STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.— Earlier this week, the PSAL unveiled its basketball playoff brackets for all classifications, and several Staten Island squads are headed for postseason play.
In the 4A bracket — the league’s highest level of competition — three Island representatives secured first-round byes on the strength of impressive regular seasons, as Tottenville earned the No. 2 seed, Curtis claimed the No. 7 spot, and Susan Wagner checked in at No. 8.
Dropping down to 3A, Staten Island will also have a strong presence, with Petrides entering as the No. 13 seed, and McKee/Staten Island Tech will be close behind at No. 14.
With each of these borough teams aiming to make a postseason run, here’s a closer look at the matchups ahead and what each squad will rely on in its quest to advance.
Tottenville’s Araya Lichtman carries the ball against Susan Wagner during a meeting between the two schools on Dec. 12, 2025.Michael O’Brien
Tottenville Pirates
First game: Hosting winner of No. 15 Townsend Harris vs. No. 18 LaGuardia in Second Round, March 3
Outlook: The Pirates once again stood atop the borough’s PSAL landscape, finishing with a perfect 14-0 regular season mark in the 4A Staten Island division.
Head coach Jessica Althoff’s squad may not feature a traditional dominant paint presence, but with the way junior Grace Anderson has performed, size has hardly been an issue.
The standout guard reached the 1,000-point milestone for her career this season and proved to be a relentless offensive force, averaging more than 18 points per game in league play.
She’s hardly alone. Dynamic guard Araya Lichtman has provided steady production with 11.3 points and 4.7 assists per league contest, while lengthy sharpshooter Brianna Ardolic has added 9.7 points and 5.9 rebounds per league game. With a true No. 1 scorer and serious depth, the Pirates appear well-positioned to mount a serious title run.
The biggest obstacle? Perennial powerhouse and defending champion No. 1 South Shore. But, if the Pirates can punch their ticket to the championship game, there’s little reason to doubt their ability to compete for 32 minutes— and perhaps bring the league crown back to Staten Island.
Curtis’ Kathryn Karounos gets a shot off during a Borough President’s Cup matchup vs. MSIT on Jan. 24, 2026.Michael O’Brien
Curtis Warriors
First game: Hosting No. 10 Clinton in Second Round, March 3
Outlook: The Warriors closed the regular season at 10-4 and, while they dropped a pair of lopsided contests to Tottenville, Talia Sutton’s group has the pieces to make things interesting — provided it first takes care of business against Clinton.
Like the Pirates, the Warriors are fueled by a player that’s not a senior. Freshman Kathryn Karounos made her arrival known at the Borough President’s Cup, erupting for 50 total points across two games to earn All-Tournament honors and cement her status as one of the program’s brightest young talents. A versatile scorer, Karounos is equally comfortable attacking the rim or knocking down shots from the perimeter.
Curtis also brings strength in the paint with senior forwards Sanaya Frederick (10.2 points, 4.7 rebounds per league game) and Janiya Thomas (6.2 points, 6.9 rebounds per contest), giving the Warriors a steady interior presence to complement their dynamic guard play and providing valuable senior leadership.
There’s no question a potential matchup with Tottenville would present a steep challenge. But, with the Pirates lacking dominant size, Sutton’s veteran coaching ability could establish an interior-focused game plan in hopes of engineering an upset.
Susan Wagner’s Casey McKinney lines up a free throw during a meeting between Wagner and New Dorp on Dec. 3, 2025.Michael O’Brien
Susan Wagner Falcons
First game: Hosting No. 9 John Jay in Second Round, March 3
Outlook: In what shapes up as one of the bracket’s most evenly matched contests based on seeding, Susan Wagner will look to secure its second victory of the season over John Jay after a decisive 56-27 win in their previous meeting.
Head coach Tom Rizzo has said it all year — and the rest of the league knows it, too — the Falcons will go as far as star center and recent 1,000 point scorer Casey McKinney carries them.
The senior has established herself as one of the city’s most dominant post players, posting eye-popping averages of more than 25 points, nine rebounds and two assists per league game. Simply put, she impacts the game at every level.
At times, foul trouble has limited McKinney’s minutes as she works to protect the rim. If she can stay disciplined defensively and keep opponents off the free-throw line, it would provide a significant boost to Wagner’s postseason hopes.
The Falcons have also received a lift from freshman point guard Jamielyn Chin, who — much like Karounos at Curtis — has stepped confidently into a key role. Chin contributes nearly 6.5 points and 3.5 assists per league game, bringing poise and athleticism while effectively orchestrating the offense.
As her Wagner career winds down, if McKinney can put on a few more superhero performances, the Falcons could prove capable of soaring deep into the postseason.
Petrides’ Asha Bell brings the ball up the floor during a Borough President’s Cup game against CSI/McCown on Jan. 23, 2025.Michael O’Brien
Petrides Panthers
First game: Hosting No. 20 Taft in First Round, Feb. 26
Outlook: The 3A division was tightly packed at the top this season, and Petrides’ 11-3 record — tied for first in the Brooklyn/Staten Island standings alongside Abraham Lincoln and MSIT — ultimately resulted in the No. 13 seed.
Given that level of parity, however, seeding may mean little in this bracket. Petrides will open against an opponent it hasn’t faced this season, adding another layer of intrigue to the matchup.
As always, the Panthers’ attack will center around Asha Bell, who joined the growing list of local standouts to surpass 1,000 career points this year. The junior guard has seamlessly taken over the mantle of elite scorer from recent grad Ysella Kosic, averaging more than 19.5 points per league game while also contributing over two assists per contest.
While Taft will undoubtedly key in on slowing Bell, Petrides boasts a reliable interior option in senior forward Mackenzie Terry, who averaged more than 13.5 points and nearly six rebounds per game during league play. Her presence inside provides balance and makes it difficult for defenses to focus solely on the perimeter.
With a home game and a dynamic guard-forward tandem leading the way, the Panthers appear well-positioned to advance to the second round — and potentially make an even deeper run.
McKee/Staten Island Tech’s Eva Paraskevadis takes the ball up the floor during a matchup against Petrides on Dec. 16, 2025.Michael O’Brien
McKee/Staten Island Tech Seagulls
First game: Hosting No. 19 Manhattan Center for Science & Math in First Round, Feb. 26
Outlook: The Seagulls matched Petrides’ record and will likewise aim to make noise as a lower seed in the 3A bracket. With veteran head coach Pete LaMarca at the helm in his final season, MSIT will be eager to send its longtime bench boss into retirement with a memorable postseason run.
LaMarca’s squad may not feature a singular go-to scorer, but it has found success through balance — particularly from the trio of Madisyn Chen, Stella Chan and Eva Paraskevadis.
None averaged in double figures during the regular season, yet each fills a vital role. Chen chipped in nearly nine points per league game, Chan was a steady presence at the line at 83 percent, and Paraskevadis stretched defenses with more than 1.5 three-pointers per contest.
The Seagulls have also relied on Thalia Treasure’s work on the glass, with the senior pulling down more than nine rebounds per game.
MSIT may feature one of the city’s thinnest rosters, dressing just eight varsity players, but its league success underscores a well-coached, cohesive group capable of competing with just about anyone in the bracket.