(County Center picks at bottom)

THE FAVORITE: Lakeland and Pearl River — I won’t do this in any other class, but the Lakeland-Pearl River debate will end just one place: the County Center. Without question, this matchup is already the story of the year in girls basketball, if only because it will build and build all season. They are not scheduled to play in the regular season.

Lakeland — The Hornets return three of their five starters, including Amy Voelkel (College of St. Rose) and Sarah Benischek (Merrimack), who have inked scholarships with Division II schools. Benischek (softball) and Voelkel (field hockey, lacrosse) are tremendous multi-sport athletes who desperately want to win a gold ball after losing to Lourdes in ‘05 and ‘06 (more on this on Friday).

Lakeland must overcome the graduations of Emily Cummings, its second-leading scorer, and Amanda Alicea, its point guard, which is a big feat. If the Hornets can do it — and from what I’ve seen (confidence) and what I’ve heard (two words: scrimmage domination) it seems likely — they will have some new hardware. Seniors Rose Fazio, Kelly Schneider and Rebecca DeSisto will join Voelkel and Benischek as starters, but the Hornets should be deeper this season. They have a handful of strong young post players off the bench. DeSisto (below, right), another field hockey player, excelled during the playoffs last season and will handle the bulk of the minutes at point guard.

Pearl River — Many fans focused on Lakeland’s shocking zero-point fourth-quarter against Lourdes in the Class A semis, and rightfully so, but the Pirates almost pulled off the upset for real. Lourdes won 54-49, but not after Pearl River fought for the gold ball until the final buzzer.

Like Jackie Alemany (the Scarsdale star), Brittany Shields (the Haldane star), Lourdes’ mystique (14 consecutive gold balls), Pirates coach Lorainne Moylan (below) can have serious impact on any given game. She’s one of the most well-respected coaches in the area.

Pearl River, of course, must overcome the loss of Kaitlin Page to graduation. She was not just a point guard, but an unquestioned leader. Kaitlyn O’Keefe, the Pirates leading scorer, and Kerri Confrey, a versatile guard who will shift to point, are a solid duo. Their supporting cast is impressive, too, including 5-foot-10 senior forward Nicole Cueva

THE CONTENDERS: Hen Hud, Beacon.

Hen Hud — The Sailors return one of the leading scorers in the area in Jessica Harris, a 5-foot-10 senior, point guard Jen Catano, to a 11-10 team. They’ll also welcome new coach Benny Martucci, who takes over for Jim Berkowitz. Hen Hud’s biggest loss to graduation was 6-foot-1 center Alysha Fanning. She could play some volleyball, but she rebounded and blocked shots well, which certainly took pressure off Harris and allowed her free reign to score at will, her specialty.

With what the Sailors return, they should be very competitive. Truthfully, behind Lakeland and Pearl River, there’s plenty of space in Class A to make a mark.

Beacon — The Bulldogs upset Ardsley in the quarterfinals last season before Pearl River ran them over at County Center. One of the Biordi sisters, Cathryn, graduated, but younger sister Allyson remains. Beacon has some talent, but will be hard pressed to jump into the top 2.

OTHERS TO WATCH: Somers, Pelham, Eastchester.

Somers — Senior center Jaki Goldner, who is 6-foot-2, has received interest from Division I schools. She alone can make the Tuskers tough on a given night. They are alos one of the bigger teams in Class A.

Pelham — The Pelicans are impossible to judge. They been so good lately, including 21-0 last season before losing in the Class B championship game, but lost their top six players from that team, including dynamo Kristina Freeman. They’re biggest struggle will be determining who to go to on big possessions; none of the current players have much varsity experience.

THE REST OF THE PACK: Brewster lost seniors Jill Piacquadio and Lianna Fallon, who were one of the better tandems in Class A. … Spring Valley may be a team to watch. The Tigers have four of five starters back and added Bianca Johnson and Tiffany Williams, a pair of transfers from nearby Paterson Catholic. … Eastchester returns Emily Kehoe and Jaime Lorenzo, its top two leading scorers, from a 13-8 team. The Eagles may be a team to contend with provided they make the adjustment to A. … Ardsley lost superstar Jenna Franciosa, the program’s all-time leading scorer who landed at Manhattan. Her sister, Danielle (right), will need to fill some of Jenna’s shoes. Post players Sherry Jarons and Kyra Aloizos could make more of an impact.

COUNTY CENTER BOUND: Lakeland, Pearl River, Beacon, Hen Hud