Morris/Sussex girls basketball rankings in flux as teams get another shot at division play

Morris Catholic continues to take on a national schedule, with games in two states scheduled over the long weekend. Back at home, NJAC-Liberty opponents use the Crusaders as a measuring stick.

Not much has changed at the top of the Morris/Sussex girls basketball Top 10. But with teams planning their second swing through the division, change may be on the way.

10. Villa Walsh (7-2)

Last week: Unranked

Villa Walsh's secret may be its defense, which has allowed only 28.4 points per game. That's important, since leading scorer Delaney Caughey averages just 9.3 points for the balanced Vikings. The team is in a three-way tie with Mountain Lakes and St. Elizabeth atop the NJAC-Independence.

Up next: Saturday at Morristown Beard, Tuesday at St. Elizabeth

9. Newton (7-2)

Last week: No. 8

After opening the season with six straight losses, Newton has lost two of three to Vernon and Wallkill Valley. The Braves responded and beat the Vikings, 44-40, in a NJAC-Colonial matchup five days later. Sophomore Caitlyn Pokrywa, who scored eight of Newton's 22 points in the first meeting, averages 13.8 points and 6.7 rebounds.

Up next: Friday at Kittatinny, Tuesday at Hopatcong

8. Jefferson (6-1)

Last week: No. 7

Senior Emily Poulas broke the school record with her 195th 3-pointer – her only one of the game – as Jefferson beat Glen Rock in overtime on Friday. Poulas averages 13.7 points for the Falcons, who have won five in a row.

Up next: Thursday at North Warren, Saturday vs. Madison, Tuesday vs. High Point

7. Mendham (7-2)

Last week: No. 3

Mendham senior point guard Lia Manuel has 18.2 points, 6.9 boards, 4.3 assists and four steals. The Minutemen's two losses were by a combined 10 points, but they haven't played since tumbling at sister-school West Morris on Jan. 3.

Up next: Thursday at Mount Olive, Tuesday vs. Morris Knolls

6. West Morris (7-3)

Last week: Unranked

West Morris is tied with Mendham atop the NJAC-National, but beat its sister school, 47-44, on Jan. 3. Sophomore guard Zoe Kratochvil tied the game high with 20 points, well above her season average of 12.1.

Up next: Thursday at Morris Knolls, Saturday vs. Randolph, Tuesday at Roxbury

5. Madison (8-2)

Last week: No. 6

Junior Charlotte Tuhy averages 25.2 points and 12.6 rebounds for Madison, which starts its second trip through the NJAC-Liberty with one division loss to Morris Catholic.

Up next: Thursday vs. Pequannock, Saturday at Jefferson, Tuesday vs. Hanover Park

4. Pope John (7-3)

Last week: No. 5

Sophomores Addison Platt (15.7 ppg., 7.1 rpg., 3.4 bpg, 3.2 spg.) and Mia Washington (14.3 ppg.) are guiding Pope John. On Thursday, the Lions visit Morristown, which won the season opener by four points.

Up next: Thursday at Morristown, Tuesday vs. Glen Rock

3. Morristown (6-4)

Last week: No. 4

Senior Cameron McGinley has 10.4 points per game for Morristown, which is averaging 46 points in its victories but just 33.5 in each loss. The Colonials have lost four of their last six as they start their second trip through the challenging NJAC-American.

Up next: Thursday vs. Pope John, Saturday at Immaculata, Tuesday at Montville

2. Chatham (8-1)

Last week: No. 2

Chatham is averaging 56 points as a team, but that's been inflated by a couple of big wins. The Cougars outlasted NJAC-American rival Morristown, 42-38, on Friday night – a week after a 44-40 win against Madison in their own holiday tournament, and a 65-63 division win against Pope John. Junior guard Ella Kreuzer contributes 17.2 points, 5.4 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game.

Up next: Thursday vs. Montville, Sunday vs. Old Tappan at Pascack Valley, Tuesday at Randolph

1. Morris Catholic (10-0)

Last week: No. 1

The Crusaders were tested by Red Bank Catholic at Sunday's Hoop Group Boardwalk Showcase, but scored 23 second-half points to come from behind in a 49-46 victory. Junior guard Mya Pauldo (13.3 ppg., 4.9 apg.) had a game-high 20 points and five steals. Her twin sister Mia Pauldo (19.4 ppg., 4.5 apg., 3.1 spg.) added 13 points, four assists and three steals. Morris Catholic hits the road again for the long weekend, playing at the Hoop Hall Classic in Massachusetts on Friday and the St. James MLK Invitational in Virginia on Monday.

Up next: Friday vs. Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.) at Hoop Hall Classic (Springfield, Mass.), Monday vs. Bethany (Oklahoma) at St. James Invitational (Springfield, Virginia)

Also considered: Hanover Park (5-3), Morris Knolls (6-3), Morris Tech (6-1), Pequannock (6-2).

This article originally appeared on Morristown Daily Record: NJ girls basketball: Morris/Sussex Top 10 rankings as divisions reboot