YankeeHotelFoxtrot

Date is set for March 2-5. Seeding is based on league record and it is a single elimination tournament. First round is 8 v 1, 2 v 7, 6 v 3, 5 v 4.

As a parent of an 8th grader on one of these CSAA teams I agree with the rankings that have been periodically updated and commented on since January for the most part. The top 1-5 teams are all similar and it reminds me of the NBA Eastern Conference in the late 80’s. Good teams but nobody is particularly unbeatable and each team has their share of flaws.

As a parent who has seen ALL of these teams probably way too many times up close since early December, I’m submitting my own Top 8 and assessment of what I’ve seen so far. Also, I am in no way trying usurp the expert or try to commandeer his invaluable analysis. I’m just a humble nerd who is merely adding to what he’s already said…

1) Catholic High – This is the most talented team of the CSAA, which is why I have them at #1. The talent is most likely due to picking off the 1-2 best players from each of the top 4 or 5 teams from last year’s 7th grade. Regardless, the starting 5 is solid and pretty spread across players from St Jude, one from Aloysius, SJV and STM. Their issues have primarily been team chemistry and coaching. (See 1993 Michigan Wolverines). Some of their more noteworthy games have included two losses to Mercy by a combined 5 points and a win over St George by 1 point. They have blown out the bad teams but have underperformed when it counted. Having said that, I would still expect them to get it together and show up in the championship game in early March.

2) St George – This is the team I’ve seen the least but they more or less have the same personnel from 6-7 grade. And they were absolutely the best team in the 7th grade last year. They shouldn’t be taken lightly and I expect them to be in the final four this year. They blew out SJV last weekend and it wasn’t even close. And that’s a solid SJV team (see #4). They are still beatable but are very well coached and don’t make mistakes.


3) Mercy - As has been reported here often, the shocker of the year has probably been the MidCity Blue Jays. Despite recent tournament losses to St Jude and MBS (a very underrated team), they are still 6-0 in league play. They have a solid starting 5 even though nobody stands out individually. Collectively, they are a 5-headed monster and are well-coached and can beat you many different ways. They have a legitimate backcourt and their lineup can handle the ball as well as anybody else in the league. Just ask the teams who have tried to press them late in the game. Most teams have also started to defend them with a zone, but beware. Eventually they will burn you with a wide open 3 if you play zone. They also have a rebound/defense machine in the middle who never seems to get in foul trouble or ever get tired. He has had several game saving plays throughout the year, including the championship game against Catholic High.

4) St Jean Vianney – This team is talented and well-coached but can meltdown quickly if you are able to hang with them long enough and get in their head. They don’t shoot particularly well but are fast, strong, athletic and big and will absolutely push you around, out-rebound you and force you into turnovers if you let them. They have a point guard who is their top shooter, never misses a free throw or wide open jump shot. They have two big kids down low who will make you pay if you try to drive. But the team has given up some leads and winnable games including their own tournament.

5) St Theresa – This is the other surprise of the year. Even though their top scorer and defender had a season-ending injury a few weeks ago, they’ve had a couple other players emerge as leaders and have played a lot of close games against the top teams in the league. They have a variety of different presses, including a half court zone trap to force you into the corners, a full court trap that yields constant turnovers, and a ¾ court press that’s very effective. They’ve been down by double digits multiple times this year to good teams and have come back to either win or lose a buzzer beater. They don’t care who you are, they are relentless and will not give up. No lead is safe against this team. If they were able to finish the season healthy, they’d be a solid bet to sneak into the final four. Huge credit to their coaching staff who find ways to make every game a dogfight to the very end.


6) MBS – They have a big center who is strong and can bully you in the paint but gets into foul trouble. But he’s also tough to guard and rebounds well. This is also a team that is collectively able to shoot as well as any team I’ve seen in the league on a given night. They have a talented back court who handle the ball well. If their center sticks around until the end of the game and if their point guard is shooting well, this team can cause problems for just about anybody. They have big tournament wins over Mercy and SJV recently.

7) St Aloysius – They have a talented point guard and 2 guard but it’s a steep drop off from there. Not as deep or as talented as some of the aforementioned teams at the top of the list, which is why they’re at the bottom of the Elite 8.

8) St Jude – Despite the huge upset against Mercy in their tournament a couple weeks ago, I still have this team only barely making the Elite 8. Their back court is certainly tough and they have a 2 guard (sometimes PG) who is small but very quick and probably outhustles anyone in the entire CSAA. He always seems to be around the ball and is always stirring up trouble in the form of a steal, jump ball or other hustle play. Their other guard is a great shooter and moves the ball around exceptionally well. This is a well-coached team and if they had their roster from last year, they would easily be a top 2 or 3 team.

Alphonsus just misses my list but they have scared a lot of teams and if it’s a close game with any of the top 8, they are more than capable of winning.