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Power rankings: WE/HV boys basketball (1/3)
Sabrina Nicosia
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Westchester/Hudson Valley Boys Basketball Rankings (1/3/12)
1. Mount Vernon (4-1): The Knights lost their opening game up in Binghamton and had to settle for a consolation prize. But they played well in the next two games and have some decent momentum heading into Wednesday’s matchup at New Rochelle.
2. Burke Catholic (7-0): Burke took care of business locally after a strong tour around the region. The Eagles handily beat a pair of solid Section 9 teams in Washingtonville and Cornwall last week. Don’t think anyone in Hudson Valley poses a threat until Stepinac on Feb. 11.
3. Stepinac (4-4): Tyler Iacuone’s effort against St. Mary’s last Friday showed the quality of depth and balance Stepinac really has. Getting this team to improve around Josh James is essential and it’s clearly progressing against a brutal schedule.
4. Iona Prep (8-0): The Gaels kept their unblemished record intact, going on the road last Friday and beating a strong Fordham Prep team. Once again, they made crucial defensive stops late, which is becoming their trademark.
5. Kingston (7-0): No team is moving faster up the ranks than Kingston, which went from on the outside of the rankings to right in the thick of things after a sensational showing at the Slam Dunk. They held on the final seconds to beat New Rochelle and then blew out upstate power Jamestown in the final. Kingston is now the front-runner in Section 9.
6. Tappan Zee (8-0): The Dutchmen got a much needed break after a furious start to the season. They get tested again this week when they travel to Albertus Magnus on Friday. The Falcons are hungry to atone for their loss before the break.
7. Middletown (2-3): It’s time to really focus on the Middies as they use games with Valley Central and Monroe-Woodbury to gear up for a massive showdown against Newburgh on Jan. 12.
8. Albertus Magnus (5-1): The Falcons went into the new year still riding the high of an emotional win over Byram Hills in their Slam Dunk final. Albertus showed incredible poise and defensive discipline in that game.
9. Newburgh (4-1): NFA drops down the ranks after losing to Albany Academy by 16 points last week; Kingston beat Albany earlier this season. Newburgh will have its chances to rise back up, mainly Kingston on Jan. 10 and Middletown two days later.
10. Byram Hills (4-2): Considering they were at full strength, the loss to Albertus might be the setback Byram Hills needed. The Bobcats weren’t crisp defensively or on the glass in the fourth quarter in that game, which is so rare for this group. The game reconfirms everything Byram learned last year about what it takes to win big games late.
Section 1 Rankings
Class AA
1. Mount Vernon
2. New Rochelle
3. Clarkstown South
4. North Rockland
5. White Plains
Class A
1. Tappan Zee
2. Byram Hills
3. Kennedy
4. Pearl River
5. Peekskill
Class B
1. Albertus Magnus
2. Dobbs Ferry
3. Woodlands
4. Blind Brook
5. Pleasantville
Class C/D
1. Tuckahoe
2. Keio
3. Greenburgh Academy
Section 9 Rankings
Large school (AA/A)
1. Kingston
2. Newburgh
3. Middletown
4. Red Hook
5. Goshen
Small schools (B/C)
1. Burke Catholic
2. Ellenville
3. Pine Plains
4. Seward
5. Spackenkill
Email Kevin Devaney Jr. at kdevaney@cablevision.com
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All-HV/WE teams: Winter 2012-13
