While I love the Super 7 discussion, there was some actual basketball played Tuesday night. I will see more tonight at 5 when Stepinac scrimmages Christ the King, the No. 14 team in the country, and, perhaps, on Saturday with Stepinac-Byram Hills (noon) and Mount Vernon-Lincoln (3 p.m.).
For now, we start the season with a tournament at Solomon Schechter…
Tuesday’s recaps —
Solomon Schechter 59, Clark Academy 39: In the first round of the Solomon Schechter tournament, Sam Evans scored 13 points and Jeremy Kelly had 11 points and 10 assists to lead the host Lions to a 59-39 win over Clark Academy in the first round of the Solomon Schechter tournament Tuesday night. Simon Teich added 10 rebounds for the Lions
Tuxedo 45, Hawthorne Cedar Knolls 44: In the first round of the Solomon Schechter tournament, Anthony Sole hit a 3-pointer with two seconds left to beat the Hornets, who let a 26-18 halftime lead slip away. Elijah Neal scored 19 points for HCK, and Aldean Richardson had 18.
Solomon Schechter will host Tuxedo in the championship game tonight (Wednesday) at 6:15 p.m. Clark will play Hawthorne Cedar Knolls in the 4:30 p.m. consolation game.
36 Comments
JOSH,
I KNOW IT’S LINCOLN FROM BROOKLYN,BUT OTHERS MIGHT NOT
TO ALL READERS-I GOT MY FACEBOOK PAGE
bowing to the man not good Haywood…BOYCOTT
When it comes to spreading info. About mount Vernon,I spread my wings,especially if it is positive,sorry if it affends you but mount Vernon comes first,I feel I have people that count on me for any extra info. I can give them on mount Vernon sports.
Good point, Haywood. Your insight is immeasureable to us on the blog. I’m not a fan of the new format myself but I think if I limit my posting to this blog, I’ll be fine. The Pok Journal is making the same move but they have nothing like this blog so ot wont change things too much on that end.
Statesman,
I waited patiently during a bad season of football for Mv,I’ll be damned if I don’t speak about the state and federation CHAMPS.
haywood-
What was your take from the Cardinal Hayes- Mount Vernon scrimmage-Hayes took in 4 transfers from Rice.
Statesman –
Quiet as it’s kept – POK now has more players currently on Division 1 hoop rosters than any other program in Section 1. Do you think Whitaker will wind up playing D1 ball after his JUCO stint? Do they have any kid(s) in the program this year who is a D1 prospect?
Coach,
Good observation. I don’t see any D1 players on the roster at the moment. Pok will lack height again this year and will be led by a Junior Jermar Dancy. He started as a soph and if he has a big year like I’d imagine, I think he’ll be capable of garnering D1 attention. An inexperienced squad that lost 10 Seniors. Still, they have re-loaded and have the talent to get better as they take their lumps w/ a tough schedule.
I think Whitaker has a shot of going MAAC level D1 when he is done w/ juco. He has improved on every facet of his game, once he’s finished working on his handle—he’ll he a fine PG. Has the talent to take over games but the selflessness to defer to others if they are hot. Also, gives him a chance to commit to academics and figure out a possible career path for when the playing days are over.
IONAPOWER,
I DID NOT ATTEND,TURKEY AND FOOD COME BEFORE BASKETBALL,I WILL FIND OUT AND LET YOU KNOW
Haywood-
Thanks- Mount Vernon should have a big year- St. Raymonds, CTK, Lincoln and MV are the 4 teams that should compete for the Federation
Statesman,
So it’s not POK’s to lose in Class A?
Warren,
Good question. As the season progresses, Pok will get better. Remember they are still playing a mostly AA schedule despite the fact they are in A. I respect TZ, Byram and Peekskill too much to say that it is Pok’s to lose.
Will they be in the mix when it is all said and done, yes but those 4 teams are more than capable of beating each other up.
Statesman –
Thanks for the update. POK deserves recognition for doing a better job in recent years of placing their kids into college programs. It seems that not too long ago a lot of talented players up there slipped between the cracks in terms of getting to the next level.
Unfortunately, your cross river rival, Newburgh, still hasn’t turned the corner in that area. We know about the controversy and coaching change that occurred there this off-season. Hopefully a new attitude takes hold in that program. Year after year that school has tremendous talent but those players are rarely heard from after their High School days are over.
REMEMBER,
SLAM DUNK ; POUKEEPSIE VS. BYRAM HILLS
Coach Reeves-
No problem. Pok has turned the corner in getting kids from the Gridiron to a Higher Education as well. Laffin catches a lot of heat, but I’m proud on the work he has done and what he has done with the program. It’s evident that his players echo these sentiments b/c they commit themselves to their studies so they can go to the next level as well.
Laffin can only do so much. It is up for the student to untimely decide what is best for their future and being an educator he gets his players to tap into their true potential.
We had our days of kids slipping through the cracks, so I know how NFA feels about that. Maybe they can turn the same corner with kids like McMillian going to school and doing well being a good role model for others to follow.
Wood,
I feel for you re: the football season. You guys had some winnable games and should hold your heads high. A lot of talent in that city, if you can get kids to commit to getting better year round you’ll do just fine moving forward.
The slam dunk game will be a nice measuring bar for PK. Most of the A teams are better than Arlington and JJEF despite them being AA.
I heard JJEF’s coach had to sit the season out due to a family situation. I wish Mr. Matt Hayes the best, one of the best coaches I’ve ever known. Hopefully JJEF plays inspired, passionate ball like he would want them to this season.
States…lets remember Whitaker had offers from Marist and Manhattan out of high school. He is a D1 player, if HE wants to be. It is up to him. Problem now is he not the PG on the team, Brickhouse is.
HRs,
Those colleges being MAAC level like I noted. It still doesn’t mean that he can’t find areas in which to improve. Brickhouse is the PG but Whitaker can bring the ball up on some occasions to give the defense a different look and to spell Brickhouse and Henderson a bit.
It has always been up to him. He has learned about what a dismal academic performance in your first yr can do to you. I’m certain he isn’t letting that translate to college so he can meet his ultimate goal. Nothing is ever set in stone, the moment we start thinking that is the moment we start sinking.
Fyi, Edwin Ubiles of PK is averaging 17.5ppg, 7 rebs, 5 assists and 2 steals through his first 2 games with the NBDL’s Dakota Wizard. He worked hard in Puerto Rico this summer so I am very happy for him. I hope Golden State calls soon, it’s not the Knicks or the Heat but it is a great start!
States totally understand and I was essentially saying what you expanded on. Much more clearer!. In reality Dayvonne isn’t a D1 PG. He is D1 2 guard. Now like you said, he could have improved so he might go the PG route, but I don’t see it. I love the kids talent, but he has a off guard skill set. Having Brickhouse go there helps him it doesn’t hurt him. He can focus on where he is gonig to be at the next stop.
In terms of Ubiles, he is going to get his shot. Before the lock out(I think I sent you the link) the Spurs were very interested in him. That says a lot when an organization of that nature even knows who he is!
HR,
No problem. You know youre my dog so I just have to clarify sometimes. Coach Pop was and still is very high on him. You sent me the link which confirmed what he told me when we were hanging out two summers ago (told him I’d believe it when I see it! I am now!)
As long as he stays healthy and focused he’d be just fine. As for Dayvon, I totally agree he is a D1 2 Guard. The fact he is a 1’s height hurts him but he gets more then enough lift off his jumper to shoot over taller defenders. He was always more efdective off the ball at PK so we’re in agreement. Maybe the coaches will take note moving forward as well!
MV / Cardinal Hayes
MV did not look very sharp except Randy Stevens. Hayes had 2 big guys with skills and will make a name for itself this year..Both teams played exceptional defense, thats for sure. Out of the 4 periods played by the starters the scores were one or two points either way. I believe MV won 3 of the 4, but Hayes looks real good..Bobby is still working on chemistry right now. Again tonight vs St. Rays they were not very impressive.
Cadet,
Great to see you back. I wouldnt take too much stake in things yet. MV still has to get used to playing with one another. Once guys figure out their roles and accept them, they will be a dangerous team.
States I hope Dayvonne can get the offer back from Manhattan. He is a nice fit for Masiello’s schemes. Its nice to see him back playing and moving forward. Lets hope he sticks with it as well as Brickhouse and McCloud.
By the way the Upstate/Downstate challenge out on Long Island is 12/10-12/11. Here are the games.. Baldwin/uniondale/Luhi are very good this year. Harborfields has been soldi the past two years. They are smart and play very well together. But they don’t have the talent Step has…
2:00 PM White Plains vs Chaminade
2:00 PM JFK Somers vs South Side
4:00 PM New Rochelle vs St. Mary’s
6:00 PM Mt. St. Michaels vs Baldwin
8:00 PM Middletown vs Uniondale
12/11/11
Upstate/Downstate Challenge
@ Uniondale HS
12:00 PM Burke Catholic vs Amityville
2:00 PM Stepinac vs Harborfields
4:00 PM Cardinal Hayes vs LuHi
6:00 PM Cornwall vs Uniondale
I know, I know, it is blasphemous to not extol the virtues of the Cimmino and the gang. So kudos to the AA champions. The real basketball mystery is the chase for the Class A Gold ball. Pok, Byram, Tappan, Peeks, are obvious choices but I’d bet only 1 of those 4 teams actually make it to the County Center. And if I really were a betting man I would definitely bet the field in Class A. Teams like Kennedy and Brewster are sleeper teams that could make a Final Four run. The most talented big man in Class A, hails from Brazil and plays for Kennedy. Talk about Summer league dominance. Kennedy will return to the CC. Brewster returns a junior transfer from Immaculate McNeil that will provide Brewster with a second big man next to the offensive lineman Bonilla and a very talented back court. I can see Brewster with a relatively weak schedule winning 16 – 17 games. The Kennedy league is tough and their schedule is probably the toughest in Class A after breezing through a weak league last year, they will be battle tested in the best League in Class A by far. Don’t forget Somers has three kids that are 6’7 or better!!
Mr. Francis,
With AA obviously being down, Pok may have been better suited staying up. A is a total crapshoot. Pok will have their hands full every game so I’m glad they stepped up their schedule this year. Getting a taste of Byram and Kennedy who was a buzzer beater away from beating them two years ago def helps. Tossing in NFA and a few other other out of Sectional teams will help this team gel and become more seasoned. Don’t think they have a kid over 6’4 on the roster this year so they def have to work on boxing out. They aren’t going to out-jump any of the teams you listed. Wondering why we can’t get any transfers
.
JFK’s transfer still needs to be approved by Section 1. Especially with one of the supporters bragging that he was recruited. Section 1 needs to clean this up fast!! Jen Simmons needs to make sure this is not happening. JFK needs to be in AA as a catholic school anyway.
Recruiting public or private has no place in high school sports. It’s disgusting and should have been addressed hard years ago.
Figured I’d get one of my last posts in before we switch to the Facebook format…
Here is a link to the Poughkeepsie Journal’s boys’ basketball capsules, if anyone’s inerested:
http://www.poughkeepsiejournal.com/article/20111130/SPORTS01/311300034/High-school-boys-basketball-preview-capsules?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|Sports
Jeff,
Great to see you around. Would you happened to know how PK looked in their scrimmage at Vassar on the 26th? Couldn’t make it.
B-Baller,
No sour grapes here and I don’t care what anyone says… Getting recruits from Brazil or wherever is ludicrous. Yes, Pok has a big enrollment in A but teams like Harrison, Pelham and Nyack can’t compete w/ that. Hard enough developing talent in Pok so I know the smaller districts have problems w/ it too.
Hey, Statesman, great hearing from you; hope you and your family had a great Thanksgiving. I missed the Poughkeepsie scrimmage at Vassar last week; I’d promised a special someone I’d take her out sightseeing before the weather got bad.
It looks like I might have to wait until the December 17th games at Vassar before I get to see the new-look Pioneers unless there’s another scrimmage lined up…
Based on what I’ve read, though, this year might be the last best chance for another Dutchess team to get a win against PK due to the Pioneers’ inexperience. Still, I expect PK to make another trip to the County Center. What happens beyond that point is anyone’s guess…
Jeff,
The Thanksgiving was great, the weather was perfect. Great weekend for last minute sight-seeing. Gotta get to your level!
I’m excited to see the new look Pioneers too. JJEF, Arlington and Lourdes will have their shot at them. The last time Lourdes almost beat Pok, they still went to the AA Final w/ the team gelling as the year goes on.
I’ll take a 20-5 record w/ a chip over a 22-1, 23-2, or 20-3 w/ a close call all day. One thing is for sure, the Football team has put pressure on the Pioneers to get a chip on the hardwood. It’ll be Laffin’s toughest task yet but he’s up to the challenge.
In addendum, I think the very tough schedule will slow the learning curve a bit. Adversity can break us but can also help us tap into talent we never knew we had. Somers will be a team to watch that is flying under the radar.
This guy Justin Rod is a too.l. Section 9 coaches are afraid that OLL will try to recruit? Go take that noise over to Burke who has been doing it for years. Walsh is a good coach w/ many Catholic boys in the hudson valley wanting to play for what I will become the Notre Dame of our area in time. Dover already went, if the rest of Dutchess follows suit what will he say then?