So, the local basketball season is down to one game – or is it? And regardless of what happens this afternoon, is there one person here who thought New Rochelle would be the last team left standing?
If you did, please get in touch. I have some investments I’d like to discuss.
Seriously, New Ro had already accomplished a great deal just getting to this point. The Huguenots were 2-6, then 8-9. But that is all erased now, not quite a figment of our imaginations, but certainly a distant memory. They are vastly improved and they are playing or the program’s first state championship. Frankly, that’s all you need to know.
Although conventional wisdom and popular opinion suggest otherwise, I actually believe New Rochelle has a shot today against Bishop Kearney. More than a shot. I think New Ro will win. The greatest difference between these Huguenots from December and January until now is they know what they are. They press, they rely on a strong bench and they lean heavily on Joe Clarke. That will either be enough – or not. They won’t deviate. And they won’t be rattled.
After two viewings. Kearney is entirely different. New Ro may not have a Division I player on its roster. Kearney has at least two, maybe three. But Kearney plays almost an AAU style of basketball. Has it aggregated enough talent to overcome New Rochelle’s mounting commitment to team play, particularly on defense? It will be fascinating to watch.
Here’s a deeper look at today’s game:
SCOUTING REPORT
Class AA state championship
New Rochelle (16-9) vs. Section 5’s Bishop Kearney (16-7)
Where: Glens Falls Civic Center
When: Sunday, 3:15 p.m.
Key players: New Rochelle Joe Clarke (6-3), Sr., F; Khalil Edney (6-4), Sr., F; Derek Dorn (6-0), Jr., G. Bishop Kearney Chinonso Obokoh (6-10), Sr., F; Thomas Bryant (6-8), So., F; Antwoine Anderson (6-1), Sr., G.
Outlook: If Saturday represented a big size mismatch for New Ro, this is a gargantuan one. Kearney features three players 6-foot-8 or taller up front, including the Syracuse-bound Obokoh and Bryant, one of the Top 50-rated sophomores in the country. Those two will post a threat in the paint, especially blocking and altering shots with their length. But are the Kings tough enough? And can they handle the defensive pressure? Opponents have come unglued against New Ro in the postseason. Like Saturday vs. Northport, Huguenots know their best chance to win is based on their guards preventing Kearney from pounding the ball inside. The difference between Kearney and Northport is that Anderson is athletic and skilled enough to compete. Keep in mind: Mount Vernon beat Kearney on Jan. 6, leading throughout the 71-61 victory. Obokoh didn’t play in that one and had returned as a key piece on a balanced Kearney team.
Up next: The winner will be the NYSPHSAA representative at the state Federation tournament. It will meet CHSAA champ Christ the King at 6:45 p.m. on Friday, March 22 at the Times Union Center in Albany.
18 Comments
“CHIP”ON THE LINE;
IF THE “LITTLE FELLA”FROM ST.PATRICKS DAY SHOWS UP,NEW RO WINS
IF BISHOP KEARNEY MAKES NEW ROCHELLE SETTLE FOR JUMP SHOTS AND NEITHER SIDE HAS FOUL TROUBLE,IT COULD BE A LONGER RIDE HOME FOR NEW ROCHELLE.
BRANDON MARTIN HAD A BIG GAME WITH THE BIG GUY OUT,SO IF NEW ROCHELLE GETS THE 6’10 KID IN EARLY FOUL TROUBLE,JOE CLARKE CAN DO DAMAGE
PREDICTION;
BISHOP KEARNEY-68 NEW RO-59
The most impressive thing about new ro’s run would be if they win today.Kearney at full strength is better than mv this year.Playing with and without a 6-10 cuse bound player is a big difference.good luck to new ro.if they win today then it will truly be a miracle run.
Man I don’t know, mt v wasn’t playing that good when they beat Kearney and I have a feeling new ro can beat them with the pressure even though if I recall Kearney didn’t do too bad against the pressure that day mt v won. But we will see
saw Kearney yesterday vs troy…..troy was up most of game and even by double figures. New Ro has a shot today but must play its best game. I hope they pull it off…..btw can we please get the catholic schools out of the public tournament.
Jets stink, you may have catholic schools winning the A nd AA chips today
Also what is ironic is that Kearney girls are playing for the class c chip today. They could ba taking home 2 public school titles
Wow cuse, they have their own story too
Sorry folks, but it is called “Providing an Opportunity to Play” – Yes, you can say that Catholic Schools have a distinct advantage over Public Schools, as it relates to Interscholastic Athletics, and whenever possible, these schools should play in the CHSAA and not the NYSPHSAA. HOWEVER, like in the case of Bishop Kearney, there are not a boat-load of other Catholic Schools nearby to be able to join a league with fellow CHSAA members. Thus, in order to allow the school to offer their students an opportunity to play Interscholastic Athletics, they petetioned and have for quite some time now, played in the Section 5 NYSPHSAA. They “Play Up” in the enrollment classification (Class AA) vs. what their real enrollment numbers are, because they are a Catholic School.
Some may still say that this is wrong. Look at JFLK Somers, Lourdes and Ursuline (Girls Only) here in Section 1 and Burke Catholic in Section 9. For Years JFK has played in Section 1 and are NOW just going into the CHSAA to play their Interscholastic Athletic contests. Many have said that Ursuline can easily play in the CHSAA, with member schools so close, but somehow, they can still play in Section 1
There seems to be allot of confusion here. If a Catholic School has “CHSAA member schools nearby” then why not have them play in the CHSAA? If they DON’T have “CHSAA member schools nearby” then I am fine with them playing in the NYSPHSAA, just as long as they have to play up at least 2 enrollment classifications, in respect to their actual enrollment numbers.
But schools shouldn’t be allowed to have it BOTH WAYS (Like in the example of Ursuline who has a nearby CHSAA school in Maria Regina in Hartsdale, who plays in the CHSAA. So why doesn’t Ursuline play in that same league?)
Let the debate continue
It’s New Ro’s divine right to win today. Hoosiers redux!
halle,
i understand your points but there is an independent tournament. Let them play in that.
it shows how bad new york basketball has become that new ro is in the state final good for them no criticisms for new ro they r on a nice run and i wish them success but they have not one division player what has happened to ny basketball chsaa is still good but not at the level it used to be where did the big time players go
BillyBarty…Is it “divine right” or “divine intervention”.
Did a basketball god whisper in Javon Banner’s ear and command him to throw the ball where Edney could do a catch/throw his miracle shot… RATHER than Banner just holding the ball and force N.R. to foul him with 1.5-2 seconds left?
If New Ro should walk away victorious today…it will be their WILL to never give up PLUS a big hunk of LUCK/DESTINY or whatever you wish to call it. But I would not call it ‘divine right’.
Someone please explain the private schools making a big push into the public school domain.
I know there is a good debate going on here….....and I have been chastised for using the “R” word [recruitment] in challenging private schools abilities to “magically” field championship caliber squads.
The defense I always get is that students are sent to these schools [Stepinac/Iona Prep/John Burke/etc] for the EDUCATION.
I think that is an overgeneralized rationale…....and I know for a fact that capable and skilled student/athletes will make a bee line to any of the aforementioned, successful basketball program when offered playing time and an opportunity for a gold ball/state title.
Not a level playing field in my book.
any updates for the New Ro game appreciated
Let Catholics play in public leagues since much of the state sections have just one or two catholic schools In their regions. Not the.cluster that we have down state. They can compete fpr league titles but make them ineligible for the public state tournament. Rather have a more extensive state wide private school Tournament.
why are the boys playing for the AA title and the girls playing for the C title? shouldn’t they be playing for the same class?...... one school- one class
If they are not recruiting, how do they explain 3 skilled players over 6-10 from a school with 500 kids in it? I know, coincidence!
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