CHSAA Programs Starting To Hit Stride

Buoyed by length, rim protection, and offensively unique and interchangeable pieces, Stepinac’s heavily recruited core likely won’t flinch or downplay what is perhaps the bedrock goal of this 2024-25 campaign.

The Crusaders, while subscribing to a steadfast one-game-at-a-time approach, are looking to put their own unique stamp on the pages of history with an unprecedented third consecutive city title.

As CHSAA action intensifies and teams are now discovering their identity and running with it, Stepinac continues to overwhelm foes with layered, oceanic depth.

And, following a 67-63 victory over top-ranked NYS “A” power Albany Academy, it’s clear this Stepinac team will feature a revolving door of proven, weathered, and decorated veterans to close out tight games.

Possessing a pterodactyl-like wingspan and a consistent shot-making acumen, it was 6-foot-7 Class of ’27 Josh Rivera who stuck a loud, game-sealing overtime 3-point dagger during the Crusader Classic.

It was this titanic trey that helped shut the door during a pulsating 64-60 OT thriller victory over blood rival Iona Prep on the fabled County Center floor.

Class of 2026 Hassan Koureissi, who scored 17 points and snared six boards to go with six assists in a dizzying 67-64 win over an uber-talented St. Raymond’s team on January 7th, finished the latest chapter of this storied Stepinac/Iona Prep rivalry with a game-capping free throw in the waning seconds.

The Crusaders’ wealth of veteran savvy paid dividends against St. Ray’s, overcoming a sublime performance from Georgia Tech signee Brandon Stores and late-game shot-making poise from Najay Bess and Tai Turnage.

UMass commit Danny Carbuccia, the longest-tenured Crusader as a four-year starter, provided his standard pesky, ball-hawking pressure to instigate turnovers and subsequently spark a 12-0 run in the first half against the Ravens.

Class of 2026 Jasiah Jervis’ deadeye shooting and intergalactic range have been a mainstay of a balanced offense.

Jervis, who authored a sheer long-range clinic across the CHSAA championships at Fordham University, fired in from the parking lot at County Center, kick-starting the aforementioned overtime victory with a deep trey.

The Ratliff twins, Adonis and Darius, suddenly find themselves among the country’s top stock risers.

After showing brief flashes last season, the Class of 2026 tandem has fortified the frontline as menacing defensive backbones.

The Ratliffs each boast a game that aligns with the modern-day style.

They can elicit mismatch headaches with their ability to pull it from beyond the arc. They are able to engineer the fast-paced attack, putting the ball on the deck comfortably at 6-foot-10.

They infuse Pat Massaroni’s lineup with dazzling displays of athleticism. This much was notable during the recent hostile battle in the Bronx, as Darius Ratliff levitated and crunched home an extravagant two-handed dunk through gridlocked halfcourt traffic with 4:37 remaining in the third quarter.

Floor spreaders and sound in all facets of their games, the Ratliff twins are teeming with high-major upside. The radiant inside-outside tandem has been inundated with high-major offers and interest.

After steering the driving lanes clear, piling up a combined nine blocks while influencing and changing the trajectory of countless others across the paint against Albany Academy, the Ratliffs added Mississippi State to a growing offers sheet.

Bullish, bouncy 6-foot-7 wing Dylan Perry has provided toughness with his ability to get above the rim with relative ease and score via hustle points and at all three tiers.

Christ The King has done a commendable job navigating a national schedule that continues to crisscross the country.

As is the norm for CTK head coach Joe Arbitiello teams, the Royals have gauged their grit against formidable national foes such as Paul VI (VA), Duncanville (TX), and Chaminade (MO), to name a few. The schedule intensifies on another immense stage in the prestigious Bass Pro Shops Tournament of Champions in Springfield, Missouri.

A battle-tested and rugged backcourt has been the head of the snake for CTK.

Class of ’25 guard Jayden Ramirez continues to hear from Marist, which has been in multiple times to see the bullish and hard-driving 6-foot-5 senior. Ramirez’s scoring spurt-ability and refined arsenal have been evident in several marquee matchups this season.

He thrived with an intriguing blend of backdoor cut finishes, mid-range pull-ups, and a pair of 3-pointers during a 22-point performance against PVI at the Made Hoops Holiday Classic at Baruch College last month.

Possessing college-ready physicality, Ramirez has set a loud tone with his versatile defense and ability to consistently pressure the ball and make instinctive plays off the ball.

Queensbridge native Markell Alston, a four-year starter, has been a vital high-octane guard.

Finishing around the rim in crafty fashion and instigating turnovers, Alston turned in a 27-point performance to go with six rebounds, six assists, and six steals during a tight 75-70 loss to Duncanville in the second game of a back-to-back at the Hoophall West in Gilbert, Arizona.

Both players are the foundation and have been entrenched in their fair share of battles these past few seasons.

Off guard Cam Zeigler took the role of dependable shot-sticker last season and ran with it. It has transferred into the wiry 6-foot-1 trigger man’s senior season, as he’s turned in multiple games of three or more 3-pointers.

At the same time, however, the Royals have a promising youth movement taking place in Middle Village.

Quick, gritty 2027 point guard Judah Bontempts has adapted to the traditional point guard role while providing timely scoring, sticking outside shots, and permeating the teeth of the defense on hard, crafty surges to the rim.

With his shiftiness, knack for timely buckets on the move, and refined three-level arsenal, ’27 guard Johnny Magna has been a reliable supplementary scorer. Magna’s positional versatility and feel for the game have also been noteworthy, as his purity of vision as a creator and ability to turn in gaudy assist and rebound totals have bolstered a deep backcourt.

Class of 2028 7-foot center Stra Zelic continues to blossom into a true rim protector. With a 7-foot-3 wingspan, the much-needed interior cog has bolstered the Royals on the last line of defense.

His advanced early feel for the game also continues to develop, as he’s finishing with consistency around the key and opening up a feathery deep jumper.

Over in Fresh Meadows, few players on this side of Thomas Jefferson’s dynamic ’25 high-scoring guard Connor Spratley (71-point game in a 124-76 victory over Curtis followed by a 50-point eruption against Lincoln) have been as prolific as Class of 2025 point guard Vere Anthony.

The quick, shifty, and hard-slashing guard exploded for a 43-point spree during a 76-67 victory over Nazareth.

The seasoned and rugged Anthony continues to develop an outside shooting touch while dissecting defenses with his swift, direction-changing penetration and crafty finishing.

After garnering CHSAA “AA” Division Player of the Week, averaging 26.5 points, four rebounds, 4.5 assists, and 3.5 steals, Anthony scored 20 points to go with seven assists and five steals en route to a 73-51 shellacking of Bishop Loughlin on Tuesday night.

Versatile 6-foot-6 wing Ethan Butler and bulldozing 6-foot-7 man-child Oesomano Sacko have created a formidable Class of 2026 tandem rife with versatility, interchangeability, and an emphasis on impacting every connotation of the stat sheet.

Butler, who was recently offered by Iona, has been a floor spacer with a deft long-range touch. He’s been a constant presence on the glass, delivering high-low assists and finishing around and above the rim.

A stock riser across the city and beyond, Butler scored 20 points to go with five boards during the aforementioned drubbing of Bishop Loughlin.

He’s picked up steam as a prospect known for his consistency. He also attacks both sides of the rim and guards multiple positions defensively. He’s able to create issues for smaller players, sitting down on and neutralizing opposing guards.

Sacko has a knack for producing on the big stage. He showed his deft outside touch and interior, back-to-the-rim game during a wowing 31-point and 13-rebound performance in last year’s Brooklyn-Queens championship, catapulting SFP to a resounding 72-52 victory over Nazareth. He’s been a powerful, inside-outside scorer since he arrived at the doorstep for SFP. His 24-point game as a freshman, against a Cardinal Hayes team then featuring Ian Jackson (UNC), Elijah Moore (Syracuse), and 7-footer Steven Solano (St. Joe’s), was a harbinger of things to come.