2nd Annual CSAL 8th Grade Preseason Basketball Rankings

Last season, we saw arguably the most parity in CSAL history. For everyone that doesn’t remember, the season ended with a very exciting elite 8, where Our Lady of Mercy and St. George met in the championship game for the third year in a row. St. George won the game to capture back-to-back CSAL Championships.

If you remember, last year I was able to predict 7 of the 8 elite 8 teams and also picked the champion.
Now to this years preseason rankings (Last year’s 8th grade finish in parenthesis):

1. St. Aloysius (3) – This has been called the most athletic team in St. Aloysius history. They are starting to compete with the top teams on a year-to-year basis now. Where former Aloysius teams have been called soft, this years team does not fit that mold. They will most likely be every analyst’s preseason pick to cut down the nets in Catholic’s gym in March.

2. St. George (1) – After winning back-to-back Elite 8 championships for the first time since the 97 and 98 seasons, this team looks to make it a three-peat. Many are saying this is the only team that can compete with St. Aloysius’s athletes. With excellent coaching, this team should get to their fourth straight championship game. Their half court diamond trap should cause some problems for poor ball handling teams, just like it did when this group was in 7th grade.

3. St. Jude (6) – Last year’s team started out 14-0, and then had a mid-season collapse. This year’s team is similar in the fact that they are undersized and scrappy. They will give a lot of teams match up problems because of their team speed and very quick guards. Hopefully, this year, the team chemistry wont be a problem.

4. Redemptorist (did not make elite 8) – Led by their Gilbert Arenas type combo guard, they will be up and down all year. They live and die by his shooting. They will definitely be a fun team to watch and should get up and down the court pretty quick. They will need to stay in control and need a second scorer to step up if they are going to get far in this league.

5. MBS (did not make elite 8) – This is one of the more athletic teams that MBS has ever had. They should beat up on some weaker competition to pad their record. Their big guys are able to play around the basket and can knock down some shots outside on the perimeter.

6. Sacred Heart (8) – This should be one of the more balanced teams in the league. Sacred Heart teams are always competitive, and this year shouldn’t be any different. They will probably win some games that they are not expected too, but may lose some they should win as well.

7. Holy Ghost (did not make elite 8) – They are equipped with one of the toughest places to play in the league. This team is big, and should dominate the paint against most teams. With perennial powers Our Lady of Mercy and St. Thomas More having down seasons, some of the “mid major” teams will beat them in what seem like upsets, but in reality are not.

8. Catholic High (5) – Last year was probably this programs best 8th grade season since the early 90’s, when players like Jonothan Pixley and David Dellucci were CHS 8th graders. The bears look to go to elite 8 for the 4th season in a row this year. It may be tough because this years team does not look to be as good as last years, but has some imposing figures roaming the paint. Depth will probably be a problem for this team.