by Alex Schwartz

The high school basketball season has come to a close in each state, and all that remains are some all-star games, most notably the Jordan Brand Classic All-American Game. While there are no players from Pennsylvania high schools in that game, or in the McDonald's All-America Game for that matter, there were still some very good teams in the Keystone State this season.

The 2009-2010 season featured one team from Pennsylvania ranked in the top 10 nationally for much of the year along with three other schools ranked right around the top 25 for parts of the season. The top dozen or so squads in the state were quite strong and there were some major upsets in the PIAA playoffs, showing the state's strength throughout, not just in the Philadelphia area.

Below are the top high schools teams in Pennsylvania this season, with the top 40 teams ranked and then 25 more listed as honorable mentions. Only schools in the PIAA were considered, meaning that teams such as Academy of the New Church, Friends Central, Westtown School, and Germantown Academy are not listed.

Without further ado, check out the 2009-10 Pennsylvania state rankings. Note that while postseason success is considered, it is not the only factor in the rankings.

1. Neumann-Goretti, Class AAA champion, 30-1
2. Plymouth-Whitemarsh, Class AAAA champion, 29-2
3. Penn Wood, Class AAAA finalist, 27-4
4. Chartiers Valley, Class AAA finalist, 29-2
5. Mt. Lebanon, Class AAA second rounder, 26-2
6. Eastern York, Class AAA semifinalist, 31-1
7. South Fayette, Class AA champion, 24-5
8. Strawberry Mansion, Class AA finalist, 28-2
9. North Allegheny, Class AAAA semifinalist, 23-6
10. Archbishop Carroll, Class AAA quarterfinalist, 24-5
11. Sewickley Academy, Class A champion, 27-2
12. Imhotep Charter, Class AA semifinalist, 25-6
13. Reading Central Catholic, Class A finalist, 30-2
14. Liberty, Class AAAA semifinalist, 25-6
15. Hampton, Class AAA semifinalist, 24-4
16. Mercyhurst Prep, Class AA semifinalist, 25-4
17. Greenwood, Class A semifinalist, 26-4
18. Hempfield, Class AAAA quarterfinalist, 29-2
19. Roman Catholic, Class AAAA quarterfinalist, 18-9
20. Reading, Class AAAA second rounder, 28-3
21. Abington Heights, Class AAA quarterfinalist, 29-3
22. Girard College, Class A quarterfinalist, 22-8
23. North Catholic, Class AA quarterfinalist, 25-3
24. Hughesville, Class AA quarterfinalist, 25-3
25. Lincoln Park, Class A semifinalist, 21-8
26. Rochester, Class AA quarterfinalist, 25-4
27. La Salle College HS, Class AAAA second rounder, 20-6
28. Frankford, Class AAAA second rounder, 22-5
29. Gateway, Class AAAA quarterfinalist, 20-6
30. Scranton, Class AAAA quarterfinalist, 22-7
31. Pius X, Class AA second rounder, 18-8
32. York, Class AAAA second rounder, 24-7
33. Holy Cross, Class AA quarterfinalist, 23-6
34. Bayard Rustin, Class AAAA qualifier, 23-5
35. Pennsbury, Class AAAA second rounder, 18-11
36. Neshaminy, Class AAAA second rounder, 20-9
37. John Bartram, Class AAAA qualifier, 19-10
38. Wedt Mifflin, Class AAA quarterfinalist, 16-9
39. Souderton, Class AAAA qualifier, 23-5
40. Chester, Class AAAA qualifer, 16-11

Honorable Mentions (alphabetical order)
Bradford, Class AAA second rounder, 22-3
Dobbins Tech, Class AAA second rounder, 17-9
East, Class AAA qualifer, 23-3
Greater Johnstown, Class AAA qualifer, 21-4
Greensburg Central Catholic, Class AA second rounder, 19-5
Hollidaysburg, Class AAAA second rounder, 16-9
Holy Ghost Prep, Class AAA qualifer, 24-4
Holy Redeemer, Class AAA second rounder, 25-4
Lancaster Catholic, Class AAA second rounder, 23-6
Lebanon Catholic, Class A quarterfinalist, 17-12
Marian Catholic, Class A second rounder, 23-6
Math, Civics, & Sciences, Class A second rounder, 22-6
Mifflinburg, Class AAA second rounder, 23-4
Montour, Class AAA second rounder, 16-9
Nazareth, Class AAAA qualifer, 20-7
Neshannock, Class A quarterfinalist, 18-9
Notre Dame GP, Class AA second rounder, 23-5
Penncrest, Class AAAA qualifer, 24-6
Pottsville, Class AAA qualifer, 23-5
Serra Catholic, Class A qualifer, 20-4
Shady Side Academy, Class AA second rounder, 19-5
Southern Fulton, Class A second rounder, 23-5
Tussey Mountain, Class A quarterfinalist, 23-4
Washington, Class AA second rounder, 19-6
York Suburban, Class AAA quarterfinalist, 24-6

Note- photo is of the Neumann-Goretti Saints and is from http://www.tedsilary.com/