoring and the bigs. The Tigers have great balance and a terrific leader at the helm. A game plan and understanding what it takes to win. Watch out for LWA all season as they look to become one of the best programs in the northeast.
4. Thomas Jefferson (8-0)
We love that Thomas Jefferson is the first PSAL team to crack the Power 5 and if you’ve seen them play you know why. They have smashed their early non-league schedule and have even started terrorizing teams in Florida. We have seen 6’0” CG Connor Sprattley (Thomas Jefferson HS, NY ‘25) hit a game-winner, 6’5” PG Jahda Swann (Thomas Jefferson HS, NY ‘26) become a megastar. This group is hungry, tough, ready for all challenges, and desperate to be the best team in New York.
5. Our Savior Lutheran/Jelly Fam (2-5) Jelly Fam falls two slots to No. 5 after their tough start to the year. They were 0-3 then had a nice run with victories over the City Reapers and Cold Hearts but have lost their last two. While 6’2” CG Jordan Skyers (Our Savior Lutheran/Jelly Fam NY ‘26) and 6’3” PG Jermel "Magic Mel" Thomas (Our Savior Lutheran/Jelly Fam ‘26) have played well the group just hasn’t had the same juice they did last year. We are hopeful Jelly Fam can bounce back and make a run in OTE because they certainly have the capable talent to do so.
