Last week: 2-3
Season: 15-10
Another poor week for me, this time thanks to Mahopac, which proved me wrong. Twice.
Back at it for another week. I’ll probably see eight or more games over the next six days. Here’s a five-pack of predictions from that group:
• MONDAY: Blind Brook at Valhalla, 4:15 p.m. — Their rivalry dates back a few years. It was renewed at Blind Brook earlier this season in a Trojan win. I think the roles reverse this week. Valhalla has continued to pile up victories while Blind Brook has been hobbled by injury. I sense a series split. The pick: Valhalla 51, Blind Brook 50
• TUESDAY: North Rockland at Clarkstown South, 5:30 p.m. — I won’t make the same mistake again. A couple weeks back, I picked North Rockland to beat South at home. South won comfortably. I’d expect the same. The Vikings are home, and will want to erase the memory of last week’s loss to Fox Lane. The pick: South 57, North Rockland 49
• THURSDAY: Saunders at Eastchester, 4:15 p.m. — Even though I saw their first meeting, it’s almost a bad gauge for the rematch. That was a tale of two totally different games. Saunders dominated one, Eastchester the other. There was no in between. The Eagles should benefit by playing at home on a smaller floor because Saunders is the quicker team and likes to generate offense on the break. Eastchester thrives more in the halfcourt, which should be the edge if it’s close late. The pick: Eastchester 66, Saunders 60
• SATURDAY: Byram Hills vs. Tappan Zee at New Rochelle High School, 2 p.m. — Byram is very similar to Albertus. Smart, skilled, quick. Both can shoot the 3. They make few mistakes. And they are well-coached. But not only is TZ played better right now, TZ is bigger and stronger while maintaining a lot of the smarts and skill that helped make Byram and Albertus into championship teams. Byram could win a close one, but if the margin is more than a few points, it’ll favor the Dutchmen. The pick: Tappan Zee 58, Byram Hills 50
• SATURDAY: Iona Prep at New Rochelle, 4 p.m. — I can see an ugly, closely contested game between neighbors. Points will be very tough to come by at certain points. Both should be relatively well-rested and should enter the game confident. Right now, I favor Iona because of experience and execution. The pick: Iona Prep 51, New Rochelle 47
20 Comments
In new ro I think POK can pull it out,if they do not have tired legs ,
Poukeepsie-68 Kennedy-63, reason why?
I do not think Kennedy can beat newburgh
Not going to touch the Peekskill-Kennedy game this time? LOL
Peek… Unfortunately, Peekskill and Kennedy play the same time as Mount Vernon-White Plains and South-North Rockland for the second straight time. (It’s an incredibly unfortunate circumstance.) Plus, I’ve been trying to mix it up as much as possible with which games I pick.
I agree with what the coaches said last time. Even though Kennedy won easily, I could really see Peekskill winning. I think last game was just a really bad Peekskill performance and probably isn’t a great game to compare the teams. This one will be better. I’d still favor Kennedy in a close one.
Josh, not sure if you heard – coach for PAC has made a couple of changes – cut down on turnovers and has gotten Vaccoro more involved in the offense.
Please keep picking against them!
There is no way in H, Iona wins at New Ro.
Sorry for the last post. It was a mistake. Here is what I meant to say There is no way in Double H, Iona wins at New Ro.
Peekskill loses by 10+ and Poughkeepsie loses by 20+.... JFK all the way!
So Beacon beats Pok and turns around and loses to a game Lakeland squad and Pok loses to Beacon and turns around and beats Newburgh. Beacon has to play every game like it would a county opponent. One of the many reasons why Class A is so unpredictable.
Iona by 10 over New Lo!!
Clean the Boogie out of your nose and smell the coffee. No cupcake means no win for Iona. Blowout at New Ro.
Please! New Lo needs to go south & play some real teams in the Boogie Down!! Section 1 is what the kids in the Bronx call Mr. Softee!
Boogie,
It’s funny you picked a down year in section 1 to hop on. The Poughkeepsie teams from the last 7 years (not this one, finally rebuilding) would have scraped every last team in the BX. They would still have their hands full with this one to make things worse.
Boogie Down Bronx. Is that you on Iona Fan?
statesman:
so pok would have scraped cardinal hayes, st. rays, wings, mount. st. michael, the past 7 years – wow!
no disrespect but you are in sect. 1 a. please stop with the nonsense. couldnt win a chip in sect. 1 “aa” now try in the “a”
sect 1 fan= Boogie Down Bronx= Iona Fan
Sect 1 Fan,
The only obstacle in AA was MV on the most part. They took a 7 point loss to the eventual state runner ups New Ro in ‘05 (They scraped MV that year) and lost two semi-final games by a combined margin of 4 points (Still hurts)
Believe you me, Peekskill would not have had their dominance in Class A had Pok been in their proper class since the year they last won a chip 2000. Seems like they’ll miss the boat this season but at least the Football banner can sustain me for now.
Wings was and always has my respect. If I’m not mistaken, a NFA team that Pok beat played Wings very well. Not a big fan of common opponent theory but it’s all I have now.
While all those other programs I have love for, they put no fear in my heart.
you were the won who said pok would scrape any teams in the bronx. very bold statement. i know pok had some good teams but to think that is absurd. the teams that play in the psal aa and the chsaa aa have brutal games night in and night out. noone is scraping anyone!
Sect 1 Fan,
Bold indeed but I have enough faith in my program to first-hand know what we were and are capable of. Had some knuckleheads back then that didn’t want to put in the extra work. Laffin has seemed to weed that away.
I know the PSAL is a monster and if it were the BK league I’d hold my tongue. BX has the best athletes in my book but not the coaching and shooting to match. I know this was only one game but we did Cardozo [Queens] dirty when they came up to see us.
The CHSAA is another ball-park. More discipline there and it comes from the coaches and the program. Their brand of ball would def give us fits but still think we can prevail. Despite the fact we’ve been ringless, I would put Pok as a top 15-20 program in the state over the last 10 years.
I hope this year’s woes don’t misconstrue people’s thoughts on how Pok plays. 10 Points away from being 10-3 instead of 7-6 right now despite losing everyone from last year. If they can put together a consistent stretch, maybe someone else might be 22-1 this year
Sect 1 fan and Boogie down bronx arguing the same case? Sec 1 fan making the case for boogie down bronx. Sect 1 fan = Boogie Down Bronx = Iona fan.
no, different ppl. i happen to think new ro is going to beat iona, will be a good game though.