Class AA: 1. White Plains 2. Ursuline 3. North Rockland
Class A: 1. Lakeland 2. Pearl River 3. Tappan Zee
Class B: 1. Albertus Magnus 2. Briarcliff 3. Putnam Valley
Class C/D: 1. Haldane 2. Blind Brook 3. Dobbs Ferry

Tough call this week between three of the only candidates for this award who played twice during exam week. Each player helped her team post one big win (Lakeland over Scarsdale; Blind Brook over Dobbs Ferry; Haldane over Carmel) and each helped in a game that was anything but a nailbiter.

Perhaps, then, the choice can be broken down like this:
Amy Voelkel, Lakeland — They didn’t hand one out, but I think she was the Mahopac tournament MVP. She averaged 18 pts and 8 rebounds and did so against better competition than her competitors.
Karlyn Adler, Blind Brook — She had 10 points, but wasn’t needed for long against Hawthorne Cedar Knolls. She then had 24 of Blind Brook’s 38 points in a win over Dobbs Ferry. That includes six of the Trojans final eight points and a go-ahead 3-pointer with under a minute left.
Brittany Shields, Haldane — Averaged 21.5 points and 13.5 rebounds in wins over Carmel and Spackenkill. That includes the winning basket in the final seconds against Carmel.

If you ask me, one of those wins stands out a little bit higher than the rest because it came against a potential playoff opponent. Very close call, but…

Player of the week, Week 9: Karlyn Adler, Blind Brook — In addition to what I said above, this was a huge confidence boost for the Trojans. They lost to Dobbs at the County Center in double OT last season but Adler was injured and missed the game. After scoring the majority of their points this time, it’s clear she is a difference-maker.

RUNNERS-UP: Amy Voelkel, Lakeland; Brittany Shields, Haldane; Kaitlyn O’Keefe, Pearl River; Rosie Crean, Ursuline; Kristen Decandido, Pleasantville; Tiffany Williams, Spring Valley; Jackie Alemany, Scarsdale.

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I am accepting questions for the Wednesday mailbag at jthomson@LoHud.com. Ask me whatever you want — who are my playoff sleepers, what stats do I keep during a game, why do I look so angry in my picture on this blog — and I’ll include it on Wednesday morning. I’ve already received a few questions and they will be included when my mailbox opens next. I’d still like to see more though.

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The blog schedule this week looks like this…

Monday: Player of the week; staff rankings; weekly podcast
Tuesday: TBD in the morning (I’ll come up with something); Recap of White Plains-Scarsdale II and other action
Wednesday: Our second edition of the morning mailbag; a detailed account of Pearl River-Albertus Magnus, a game I am attending with the sole purpose of blogging (Jake is actually covering the game)
Thursday: Recap of Mount Vernon-Ursuline II, Hen Hud-Ossining and anything else of interest around Section 1
Friday: New Top 10; a late-night recap of Put Valley-Briarcliff
Saturday: The Saturday links
Sunday: My Super Bowl predictions and why I’m rooting for the Colts like no other

I’m accepting suggestions in the comments section about what you’d like to hear about on Tuesday morning. I’m not going to promise you I’ll choose one of the suggestions, but I’d like to hear what you’d like to read more about. (And, no, you cannot ask me AGAIN how I rank the three top teams in Class C…no offense to them, but I’m looking for something fresh.)

OK, lemme know what you think about everything. But if you want to pump up your candidate for player of the week, don’t tear someone else down. Thank you.

Sorry guys and girls, I was out for much of the day with my lady. We went to The Westchester, which I do not recommend for the pure stuffiness of the place, then to the White Plains City Center to see a showing of “Smokin’ Aces,”:http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0475394/ which I probably do recommend. Lots of violence, so it’s not for anyone who gets queasy when some blood is shed.

OK, some of you (III-C Fan in particular) wanted to see enrollment numbers, or, as they are referred to as by the state, BEDS numbers. Last month our “Varsity Insider Kevin Devaney Jr.”:http://kickoff.lohudblogs.com posted the numbers for next school year, 2007-08.

I have listed them below because it should give everyone a good idea of enrollment differential between schools. Obviously, the numbers are different this year. For instance, Dobbs Ferry will be moving to Class B next year, among other changes which you can find for yourself. Also, Lourdes will move to AA again because of its history of success.

Let me know if you have any questions or need something explained better.

(Note, thanks to whoever put the list together, there are a couple mistakes: Fox Lane is not listed and John Jay-Cross River and JJ-East Fishkill were grouped together. And you thought all your tax dollars went to the right place.)

Keep in mind the following: Class AA is 950 and up; Class A is 550-949; Class B is 325-549; Class C is 193-324; and Class D is 0-192.

Class D
1 YONKERS CAMPUS – 114
2 MARTIN LUTHER KING HIGH SCHOOL – 171

Class C
3 SOLOMON SCHECHTER UPPER SCHOOL – 202
4 TUCKAHOE HIGH SCHOOL – 214
5 ALEXANDER HAMILTON HIGH SCHOOL – 220
6 HALDANE JUNIOR SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL – 233
7 LEAKE & WATTS EDUC CTR – 237
8 KEIO ACADEMY – 240
9 GREENBURGH ELEVEN HIGH SCHOOL – 240
10 LINDEN HILL SCHOOL – 254
11 BLIND BROOK MS HIGH SCHOOL – 292
12 VALHALLA HIGH SCHOOL – 319

Class B
13 RYE NECK SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL – 326
14 NORTH SALEM MS HIGH SCHOOL – 336
15 ALBERTUS MAGNUS HIGH SCHOOL – 344
16 DOBBS FERRY HIGH SCHOOL – 352
17 BRONXVILLE HIGH SCHOOL – 355
18 PAWLING HIGH SCHOOL – 358
19 CROTON-HARMON SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL – 377
20 WOODLANDS SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL – 401
21 WESTLAKE HIGH SCHOOL – 403
22 IVES SCHOOL – 420
23 HASTINGS HIGH SCHOOL – 433
24 PLEASANTVILLE HIGH SCHOOL – 441
25 IRVINGTON HIGH SCHOOL – 453
26 DOVER HIGH SCHOOL – 466
27 PUTNAM VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL – 475
28 BRIARCLIFF HIGH SCHOOL – 500
29 JOHN F. KENNEDY CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL – 510
30 EDGEMONT JUNIOR SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL – 511
31 NANUET SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL – 527

Class A
32 RYE HIGH SCHOOL – 570
33 ARDSLEY HIGH SCHOOL – 570
34 PELHAM MEMORIAL HIGH SCHOOL – 581
35 YONKERS MS HIGH SCHOOL – 587
36 PEARL RIVER HIGH SCHOOL – 618
37 BYRAM HILLS HIGH SCHOOL – 618
38 SLEEPY HOLLOW MS HIGH SCHOOL – 628
39 OUR LADY OF LOURDES HIGH SCHOOL – 652
40 EASTCHESTER SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL – 659
41 WALTER PANAS HIGH SCHOOL – 669
42 PEEKSKILL HIGH SCHOOL – 679
43 HENDRICK HUDSON HIGH SCHOOL – 698
44 SOMERS SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL – 714
45 HARRISON HIGH SCHOOL – 726
46 NYACK SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL – 744
47 TAPPAN ZEE HIGH SCHOOL – 777
48 PORT CHESTER SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL – 852
49 BEACON HIGH SCHOOL – 864
50 BREWSTER HIGH SCHOOL – 897
51 SPRING VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL – 902
52 LAKELAND HIGH SCHOOL – 932

Class AA
53 URSULINE SCHOOL – 978 (doubled from 489)
54 OSSINING HIGH SCHOOL – 989
55 HORACE GREELEY HIGH SCHOOL – 1033
56 YORKTOWN HIGH SCHOOL – 1043
57 POUGHKEEPSIE HIGH SCHOOL – 1048
58 CLARKSTOWN SOUTH SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL – 1061
59 MAMARONECK HIGH SCHOOL – 1079
60 SCARSDALE SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL – 1093
61 SAUNDERS TRADES & TECH HIGH SCHOOL – 1106
62 SUFFERN SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL – 1135
63 CLARKSTOWN NORTH SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL – 1173
64 CARMEL SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL – 1202
65 RAMAPO HIGH SCHOOL – 1311
66 GORTON HIGH SCHOOL – 1338
67 MAHOPAC HIGH SCHOOL – 1352
68 LINCOLN HIGH SCHOOL – 1358
69 ROOSEVELT HIGH SCHOOL – 1442
70 NORTH ROCKLAND HIGH SCHOOL – 1459
71 ROY C. KETCHAM SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL – 1506
72 WHITE PLAINS SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL – 1669
73 MT VERNON HIGH SCHOOL – 2065
74 NEW ROCHELLE HIGH SCHOOL – 2449
75 ARLINGTON HIGH SCHOOL – 2596
76 JOHN JAY SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL – 2622

1. Lakeland won its fourth straight Mahopac tournament championship. Pretty easy win – 61-38 over John Jay – despite so-so outside shooting. Amy Voelkel (16 points, eight boards), Rosemarie Fazio (15 and eight) and Sarah Benischek (14 points, four 3-pointers) did much of the damage on offense for the Hornets, who shot 7 of 27 from 3 as a team.

Lakeland (13-0) got a big boost from point guard Rebecca DiSisto, who missed the Scarsdale game because she was at a wedding with her family. Without question, the Hornets move the ball better when DiSisto is on the court and it would’ve been even more apparent had they shot it better from the perimeter.

For the four girls I’ve already mentioned and for starting guard Kelly Schneider, this was a pretty big achievement. All five have been on varsity since they were freshmen and have now won the Mahopac tournament four times. They also won the Yorktown tournament three of four years, including this one, and seemed happy to pass that tradition along to the younger girls.

Nothing else really interesting to report on the game for Lakeland. John Jay, however, played without its two starting guards, Stephanie Finn and Val Terranova, who were both injured Friday night against Mahopac. Finn twisted her ankle and Terranova hit her head on the floor. Coach Chuck Scozzofava said both could’ve played if necessary, but that he didn’t want them to push it since it wasn’t a league game. He expects both to return at some point next week.

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2. Putnam Valley’s win streak ends at the hands of Rye. I saw Christine Kemp at Mahopac today and she said the Tigers lost 41-31 to Rye. Put Valley was without Kim Kastuk, who was out but is expected to return at some point this season. Obviously, they need her as a co-No. 1 option with Kemp.

This was a great win for the Garnets, who have played much better this month. Obviously, it’s impressive anytime you end an opponent’s eight-game winning streak, but I think it’s time to watch out for Rye, which beat Ardsley last week and Putnam Valley today.

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3. Low scoring affair at Mount Vernon, but Ursuline prevails 53-41. From what I heard from a mole at the game, both teams struggled to score but the Koalas ultimately came through down the stretch. They outscored Mount Vernon 33-18 in the second half, including 19-6 in the fourth quarter. Rosie Crean had her second big game in a row, scoring 20 points after dropping a season-high 26 in a win over Mamaroneck.

Another impressive win for Ursuline, which has clearly established itself as the No. 2 team in League I-A behind White Plains. In fact, with a win at White Plains later this season the Koalas could maybe earn a share of the league title.

And, yes, I know, I just got way ahead of myself. I’m just throwing out some hypotheticals.

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4. Scardale beats Mahopac 46-32 in the consolation game. I know Scarsdale won, but this was a pretty decent tournament for Mahopac despite the 0-and-2 record. Sophomore center Gillian Felix scored 18 points after fouling out in the fourth quarter against John Jay Friday night. Scarsdale was led by 20 points from Jackie Alemany, who made 10 free throws and has now hit a ridiculous 73 on the season. That must be tops in Section 1, but I’m just guessing.

I didn’t see the game (visiting my Grandpa, like I mentioned before) so I don’t have much analysis to offer.

OK, if you have any questions fire them away quickly. My stomach is growling…

My Grandpa is 93 years old and awaiting a visit from his grandson before this afternoon’s Mahopac tournament championship game. We usually talk about sports (probably because my 96-year-old Grandma isn’t much for water-cooler debates) and my job (which he thinks he would like), but I don’t get to see him enough. I’m using my foray up North to stop by, so I need to make this post quick.

Notebooks —
In the North and Central, “there’s a story on White Plains Kim Adams,”:http://www.thejournalnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070127/SPORTS02/701270329/1049 who has overcome a slow December to find her form. Adams has scored 19.4 PPG in the Tigers last seven after some holiday tinkering with her Dad.

In the South, “say hello to Tuckahoe’s Katrina Blackman,”:http://www.thejournalnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070127/SPORTS02/701270336/1049 a 5-foot-10 sophomore who averages 11 PPG, 11 RPG and 5 steals per game. She has already emerged as a team leader.

In Rockland, “Jake tells us as good as Albertus has been, it could be better.”:http://www.thejournalnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070127/SPORTS02/701270331/1049

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Game stories —

As mentioned last night, “I wrote about Lakeland’s win over Scarsdale”:http://www.thejournalnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070127/SPORTS02/701270359/1049 and the chase for 20-0. There’s also mention of a closely-contested Mahopac-John Jay game.

Colleague Rod Boone “detailed Blind Brook’s strange win over Dobbs,”:http://www.thejournalnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070127/SPORTS02/701270356/1049 including a big game from Trojans star Karlyn Adler.

Jake saw “Spring Valley continue to win following its roughest stretch of the season.”:http://www.thejournalnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070127/SPORTS02/701270357/1049

And there is great news hidden with this roundup of “Pleasantville’s Kristen Decandido returning to score 22 points.”: http://www.thejournalnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070127/SPORTS02/701270380/1049

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Friday features —

You’ll be hearing a lot about them in the coming years, “but Carmel’s Brittany Horne and other talented eighth graders around Westchester and Putnam have already grown up fast.”:http://www.thejournalnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070126/SPORTS02/701260400/1049 The picture of Brittany that ran as the centerpiece of the sports section on Friday (you can see it in the story I liked to) is right up there in my mind with Jackie Alemany’s big smile in our preview section. And, yes, as you will read at the end of the story, Brittany Horne’s doctor really believes she will grow to 6-and-a half feet tall.

In Rockland, “Jake wrote about how Ramapo’s freshmen have helped the team to a fairly successful season,”:http://www.thejournalnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070126/SPORTS02/701260414/1049 including the daughter of our faithful blog contributor, James Parker.

A couple coaches, obviously confused by the new league alignments, have asked me what the playoffs will look like, i.e. who will play in the Class AA, who will play in Class A, etc.

Here’s the answer —

Class AA: Every team in Conference 1 plus Poughkeepsie, Ossining, Greeley, Fox Lane, John Jay, and Yorktown from Conference 2.
Class A: Every team in Conference 2 not mentioned above, plus Panas, Byram Hills, Pelham, Eastchester, Ardsley, Sleepy Hollow and Pearl River from Conference 3.
Class B: Every team in Conference 3 not mentioned above, plus Dover, Pawling, Croton-Harmon, Westlake, Rye Neck, Valhalla, and Bronxville.
Class C: North Salem, Haldane, Blind Brook, Keio, Tuckahoe, Dobbs Ferry, Hamilton, Martin Luther King, and Leake & Watts.
Class D: Hawthrone Cedar Knolls and Solomon Schechter.

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I’ve been asked whether or not Martin Luther King is still playing. As far as I’ve been told, the answer is yes. If anyone has any light to shed on the matter please let me know.

This has to be quick because I have such little time to write my story I shouldn’t even be writing this.

1. Lakeland beat Scarsdale 63-47 tonight at the Mahopac tournament. Amy Voelkel and Sarah Benischek combined for 39 points for Lakeland, which was without starting point guard Rebecca DiSisto (family wedding).

The Hornets didn’t play great (17 turnovers) and committed too many fouls, but it is an indication of their talent that a somewhat sloppy game still resulted in a 16-point win over one of the best teams in Class AA. They made 10 3-pointers: five by Benischek, two by Voelkel (who may have played her best game of the season) and three by Kelly Schneider.

For anyone who doubted Lakeland, you’d be hard-pressed to discount the perfect record now. I imagine the Hornets will now finish the regular season 20-0.

“For us to get through this without playing our best was a good sign,” Voelkel said.

2. Blind Brook beat Dobbs Ferry 38-33. It sounded like a bizarre game from what my colleague Rod Boone told me. Blind Brook didn’t make a basket in either the first or third quarters yet won by five.

Karlyn Adler was the difference. The senior, who missed the double-overtime thriller these teams played at the County Center last season, had 24 points, including six of the Trojans final eight points. Blind Brook actually trailed 33-30 with 3:15 to go but didn’t allow anything the rest of the game. Adler hit a go-ahead 3 with 51 seconds left and the Trojans never looked back.

The outcome sets up an interesting race in Class C now. Blind Brook has beaten Dobbs Ferry twice but lost to Haldane twice and Dobbs Ferry and Haldane split. I haven’t looked at the records at all, but I’d imagine Haldane will be seeded No. 1, Blind Brook No. 2 and Dobbs Ferry No. 3.

3. Jackie Alemany did score her 1,000th point. And it didn’t take long. Alemany hit a putback off an offensive rebound in the second quarter to reach the milestone. I thought she played great – finishing the game with 18 points, seven rebounds and four steals – before she fouled out in the fourth quarter.

Also, I didn’t have room to mention this in my story, but Scarsdale freshmen Chelsea LoBue and Danielle Feigin both played excellent off the bench. They combined to score nine points, but provided many, many positive plays when the Raiders needed them.

Ironically, Scarsdale played pretty well tonight outside of the first few minutes when Lakeland jumped ahead 9-0.

“Very slow start,” coach Luke Vaccaro said. “And they were very hot so give them credit. They hit every shot.”

4. John Jay holds off feisty Mahopac, 54-47… thus earning itself a championship game matchup with Lakeland tomorrow at 4 p.m. Emily Sanders led John Jay with 16 points and Katarina Whalen had 11. Their team led by double digits at halftime, but Mahopac fought back valiantly in what was a good sign for its young players.

Jesse Kavana scored 20 points to pace the Indians, who cut John Jay’s lead to a basket in the fourth quarter. To John Jay’s credit, it showed good mettle in the final minute and played excellent defense on Mahopac final few possessions.

5. Haldane beat Carmel 54-53 tonight. I don’t have any further info on the game. Carmel outscored Haldane 18-10 in the fourth quarter, but I’m not sure if that means the Rams had a chance at the end or not. Brittany Shields (22 points), Kylie McConville (11 points) and Brittney Fleming (11 points) all reached double figures for the Blue Devils and Meghan Murphy had 21 for Carmel.

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OK, I have to run. More tomorrow. Also, I plan on posting a list later of which class teams are playing in during the playoffs. I’ve been asked a couple times recently about that and some coaches are confused with the league being realigned this season.

To be funny, I thought about “just linking to last week’s Top 10.”:http://sixthman.lohudblogs.com/2007/01/19/very-belated-week-8-lohudcom-top-10-girls-basketball/ I just wasn’t sure if my bosses and you, my readers, would’ve seen the humor in it so I’ve decided to go through the trouble of writing it out for you. AGAIN.

If you oblige me and read through to the end, you’ll notice the reason why a link would’ve worked just fine: There are no changes since last Friday night. Honestly, nothing of import has happened since then to warrant a change.

Let me know your thoughts anyway please, or what you’re excited about in the next few days…

1. Lakeland (12-0): The Hornets beat tonight’s opponent, Scarsdale, in last year’s Mahopac tourney final.
2. White Plains (13-2): One more trip through League I-A is all that separates the Tigers from the top seed in Class AA.
3. Pearl River (10-3): Pirates have won by an average of 26.4 points during their five-game winning streak.
4. Albertus Magnus (12-2): Host rematch with Pearl River next Wednesday.
5. Ursuline (9-4): Home-and-home with Mount Vernon tomorrow and next Thursday.
6. North Rockland (13-3): Strong win last weekend over Newburgh, which beat Section 9 champion Minisink Valley earlier this month.
7. Our Lady of Lourdes (8-5): The Warriors comeback bandwagon will purr on idle until Tuesday.
8. Scarsdale (10-3): The Raiders can be Jekyll and Hyde, but they cannot afford to show frustration tonight against Lakeland.
9. Putnam Valley (10-5): Big game next Friday night at Briarcliff.
10. Mount Vernon (11-3): The Knights have been a pleasant surprise, but they are in need of a big win.

ON THE BUBBLE: Briarcliff (14-2), Haldane (11-2), Blind Brook (10-4), Dobbs Ferry (6-5), Poughkeepsie (9-5), Ossining (10-6).

or as I like to call it, our much-needed return to basketball.

Quite frankly, to say this has been a slow week would be insulting to other slow weeks throughout the year. The last few days many teams either shut down, ran optional practices, or used the free time to tinker. (I don’t know about you, but in my day – which wasn’t that long ago – we didn’t have a designated mid-term week. We just took exams during our regularly scheduled class periods and it wasn’t such a big deal.)

Left to fend without games for a while, it’s been pretty quiet at The Sixth Man’s headquarters — an undisclosed bunker somewhere in Westchester — but that will change beginning tomorrow and Saturday.

Here’s a look at my thoughts and predictions on the three biggest games:

FRIDAY —
Lakeland (12-0) vs. Scarsdale (10-3)
When: 5 p.m.
Where: Mahopac High School
Coaches: Lakeland — Steve Fallo. Scarsdale — Luke Vaccaro.
Top players: Lakeland — Amy Voelkel (6-0), Sr., F; Sarah Benischek (5-10), Sr., G; Rosemarie Fazio (5-10), Sr., F. Scarsdale — Jackie Alemany (6-0), Sr., F; Christine Yankou (5-6), Jr., G; Kerry Ryan (5-10), So., G.
What to watch for: Alemany enters this Mahopac tournament game just nine points from 1,000 for her career. The Hornets, on the other hand, have met their goal of allowing opponents less than 35 PPG. Alemany can often handle defenses largely on her own, but she’ll need help from Yankou (right), Ryan, and freshman Chelsea LoBue off the bench if the Raiders want to tack a blemish on Lakeland’s record.
Prediction: Too many players, too much size. LAKELAND 62, SCARSDALE 44

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Blind Brook (10-4) vs. Dobbs Ferry (6-5)
When: 6:15 p.m.
Where: Dobbs Ferry High School

Coaches: Blind Brook — Manny Martinez (right). Dobbs Ferry — Ed Feller.
Top players: Blind Brook — Karlyn Adler (5-9), Sr., G; Sabrina Stockel (5-8), Sr., G; Samantha Levine (5-9), Jr., F. Dobbs Ferry — Carey Hickey (5-5), Sr., G; Lauren Emerson (5-9), Sr., F; Jackie Giuliano (5-10), Fr., F.
What to watch for: The Eagles are a completely different team than then one Blind Brook beat 43-39 on Dec. 4th. Emerson has returned from injury and Giuliano has matured during her first season on the varsity. Still, Blind Brook is a team that moves the ball fluidly with everyone in its rotation. That means Hickey (below), Dobbs Ferry’s long-time point guard, must try and control the pace to prevent the Trojans from running.
Prediction: Until proven otherwise, I believe in Dobbs Ferry’s comeback. DOBBS FERRY 48, BLIND BROOK 44

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SATURDAY —
Ursuline (9-4) at Mount Vernon (11-3)
When: 2 p.m.
Where: Mount Vernon High School
Coaches: Ursuline — Beth Wooters. Mount Vernon — Patrice Wallace-Moore.
Top players: Ursuline — Rosie Crean (5-8), Jr., G; Molly McGlynn (6-0), Sr., F; Tricia Liller (5-6), Sr., G. Mount Vernon — Nadia Duncan (5-10), Jr., F; Kwinnyata Mercer (5-8), Jr., G; Lynasia Frazier (5-5), 8th, G.
What to watch for: These are two very different teams. Ursuline relies on size, balance, depth and defense, while Mount Vernon has one of Section 1’s highest-scoring duos and superior speed and athleticism. The Knights will be helped by playing on their home court, but Ursuline has played slightly better thus far.
Prediction: I think these teams split, but Mount Vernon stands its ground at home. MOUNT VERNON 57, URSULINE 52

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(UPDATE 11:15 p.m.) I just received an e-mail from Jake, who covered tonight’s Albertus Magnus-Rye game. Albertus beat the Garnets 46-34 behind 18 points and 15 rebounds from Jen Canale. Carly Miller had 13 and 12 for Rye, which never mustered enough offense to counter the few opportunities given to them.

I will see Albertus for the first time in a few weeks during next week’s game against Pearl River. I’m looking forward to it.

There are now no Class AA teams from Section 1. “Check the rankings out for yourself here.”:http://www.newyorksportswriters.org/reference/current_polls_bkw_070125.shtml