The season is far from over, and so much weight, in my mind, should be placed on what’s to come. Having said that, we are now deep enough into the season to identify Section 1’s top performers. Now, I want to see you settle on one.
So, here’s the new poll question: Who is your current pick for Section 1 player of the year?
Here are the choices, in alphabetical order:
• Isaiah Cousins, Mount Vernon
• Jeff Lynch, Byram Hills
• Mike McCahey, Clarkstown South
• Tyler Sayre, Albertus Magnus
• Randy Stephens, Mount Vernon
• Will Trawick, Fox Lane
• Sky Williams, Tuckahoe
The poll is in the right-hand column. Vote away!
59 Comments
There really is not a bad choice here. With Lynch being injured and not playing to his full capacity for most of the season I don’t think he is a viable choice. Sayer and McCahey have been tearing up Rockland and deserve some consideration. Trawick has been good but I don’t know if he has had better years then the the others on the list. I think Sky Williams the dark horse here, but I think playing against weak competition will hurt him. Ultimately I voted for Cousins. He is the best player on the best team. Whoever it is, it will be hard to argue the choice. All of them have had terrific years.
Sky Williams
Isaiah cousins has had double digets in every game he has played,against tougher teams,HE lit new ro up in new rochelle,and no other player is better
I can not read responses,until I get home on the computer,wow
Mike mcchahey most valuable player to his team in section 1
bball,
you may be right about mccahey, but even with him the team isn’t great.
But based solely on individual statistics, Mikey definitely deserves consideration.
I for one believe that Brendan Hynes from Mahopac should be in this pole. He is only a junior but displays excellent leadership on the court, directing his players and consistently proving himself to me a great player!
How can you put lynch and not Peterson, seriously josh you hopped off his bandwagon from last year so fast.. Given this list, my vote goes to Saniya Chong
Peterson has not been the player of the year. McCahey and Sayer have had better statistical seasons than Peterson. He has the players around him to win a game so he doesn’t always have to go for 20 to win. If McCahey and Sayer have off nights their teams are in some trouble. Peterson is not the best individual player in Rockland, but he has the best team and they are heading straight for a section title.
Every year in every sport at every level we have this debate. It’s Player of the Year not a Most Valuable Player Award. I’m tired of guys in the lower classes getting no love. Sky Williams all day, kid has been putting #’s up his whole career and has done it vs the few A and AA’s he plays.
Truth,
Chong is a beast—if I had a girl I’d want her to play like Ms. Chong.
States,
If you look based on stats alone, it is Sky in a rout. But you and I and everyone else knows that when voting for these awards, not everyone takes just the stats into the equation.
If you were to take each of these players off their team South would be by far the worst. Thats why I have to vote for McCahey because he is having the best statistical year and is the most valuable to his team. Also I have seen every single player on this list play and no one gets more attention and double teams then McCahey. The mount vernon guys are obviously great but Mount Vernon would still be amazing without any one of them and none of them are having a great statistical year like Jabari did. If had to pick a second person it would be Trawick or Sayer both great players but they have more talent around them then South so they do not get as much attention from defenses.
Sports Guy,
Duly noted, the body of work comes into play but I think the kid really deserves it. Maybe he’ll continue to shine but I really feel as though Cousins, Sayre, McCahey and Trawick will get their due soon. Lynch is a good player but the injury bug is hobbling him, Stephens is good but gets drowned out by his team.
Sayre and McCahey have had their big moments this year but has not showed up in the biggest moments for their teams. Granted,Sayre won’t play any of that comp in the post-season so it makes him and AM better, McCahey still has time to redeem himself, he has to get it going though.
David Haye single handedly carries ramapo you just cant stop him with one guy
Just saying, in class A the battle is intense and to not put the best player from the ONE seed is incredible. Look at games in which O’Shea, McLaughlin and Donohue didn’t perform to their highest. Who was there to keep them undefeated? Peterson. I’m not saying he should win it, but at least a mention, he doesn’t get enough credit for what he does. Also, David
Haye is a phenominal player but like the random westchester teams with crappy records and 1 good player, it doesn’t qualify him.
have to agree with States here, what are we talking about MVP or best player.
If it’s the best player then one has to consider not just the points he scores but his defensive contributions. I know one thing, when MV plays against any Power House team in any of the out of league games they play, guess who’s guarding the already commited D1 6’6 point guard. (It ain’t Sky Williams).. Not only is that his job, but he also runs the ofense and scores against one of the better defenders from the other team . I would like to see any of the names on this list go up defensivly against a someone like Jalen Jenkins or a Kyle Anderson or some of the talent they faced in Florida and score. Take the score sheet and throw it away. Sky Williams is averaging more points than anyone ever to come out of MV.. what is that telling us?
Peterson is no more important to his team then any of the other 4 starters. TZ is dominant because they are outstanding team not because peterson. He does not do nearly as much as any of these kids. He is their best player but he is not as good as any of these guys mentioned
I still can’t read reasponses,but let me add that when it comes to section one,you are comparing a guy (cousins),who averages only 2 and a half quarters a game,the other guys are playing far more minutes
I really think this questions comes down to two players and two players only. It’s Cousins vs. Williams. Williams to me is the pick because he’s dominant against anyone he plays against. He’s playing with Class C players on his own team which doesn’t help.
Cousins is fantastic and probably the best player, but he still has Stephens, he still has Mount Vernon teammates. He still plays against Mamaroneck and Scarsdale. It’s not like the schedule is perfect.
I agree with the first poster. There’s not a bad pick, anyone can make a case for why.
To me, if it was MVP voting, and you voted for three my order would be:
Sky
Cousins
McCahey
I also agree that Peterson is a good player, but TZ is great because of all 5-6 players they have plus Gaine.
Does anyone know if Sky getting any college looks?
Even though it’s late in the season, it may be too early to have a meaningful discussion about this. The playoffs haven’t started, and how one performs during the second season should say a lot about who should be POY. What about if one of the above players’ teams exits early in the playoffs?
What about players who are emerging (and unmentioned) and really turn it on during crunch time?
States I haven’t really watched Sky Williams too closely…but if you put him in AA, does he match the numbers Cousins has? Or if you put him in A does he match the numbers Sayre has? Just curious as you have watched him and seem to know more about him than me.
It matters what team he is on HRs, honestly. If he’s on an A or AA team where others can just do the basics like rebound and hit open shots I think he supersedes both their numbers. If he’s on a team that can focus all on him like an RCK then he’d be in trouble. Teams would literally force other players to make shots.
bunch of grown men discussing who the best 17 year old basketball player and reasons are given also. Pretty pathetic.
Granted, Cousins has a huge supporting cast to help shoulder the burden. He could put 25 up a night but doesnt have to so I keep that in mind as well.
interesting info, thanks. To me, it doesn’t matter what team Cousins is on, he is going to get his and he is going to defend like no other. Put Cousins on Tuckahoe, wouldn’t his numbers be outrageous?
With that being said, I like what you are saying about Sky Williams body of work. He is playing where he has to play and dominating. Can’t fault him in anyway.
Hhh,
A grown man who types in a url address to comment on the actions of others after hovering his mouse over the thread to click on the link and then comments to boot. Go let Sandusky tickle your bal.l.s like you like it.
HRs,
I get your points as well. The Cousins on Tuck question is something I thought about. He has had and likely will have his great days and recognition as a player so I let Sky shine for now. Can’t knock Cousins at all.
Josh just wondering why Chandler Pierce from Peekskill isn’t being named in this poll, he has been a monster all year for this young team!
The best player by far is Isiah. With that being said he does not help out his team the most. Mount Vernon would still be the best team in the section without him. The best leaders are Lynch and Trawick. Lynch leads by controlling pace and hitting key shots and passes. Trawick leads by his physicality and ability to score on both guards and bigs. Mccahey and Sky have the least support. Sky has put up better numbers than Mccahey, but Mccahey has played against much better competition. I dont know much about Sayre or Stephens other than they are solid finishers can shoot the jumper play good defense and rebound. I dont think those two are putting up as good of number as the rest but they are definately in the debate. So if i had to choose the best player it would be Isiah. He still has a long way to mature and grow as a complete player (passing, defense, coachability, etc.) But he is clearly the best.
No one in section 1 is as dominating as the phenom Sanyia Chong.
Well, McCahey threw his hat back in the ring tonight.
Trying to find something wrong with what DON10545 just said, and I can’t..
If the question is who is the most dominating player in their league, she has it. Might be the player in Section 1 that will have the biggest impact at the next level.
If Isiah Cousins was playing anyplace else but Mt.Vernon and got to play 30 minutes there would not be a discussion. There is a big difference between playing AA and C, no disrespect.
Is lynch in this poll because of Byram making it to states late year? Thats unfair to other well deserving players around the section.
True Cadet. Let the little guys get their day one time though brother.
Its a POY, which to me does not mean MVP, but the most outstanding player. In a most outstanding player conversation, I think its Cousins by a considerable amount in Sect 1. All of the other players mentioned and several not mentioned seem to be having great seasons.
Josh made a comment on Twitter today that I think is absolutely correct about MV may have 3 first team All County players this year – i can’t remember the last time one team had that many. Cousins, Marshall and Stephens all seem very deserving. I think Josh James from Stepinac should be a lock as well. It will be interesting to see who would join those 4 potentially. I guess it may come down to who shines in the playoffs – Lynch, Williams, Trawick or maybe someone else emerges like Hynes from Mahopac or the big kid from Kennedy.
Sky Williams will win the player of the year cuz I trained him.should it matter what’s school you attend? The little guys get no respect! #Eyethetiger focus training. Talent without training is like peanut butter without jelly.
If you look at the scoring leaders listed on Lohud, Williams is averaging 27 a game and McCahey is second at 23.7 a game. However, McCahey also averages double digit rebounds while playing a tougher schedule. Also Williams doesn’t get the attention from opposing defenses that McCahey does. Cousins doesn’t have no where near the stats that either one of them has, but thats more because he doesn’t play as much and has better players around him. If he was on a different team his stats would be a lot higher. I think it’s a 3 way race right now between these three.
If Player of the Year equals Best Player it’s Cousins, but after what Marshall did today,Josh should have thrown him into the mix too. I remember the last WP game at home Cousins had 18 in the 1st Qtr & 26 by half. Sounds like Jerrel had that type of game today & they do this playing 3 qtrs or less against Sect.1 comp.
Sky did eat up AA Greeley too I believe. Everyone brings up good points but the Sky is the limit!
Reality Check… As I said today on Twitter, Jarrel has really vaulted into the elite group in the area. He’s always had the ability, but his consistency since he returned in January has taken him to a whole new level. He’s been fantastic.
He’s got all the tools. I’d love to see him use them coupled with a “hard-nosed, don’t back down, take no prisoners” attitude. If he does that the sky’s the limit for him & the Knights. Really glad to hear your report today. Hope he continues it throughout the season & playoffs
FIRST PLAYER PICKED TO START A TEAM,OFFERS FROM -DREXEL,TOWNSON,IONA,VIRGINA TECH,GEORGIA TECH,PITTSBURGH AND MORE TO COME,PLAYS DEFENSE,JABARIE HINDS,KEVIN JONES,SHERROD WRIGHT,TAYLOR PALMER ,HAVE SET A BAR THAT ISAIAH COUSINS WILL REACH
Section 1 Player of the Year award goes to Saniya Chong….hands down!
Lets not judge someone who scores alot for his team, why because it’s a known fact that the top player is scoring points on teams with their third string team in! Good coaches or should I say great coaches know when to pull their stars. Leaving you best player in when up by 20+ (just to stack up his stats), doesn’t make him the best…........... My vote will have to go too, Cousin’s (think about team, league and schedule.
come on man January 31st, 2012 at 3:42 pm
As to your comments Cousins vs Williams? And stating Mt. Vernon has to play Mamaroneck and Scarsdale, they are good programs and good coaches that work hard for their program. And besides, Cousin’s might only play 2 ½ quarters before coming out and it’s not just the two teams you mentioned. Can you say that for Williams, he’s in until the final seconds, ok maybe a minute and his team is up by plenty……… Would love to see how many 4th quarter points he gets on games he should be watching……….
Rice over MV everyday!!Sky Williams started out at RICE high school. Should that make him AA ready? This kid can play the game on any level!
Eve,
Well said my friend, well said.