Before I get to my thoughts on the games, I’ll tell you: I read every comment on the previous post and I appreciate each one. I think you all offered good potential matchups and made very intelligent points on the state of the girls bracket.
Timster, for instance, asked why the boys and girls draws don’t consist of an equal number of teams in this day and age of Title IX. Honestly, the same thought crossed my mind this afternoon as I drove to the County Center and I don’t know the answer. My guess, however, and it sounds like a pretty good reason, is that extra games would crowd the schedule.
I convinced myself of this and found it to be a fairly acceptable reason, but as I write this I’m having second thoughts. Yesterday, the County Center played host to two challenge games (one boys, one girls) and four boys games, all of them held 1:45 apart. Same today, except the girls semis replaced the challenge games. Conceivably, the Slam Dunk could have a full field for both, but games would have to begin at 9 a.m. and not end until after 11 p.m. Now, I may sound like aging producer Bob Ryan from Entourage here, but does that sound like something you might be interested in?
Let me know. It may be too much of an undertaking for the County Center. Maybe not. I don’t know either way, but it’s the only solution I have. Unfortunately, I have zero say in the matter.
Also, there was lots of displeasure spewed about the makeup of the girls draw. While I cannot, and will not, sit here and tell you which of this year’s teams should or should not have been included (because each is worthy in its own way), I will agree that the level of basketball is not as high as it could be. Some people contend that the girls don’t draw and to some extent it’s true. No girls game would match Stepinac-Peekskill of Wednesday night or White Plains-Peekskill championships of seasons past.
But just take the 2006 New Rochelle-Scarsdale Class AA semifinal for example. That was one of the most crowded games of championship week last winter and proved to me that the interest in the girls games is there provided the matchups are quality. The problem is, there are no girls teams like the Peekskill boys who organizers can throw in the field and know it’ll produce a big crowd. That makes a difference.
When I first learned the field, I called tournament organizer Lou DiMello. He told me Lourdes is the host school in the girls draw and that Ursuline has long been a participant. Pearl River and Minisink Valley were added because they were both strong teams. I asked him specifically about why White Plains wasn’t included despite winning back to back Section 1 titles and its status as the section’s top program. He told me WP never won this tournament the last two seasons — a true, albeit flawed point. In 2004, White Plains beat Lourdes in the semis, then lost to a Mount Vernon team that beat Maria Regina 69-20 in the other semi and would have beaten every team in this year’s field by 25 points or more. It then lost to St. John the Baptist last season, one of the best teams in the state. White Plains was not better than those teams, but no one in Section 1 was either.
But this isn’t about White Plains as much as it’s about getting compelling matchups. They’ll come if the girls field is expanded. Lakeland-White Plains would’ve been fun, but Haldane-Lourdes, North Rockland-Ursuline, or Pearl River-Albertus Magnus would’ve really added to the girls season.
Still, no matter the field, championships like tomorrow’s are unavoidable. Minisink and Pearl River have already played this season (Pearl River won in its own tournament championship earlier this month). It’s a great game for basketball lovers — Pearl River may be the best coached girls team around and Minisink’s Stefanie Dolson may be the biggest and most promising player fans will see all season — but it just won’t draw. It’s a shame.
On to my thoughts…
PEARL RIVER 55, LOURDES 45: No, reader Nick Bucci is not on my payroll. In fact, I picked his daughter’s team to lose so I’m glad he took it so well. But, yes, I did manage to almost call the score on this one. If only I was paid for correct picks…(I had it 59-48.)
Anyway, I was impressed with Lourdes improvement since the Scarsdale game. Much, much better. I don’t have a box score on me and I didn’t cover the game, but the Warriors bench chipped in often and did well. The unit helped them take an early lead they held at times throughout the first three quarters. However, what else can you say about Pearl River? The Pirates continue to take the court prepared to win basketball games. Lorraine Moylan is a great, great coach. Her players play with great poise and that’s a testament to how comfortable they are in what is asked of them. Kaitlyn O’Keefe, in particular, played very well today and helped Pearl River keep the score close until her teammates shots started falling in the second half.
MINISINK VALLEY 53, URSULINE 48: At 45-42 with 13 seconds left and the ball in Ursuline’s hands, I had the beginnings of a pretty smart night. But the Koalas let my prediction die in those final seconds. They had a turnover, a foul, missed the defensive rebound, let a shooter get free, and allowed two tying free throws. And that was in the final 13 seconds. Overtime wasn’t much better.
My reaction to all this? A little bit of disappointment. Beth Wooters felt a little more strongly, so upset about how her experienced players quaked under the pressure. Possibly, Ursuline can build from this, but it’ll be tough to stomach for a while. I’m interested to see how the consolation goes against Lourdes, in what now looks like an old school dream matchup at the County Center.
My championship prediction… Undoubtedly, I think Pearl River is the favorite tomorrow. Not only have the Pirates already beaten Minisink, I think they were probably much more hesistant about facing Lourdes, a team which has beaten them so many times in big games, including the 2006 Class A championship game. Without that hanging over them, I think the Pirates will overcome Dolson (20 points, 14 boards, 8 blocks vs. Ursuline) and her supporting cast. Conversely, I like Ursuline’s size in the consolation. O’Keefe for MVP, with Kerri Confrey, Dolson, and whoever stands out tomorrow for Ursuline and Lourdes (one apiece) for all-tournament.
Championship — PEARL RIVER 55, MINISINK VALLEY 50
Consolation — URSULINE 48, LOURDES 40
Let me know what you thought about tonight and who you like tomorrow.
| 
| 1 Comment »
Josh Thomson has done some of everything since joining The Journal News in March 2003. He began working for the Gannett weeklies during the winter of 2002 as a freelance writer. He joined the daily staff soon after and has since covered various high school and pro sports. Away from sportswriting, Josh lives in Westchester and spends his free time either with his fiancee, Sarah, or expertly managing his various championship-winning fantasy sports teams. He's visited 21 major-league baseball stadiums and insists that Fenway Park and Wrigley Field are the best by far. Josh graduated from Carmel High School in 1998, then went to Boston University, where, in 2002, he received a degree in communications with a minor in history.
