(County Center picks at bottom)

THE FAVORITE: Albertus Magnus — The Falcons return a number of their key players, including forwards Jenn Canale and Deshea Waring (right) and guard Emily Brauer, from a team that went 17-5 and lost to eventual champ Nanuet 50-44 in the Class B semis.

Logic tells us that, with Nanuet facing heavy losses to graduation and Pelham moving to Class A, Albetus is a pretty strong favorite. The biggest loss the Falcons will face came not in bounds but out of bounds. Their coach Bill Diener knew his stuff. His successor, Joe McGuiness, will face the challenge of following Diener, who won the title in 2005.

The rivalry between Albertus and Nanuet is one of the best in Section 1 girls hoops. They seem to have an impact on this race every single year, so why should this one be any different???

THE CONTENDERS: Pleasantville, Briarcliff.
Pleasantville — I don’t know that I’ve heard more positives about any team this preseason than I’ve heard about Briarcliff. Big. Deep. Good frontcourt. Good backcourt. So why do I list the Bears’ biggest rival first??? Because last year the Panthers won both of these teams meetings and return their best player in Kristen DiCandido. Until proven otherwise, Pleasantville will be ranked ahead of Briarcliff in my book — although my book is subject to change, b/c I’m the man in charge.

But seriously, DiCandido is one of the most dominant post players in Class B. Pleasantville also returns a solid guard (and terrific all-around athlete) in Alex Dundee and another guard in Arielle Schneeweiss. The Panthers will be tested very early, first in this weekend’s Pelham tournament (vs. Maria Regina, then either Rye or Pelham), then in next Wednesday’s meeting with Albertus.

Briarcliff — I’ve seen the Bears play a few times over the last couple seasons and it’s like watching Groundhog Day: Their players never seem to age. New year, same story. Many of the same key cogs return this season, including the backcourt duo of sisters Angela and Taylor Pescetti and the precocious twin towers inside of Maggie Blair and Shelby Coon.

As I said, opposing coaches have raved to me about Briarcliff. We’ll soon see how much truth there is to it.

OTHERS TO WATCH: Nanuet, Rye, Hastings, Putnam Valley.
Nanuet — How are the Golden Knights this far down the list??? It’s tough, but they lost five key players, including our Rockland player of the year Kelly O’Connell, an inside force, and twin sisters Danielle and Samantha Gargano. Nanuet had so much chemistry last season because of those three and their fellow seniors, and it propelled them to an upset over Pelham and a trip to Troy for the state semifinals. I could not have been more impressed by their teamwork and the job Brian Metcalf did to foster it. Kelly Fanshawe (below), who was a County Center hero, Maria Younghans and Christine Bresovsky will have to try and redevelop what made their team so special last March.

Rye — Riddle me this: How should the Garnets be ranked??? They probably lost their three best players, Ashley McCauley, Theresa McCabe and Catherine Cypher, but coach Mary Henwood does a tremendous job building the bond of a winning team. Players get progressively better under her, so there’s no reason this year will be any different. Rye had won 10 league titles on her watch before missing out last season when it moved to Class A. Now that their back in B, the Garnets should be among the teams to watch. Caroline Feeley will be among their new leaders. Getting back Carly Miller, who tore an ACL and missed last season, can play an important part in Rye returning to the top of B.

Hastings — There are only eight Yellow Jackets this year and the biggest one (6-foot-1 Tara Flaherty) is gone, off to excel at Fairfield after setting the school’s all-time scoring record. But, you know what, Hastings may still be good. Allie Long can handle the ball and shoot the 3, while 6-foot-2 Nora Skrelji can dominate in the post. Both just need to play more consistent now that Flaherty is gone. If they can lead, the Yellow Jackets will be very competitive.

Putnam Valley — The Tigers return both their leading scorers, Kim Kastuk and Christine Kemp, from a 12-10 team. The team went on a tear to end the season and won their league before Albertus knocked PV from the playoffs. How good the Tigers can be will depend on how strong a supporting cast develops.

THE REST OF THE PACK: Kennedy, which joined Pelham, Albertus and Nanuet at the County Center, lost leading scorers Justine Gray and Michelle Smyth to graduation. New coach Michael Rama will replace Rich Desiderio, who is now the coach at Haldane. … Gina Maher, in her 30th year at Irvington, may have her best team in quite some time. Kaitlin Degnan and Gillian Morley were a good tandem last season, when the Bulldogs finished 13-9, and freshman Tara Gabelman has generated some buzz as an impact newcomer. … Croton-Harmon’s Steph Smith, a senior guard, is one of the more dangerous 3-point shooters in Class B.

COUNTY CENTER BOUND: Albertus, Pleasantville, Briarcliff, Rye.