Class AA prediction
-
- February
- 27
Here’s my preview and prediction for today’s New Rochelle-Poughkeepsie game. Sorry for the delay. I’ll post the Mount Vernon-Scarsdale preview, as well as the two Class A games, later tonight.
Class AA semifinal
No. 2 Poughkeepsie (19-3) vs. No. 6 New Rochelle (16-6)
When: Today, 4:30 p.m.
How’d they get here: Poughkeepsie destroyed White Plains, 93-65. New Rochelle knocked Roosevelt, 67-54.
Previous matchup: Poughkeepsie beat New Rochelle, 86-81, in double overtime on Feb. 2.
Match-up to watch: Markell Rice of New Rochelle vs. Moquan Dickens of Poughkeepsie. Both are potential Division I running backs who are beginning to find their roles on basketball. Rice is so explosive going to the basket and shouldn’t even think about shooting a 3 at this point. Dickens is the only one who can stay in front of Rice and make it work in the paint.
Who’ll decide the game: Duane Clark. Poughkeepsie’s star sophomore was the difference in the first game. He hit a game-tying 3-pointer at the buzzer at the end of the regulation and, after getting fouled taking a 3 in the closing seconds of the first OT, sank all three shots to force the second. Clark is a catalyst.
How New Rochelle can win: Make free throws and protect the ball. Those are the two things that killed the Huguenots in the last game. If they try to get into the track meet they played a large portion of the Roosevelt game, they’re going to lose. Disciplined, composed basketball will get them to the final.
How Poughkeepsie can win: Feed Williams. Having seen Antonio Williams last week against White Plains, I can’t figure out how New Rochelle was able to stop the versatile big man. He’s an athletic 6-foot-4 forward who knows how to draw contact and frustrate opposing big men.
Who will win: New Rochelle. I’m sure the Poughkeepsie fans are ecstatic that I’m picking agains the Pioneers again. But everyone I speak who attend the first game between New Rochelle and Poughkeepsie assures me New Ro should have won and will motivated to get their revenge. Sounds good to me. PREDICTION: NEW ROCHELLE 65, POUGHKEEPSIE 63.
This entry was posted
on Wednesday, February 27th, 2008 at 2:43 am by Kevin Devaney Jr..
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Kevin,
I’m relieved! For awhile there, I thought you were going to predict a Poughkeepsie win. That would have taken away our underdog status, which some of us kind of enjoy. More importantly, since your past predictions about PK have been wrong (very wrong, in the case of the WP game), it would be scary to have you thinking they’ll win.
I don’t know who you talked to about the PK-NR game, but to say that NR should have won is a little weird. Should they have won just because they’re New Rochelle and Poughkeepsie isn’t?
Kevin,
I understand your belief that New Ro should have won the first game, I have to go with Poughkeepsie in this one based on what they did to White Plains. A win like that gives a team a lot of confidence. I do believe White Plains is a better squad than what they showed up North. I believe New Ro will be in this game with Marsalis back in the mix, it will be tough to stop the momentum of Poughkeepsie. Mt. Vernon will have to do it this year.
WP Pat,
As good as Poughkeepisie was against WP, I could see WP winning if they were the home team. Basketball is funny, and a home team can get on a crazy roll, that the visiting team just can’t stop. Therefore, unless this game against New Rochelle is going to be played at Poughkeepsie, you can throw out the WP game as a comparison.
I can see Kevin picking New Rochelle. I think it is too close to call. Poughkeepsie is tough. That is why I was warning WP fans before their game, when they where already counting the victory. New Rochelle went out and played some very good compitition this year, some out of town. This will help them tremendously. I look for this to be a very good, and extremely competitive game.
Jayden,
If you made me pick I would pick Poughkeepsie. I know New Ro, if they bring out a big contingent of fans and get it rolling, can win. Poughkeepsie opened some eyes against White Plains, if teams are caught by surprise shame on them.
WP Pat,
No question that WP is a better team than the one that showed up against PK. The home court and fans were a help to PK, no doubt. PK did show, however, how dangerous they can be. Having watched all their home games this season, they are a much different team from what they were at mid-season. It’s hard to believe their growth.
Thanks for your vote of confidence about today’s game.
WP Pat,
I hate to say this but, WP was caught by surprise by Poughkeepsie. Shame on WP. Poughkeepsie was a very good team all year long, so WP should have been better prepared to take them on. I do not think that any other team will take Poughkeepsie lightly. Why should they. This is not the time of year to take anyone lightly. I am sure Spencer Mayfield did his job, but some of the players just did not come to play.
I was sitting right behind the Mt Vernon bench, when they played Lincoln in the first playoff game. Mt Vernon was up about 30, early in the 2nd period. During a timeout, Mt Vernon’s Coach was pushing his team, not to let up and let Lincoln back in the game.
That is the attitude you have to take. Anyone can beat you, even if you have a 30 point lead. Any team that has a “W” penciled in before the game is played, deserves to get undressed, and embarrassed.
hi kev- great job all year- us byram folks love what you do all year round!your football coverage was great and basketball too! we love hearing the wonderful success stories about the section 1 players and stories about the 1,000 point players! so…how about some love for jason mendell, a byram hills hero- scored his 1,000th point last week, the 5th guy in bh history- where was that article? had an amazing run- crushed lincoln hall two times and pearl river away in tough crowded gyms- where is the love for the 5th leading scorer after 21 games in section 1?!!!good luck to north salem, briarcliff, mount vernon, scarsdale- you make section 1 fans proud!
Kev,
I must admit I’m also relieved. I prefer PK to be the underdog with less pressure. Here’s why I think Poughkeepsie can win…..because of their front court. Everbody talks about Antonio Williams, and there’s no doubt he’s awesome. But Darryl Charles is a huge game breaker too. He plays tough and he plays hard, he does all the dirty work. Brandon James should be in better shape and he’s also a tough, physical big man.
Everyone is counting us out b/c of Tay Webb. Well we beat WP without Tay Webb and the preparation of not having him. Duane Clark will step in and run the show. Deyvon Whitaker will also contribute. Mo Dickens is quick enough to hang w/ Rice but I Rice is more physical. But hands down the difference in this game will be the frontcourt and I truly believe that with Antonio Williams, Darryl Charles, Brandon James and Malik Dennard, PK’s frontcourt will out duel New Ro’s front court. Good luck to both teams!!!!!!!
How come there aren’t full boxscores in the papaer this year? It is always an interesting read.
I’m still searching for nominees for the area’s best all-time dunkers over at http://www.carp.lohudblogs.com.
The list is getting really long, and hopefully it will continue to grow throughout the tournament.
Anybody know any great dunkers?
Still don’t know what to make of this Poughkeepsie team. I saw them in action against Newburgh and they did not impress. Since then, they have gone in the opposite direction taking a thriller from New Ro and then giving a serious beat-down to WP in their Sectional match-up.
The question is – how big is the home court advantage for Pughkeepsie. They have looked like world beaters in their home gym but very ordinary outside of it.
Which team shows up today? I’d feel better about their chances if they were at full strength – the loss of Tay Webb will be felt.
I’ll stay away from a prediction since I was so far off in the WP/PK game. Should be a good game – best of luck to both sides.
Kevin,
Did you see that Mt. Vernon’s own Kevin Jones was on the cover of the latest RISE Magazine? Great article inside as well, you should check it out.
Unbiased, You cant really judge Pok on that Newburg game they were playing with heavey hearts , both of coach laffins parents were in the hospital and he probaly should not have coached that game(he was gonna let coach Murphy coach ) , also tay webbs turnovers caused Pok that game so without him they will be fine,if we played pok ten times they would beat us 9 times it was just one game that we played our best and they didnt, still only won by 2 that should show how good they really are. but since i dont like Pok , NewRo by ten
Congradulations Kevin Jones:
Yes he has a great article on his clutch shooting performances and his game winning shots throughout his career in HS and AAU. They’re calling him one of the most dominate and best clutch shooting Players in the country period. Great look for Kevin Jones after getting the McDonalds ALL-American snub!! we heard he made it to the final 30 players list of voting but fell short by a few…. He was the last NY player on the voting ballot!
Newburgh Rep,
Thanks for the love man… It doesn’t mean that I like you though… ;-D… Good luck in your game vs. FDR…
whats the NR vs. POK score?? is the 1st qtr over yet?
PK WINS 78-75!!! Kev baby, Keep counting us out!!!
Kev,
I hope you know we bring back most of our squad next year. I know we’re up in DC, but we’ve come to play!! Stunning the Westchester faithful yet again!!!! Mount Vernon here we come.
I told you our frontcourt would make the difference, Antonio Williams, Darryl Charles, Brandon James, Malik Dennard. Although Deyvon and Moquan are hurt, they should be good for Sunday!!!
Don’t ever count PK out!!!!!! 12601—-remember that zip code!!lol
You mean there was an article about anything Mt. Vernon basketball and they didn’t quote Kevin Devaney, Mr. High School Basketball Expert? I’m shocked!