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Power rankings: HV/WE boys basketball (1/8)
Ed Diller
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Section 1 Top 10
| RANK | TEAM | REC | LW | COMMENTS | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1 | Mount Vernon | 4-1 | 1 |
The return of Brandon Martin from suspension gave the Knights a much-needed boost in the paint. His play was the difference in Sunday’s win over Bishop Kearney at West Point. |
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2 | Byram Hills | 7-0 | 2 |
The unbeaten Bobcats face by far their biggest test of the season on Tuesday when they travel to Linden (N.J.). They have the guard-play to match up and a victory would be a huge boost. |
|
3 | North Rockland | 8-0 | 3 |
Elijah Tillman is quickly becoming the most feared big man in the section. He was a monster in Friday’s win over previously unbeaten Clarkstown South, owning the paint on both ends. |
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4 | Poughkeepsie | 4-1 | 4 |
The Pioneers have a legit ‘hero’ on the roster in Ray Knight. The senior point guard helped rescue four people from a burning home after practice on Wednesday night. |
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5 | New Rochelle | 3-5 | 5 |
The Huguenots gutted out an ugly win at White Plains on Thursday, rallying in the final minutes for a comeback victory. Joe Clarke was at the center of it again and may be the most valuable player in the section. |
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6 | Peekskill | 4-1 | 7 |
It wasn’t pretty but the Red Devils hung on late to knock off an underrated Kennedy Catholic squad on Friday night. It was an important win over Peekskill, which was coming off a loss to South Shore in the Slam Dunk. |
|
7 | Albertus Magnus | 7-2 | NR |
The Falcons seemingly get better every time they step on the floor. Matt Dale and Thomas McConnell are proving to be the ideal complements to star senior Jack Sullivan, who was clutch in the second half of Friday’s win over Tappan Zee. |
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8 | Spring Valley | 6-1 | NR |
The Tigers have won five in a row since losing a heartbreaker to Albertus Magnus and are playing some of the best basketball in the region. Friday night’s showdown at North Rockland could determine if they’re legit contenders. |
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9 | Fox Lane | 7-2 | 8 |
Both losses this season for the Foxes have come at the hands of rival Byram Hills. The good news for Fox Lane is that they’ll be favorites in every game they play the rest of the season. |
|
10 | Scarsdale | 7-1 | NR |
The Raiders enter the rankings following Thursday’s win over rival Mamaroneck. With their lone loss coming to Fox Lane, Scarsdale will get tested this week with matchups against White Plains on Wednesday and Mount Vernon on Friday. |
Section 1 Small School Top 5
| RANK | TEAM | REC | LW | COMMENTS | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1 | Putnam Valley | 8-1 | 1 |
On Saturday, Putnam Valley did what all good teams do: they overcome a sluggish start and put John Jay-CR away in the fourth quarter. Jelani Bell-Isaac is a special talent inside, highlighted by his 18 points and 16 boards in the win. |
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2 | Briarcliff | 7-0 | 2 |
The Bears enter the meaty part of their schedule this week with Croton-Harmon, Nyack and Ossining on the schedule. The Nyack matchup will tell a lot about the athleticism this group has. |
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3 | Woodlands | 5-3 | 4 |
Woodlands shook off the rust from a long layoff and knocked off Ardsley at home on Thursday behind a big effort from Jamil Gambari (18 points). The Falcons’ rebounding on both ends will allow them to compete with anyone. |
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4 | Lourdes | 6-2 | 3 |
With just an eight-man roster and seven currently healthy, the Warriors have a lengthy list of Class AA and A schools left on their schedule. That could really wear on a team lacking in depth. |
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5 | Pleasantville | 5-3 | 5 |
Strong bounce back win for the Panthers, who got 27 points from Jack Eisenberg in a victory over Valhalla. The return of Nick Greto from an ankle injury is pivotal. |
Section 9 Top 5
| RANK | TEAM | REC | LW | COMMENTS | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1 | Middletown | 5-2 | 1 |
The Middies play a marquee game on Saturday when they travel to New Roc City to take on New Rochelle in the JDRF Classic. It will be a good gauge to see how Section 1 and Section 9 stack up. |
|
2 | Newburgh | 5-2 | 2 |
Donovan Fields is having a similar breakout season on the court that he had as a quarterback in football. This team has great potential as we enter the second half of the year. |
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3 | Kingston | 6-2 | 3 |
Impressive win on Sunday for the Tigers, beating a bigger St. Mary’s squad in the Battle on the Hudson at West Point. Shooting guard Jordan DeCicco is a lights-out shooter. |
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4 | Burke Catholic | 3-2 | 4 |
The Eagles won what could prove to be the game of the year in the Hudson Valley, a four overtime classic with Don Bosco on Sunday at West Point. Stan Buczek had 29 points and 17 boards. |
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5 | Marlboro | 5-0 | 5 |
The Iron Dukes finally returned to action on Friday, blowing out Rondout Valley. They’ll likely face a good test on Friday when they travel to Red Hook before facing unbeaten Saugerties on Jan. 15. |
Tri-State lacrosse Top 20: Week 4
Long Island power rankings: Spring sports
All-Metro boys and girls basketball: 2012-13
All-Long Island teams: Fall 2012
