Another week of inactivity in the polls for Chester High.

Despite a pair of district-tournament victories, the Clippers (25-0) stayed put in both the PIAA Class AAAA poll (ranked No. 1 by the Harrisburg Patriot-News) and in the USA Today Super 25 (ranked No. 4 nationally).

The Clippers continue their district run Tuesday night with a District One Class AAAA semifinal against Wissahickon, at Temple University's Liacouras Center. Look for a preview of the game in Tuesday's Daily Times. The story will focus on junior forward Rondae Jefferson.

I'm not a fan of making predictions. Never have been, never will. The only ones I've ever made (at least in a high school basketball sense) have been for the Daily Times' state-championship preview packages. And in those, I'm a respectable 3-1.

So let's try this out:
District One Class AAAA Quarterfinal - Bensalem at Chester. The ninth-seeded Owls, who advanced to the state tourney for the first time since 1991, played physically late to overcome North Penn Tuesday. They're seasoned by districts ... but nothing prepares you for a game at the Clip Joint. Clippers roll, 74-57.

District One Class AAAA Playback - Pennridge at Penn Wood. There's nothing like having your back against the wall to bring out the best in your game. Everyone is entitled to a bad game. That's what I chalk up the Patriots' last game to. They are too good to be denied this early into the postseason. Penn Wood cruises past an undermanned and inexperienced Rams team, 74-50.

District One Class AAAA Playback - Glen Mills at Upper Darby. In a rematch of the teams' regular-season finale - the one that cost the Royals an undefeated season - the Battlin' Bulls clearly have the size advantage. It's something they exploited against UD. My guess is Upper Darby, having learned its lesson, battles down low early and often. It'll be close, but the edge goes to the Royals, 49-46.

District One Class AAAA Playback - Springfield at North Penn. The Knights blew their lead at home against Bensalem in Round 2, so they might be antsy to return to the court. Meanwhile, the Cougars had their hands full at Chester. This will be the closest, most back-and-forth game of all the remaining teams from Delco. My guess is Springfield senior Zack DeVito, who has been limited this postseason, turns it up. Springfield wins a nailbiter, 54-50.

District One Class A Quarterfinal: Delco Christian at Faith Christian. The Knights have meandered above and below .500 for much of the season, while FC has lost just once since the turn of the calendar. Looks like DC could be up against it, even with newly minted 1,000-point scorer Jordan Sbraccia at the ready. FC gets the nod, 49-47.

Catholic League championship - Neumann-Goretti vs. Archbishop Carroll, Monday at the Palestra. Watch the reigning league, district and state champion Saints for 32 minutes and you'll be as convinced as I am that they are much more beatable than they were a year ago. They don't shoot the ball as well, nor do they protect it as well. Though the Patriots are young, they are disciplined. I'm going the upset route. Patriots and upstart point guard Yosef Yacob (pictured above) eke out a win, 67-64.

One final note: Last week began with 13 of Delco's 23 boys basketball teams in the playoffs. Now, we're down to six. Kind of sad, really. This is my favorite time of the year. Here's hoping a few of them can maintain a heartbeat for their playoff lives.

OK, gang. You know enough about Delco's best basketball teams (assuming you like reading my game stories and features as much as I enjoy writing them). So here's a glimpse at the finest another section of District One has to offer.

Kevin Cooney, a veteran reporter at the Bucks County Courier Times, agreed to give me the low-down on the teams he covers regularly. Cooney and I go way back. (I first met the guy when I was a sports intern at the Courier Times in 2005, so I'm sure I'll talk Delco hoops with him at some point.)

But, anyway – here's what you need to know about Bucks County's best:

AAAA
Council Rock North is the hottest team in Bucks, winning 14 of its last 15 after starting the year 2-3. “They've gotten on a nice roll,” Cooney said, “and the guy behind it is John Raymon,” a senior who gives the Indians a nice inside presence. The Suburban One League's National Conference leaders are tied with Neshaminy at 9-3, but have beaten them twice.

Neshaminy. Speaking of the Redskins, they can be dangerous in the Class AAAA bracket if sophomore Ryan Arcidiacono (pictured above) “can go on some sort of a run,” Cooney said, “because they're one-dimensional, around him.” Neshaminy's scoring leader doesn't have much around him and the Redskins – who lost to Plymouth Whitemarsh, Holy Ghost Prep, Council Rock North and Bensalem – lack a signature win. The 'Skins have beaten Lower Merion, however.

Bensalem entered week ninth in the Class AAAA power rankings but, like Neshaminy, the Owls (14-6) have lost twice to Council Rock North. They've also gotten blown out at Neshaminy. The Owls are hot, having won eight in a row – thanks to senior guard Nick Christian (the leading scorer who's headed Army) and junior center Ivan Flores.

Pennsbury is the odd-team out in Bucks. They've had a lot of up seasons in recent history, but this one is down for the Falcons. Senior point guard Jesse Krasna (pictured), a varsity contributor since his freshman year, and forward Dante Devine are the engines Pennsbury needs to fire up to make a run in districts.

AAA
Holy Ghost Prep “should win the tournament,” according to Cooney. The main thing for the Firebirds is balance. Nate Lorence and Duffy Barrett give HGP good size inside, but Mike Byrne and Tyler Juchno can beat teams outside. Cooney pointed out that, against BAL opponent Christopher Dock, Ghost had 10 players scorer and six finished with between 5 and 12 points. “Their balance is what sets them apart, but they're also very defense oriented,” Cooney said.