City League

1. Allderdice (26-3) — The Dragons have a sixth sense for a championship this season. Allderdice is seeking its sixth consecutive City League title, and coach Buddy Valinsky’s team is everyone’s favorite. This team could very well be the best of any in the City or WPIAL. Allderdice has two all-City League guards returning in 6-2 senior Bobby Clifford (17.1 ppg) and 6-3 senior Jackson Blaufeld (15.3). Both are good-sized guards and excellent shooters. Blaufeld has committed to Dartmouth. Terrell Childs, a 6-4 senior, also is back on the inside.

2. Obama (8-15) — After Allderdice, maybe pick names out of a hat to see who should be ranked 2 and 3 in the City League. A sampling of coaches shows they believe the City is extremely balanced after Allderdice. Westinghouse made it to the second round of the PIAA playoffs last year, but big man James Ellis is now at Duquesne and talented junior Troy Lanier transferred to Baldwin, following former Westinghouse coach Eugene Wilson. Carrick won 20 games last year but returns only one starter. Obama also lost all-City guard D.J. Gordon when he transferred to First Love, and three other Obama players also transferred. But Obama still figures to challenge for a spot in the title game. Guard Sean Sneed and forward Tim Latham are Obama’s top returnees.

3. Brashear (6-12) — The Bulls have won only three City League games in the past two seasons. But with a number of experienced players, Brashear is expected to be much improved. Coach Carey White said this is the deepest team he has had and the Bulls will be led by point guard Lontae Smith and shooting guard Cheron Collington. Brashear plays a tough non-City schedule against Quaker Valley, Moon, Pine-Richland and Our Lady of the Sacred Heart.

Players to watch

Jackson Blaufeld, Allderdice, 6-3, Sr., G

Terrell Childs, Allderdice,

6-4, Sr., F

Bobby Clifford, Allderdice,

6-2, G, Sr., G

Lontae Smith, Brashear, 58, Sr., G

Vernon Washington, Carrick, 6-1, Sr., G-F