Here’s our Championship Week forecast, including a closer look at all 20 semifinalists and a few prognostications for all five classes in competition this week at the County Center:
CLASS AA
2012 champ: Mount Vernon. The Knights won their record seventh straight gold ball in 2012.
Favorite: Mount Vernon. The defending champ struggled early vs. Fox Lane in the quarterfinals but remains unbeaten in Section 1 play.
Dark horse: North Rockland. The Red Raiders might have the size and depth to challenge the Knights.
Game to watch: Mahopac vs. New Rochelle, semifinals. With football stars populating both lineups, this will be one of the most physical games of the year.
Championship pick: Mount Vernon over Mahopac. The defensive pressure will be too much for the Indians in this championship rematch.
MVP: Josh Doughty, Mount Vernon
Team profiles —
No. 2 North Rockland (18-2)
Coach: Chris Roff
Key players: Elijah Tillman (6-6), Sr., C; Alex Ramirez (5-9), Sr., G; Jamell Lockhart (6-2), Sr., G.
X-factor: Tillman, Omar Idolar and Roger Harris. The three big men are impressive specimens. At their best, they can combine to dominate a game.
No. 3 Mount Vernon (18-1)
Coach: Bob Cimmino
Key players: Brandon Martin (6-3), Jr., F; Josh Doughty (5-11), Sr., G; Jamal Lewis (6-1), Sr., G.
X-factor: Jalen David. The senior swingman is fickle, but he has the talent and the skill to lead the Knights offensively. In fact, that could be when they are at their best.
No. 5 Mahopac (17-3)
Coach: Kevin Downes
Key players: Brendan Hynes (6-3), Sr., G/F; Mike Simone (6-4), Sr., F; Ryan Simone (6-4), Jr., F.
X-factor: Guard play. The Indians boast a terrific inside game that has them on a 15-game winning streak. If guards Anthony Lenahan, Dan Tully and John Delahanty protect the ball, they will be a tough out.
No. 9 New Rochelle (11-9)
Coach: Rasaun Young
Key players: Joe Clarke (6-3), Sr., F; Khalil Edney (6-4), Sr., F; Derek Dorn (6-0), Jr., G.
X-factor: Edney. Like Clarke and fellow senior Terrence Holden, Edney is a state champion. The quarterback has been a spark off the bench for the Huguenots. That must continue if they hope to advance.
CLASS A
2012 champ: Tappan Zee. The then-unbeaten Dutchmen beat Poughkeepsie en route to the program’s first appearance in a state final.
Favorite: Poughkeepsie. The Pioneers return all but two players from last year’s team and have won 17 of 18 coming in.
Dark horse: Eastchester. The Eagles haven’t appeared in the County Center since 1974 but their athleticism and outside shooting are upset-worthy.
Game to watch: Byram Hills vs. Poughkeepsie, championship. If it happens, contrasting styles and an abundance of playoff experience could lead to an epic final.
Championship pick: Poughkeepsie over Byram. The Pioneers are too deep and balanced. They can dictate the action.
MVP: Jermar Dancy, Poughkeepsie
Team profiles —
No. 1 Byram Hills (18-1)
Coach: Ted Repa
Key players: Jeff Lynch (5-11), Sr., G; Ryan Golden (6-1), Sr., F; Brian Skelly (5-11), Sr., G; Andrew Groll (6-7), So., C.
X-factor: Staying on the floor. The Bobcats rely on their four stars to carry them. They need to avoid foul trouble and injuries to win a second gold ball in three years.
No. 2 Eastchester (19-1)
Coach: Fred DiCarlo
Key players: Jack Daly (6-2), Jr., G; Nick Campana (6-0), Jr., G; Kevin Teahan (6-0), Sr., G; Mike Milo (6-2), Jr., F.
X-factor: Inexperience. This is the team’s first trip to the County Center since 1974. The Eagles can’t afford stage freight in the semifinals against an experienced Poughkeepsie team.
No. 3 Poughkeepsie (17-2)
Coach: Brian Laffin
Key players: Jermar Dancy (6-0), Sr., G; Devin Lawrence (6-3), Sr., F; Jahleel Carter (5-10), Sr., G.
X-factor: Free-throw shooting. The Pioneers are almost impossible to stop unless they are stopping themselves. The main culprit this season has been spotty free-throw shooting, which could prove costly in a close game.
No. 5 Peekskill (16-4)
Coach: Lou Panzanaro
Key players: Laron Holt (6-6), Jr., G/F; Musheed Muhammad (6-6), Sr., F; Jay Cabell (6-0), Jr., G.
X-factor: Shot selection. The Red Devils must pound the ball inside, particularly to Muhammad. They can shoot well from deep but are also very streaky. Teams often shoot themselves right into the offseason at the County Center.
CLASS B
2012 champ: Albertus Magnus. The Falcons beat Dobbs Ferry for the second straight time; they have since moved to Class A.
Favorite: None. Dobbs Ferry, Putnam Valley and Lourdes could all stake legitimate claim to this label.
Dark horse: North Salem. The Tigers enter as a live underdog. They are seeded ninth, but have not played like it.
Game to watch: Putnam Valley vs. Lourdes, semifinals. No player on either team has ever played a varsity game at the County Center. Expect the unexpected.
Championship pick: Dobbs Ferry over Lourdes. The best player doesn’t always win, but Dobbs has a major advantage in this tournament.
MVP: Eric Paschall, Dobbs Ferry
Team profiles —
No. 2 Putnam Valley (18-2)
Coach: Ed Wallach
Key players: Jelani Bell-Isaac (6-4), Jr., F; Andres Soto (6-4), Sr., F; Zach Coleman (6-2), Jr., G.
X-factor: Ryan Basso. The sophomore has been hot shooting the ball lately. For a team without County Center experience and with just one senior in the rotation, everyone must contribute.
No. 3 Lourdes (15-5)
Coach: Jim Santoro
Key players: Kyle Santoro (5-10), Jr., G; Mike Donnelly (6-2), Sr., F; Justin Rhynders (6-1), Jr., G/F.
X-factor: Depth. The Warriors have just eight players on the roster, but all eight can play. They’ll have to hope that’s enough on a big court and in a setting where foul trouble can be a factor.
No. 4 Dobbs Ferry (14-6)
Coach: Scott Patrillo
Key players: Eric Paschall (6-6), Jr., G/F; Nick Kost (6-2), Sr., F; Josh Smith (6-2), Sr., F.
X-factor: Ball movement. With Paschall drawing so much attention, teammates are always open. The Eagles just have to be committed to finding them.
No. 9 North Salem (12-8)
Coach: Henry Sassone
Key players: Umar Singh (6-5), Sr., F; James Langelotti (6-1), Sr., G; Joey Tunas (6-3), Sr., G.
X-factor: Tunas’ shooting. If the sharpshooter can open the floor for Singh, opponents are in trouble. The big man has 52 points and 38 rebounds through two playoff games. All he needs is room to operate. Tunas can provide it.
•••
CLASS C
2012 champ: Tuckahoe. The defending state champ finished last season unbeaten.
Favorite: Children’s Village/Palisade Prep. These league foes shared their league title thanks to a regular-season split.
Dark horse: Tuckahoe. From unbeaten to 5-14, but the Tigers played just one game (its quarterfinal win vs. Keio) against Section 1 Class C competition.
Game to watch: Children’s Village vs. Tuckahoe, semifinals. This will be a footrace on hardwood. There are no shots they don’t like.
Championship pick: Tuckahoe over Palisade Prep. The tough schedule against Classes A and B opponents will pay dividends.
MVP: Shyheim Nixon, Tuckahoe
Team profiles —
No. 1 Children’s Village (18-1)
Coach: Michael Graves
Key players: Andrew Jones (5-10), Jr., G; Rafiq Shaheed (5-8), Jr., G; Roger Owens (6-0), Jr., F.
X-factor: Defense. The Hawks can score, but their ability to defend the paint and protect the glass will be key with just one player over 6-foot on the roster.
No. 2 Palisade Prep (16-3)
Coach: Sean Stahn
Key players: Brandon Tate (5-8), Jr., G; Fred Truss Jr. (6-2), Sr., G/F; Kevin Sabino (5-11), Jr., G; Isaiah Ward (6-3), Jr., G/F.
X-factor: Rebounding. The Phoenix are a guard-heavy team. Even Ward, their tallest player, is a swingman. To run effectively, Palisade Prep must do work on the glass.
No. 5 Tucakhoe (5-14)
Coach: Al Visconti
Key players: Shyheim Nixon (5-10), Sr., PG; Kayvon Reid (6-5), Sr., F; Maurice Hollis (5-11), Jr., G.
X-factor: Experience. The Tigers are defending state champions. They not only know how to win, they expect to. Nixon and Reid played key roles on last year’s 25-0 team.
No. 6 Haldane (6-13)
Coach: Joe Virgadamo
Key players: Ryan Dahlia (6-2), Sr., F; Matt Forlow (5-11), Sr., G; Peter Hoffman (6-3), So., G.
X-factor: Toughness. Haldane survived the rigors of a tough schedule against larger schools. The result was a 30-point win over No. 3 Solomon Schechter in the quarterfinals. This is not a typical No. 6 seed.
•••
CLASS D
2012 champ: Greenburgh Academy. Biondi won its fourth straight on the court but lost the title by forfeit afterward when Section 1 ruled it had used an illegal player.
Favorite: Martin Luther King. With Children’s Village’s last-minute shift to the Class C bracket, MLK became the new team to beat.
Dark horse: Biondi. Don’t discount its motivation. The Lions were denied last year’s gold ball but arrive hungry to win another.
Game to watch: MLK vs. Biondi, championship. A rubber match seems inevitable. Biondi won by four at home and MLK by three in its home gym. They will settle it on a neutral court.
Championship pick: MLK over Biondi. The Tigers finally get back on top.
MVP: Rajien Griffin, MLK
Team profiles —
No. 1 Martin Luther King (10-8)
Coach: Scott Green
Key players: Rajien Griffin (6-0), Jr., PG; Peter Hargrove (5-10), Sr., G; Jermaine Shaw (6-4), Sr., F; Dashawn Johnson (6-3), Jr., F.
X-factor: Griffin. The quick, crafty guard gives the Tigers an explosive playmaker and scorer. He averaged a league-best 20.5 points and 6.7 assists per game.
No. 2 Biondi (9-9)
Coach: Bob Delle Bovi
Key players: Derrick Alverez (5-11), Sr., G; Johnnie Gray (6-2), Sr., F; Ronald Garcia (6-3), Jr., F.
X-factor: Hunger. The Lions had their fourth straight gold ball taken away when Section 1 ruled they used an illegal player. They are hungry to make amends.
No. 3 Greenburgh Academy (4-13)
Coach: Jean Marcellus
Key players: Taylor Cummings (6-2), Jr., G; Joshua Pacheco (6-3), Jr., F; David McKenith (6-2), Jr., G; Matt Howard (6-3), Jr., G.
X-factor: Finishing strong. The record is deceiving. Greenbugh played the top three Class C seeds (Children’s Village, Palisade Prep and Solomon Schechter) close. The upset potential is there if the team plays four strong quarters.
No. 4 Clark Academy (2-16)
Coach: Anthony Gaines
Key players: Taiquam Johnson (6-0), Fr., G; Calvin Walters (6-1), Jr., F; Shane McCalla (6-3), Fr., F.
X-factor: Youth. With nine freshmen and a sophomore, youth has been the Knights’ undoing. Johnson leads the team in scoring at 15.0 points per game and McCalla averages 3.0 blocks per game. They’ll need to lead the way for Clark to be able to knock off MLK.
•••
131 Comments
Rocket…I think you’re correct.. 2000 was the Spencer team!
Bball,
Don’t even bother talking to vet coach. He wants to come on a blog bashing high school kids. . Hasn’t given one bit of constructive criticism about anythig he writes. I seen the kid play a few times this year and he is awesome for a freshmen. He will only get better and stronger as he gets older
Rocket,
The Allah teams outside of ‘04-05 were the best I’ve seen. Desham has always been such a role model. I’m sad he never got that next chance. Smooth game, nothing fancy—just buckets. Had a great time pick-up with him and him teaching me a thing or two. Always chastizes me for just playing football and not baseball and b-ball.
It was 2000, correct.
I also think b ball junkie/23 are the same person.
Not same guy states.
Statesman funny no way are we the Same person being totally honest
Got you. The proximity in posting times can cause the observant one to think so though! You guys are just on it
.
Lol hahaha at statesmen
Bball 23 so now Niam Thomas is a DI guard, ok who has offered him. I have seen him play, a great kid and real good player, High DII ability. Believe me if u think Benny and the jets played to Niams ability in a scimmage then u do not know this game. Night and day difference. The FR will never be a Niam Thomas.
Thanks BBjunkie are u and Bball 23 the same, evaluating talent is not ur game. Don’t know if I can get through the CC games knowing u cannot face the truth on a site were u prop a kid then complain when the truth is told
DO YOU have a promblem or are you just making cowardly remarks, what if the kid happens to look at your comments or his parents happen to, respect the kid and his game, i was curious about him and bball junkie answered my questions
SO Thanks a lot
vet coach, thats it enjoy the games didnt mean to argue
Rocket,
The coach before Lou Panzanaro was John Moro. There are too many great Peekskill players to mention. Some that I didn’t see that I have heard about were Lou Panzanaro Sr., Todd Scott, Nookie Green, Mike Ritter, Jeff Burns (RIP), Pat Thornell (RIP), Brent Dabbs, Tony Murphy, Shawn James. Some that I grew up with, played with, or saw in person were Allen Jenkins, James McRae, LaRon Bailey, Elton, Derrick Robillard, Mookie Jones, Daquan Brickhouse, Rashard Turner, Hilton Armstrong and more. I believe from what I remember that there have only been about 5-6 coaches in the history of Peekskill basketball.
States, Upstate,
Yup, I remember Big June Bug was the man. I remember them playing ketcham one time and he looked like a grown many against little boys. His drop step was unstoppable. Allah def had a smooth game. I liked Skipwith alot from the 02 team also. He had a nice career at CW Post too. What’s funny is that PK was so good, but did not get alot of media attention back then. I remember back in the early 2000s being on forums talking up PK football and basketball and guys barely knew anything about us. I remember Id always go at it talking up PK sports. Especially football with Irv Walker, Shonda, Melshawn, Whitlow, and co. Its so nice to see the Journal News showing PK some love..compared to the PKJ….thanks Josh we do appreciate it. Also guys like states, upstate, jeff p, rip, pioneer77..u guys do a good job informing people about PK too.
Peek,
I remember seeing Rashard Turner and Hilton Armstrong almost beating almighty Amityville in 02 with Jason Fraser. I believe Turner started out at Kent St but dont know what happened after. Of course Hilton was decent at UCONN too. The 04-05 Peekskill team was pretty good too. I can’t imagine how much talent uve see.
I remember one time being at in the middle of nowhere in Sullivan County and met these guys from Peekskill playing pick up ball with each other. An older guy and a younger guy. They played tough and with so much confidence, and after every point they’d say “Peekskill Style Baby!”lol They too so much pride in being basketball players and being from Peekskill. Its nice to see that type of pride!
Rocket…well said! I remember writing to Pok Journal all the time about the lack of coverage.. I believe Thomaselli and Bickell were Sports editors of the Pok Journal back then !..this Blog is definitely great! Josh Keep up the Awesome work!! Btw..did you mean Irv Williams (my first cousin)? and Big Junie ( my brother in law) definitely did his thing at Pok..too bad his NFL career was cut so short!
Upstate,
Yes the one and only Irv Williams…my fav PK qb til this day and still king of the option. (still like Shawn Forte, D’Andre Smith, Josh Oliver…but Irv is my fav man).lol I had no idea u were fam, and no idea u were related to June! Two of the greatest we’ve had. To be honest we have a role on this forum because the PKJ is weak but Westchester teams always have to run into PK…especially come playoff season….because we’re always there!! So all the PK guys give the journal news and westchester guys info that they cant find anywhere else! Thomaselli hooks of PK every once in a while on MSGvarsity. Once again THANKS JOSH for showing us love when youre not obligated to!!!
Upstate, til this day that 02 football team is my fav. They lost a tough battle to Nyack with Nigel Morris and crew. But I loved watching Irv, Steve, Shonda, Melshawn, Greg, Sherwood (RIP), Ryan, and crew. What a team!!!
Rocket…yes i use to love watching that team play! My lil cuz Irv was the real deal..and Shonda was a Beast ! ..and it broke my heart when Sherwood was killed over some bull ! He was a nice basketball player too! I see you know your Pok history too…its refreshing to read the posts from ppl like you and States! Keep it up! GO POUGHKEEPSIE!!!
Bball23, yes what if, then they think he may be and the let down begins later on. I have seen it all to many times. Kids get inflated because fronters like you put things out their to believe. Thats y I keep it real. Dreams are to be created by the kid and family, not stoked by unknowns. Coward strong word….............to be nice I would Poster u with a nice dunk….........
rocket,
I remember that Pok/MV game in ‘02. I think that was the year that Keith Benjamin and the 6’5” kid whose name escapes me that started out at St Johns, then transferred to Iona were sophs. They were a big part of that team along with Belfor and Cherry. Belfor went to James Madison I think. Belfor and Cherry were an excellent backcourt.
Turner from Peekskill started out at Kent State, then I heard he transferred to Maine. Also a very good player.
Upstate,
RIP Wood. That episode taught me to just let people go. He had that tussle won and you know people these days, quick to pull out a blad.e or a 9. Too sad.
Junie is getting older, it’s not over for him yet though. Had that second change with the Panthers but just wasn’t ready yet. I hear he is working out very hard in the case another opportunity comes.
No one ever ran the option like Irv. I think PK needs to put it back in the playbook with Hamilton orbiting across the field, an option to him at full speed will be scary. Too bad most of the PK players wore sneakers on Field Turf that ‘02 game so they struggled with traction at times. Another lesson learned, Field Turf is not Astro Turf!
Junkie/23,
I heard that Naim had 30 so that might offset the 15 or so you mentioned Benny had. The sky is the limit though, still has 3 years to develop into an even better player then he is now.
States,
That’s all I was trying to say about the kid. He has a lot more time to get better and develop. But this dude vet coach wants to write a kids future at 14 years old. I don’t understand that. Thank you states for being objective.
Junkie,
No doubt. Kid may even catch a mean growth spurt and grow to 6’3. Never know, he’s still very much a boy.
Hoops,
Yeah man, that year at the county center MV edged out Pk, and Peekskill edged out Nyack with Nigel Morris. Peekskill was soooo quick and their press was just wild. Little man Keith Stanton was all over the court getting steal.
As for MV you’re right, but that year Keith Benjamin, Dexter Grey, Shanty Roninson were all sophomores, but real good. We all knew theyd have a bright future. That year they lost to Henninger Syracuse in the finals, the next year they gave the game away to McQuaid, and finally in 04 they won the whole thing and shut down Telfair at Feds. By that time Chris Lowe was jr, Coburn a frosh, and Jon Mitchell a super soph. Man I love NYS basketball!!lol I just get excited talking about it.
States,
I like PK’s spread, but it wouldnt hurt to have a little option. But honestly, I like what Bargers got going though. Coach Thompson was solid with his option too. During that time we got knocked out by Nyack three straight years. 01, 02, 03. I remember the 01 game…and honestly dont remember watching a live football game with sooooooo much SPEED!!! The two fastest games Ive ever seen in my life was the 01 PK vs Nyack game (we lost in OT, we had a kid Shamere Boland who was lightning quick..10.5 100 meter dash!), and the 03 Newburgh vs. New Rochelle football game at DIETZ. New Ro with Rice, McDermott, Greene. NFA had a kid named Joe Williams who was a monster, and speed all over the field. Epic games man.
Rocket,
It’s not the same. Boland had a nice track career at UAlbany. That’s Olympic trial speed. I wish we could have got him on the field earlier so he had more of a Football mindset, tough to teach that later down the road so that’s why I like the PK Pop Warner program.
Coach Barger differs from Coach T as he fears no team and coach. No rocking back and forth in the booth b/c Nyack’s coach, the legend is on the other sideline.
Peek
Coach Moro was a legend and Coach P was on his staff…He was as dominant as the great MV coaches. You mentioned Todd Scott who after Elton Brand was the best player ever. A GREAT shooter, STILL the Section 1 All Time Leading Scorer 30 years later in a pretty good hoop area with a lot of great D1 players. He was recruited by over 130 D1 schools from Cuse and BC on down to Evansville where he signed and ultimately transferred to Davidson. His college career was not as strong as HS but he got a free education and is a hugely successful business executive.
Vet Coach, Bball Junkie, Bball 23
i disagree with a lot of the conversations on the blog regarding who is a D1, D2, D3 player on these blogs…There are many things that go into the equation unfortunately HS school does not really matter as much as AAU. Specifically High level AAU programs like (Rens, The City, Frenji, Gauchos, etc) mean much more. AAU has multiple levels and the D1 players come from this level (as opposed to fine programs like the Empire, Pride, Minutemen, etc) Pascal and Degnan confirmed their D1 status last summer at this level. So there are HS players that we watch dominate in Westchester AA, A. B, C who wont get to that level. And there are kids who show better in AAU and are ‘good’ HS players that may end up places they ‘can’t play at because of AAU showings
College coaches look at current skill, physical build, genes, and but they are really projecting out . So if a Naim Thomas, Josh Doughty, and a Jack Daly are all the same skill level but one is 6ft 2 with the potential to top out at 180 like Daly and the others are 5’11 / 6’0 and unlikely to get to 6’2.. Jack may have more upside even if the others are ‘better’ players now by whatever degree
Regardless, playing at any level in college is a great accomplishment, and its fun to debate in the blogosphere about players, teams and talent; we should just not lose sight of the realities of what it takes to get to the next level. Any kid who gets there regardless of Division, gets his education is a success in my book
Old Head,
Perfectly said.
ditto… old head
Old Head,
Yeah I know Todd and his family. They are living in Texas now.
Some is true old head, exceptions coached a 5’8 pt guard in NYC in HS, Part of the Holy Trinity in 2000. Seton Hall – seven years in NBA – its always the speed and court vision combined with talent. Tall and lean helps. U need to be able to play defense, period. I agree on this playing college ball at any level is a path to a college education. Thats the real prize