The March Nor'easter couldn't keep Archbishop Carroll down.

The headline news from this week's installment of the Harrisburg Patriot-News' PIAA polls is Carroll's ascension from No. 5 to No. 2 in the Class AAA rankings. Grabbing the third seed from District 12, the Patriots (22-3) leapfrogged District Seven's Chartiers Valley (24-1), which suffered its first loss. The poll also had two teams drop completely out of the top 10.

In other news, Penn Wood (23-4) sank from No. 2 to No. 4 with its fall in the District One Class AAAA title game. And Chester (23-4), which earned the district's fifth seed in states, moved up one spot to No. 5.

CLASS AAAA
Team (District) Record -- Previous
1. Roman Catholic (12) 18-8 -- 3
2. Norristown (1) 22-5 -- 5
3. Pennsbury (1) 22-5 -- 1
4. PENN WOOD (1) 23-4 -- 2
5. CHESTER (1) 23-4 -- 6
6. Lower Merion (1) 23-6 -- 7
7. Conestoga (1) 26-3 -- 9
8. Williamsport (4) 21-3 -- 8
9. C.D. East (3) 26-3 -- 10
10. York (3) 28-1 -- 4
Honorable mention: Harrisburg (3) 22-6; Mt. Lebanon (7) 21-5; North Catholic (12) 17-8; Parkland (11) 24-3; Peters Twp. (7) 23-2; Plymouth-Whitemarsh (1) 22-5; Pocono Mountain East (11) 23-5; Red Land (3) 16-11.

CLASS AAA
Team (District) Record -- Previous
1. Neumann-Goretti (12) 24-2 -- 1
2. ARCH. CARROLL (12) 22-3 -- 5
3. Farrell (10) 21-4 -- 7
4. York Suburban (3) 24-3 -- 8
5. Chartiers Valley (7) 24-1 -- 2
6. Shamokin (4) 23-1 -- 9
7. Hampton (7) 22-4 -- NR
8. Crestwood (2) 22-5 -- NR
9. Franklin L.C. (12) 19-6 -- NR
10. Susquehanna Twp. (3) 22-5 -- 6
Honorable mention: Abington Heights (2) 23-2; Eastern York (3) 25-4; Highlands (7) 19-7; Holy Redeemer (2) 19-8; Perry (8) 21-4; Phoenixville (1) 21-5; Southern Lehigh (11) 21-6; Wyomissing (3) 20-6.

For the Class AA and A rankings, check out the Patriot-News' sports blog.

Only one major development to report from last week's PIAA poll to this one, as issued weekly by the Patriot-News of Harrisburg. (And it's an obvious one.)

Chester dropped from No. 2 in the Class AAAA poll down to No. 6, and Norristown, which beat the Clippers in the District One playoffs Friday, moved up three spots from No. 8 to No. 5:

CLASS AAAA
Team (District) Record -- Previous
1. Pennsbury (1) 22-3 -- 1
2. PENN WOOD (1) 22-3 -- 3
3. Roman Catholic (12) 17-7 -- 5
4. York (3) 27-0 -- 4
5. Norristown (1) 20-5 -- 8
6. CHESTER* (1) 21-4 -- 2
7. Lower Merion (1) 22-5 -- 6
8. Williamsport (4) 19-3 -- 9
9. Conestoga (1) 25-2 -- NR
10. C.D. East (3) 24-3 -- 10
Honorable mention: Bethlehem Liberty (11) 17-8; Central Bucks South (1) 21-4; Harrisburg (3) 22-4; Mt. Lebanon (7) 20-4; North Catholic (12) 16-8; Parkland (11) 22-3; Plymouth-Whitemarsh (1) 21-4; Pocono Mountain East (11) 22-4.

CLASS AAA
Team (District) Record -- Previous
1. Neumann-Goretti (12) 22-2 -- 1
2. Chartiers Valley (7) 24-0 -- 2
3. Eastern York (3) 25-2 -- 3
4. Abington Heights (2) 21-1 -- 4
5. ARCH. CARROLL (12) 21-3 -- 5
6. Susquehanna Twp. (3) 21-4 -- 6
7. Farrell (10) 19-4 -- 7
8. York Suburban (3) 22-3 -- 8
9. Shamokin (4) 21-1 -- 9
10. North Schuylkill (11) 22-3 -- 10
Honorable mention: Coughlin (2) 18-6; Crestwood (2) 19-5; Franklin L.C. (12) 19-5; Hampton (7) 20-4; Hickory (10) 20-3; Highlands (7) 18-6; Perry (8) 19-4; Phoenixville (1) 19-5.

The rest of the polls, by the Patriot-News.

Delaware County basketball fans should be familiar with this face. It's that of Temple-bound Norristown senior Khalif Wyatt, whose Eagles fell to Chester (twice) in the playoffs a year ago.

If Norristown is going to vanquish ghosts of playoffs passed, it's through Wyatt ... and a glitch in the District One Class AAAA power-points system.

Turns out Wyatt and the Eagles are the district-playoff bracket's No. 8 seed - and not the ninth, as originally seeded. So for Tuesday's second-round tilt with West Chester Rustin (the initial No. 8 seed) will be played at Norristown's joint.

All of that make sense?

You'd think that a proven mathematical system would not fail a team, but this time it did. Fortunately, Norristown lived to joke about it. But, for a second, cater to the thought of No. 9 Norristown being upset by the 25 seed when, all along, they should have been playing the 24 seed. There would have been some hell to pay.

Here's the rest of the bracket, should there be any hang-ups.

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There are no humongous modifications to this week's edition of the PIAA state polls.

Chester (No. 2) and Penn Wood (No. 3) are still top dogs in the Class AAAA poll, ranked by the Patriot-News of Harrisburg. Glen Mills - in my opinion - has yet to get the credit it deserves, and comes in under the 'Honorable Mention' label.

In Class AAA, Archbishop Carroll holds steady at No. 5. A good showing in Wednesday's Catholic League semifinal - and subsequent championship game - could alter that.

The entire rankings can be found here.

The subject line sums up the major changes in this week's edition of the PIAA boys basketball rankings by the Patriot-News, of Harrisburg.

Archbishop Carroll moved up one spot, from No. 6 to No. 5, in the Class AAA poll. And in Class AAAA, Conestoga, which lost twice to Lower Merion, fell completely out after holding the No. 4 slot the week before.

In not-so-startling news, District One owns six of the top eight ranked teams in Class AAAA:

CLASS AAAA
Team (District) Record -- Previous
1. Pennsbury (1) 19-3 -- 1
2. CHESTER * (1) 19-3 -- 2
3. PENN WOOD (1) 19-3 -- 3
4. York (3) 23-0 -- 5
5. Roman Catholic (12) 15-7 -- 7
6. Lower Merion (1) 20-4 -- 9
7. Plymouth-Whitemarsh (1) 19-3 -- 10
8. Norristown (1) 17-5 -- 8
9. Williamsport (4) 16-3 -- 6
10. Parkland (11) 20-2 -- NR
Honorable mention: CD East (3) 19-3; Conestoga (1) 22-2; GLEN MILLS (1) 15-6; Harrisburg (3) 19-3; North Catholic (12) 14-7; Olney (12) 18-2; Pocono Mountain East (11) 19-3; Pocono Mountain West (11) 19-3.

CLASS AAA
Team (District) Record -- Previous
1. Neumann-Goretti (12) 20-2 -- 1
2. Chartiers Valley (7) 21-0 -- 2
3. Eastern York (3) 22-1 -- 3
4. Abington Heights (2) 18-1 -- 5
5. ARCH. CARROLL (12) 20-2 -- 6
6. Susquehanna Twp. (3) 18-3 -- 7
7. Farrell (10) 15-4 -- 8
8. York Suburban (3) 20-2 -- 4
9. Shamokin (4) 19-1 -- 9
10. Crestwood (2) 18-3 -- 10
Honorable mention: Archbishop Wood (12) 15-6; Girard (10) 15-4; Hampton (7) 18-4; Hickory (10) 18-2; Highlands (7) 16-6; North Schuylkill (11) 19-3; Phoenixville (1) 18-5; Steel-High* (3) 12-9.

CLASS AA
Team (District) Record -- Previous
1. Imhotep (12) 21-1 -- 1
2. Strawberry Mansion (12) 16-3 -- 2
3. Prep Charter (12) 15-5 -- 3
4. Jeannette* (7) 19-3 -- 4
5. Comm. Tech (12) 19-3 -- 5
6. Holy Cross (2) 17-1 -- 6
7. Beaver Falls (7) 18-4 -- 7
8. North Catholic (7) 20-1 -- 9
9. South Fayette (7) 19-3 -- 10
10. Trinity (3) 16-6 -- NR
Honorable mention: Dunmore (2) 14-5; Fairview (10) 15-4; GAR Memorial (2) 17-4; Holy Name (3) 19-3; Hughesville (4) 16-4; Loyalsock (4) 15-3; Mercyhurst Prep (10) 18-2; Notre Dame-Green Pond (11) 18-4.

CLASS A
Team (District) Record -- Previous
1. Kennedy Catholic (10) 17-2 -- 1
2. Girard College (1) 14-4 -- 2
3. Math, Civics Science (12) 18-4 -- 3
4. Serra Catholic* (7) 18-2 -- 4
5. Sewickley Academy (7) 17-4 -- 5
6. Paul Robeson (12) 17-3 -- 6
7. Millville (4) 19-0 -- 7
8. O.L. Sacred Heart (7) 16-5 -- 8
9. Williams Valley (11) 21-1 -- 10
10. Reading C.C. (3) 17-5 -- NR
Honorable mention: Bishop Carroll (6) 15-5; Christopher Dock (1) 14-6; DuBois Central Cath. (9) 16-4; Elk County Cath. (9) 15-6; Faith Christian (1) 14-5; Greenwood (3) 19-2; Keystone (9) 18-2; Scotland (3) 14-4.

*-2007-08 PIAA champion

As a reporter, it is my job to tell the truth. And I'd be lying if I said the latest PIAA boys basketball polls, released weekly by the Patriot News, of Harrisburg, caused me surprise.

In the AAAA poll, District One continues to dominate. The top four teams are from D-I, as are the bottom three of the poll's top 10. Chester and Penn Wood each moved up a spot, to Nos. 2 and 3, respectively, after Roman Catholic lost twice last week. A win against Penn Wood Thursday would have almost certainly propelled Glen Mills into the top 10 for the first time this year. It was that kind of week.

I am kind of befuddled by the disrespect Archbishop Carroll has gotten in the AAA poll. All season, the Patriots have been stuck at no higher than No. 5, and for a team that is 19-1, that doesn't make much sense.

Take a look for yourselves:


CLASS AAAA
Team (District) Record -- Previous
1. Pennsbury (1) 16-2 --1
2. CHESTER* (1) 17-2 -- 3
3. PENN WOOD (1) 17-3 -- 4
4. Conestoga (1) 20-0 -- 5
5. York (3) 21-0 -- 6
6. Williamsport (4) 14-2 -- 7
7. Roman Catholic (12) 13-7 -- 2
8. Norristown (1) 15-4 -- 8
9. Lower Merion (1) 16-4 -- 9
10. Plymouth-Whitemarsh (1) 16-3 -- 10
Honorable mention: CD East (3) 17-3; GLEN MILLS (1) 14-5; Harrisburg (3) 16-3; Olney (12) 16-2; Parkland (11) 18-2; Peters Twp. (7) 17-1; Pocono Mountain East (11) 18-2; Reading (3) 17-3.

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CLASS AAA
Team (District) Record -- Previous
1. Neumann-Goretti (12) 18-2 -- 1
2. Chartiers Valley (7) 19-0 -- 2
3. Eastern York (3) 18-1 -- 4
4. York Suburban (3) 18-2 -- 3
5. Abington Heights (2) 15-1 -- 5
6. ARCH. CARROLL (12) 19-1 -- 6
7. Susquehanna Twp. (3) 16-3 -- 7
8. Farrell (10) 13-4 -- 9
9. Shamokin (4) 17-1 -- 10
10. Crestwood (2) 16-3 -- 8

Honorable mention: Archbishop Wood (12) 14-4; Coughlin (2) 15-4; Girard (10) 13-4; Hampton (7) 16-4; Hickory (10) 16-2; Highlands (7) 15-5; Phoenixville (1) 17-4; Steel-High* (3) 12-7.

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CLASS AA

Team (District) Record -- Previous
1. Imhotep (12) 19-1 -- 1
2. Strawberry Mansion (12) 15-2 -- 2
3. Prep Charter (12) 14-4 -- 3
4. Jeannette* (7) 17-3 -- 5
5. Communications Tech (12) 17-3 -- 4
6. Holy Cross (2) 16-1 -- 6
7. Beaver Falls (7) 16-4 -- 7
8. Loyalsock (4) 14-1 -- 9
9. North Catholic (7) 17-1 -- 10
10. South Fayette (7) 17-3 -- NR
Honorable mention: Cambria Heights (6) 17-1; Fairview (10) 13-4; GAR Memorial (2) 15-3; Holy Name (3) 18-3; Hughesville (4) 13-4; Mercyhurst Prep (10) 16-2; Notre Dame-Green Pond (11) 17-3; Trinity (3) 13-6.

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CLASS A
Team (District) Record -- Previous
1. Kennedy Catholic (10) 15-2 -- 1
2. Girard College (1) 13-4 -- 2
3. Math, Civics Science (12) 16-4 -- 3
4. Serra Catholic* (7) 16-2 -- 4
5. Sewickley Academy (7) 14-4 -- 5
6. Paul Robeson (12) 16-3 -- 6
7. Millville (4) 16-0 -- 8
8. O.L. Sacred Heart (7) 15-4 -- 10
9. DuBois C.C. (9) 14-3 -- 7
10. Williams Valley (11) 20-1 -- NR
Honorable mention: Bishop Carroll (6) 14-4; Elk County Catholic (9) 13-5; Faith Christian (1) 12-5; Greenwood (3) 16-2; High Point Baptist (3) 14-2; Keystone (9) 15-2; Reading Central Catholic (3) 15-5; Scotland (3) 12-4.

NOTES: An asterisk (*) denotes the 2007-08 PIAA champion. The number in parentheses corresponds to the team's PIAA district.

Some things just never cease to amaze me - one of them being District One's respect around the state. In the latest PIAA Class AAAA poll, assembled by the Patriot News, of Harrisburg, seven teams from District One earned spots among the top 10 rankings. For the Delco teams, there was no movement at the top. But Lower Merion's win Saturday over Penn Wood launched the Aces into the top 10:

CLASS AAAA
Record (District) Previous
1. Pennsbury (1) 14-2 -- 1
2. Roman Catholic (12) 11-5 -- 2
3. CHESTER* (1) 15-1 -- 3
4. PENN WOOD (1) 15-2 -- 4
5. Conestoga (1) 19-0 -- 5
6. York (3) 19-0 -- 7
7. Williamsport (4) 12-2 -- 10
8. Norristown (1) 14-3 -- 6
9. Lower Merion (1) 14-4 -- NR
10. Plymouth-Whitemarsh (1) 14-3 -- 9
Honorable mention: CD East (3) 15-3; GLEN MILLS (1) 13-4; Harrisburg (3) 15-3; John Bartram (12) 15-3; Parkland (11) 15-2; Peters Twp. (7) 16-1; Pocono Mountain East (11) 14-2; Reading (3) 16-3.

CLASS AAA
Record (District) Previous
1. Neumann-Goretti (12) 14-2 -- 1
2. Chartiers Valley (7) 17-0 -- 2
3. York Suburban (3) 17-1 -- 3
4. Eastern York (3) 17-1 -- 4
5. Abington Heights (2) 13-1 -- 5
6. ARCH. CARROLL (12) 17-1 -- 6
7. Susquehanna Twp. (3) 14-3 -- 7
8. Crestwood (2) 14-2 -- NR
9. Farrell (10) 11-4 -- NR
10. Shamokin (4) 14-1 -- 10
Honorable mention: Archbishop Wood (12) 14-3; Blackhawk (7) 11-5; Girard (10) 11-4; Hampton (7) 15-3; Hickory (10) 13-2; Perry (8) 12-1; Phoenixville (1) 15-4; Steel-High* (3) 9-7.
CLASS AA
Record (District) Previous
1. Imhotep (12) 17-1 -- 1
2. Strawberry Mansion (12) 13-2 -- 2
3. Prep Charter (12) 12-4 -- 3
4. Communications Tech (12) 15-2 -- 6
5. Jeannette* (7) 14-3 -- 5
6. Holy Cross (2) 13-1 -- 7
7. Beaver Falls (7) 13-4 -- 4
8. Mercyhurst Prep (10) 15-1 -- 9
9. Loyalsock (4) 13-1 -- 10
10. North Catholic (7) 14-1 -- 8
Honorable mention: GAR Memorial (2) 13-3; Holy Name (3) 16-3; Hughesville (4) 12-3; Notre Dame-Green Pond (11) 16-2; Quaker Valley (7) 12-3; South Fayette (7) 15-3; St. Pius X (1) 16-3; Trinity (3) 11-6.

CLASS A
Record (District) Previous
1. Kennedy Catholic (10) 13-2 -- 1
2. Girard College (1) 11-4 -- 2
3. Math, Civics & Science (12) 14-3 -- 3
4. Serra Catholic* (7) 14-2 -- 5
5. Sewickley Academy (7) 11-4 -- 7
6. Paul Robeson (12) 15-3 -- 4
7. DuBois C.C. (9) 12-2 -- 6
8. Millville (4) 15-0 -- 9
9. Bishop Carroll (6) 14-2 -- 8
10. O.L. Sacred Heart (7) 13-4 -- 10
Honorable mention: Faith Christian (1) 10-5; Greenwood (3) 14-2; High Point Baptist (3) 12-2; Homer-Center (6) 13-2; Keystone (9) 14-2; Reading Central Catholic (3) 13-5; Scotland (3) 9-4; Williams Valley (11) 16-1.

NOTES: An asterisk (*) denotes the 2007-08 PIAA champion. The number in parentheses corresponds to the team's PIAA district.

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Saturday night, I was at Temple University (my alma mater) for legendary coach John Chaney's induction into the Owls' Athletic Hall of Fame. Through the controversy and charity - the polar opposites of Chaney - there has always been a desire to lend a hand to the underdog. It was a staple of Chaney's character and it was present even in his HOF induction. Read more here.

The Patriot News, of Harrisburg, unleashed its latest PIAA boys basketball polls for the week of Jan. 18. The usual suspects are still making appearances, and there haven't been any significant drops, though Chester leaped two spots - and past Penn Wood. Take a look:

CLASS AAAA
Record (District) Previous
1. Pennsbury (1) 10-2 --1
2. Roman Catholic (12) 9-5 --2
3. CHESTER* (1) 12-1 --5
4. PENN WOOD (1) 13-1 -- 3
5. Conestoga (1) 16-0 -- 4
6. Norristown (1) 11-2 -- 6
7. York (3) 17-0 --7
8. John Bartram (12) 14-1 -- 8
9. Plymouth-Whitemarsh (1) 12-3 -- 9
10. Williamsport (4) 9-2 --10
Honorable mention: CD East (3) 12-3; GLEN MILLS (1) 10-4; Harrisburg (3) 13-3; Lower Merion (1), 11-4; Parkland (11) 13-1; Peters Twp. (7) 13-1; Pocono Mountain East (11) 12-2; Reading (3) 13-3.

CLASS AAA
Record (District) Previous
1. Neumann-Goretti (12) 11-2 -- 1
2. Chartiers Valley (7) 14-0 -- 2
3. York Suburban (3) 15-1 -- 4
4. Eastern York (3) 15-1 -- 5
5. Abington Heights (2) 12-1 -- 6
6. ARCHBISHOP CARROLL (12) 14-1 -- 7
7. Susquehanna Twp. (3) 11-3 -- 3
8. Archbishop Wood (12) 12-2 -- 9
9. Hickory (10) 12-1 -- NR
10. Shamokin (4) 12-0 -- 10
Honorable mention: Blackhawk (7) 10-4; Crestwood (2) 11-2; Girard (10) 10-3; Hampton (7) 13-2; Perry (8) 11-1; Phoenixville (1) 13-4; Steel-High* (3) 6-6; Thomas Jefferson (7) 11-2.

CLASS AA
Record (District) Previous
1. Imhotep (12) 14-1 -- 1
2. Strawberry Mansion (12) 11-2 -- 3
3. Prep Charter (12) 9-3 -- 4
4. Beaver Falls (7) 12-2 -- 5
5. Jeannette* (7) 12-3 -- 7
6. Communications Tech (12) 11-2 -- 8
7. Holy Cross (2) 12-1 -- 2
8. North Catholic (7) 12-0 -- 9
9. Mercyhurst Prep (10) 12-1 -- NR
10. Loyalsock (4) 11-1 -- NR
Honorable mention: Catasauqua (11) 10-5; Delone (3) 11-3; GAR Memorial (2) 12-2; Holy Name (3) 14-3; Hughesville (4) 9-3; Notre Dame-Green Pond (11) 13-2; Quaker Valley (7) 11-2; Southern Columbia (4) 9-3.

CLASS A
Record (District) Previous
1. Kennedy Catholic (10) 11-2 -- 2
2. Girard College (1) 8-2 -- 3
3. Math, Civics & Science (12) 12-3 -- 4
4. Paul Robeson (12) 13-2 -- 5
5. Serra Catholic* (7) 12-2 -- 1
6. DuBois C.C. (9) 10-1 -- 6
7. Sewickley Academy (7) 8-4 -- 7
8. Bishop Carroll (6) 13-1 -- 8
9. Millville (4) 12-0 -- 9
10. O.L. Sacred Heart (7) 11-3 -- 10
Honorable mention: Camp Hill (3) 10-4; Greenwood (3) 13-1; High Point Baptist (3) 11-1; Homer-Center (6) 11-2; Keystone (9) 12-2; Reading Central Catholic (3) 11-4; Scotland (3) 7-4; Williams Valley (11) 12-1.

NOTE: An asterisk (*) denotes a 2007-08 PIAA champion.

The Patriot News of Harrisburg released its latest state-wide boys basketball polls and there are four teams from Delaware County represented:

CLASS AAAA Record -- Previous Rank
1. Pennsbury (1) 7-2 -- 2
2. Roman Catholic (12) 6-5 -- 3
3. PENN WOOD (1) 10-1 -- 1
4. Conestoga (1) 13-0 -- 4
5. CHESTER* (1) 8-1 -- 5
6. Norristown (1) 9-2 -- 7
7. York (3) 15-0 -- 8
8. John Bartram (12) 12-0 -- 9
9. Plymouth-Whitemarsh (1) 9-3 -- 6
10. Williamsport (4) 8-2 -- NR
Honorable mention: CD East (3) 10-2; Coatesville (1) 11-2; GLEN MILLS (1) 9-2; Harrisburg (3) 10-3; Parkland (11) 10-1; Peters Twp. (7) 11-1; Pocono Mountain East (11) 9-2; Reading (3) 11-3.

CLASS AAA Record -- Previous Rank
1. Neumann-Goretti (12) 9-1 -- 1
2. Chartiers Valley (7) 11-0 -- 2
3. Susquehanna Twp. (3) 9-2 -- 3
4. York Suburban (3) 13-1 -- 5
5. Eastern York (3) 12-1 -- 4
6. Abington Heights (2) 10-1 -- 6
7. ARCHBISHOP CARROLL (12) 11-1 -- 7
8. Thomas Jefferson (7) 9-1 -- 8
9. Archbishop Wood (12) 11-1 -- 9
10. Shamokin (4) 10-0 --10
Honorable mention: Crestwood (2) 9-1; Girard (10) 9-2; Hampton (7) 11-2; Hickory (10) 10-1; Indiana (7) 8-4; Phoenixville (1) 11-3; Steel-High* (3) 5-5; Uniontown (7) 11-2

NOTE: The number directly after a team's name refers to its district. And the asterisk designates if a team is the defending champion in its classification.

Seeing as the Class AA and A polls lack Delco teams, I did not post them. If you're interested, you can find them here.