Varsity Insider

Dan and I brought you a few repeat winners this week, but we also mixed it up. There were a few close games this week and I tended to favor guys who were a key factor in those contests.

Anyway, remember to tweet us your suggestions and nominate players for the honor @LoHudInsider and @LoHud_DeFran, hashtag #POTW.

CLASS AA

Josh’s POTW: Brendan Hynes, Mahopac —
The 6-foot-2 senior is a repeat pick, but who else delivered bigger plays down the stretch than Hynes? Among his 23 points, 13 rebounds and five assists in the 72-69, double-OT victory was a money three-point play with 4.4 seconds left in the first OT to tie the score. It helped Mahopac survive and clinch a third straight trip to the County Center. Like always, Hynes proved he was one of the section’s most fearless competitors — kind of like…

Dan’s POTW, Class AA: Joe Clarke, New Rochelle —
For me, this was really a two-horse race between Clarke and Brendan Hynes. I gave the edge to Clarke because he managed to get 30 points and seven rebounds despite the fact he missed eight minutes due to foul trouble. Clarke is really playing like a man possessed in the playoffs, posting two straight 30-point games. The senior has helped lead his team to the County Center after a disappointing regular season. If anyone knows how to lead a team to victory it’s Clarke.

CLASS A

Josh’s POTW: Laron Holt, Peekskill —
Any player with Holt’s size (he’s 6-6) and skill can be a factor in so many phases of basketball. Holt was that man Tuesday night in Peekskill’s 72-67 win and did it in the cauldron that was Albertus’ gym. He had 14 points and 11 rebounds, but was also a key factor in moving the ball and breaking the Red Devils out of their love affair with the 3. When he wasn’t moving the ball well on the perimeter, Holt attacked the offensive glass with gusto, keying a strong second half.

Dan’s POTW: Brian Skelly, Byram Hills —
I’m not sure how many nicknames Skelly has, but I’d like to throw one more into the ring: Gravedigger. After a mellow first half from the senior guard (five points), Skelly would explode for four 3s as he helped Byram to a 28-13 third quarter, effectively putting the game out of reach for the Tuskers. Skelly finished with a team-high 23 points. The 3s didn’t come a moment to soon as Somers seemed primed to make an upset. The Tuskers trailed by only one at halftime, and John Decker (34 points) was taking, and making, shots from anywhere on the floor. In such a deep class, Skelly will need to continue to play well if he hopes to help the Bobcats to another Gold Ball after a one-year hiatus.

CLASS B

Josh’s POTW: Eric Paschall, Dobbs Ferry —
The 6-foot-6 swingman has really turned up his level of play in the postseason. No surprise, the Eagles look great as a result. Paschall had 29 points, 14 rebounds and six blocks. His ability to attract the defense and feed teammates has been pivotal. Nick Kost, Josh Smith and the rest of the supporting cast have played great, including solid efforts vs. Woodlands in the quarterfinals. It all starts with No. 11.

Dan’s POTW: Umar Singh, North Salem —
What is left to say about this kid? Singh had another MONSTER game (21 points, 21 rebounds) as he helped the Tigers knock off top-seeded Briarcliff. With performances like that, it almost makes you feel like No. 9 North Salem is actually the favorite going into games at this point. In a battle of bigs against the Bears’ Brian Daniels, Singh did not shy away, coming up huge when it counted most.

CLASS C

Josh’s POTW: Ryan Dahlia, Haldane —
Yeah, I picked Haldane to win, but I didn’t think it would be that easy. Thanks to Dahlia and co., it was. The Blue Devils went into third-seeded Solomon Schechter and won going away, 77-47. The bumps they endured against a challenging schedule helped, but so did Dahlia’s 13 points and 10 boards leading the way.

Dan’s POTW: Kayvon Reid, Tuckahoe —
While Josh and I seemed to think it was going to be Shyheim Nixon who would step up for Tuckahoe, Reid was the true star in the quarterfinals. Reid posted 21 points and 11 rebounds as Tuckahoe slipped past Keio to head back to the County Center. If Reid can continue to put up big numbers, helping to take the load off Nixon, then Tuckahoe will be on their way to a second straight gold ball.

2012-13 Players of the Week
Dec. 17 —
John Decker, Somers
Jay Cabell, Peekskill
Dec. 24 —
Demarcus Miller, Stepinac
Brian Daniels, Briarcliff
Jan. 2 —
Jack Sullivan, Albertus Magnus
John Decker, Somers
Jan. 7 —
Brendan Hynes, Mahopac
Jan. 14—
Vaughn Dweck, Panas
Umar Singh, North Salem
Jan. 21 —
Dane Williamson, Gorton
Max Twyman, Rye
Jan. 28 —
Joe Letizia, Tappan Zee
Ryan Simone, Mahopac
Feb. 4 —
Josh James, Stepinac
Jack Daly, Eastchester
Feb. 12 —
Ian Thom, Croton-Harmon
John Decker, Somers
Feb. 18 —
Rickey McGill, Spring Valley and Joe Clarke, New Rochelle (Class AA)
Brian Skelly, Bryam Hills and Eric Casey, Tappan Zee (Class A)
Umar Singh, North Salem (Class B)