So it’s been weeks and weeks. Throughout, Dan had maintained control. But his season-long lead in our picks’ competition finally disappeared with just three days remaining thanks to yours truly spinning a perfecto on Wednesday.
We return today deadlocked at 76-25 on the season. We have three picks — and just four more remaining after that.
Amazingly, the Section 1 basketball season is nearly over.
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Remember: We will host LIVE chats for every game for the remainder of Championship Week. That means three more LIVE chats today and two apiece on Saturday and Sunday. What’s that mean? Friends, have your questions and comments at the ready.
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The first gold ball will be handed out soon, so let’s get on to today’s picks.
We want to hear who you like today. Write in your picks at the bottom of the post.
2012-13 Records —
Josh: 76-25 (49-10 playoffs)
Dan: 76-25 (47-12 playoffs)
• Outbracket
• Opening round
• Class A and B quarterfinals
• Class AA and C quarterfinals
• Class C and D semifinals
• Class A and B semifinals
Class D championship
No. 1 Martin Luther King vs. No. 2 Biondi, 3 p.m. —
Josh: MLK, 58-54. You saw Biondi’s lack of depth in the semifinals, but the Lions were in command and it never came to roost. I’m not so sure they’ll survive against a better opponent with just six or seven players. MLK has a more balanced team. I think the Tigers win this rubber match.
Dan: Biondi, 60-55. It’s very clear this team is on a mission. Section 1’s ruling to strip the Lions of the gold ball last season is still in the minds of all these players. As impressive as Martin Luther King looked against Clark, I just think the motivation is too high for Biondi.
Class AA semifinals
No. 5 Mahopac vs. No. 9 New Rochelle, 5 p.m. —
Josh: Mahopac, 55-52. This will be a grueling, physical game. Tensions will rise and whistles will be blown. In the end, that’s exactly where I think Mahopac wants it. The Indians are one of the few teams in the section that won’t be in awe of New Rochelle’s star power. As long as they can handle the press without committing too many mistakes, they can win. They are the better team. They have won 15 straight for a reason.
Dan: Mahopac, 74-72. Ohhhhhh boy is this going to be a good one. Two of the most exciting players in the section (Mahopac’s Brendan Hynes and New Rochelle’s Joe Clarke) going head to head. I just have to give the slight edge to the Indians. New Rochelle’s athleticism is through the roof, but that can only get you so far. I think Mahopac is disciplined enough to get back to the final. With both teams not lacking in the size department, my only hope is that the referees let the players play in what is sure to be a physical game.
No. 2 North Rockland vs. No. 3 Mount Vernon, 6:45 p.m. —
Josh: Mount Vernon, 70-61. North Rockland has a lot of guys who can play. The frontcourt is bigger and can control the glass. The guards can shoot. And guys like Omar Idolar, Malvin Rosario and Jamell Lockhart are great athletes. It might be the team with the best chance at stealing the gold ball, but it will all have to come together to upset — and unseat — Mount Vernon. I think that perfect storm will be tough to muster, especially under these brightest of spotlights.
Dan: Mount Vernon, 72-65. Too talented. Too experienced. Too deep. You really can’t say enough about this Knights squad. You don’t get seven straight gold balls on luck. Mount Vernon has been here before and knows what needs to be done. North Rockland might be playing its best basketball right now, but I’m still not sure that will be enough.
187 Comments
Jetsstink: Thanks.
Step,
I speak nothing but the truth. Easy to criticize a team that breeds its own players and don’t pull the best from various areas. Sounds fine to me. If you insult my intelligence again you can see me with the limbs like you offered earlier this week.
TONY BRUIN,
DID YOU PLAY SPORTS IN HIGH SCHOOL?
TONY BRUIN,
I KNOW YOU WON THE PIE EATING CONTEST,LLLLLLOOOOOLLLLL
wood,
#11 and #33 are the teams best players. 33 came up with so many rebounds and put backs plus he defended tha big guy well. MTV def is their best weapon…but after watching all 4 teams MTV should handle New Ro.. Mahopac collapsed tonight..no answer for te press late? Downes got out coached at the end..the officiating in both game was so so..I think the MTV / NoRock game was poorly officiated..are there no young guys in these referee boards? Three old slow guys in a speed race? One guy limped up and down the floor? Are you joking me..it is embarrassing that these guys are out there.. 2 young fast guys would have been better..
States 15
Tough guy behind a computer? I won’t even reply to your offer.
Step,
I do happen to be clinically insane with a genius IQ so you got me there. I’m a well educated, 25 year old Executive so Mickey’s isn’t my stylo unless I need a cheap lunch.
Def working on cleaning up my hood too.
THE LATE RODNEY KING SAID;
CAN’T WE ALL JUST GET ALONG.
This blog is getting interesting
Nah man, I’m in one of my dark bi-polar moods tonight so I probably will be apologizing when I come back to equilibrium.
@Haywood/ States – - Cirocco is a great guy. You uys should look forward to meeting him Sunday
Congratulations to all 4 teams who made it there. MV vs New Ro should be a classic!
Early prediction: St. Ray’s 100 Stepinac 0 LOL
is edney gonna play in chip??
States 15,
Don’t forget to lock your doors someone might show up and steal your meds and your brooms! Lol! Nothing wrong with working a mc Donald’s just ask BAWLER, in Mahopac you need a reservation to eat their on a Friday night! bawler Stepinac vs St Rays Sunday at 1:00??? You up for it?
Step Fan… You can talk basketball if you’d like. But this is not a forum to rip on a reader or a community. Do that somewhere else. It has nothing to do with basketball.
States… Not the forum for threats, either.
States I’d ask you but you will be busy with MTV socks in your mouth
That’s how you do it Step, come at me bro. No meds so thats why I bounce back and forth. The way this economy is tanking I might be adding some special sauce to your Big Mac soon, lol.
Josh
Sorry..I will stop..
Step,
I don’t watch viacom networks. All they do is turn the brain to mush!
Josh,
All promises but I’ll cease and desist.
Josh,
Are you going to Fordham on Sunday?
No. I will be at the County Center on Sunday. I had hoped they would play the middle two, but I can’t make it at 1.
Swing and a miss for Step fan. Because Naim is there, I want to see them do well. Good team that seems to get better every day.
states got to love the naysayers and anonymous e-muscles. . It was put out there where you sat and who you are. So much good on this blog, yet so much silliness sometimes.
I would have went to the quarterfinals for CHSAA but cant do the whole day so I am heading to the CC. Bring a POK hat for me
HRs,
No doubt brother. All love would not want to look like the former Ron Artest out there. I’ll scoop around for some hats. Step fan is a funny dude to his own credit. I was advised that his name is Jerg Dem Dix.
Statesman,
YOU KNOW BETTER THAN THAT,LLLLLLOOOOOLLLLL,TICKLE,TICKLE,LLLLLLOOOOOLLLLL
HRs,
THe two best games of the day Sunday are Step/St Rays at 1 and Molloy/Hayes at 4:30.
Congratulations to New Ro good win for them especially the way they hung in, seems like Pac had a chance to break it open at one point but couldnt. Also great year for Pac and keep this program going they have represented well since the Downes era.
Win and advance..by whatever means necessary ! MV was not sharp, but Martin willed them to win against an average NR. NR had chances, but the 2nd half pressure was too much.
Dorn turned out to be the difference as I suspected. he has a big challenge against the MV pressure. I think the MV guards look for redemption after lackluster semi. MV 65 – 52.
After seeing all the final 4 AA/A teams at least 2x this season, believe POK and BH not only can play with MV and NRo, but winner of A might be best in county. The gap between MV and youngsters on Spring Valley North Rockland is still pretty wide, not sure it exists at all against experienced BH and POK.
I long for the days of the open championships where all the classes would face off.
If I am not mistaken there was a Alexander Hamilton class C vs Mt Vernon classic many years ago
Oldheadhoops
Athough BH and Pok are very good teams niether play with MV. Yes they do have the experience but not the horses to stay in the race for 2 halfs. Not a knock on either team because both are very talented but MV would just wear both teams down as the game goes on.
Old Head
MV has been pretty consistent in their play, ugly sloppy basketball for 3 quarters and then when you look up at the score board they win by double figures. You shake your head and say how did that happen. I have watched these kids play since the summer, open gym, AAU and out in Queens and you have to trust me on this. This team can play so much better and if they play 4 quarters of what they are capable of playing against any team in Section 1 you may get a different perspective.
The difference between a match up of Class A vs AA is a mental thing. Class AA would win 8 out of 10 times IMO
Has anyone else noticed the difference between Tony Bruin and bawler.
Tony Bruin comes on here and takes his medicine like a man.
Bawler talks more trash than anyone BEFORE the game, then is nowhere to be found after a loss. A loss, where his predictions were completely wrong.
Kudos to Tony Bruin for showing class.
Hoops
absolutely..
HR,65,Wood.. where are they?
BAWLER is withthe MCCray brothers this weekend..he played against them 20+ yrs ago and they love to have him around once in awhile..he will do anything for them. He washes their cars, cooks them dinner fetches them a cold one then rubs their feet..he loves them mc cray boys and they love him..they call him bawl washer and the bowler..they think he is bowler not a bawler they dont rember him from way back..he couldnt he a lay up in warm ups this bowler from mahopac..lol…
Statesman 15 March 1st, 2013 at 9:53 pm
Step,
Noon but your rented boys are at 1 so I don’t blame you for handling your biz.
STATES…... HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!.... IAM REUSING THIS LOL!!... Hahahahahaha
SEVERAL MORE TIMES!!!..,,.LOL!!!!!
PPR it was not that funny..stop kissing up..be your own man.be a man..
StepFan March 2nd, 2013 at 5:33 pm
PPR it was not that funny..stop kissing up..be your own man.be a man..
StepsIt!!.... Yes it was “VERY” funny!!... HAHAHAHAHAHA!!... Your football. Is trash can & your b-BALL’z are overrated!... You not even going to play in the chip!! Or should I say the priest league final game…. Lol!!...