The 2007-08 All-Stars/All-County
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- April
- 13
I hope you already ran out to grab the paper, but if not we published our Westchester/Putnam All-Stars and our Rockland All-County teams today.
The players of the year were Angelei Aguirre of White Plains and Alaina Walker of Albertus Magnus. Obviously, it was an impossible choice on the Westchester/Putnam side, and I’m sure it wasn’t easy for the coaches on the panel. The award could’ve gone either way, but Aguirre won the vote by a 7-3-1 margin (one coach voted for both Aguirre and Shields). Here’s the story on what made Aguirre’s season special.
The first team in Westchester/Putnam consists of: Aguirre; Brittany Shields, Haldane; Nadia Duncan, Mount Vernon; Bianca Kowgios, Maria Regina; and Porsha Postell, Woodlands. Don Hamlin of Briarcliff was named the coach of the year. … Of note: Aguirre, Shields and Duncan were all unanimous selections to the first team. Postell and Kowgios were the next-highest vote-getters. The five members of the second team were the next-highest vote-getters after the top five.
Jake will have to fill you in on the details for Rockland. What I do know is the first team All-County consists of: Walker, whose story you can read here; Mary Abrams, North Rockland; Shakiera Dumas, Spring Valley; Kelly Mulligan, Pearl River; and Kristin Schmidt, Suffern. The coach of the year was Pearl River’s Lorraine Moylan.
I know many of you probably have questions. I’m working today, so I’ll be in and out of action all day. If you have a question, please either leave a comment or send me an e-mail at jthomson@lohud.com. If you have a question about the Rockland teams, please e-mail Jake at jtthomas@lohud.com. I hope you can be patient and wait for our response. Above all, DO NOT use this forum to criticize players and/or coaches.
For those interested: The Westchester/Putnam vote was compiled using a number of coaches who see a wide variety of basketball. They game from various geographical regions (Putnam, Northern, Central and Southern Westchester were all represented) and a number of classifications (Conference 1, 2, 3 and 4 are all represented).
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on Sunday, April 13th, 2008 at 12:00 am by Josh Thomson.
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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.
Uh oh, wait until the Nanuet Parents see this list LOL
They are going to be mad!!
No 1st teamers, somebody is going to get sued
It's Morons like you Mike Hoops that make this blog pathetic, already you're starting it off. Let it die already.
Congratulations to ALL the girls, 1st, 2nd, honorable mentions and those who are not mentioned, you all worked so hard. It was a pleasure to watch you play and keep up the good work!!!
MIKE HOOPS
You are a complete JOKE. You Coach in Weschester? Yea right, at what elementary school? Trust me, I am not from Nanuet
I am a joke for pointing out that Nanuet parents badmouthed an outgoing coach and criticized a brand new Coach before he ever ran a practice?????
Josh, I realize I am getting up there in age, and as everyone knows Bandit years are like dog years which would make me about 294. But if my memory is correct the last time a White Plains player didn't win POY was 1958 when Susie "Go Go Boots" Stradler from Washington Irving HS won.
Bandit,
Why do you think a player from White Plains wins the Player of the Year every year? Is it because the Journal News is based out of White Plains?
Maybe they should change the name of the award to: the White Plains HS Player of the Year.
I can see why the Player of the Year has become so “Political”, the article for the “Costa Award” is about the size of an obituary and the article written about the POY has a full color photo and a full page article / interview with the head coach and the recipient. I guess it’s all about selling papers. Congratulations to Angelei Aguirre
the recipients have been from wp the last 2 years…
Bandit…To the best of my knowledge, only two White Plains players have ever won our award. Last year and this year.
Anyone who thinks there is bias in our selection definitely did not see White Plains and Aguirre in the playoffs, especially against Mount Vernon in the championship game. But, for the record: We have no bias toward White Plains. I think some of you forget they've won the last four Class AA gold balls.
Obviously, I understand why people believe Shields should've won the award, but to say Aguirre wasn't deserving at all is absurd. It also happens to be very unfair to her.
Someone in the know told me a couple weeks ago they were happy the two players split the awards. It was a coincidence, but I happen to agree.
Congrats on another Lady Knicks pr piece. Your coaches are dominated by Lady Knicks as was you coverage throughout the year. so much for objectivity in the press. Thank God this year is over, we can only hope for hoinesty in reporting next year but that would require full disclosure and a new reporter.
hoopsfan…How many members of the first team play for the Lady Knicks? Does Aguirre play for the Knicks?
1st Team AAU Teams:
Aguirre-Westchester Hawks
Shields-Hudson Valley Knights
Postell-Lady Knicks
Kowgios-Hudson Valley Knights
Nadia Duncan-Westchester Hawks
Sorry hoops fan but you obviously aren't an AAU hoops fan or you have some bias against the Lady Knicks…
How many coaches are with the Knicks?????? How does Kowgios get there? First team all-state????? Second team??? third team??? need I go on. come on you are well known to be in the Lady Knicks pocket. we watch you at tournament time and can read your paper. What about the second team? how many of these five are Lady Knicks? What is it 4 out of 5??? Only Mercer didn't, right? Angelei was so far ahead of the class that there really was no option, she deserved it. You get no credit for that one.
I can't be 100% sure but as far as the coaches list goes, I think less than half coach for the Lady Knicks org. Coverage throughout the year? People are constantly complaing about too much focus on MV and WP, neither coach coaches for the Lady Knicks. Lay off the reporters who do an amazing job. You obviously have beef w/ the AAU organization, lets not get too crazy on here. Hoopsfan, just be happy for those selected and keep the conspiracy theories to yourself.
I talk to coaches who see a lot of games, who spend their own time driving around the area to watch basketball. People who have no connection to CHSAA basketball but drive in to Hartsdale for a 7 p.m. game between Maria Regina and OLV. Or people who have long since been ousted from the playoffs but drive to St. Joe's in Patchogue to watch Briarcliff and Haldane.
I know you won't believe this, but I could care less where they coach AAU ball. I've never seen an AAU game in my four years covering girls basketball. Those teams have no impact on anything I do.
On my coaches panel there were coaches from the Lady Knicks, Westchester Hawks and Hudson Valley Knights systems. A couple of them are unaffiliated.
I rarely comment on this blog, but I make it a point to when someone tries to put down one of my guys. Hoopsfan, I'll tell you how Kowgios made it. She is one of the most talented players in the area. She works as hard as anyone and is a tremendous competitor. To the comment on "all-state" players, she was put on the 7th team class AA as a CENTER. Well, first off we are not in AA, and she obviously is not a 5'6 center, so the credibility of that list is suspect at best. That list also has a player from another CHSAA team (Nichols)represented on the "B" team, that played in the "A" play-offs. So who knows where their info comes from? I have 1 favor to ask, please leave the players out of this unless you are prepared to be positive. She got on that team b/c she works her tail off year round and others have finally taken notice. Thanks in advance for your compliance with this simple request.
I don't know where some of these comments come from in discussing—at least I thought that was the purpose of the blog—the superb work of these fine women athletes.
One person saw fit to mention the fact that a White Plains player won the JN Player of the Year award 2 years in a row, while another found a strange coincidence that the corporate offices of the Journal News are located in, yes Virginia, the city of White Plains. Since 1993, the past two years are the only years that a WP player has won the award. In that same time frame, different players from both Scarsdale and Ursuline have won the award 3 times, and an Ossining player has won it twice, despite the fact that the Journal News offices have not been headquartered in those towns, though unyielding skeptics can still drive by the offices on 3 Gannett Drive and keep their eyes peeled for a grassy knoll.
Though it was nice to see what off season basketball leagues/teams some of the top players use to augment their skills, I was glad to hear that Josh doesn't use their off season work to judge what happens on the hard court during the regular season. Similarly, we don't hear too much about what some major league baseball players do in the Winter Leagues, and rightfully so, since the players are measured only by what they do in the regular season and post season. Am I disappointed to not learn who exactly is coaching the Lady Knicks or the Hawks—not really, since I think these coaches similarly know how to separate summer work from the regular season games played during the winter.
So now that most of the conspiracies have been debunked, save for poor Nanuet, I would like to congratulate all these talented athletes and particularly the well deserving JN Player of the Year, Angelei Aguirre. I have watched her grow from a cool and consummate point guard as a freshman to a dominating force at both ends of the floor that was able to will an imperfect team to places that no one thought they could go.
Timester are you and Mike Hoops related? You're both Morons, that crack about Nanuet was not necessary.
Josh:
The simple fact which everyone has missed is that for the second year in a row, the most deserving (subjective, I know) female basketball player was not given your POY award — Brittany Shields in '08, and Jackie Allemany in '07. It is quite clear that the influence of the "Adams Family" with you and the distinguished panel of coaches has resulted in the WP players receiving the award. This nonsense about splitting the Costa and JN POY awards is just that, nonsense. The '07/'08 and career accomplishments of Brittany far overshadow this year's winner. What a travesty!!!
hey bball mom, just wait until aguirre signs with a school and then compare that level of basketball to that of pace, no offense to shields. your comment is ridiculous.
who cares ,
We r not related, but everyone knows Nanuet is a joke.
Ta ta til later
The only player in the section even remotely capable of leading White Plains to a sectional title this year was Angelie Aguire. No player in the section comes close to possessing her all around game. I was glad to see Shields receive the Costa Award, she has had a remarkable career and is more than deserving. But if player of the year is meant to honor the best basketball player in the section, the committee got it right.
And for goodness sakes, please explain to me why the Mount Vernon boys receive so much press, and why they always seem to have the player of the year to the exclusion of the White Plains boys. If your conspiracy theories are correct, why don't they apply to the boys side.
biggup to all our HATERRSSSSSSSSSS!
dynasty baby =]
todd: We have been waiting for her to sign, what is the hold up. Like I said before, all the GOOD D1 schools have their 08 recruits. If Aguirre goes to any D1, it will be as a left over, and not one of their top recruits. The schools that were listed, are not that great. Depaul is ok, but you have to assume it being her parents alma mater has something to do with it. And Depaul lost to Marist by 20. Whey isn't Marist interested,like the other MAAC schools. Sheilds turned down LaSalle. At least Shields has signed with someone, and has a very good deal, with 5 years worth of education, and coaching in the 5th year. If you are going to put down someone else's college choice, then prepare to have it thrown right back at you. Very bad form todd
It is one thing for people to argue about this years Costa winner or POY and the fact that the "split" winners of these awards (Shields/Aguirre) played in different leagues can make it difficult for the casual observer or the fiercely loyal follower to be objective. Presumably, the objectivity and basketball knowledge possessed by the panel of coaches (which cut across all leagues) that judged the two players carried the day, but when that vote goes against one's favorite player, the panel is judged by some to be "biased". I have already said that I thought that Aguirre was the best all around player in the Section, but I didn't gripe about the panel of coaches when Shields won the Costa award. Why can we just say congrats to both Shields and Aguirre and leave it at that?
On to those who want to revise history, particularly the 07 POY and the selection of White Plains' Kim Adams over Scarsdale's Jackie Alemany. Both were very good HS players who have since gone on to play College ball in the Ivy League, so it is puzzling as to why someone wants to revisit old news.
But the passage of a year doesn't change the facts. And, unlike the 08 Shields/Aguirre debate, Alemany and Adams played in the same league in 07, and while they had virtually identical season scoring averages, of far greater significance was the fact that they played against each other in two regular season games as well as the Sectional semifinals at the County Center. In these games, Adams led her team to double digit wins in all three games, outscored Alemany 74-56 in them and won the Sectional tournament MVP as White Plains went on to win it's third straight gold ball. Only a freak injury that Adams sustained in the Regional quarterfinals win over Union Endicott prevented White Plains from making the State semifinals.
With those results from direct, head to head competition in three games, there is no objective basis for Alemany fans to gripe about the Adams POY selection.
Congrats to all of the seniors this year…Angelei, Brittany, Nadia, Shelby, Mary …etc… they are all phenomenal female student-athletes and I wish them all the best of luck. I am not going to comment about these teams, a lot of these players could have been moved around…but I do have to say to Hudson Valley, far from all of the good/best mid-major programs are totally finished. The signing period starts tomorrow (regular) which is when many girls sign. Also, many of especially the mid-major schools (not so much bcs) wait until after their playoffs to sign their recruits. All of Angelei's schools that she has listed are great schools and the conferences I have read about Coon looking at are great as well. Dont speak unless you know your facts. Wherever these girls end up I just hope that it is the right fit for them, and I know they will have great college careers. Good luck to Abrams at LIU, Duncan at LaSalle, and Shields at Pace as well as Coon and Aguirre wherever they end up!
Todd,
Where Aguirre signs should has no impact on the JN Player of the Year award. No one here is comparing one college to another (maybe you are). As stated on previous BLOGS both Shields and Aguirre had / have D-1 offers.
Do you think that Sue Adams wasn’t making calls to get support for Aguirre to win the POY award? The coach from Haldane (Haskins) didn’t even show up to the sectional dinner, so that shows how much support he gave his player. No one was there to ever talk about her accomplishments for this season.
Timster,
I disagree with you on last year’s selection…
You failed to mention that Adams played with four (4) other Division- 1 players on her team while Alemany did NOT. Let me see Adams accomplish what Alemany did without having the support from the other 4 players on the court.
Take a look at last years comments from Josh Thompson on why Adams won the POY award. For all of those same reasons is exactly why Shields should have won that award. She simply carried her team deeper into the playoffs and she took home a State Championship!
Either way I’m glad that we are able to discuss basketball on this blog.. Congrats. To Aguirre & Shields on a great season.
You have got to love the fact that someone actually believes that because DePaul lost to Marist in the tournament this year that DePaul is a so-so basketball team.
Hey "Hudson Valley" DePaul averages 20+ wins a year in the Big East Conference (one of the top 5 conferences in the nation every year) and have a player drafted in the WNBA draft each year. That, my friends is not an "OK" school. That is a quality basketball program.
Please know the facts before you write things that make you look stupid.
Almost all D-1 schools have either completed or very nearly completed their signings. Some schools may have a scholarship they did not intend to use this year but will if the right opportunity is there. Other schools were rejected by their primary choices and are now scrambling to fill needs.
Now Now Now, lets not start calling people stupid. I was responding to Todd, who wants us to wait and see the big time D1 school that Aguirre is going to, and then puts down Brittany Shields choice , even though he says "no offense", I took some. As for Aguirre, she is a fine basketball player, but she has been hyped up so much this year, like she is the next Candace Parker. The schools that are recruiting her are OK teams. They are not great, including Depaul. Great,to me, are the top 8 to 10 teams in the country. I believe Depaul is not even in the top 25. As to the signing period, yes the reg. is coming up. But as you and I both know, all the teams offered to their top 08 recruits more than a year ago. Those recruits have all accepted, and signed back in November. The schools that are still looking, didn't get their top recruits, and are now looking at the ones that are not signed. Yes, there are a few Colleges out there still looking. I guess they are all looking at Aguirre.
Shot Clock,
You have your White Plains teams mixed up—when Adams won the POY in 2007 she played with 1 (not 4) players headed to a D1 schools that year (Flooks), 2 if you want to count Aguirre because she is headed to a D1 school this year. Adams shared the ball with these 2 double digit scorers all season and yet was within .2 points of Alemany's scoring average. Moreover, had Alemany done in 07 what Aguirre did in 08—average 27 points per game to lead her team to four upset playoff wins over better seeded teams and capture a gold ball—then you might have an argument.
As to your "just can't leave it alone" argument that Aguirre was not the correct choice for JN POY because "Shields led her team to a State Championship", I already debunked that position 12 blogs ago, since if that is the sole criteria for POY selection, then Amy Voelkel of Lakeland would have won last year's POY, since she was the only JN first teamer to lead her team to a State Championship. If you can convince the 7 out of 10 well respected area coaches who voted for Aguirre and the JN staff to change the JN POY award from the "Best Player in the Section" award to the "Lead her team to a State Championship" award, then my hat's off to you.
Josh Just tell us how many of your coachng panel are affilailted witht he lady knicks, by my count it is at least five. nothing more need be said.
Hey Hoopsfan, what is your beef with the Lady Knicks coaches?
Many quality players end up playing with the Lady Knicks because of their close association with many college coaches. High School girls play AAU so that they get the best exposure to college coaches.
The fact that Josh asks them for an opinion on players doesn't sound like something that any of us should take offense to, they probably know the players better. Besides, how many Lady Knick players were on the list? I don't think Aguirre ever played for the Lady Knicks.
If its 5 of 11, who cares? Thats less than half. You could have beef if there were 4 lady knick players in the top 5 or something. Maybe than there could be this big conspiracy issue. Foolish comments and issue, like you said, "nothing more needs to be said."
Congrats to all the JN POY!!!! If you don't agree with the choices that's on you but don't attack individual kids, that's immature and low. All of the kids worked very hard to accomplish what they have accomplished,lets just celebrate them!If you don't like the process then work with the differnt organizations to try and change the process so that it works for everbody. I think that every one of the choices were great ones and its great to have so many candidates for 1 award. How about all you guys agree to disagree but give the girls their PROPS ! HERSHEY
Angelei is looking at University of Cal. at Berkley, Arizona St. and loads others. Tell me those are left over schools!!!
Beg to disagree Hudson Valley, but a quick look at recruiting web sites shows that only around fifty percent of the top players in the nation have made their commitments.
I think a lot of kids take their time so they can make all five of their official visits. Choosing a school is a huge decision, pays to get a first hand look at where you are planning to spend the next four years of your life. And lets face it, if the schools are paying for your air fare, lodging and food, as well as picking up the hotel bill for you parents, why wouldn't you use up all five of your visits.
It makes no difference at all if a kid signs on early or late as long as THEY are happy with their choice. To say the best schools have finished their recruiting, or that the only players not signed are the left overs is simply factually incorrect.
My daughter placed that last comment because she is a WP and MV fan. Angelei Aguirre ,Nadia Duncan, and Meghan Murphy(Carmel) have all been her camp counselor at one time, so she took offense to some of the comments. HERSHEY
Just look at the coverage throughout the year starting with the Super 7 and finish with the all star how many Lady knoicks are mentioned? Not putting down that organization they are what they are, the point is there are many other AAu programs that are equal to the Lady Knicks. The reporting on Magnus and Woodlands to praise Walker and Postell was dominating throughout the year. Just wanting fair coverage and unbiased reporting, Don't focus on just the first five and you will see.
Actually, if you look at the hoopgurlz.com top 100 players, there is only 1 who is not committed.
Hoopsfan,
Walker's team dominated the B Class all year and Postell may be the most exciting player to come out of Section 1 since Katrina Gather. That is why they were written about so much.
Please tell me what other local Girls AAU program is equal to the Lady Knicks?
They attract a large amount of good players because they work them the hardest, showcase their players the most, and talk up their players with the college coaches.
You obviously have something against the Lady Knicks, why?
Maybe your daughter didn't make the first team, is that it?
I am not going to be no errand boy!
Timster,
I was including Adams, Flooks, Sprewell, & Aguirre as the D-1 players as compared too what Alemany had on her starting team.
I don’t think that you “debunked” anything, maybe in your mind you did. I don’t think that the sole criteria for POY selection should be based on a Championship, nor do I think that it should be base on “ONE” up-set at the county center against MV. If you look at the comments made by the God father of this BLOG (Josh Thomson) from last year referring to last years winner of the POY (Adams), those exact comments can be made about Shields for 2008.
If you think the POY is a straight up vote like the Costa Award you are wrong.. One of your well respected area coaches actually voted for both! Josh even stated that his vote was much like a super delegate, so as you can see it’s very subjective.
I have to admit, even though Postell and Walker were the two leading scorers in the section, I only wrote about them because the Lady Knicks told me to. Josh, I guess the jig is up.
Shot Clock…Despite the fact that I probably see more Section 1 basketball than any coach in the area because of the nature of my job, I have not even voted in our POY voting for two years running.
Many people on here (including you, I believe) had claimed I was subjective, despite the fact I have no ties to any team whatsoever, so I basically removed myself from the voting process for first and second team, player of the year, and coach of the year. Aside from our paper discontinuing the girls basketball player of the year award in Westchester/Putnam altogether, I don't know what else you want me to do.
So you know, the Costa Award and our player of the year are decided exactly the same way. A panel of coaches vote on who they believe deserves the award. Each vote counts once. We had 11 coaches. They had seven. That's the only difference.
hoopsfan…Again, it is disappointing that you believe I am a biased reporter and, quite honestly, I don't even know what you feel is the reason I would show bias toward the Lady Knicks. Since I started here four years ago, I've never even seen a game or a practice of theirs. In fact, I don't even know where they play and when they play. I'm sure you don't believe that, but it's true.
It seems your problem is with me personally, so please either e-mail me at jthomson@lohud.com so we can discuss this further or contact my sports editor, Joe Lombardi, at jlombard@lohud.com. Perhaps you can state your case to him.
does everyone realize how nuts this is? how over-the-top some of the bloggers are by alleging bias and complaining about the selection process? i know this blog should be a forum for everyone to express their views, but i think that some of you need to step back, take a deep breath, and read what you intend to blog before you actually blog it.
a similarly disturbing thing happened last summer on the girls' lax blog where several bloggers alleged bias in the selection of the empire team. these bloggers claimed that the girls were selected based on which high schools they were from and not on talent. the team went on to win the silver medal.
guys, the coaches and the reporters are not biased. the parents are totally nuts and most coaches deserve medals just to put up with them.
Josh,
You do a great job, I don't care what the Poo Poo Bandit or Gags has to say!
Josh,
Statements made by you indicated that you had a “Super Delegate” vote is what makes it seem subjective and having one coach vote for both players doesn’t make sense. That would lead one to believe that you were involved in the voting process. If you are now saying that you chose not to participate in the voting process for the last two years is news to us. In the Costa Award selection, can a coach vote for both players?
Having a POY award is a good thing… It gives theses girls something to strive for and something to be recognized for. Discontinuing the POY award isn’t the answer.
You asked what you could do. I would like you to come up with some CRITERIA to be nominated for this award and that would help distinguishing one player over another. Without that, it will always come across as subjective /political.
Statements made by me aren’t intended to upset you or to diminish your efforts in girls’ basketball. This BLOG has given people the opportunity to discuss girls’ basketball in the Hudson Valley. Although I don’t always agree with everything that is on this BLOG is does point out various points of view.
Josh,
Keep up the great work!!
And to anybody criticizing Josh or The Journal News, careful or we just might lose HS Sports coverage at the Journal News.
I think Josh, Jake and Kevin do a great job, even if I disagree now and then.
Some of you need to take life a bit less seriously. The JN sportswriters are people of integrity and, frankly, do a difficult job very well. Let's just salute the coaches, the kids, the refs, the volunteers and the parents (those without self serving agendas) and look forward to next season and the joys of healthy competition.
coverage only for the two leading scorers gee what great perspective how far did the two leading scorers get??? remember basketball is played by five not one you should cover teams not individuals
So glad that this blog was not around when my daughter played HS sports.
Sorry folks no AAU program in this area is a pimple on the ass of the Lady Knicks. I neither coach for nor have a daughter who plays for the Knicks but what's right is right. Look at the numbers and how the girls are taken care of and let me know who is in the same league? Sounds like hoopsfan has a daughter who wasn't good enough to make the Knicks or who lost out on a prestigious award to a Lady Knick. That's not the fault of the Lady Knicks hoopsfan…
not so sure about that look at hudson valley nights program with al viani?
Gotta agree with confused, although I don't know if this paper considers the Knights as local. They had a great team last year, that beat the Lady Knicks, it was a great game, but the Knights came out on top. They will continue to have a strong team this year with Tancredi and Moran returning, and the addition of first teamer Kwigios, not sure of the spelling. Would love to see them play the Knicks again, as they had most of their team returning. I believe if you ask the girls, they will tell you that they are all friends, and love the competition of playing each other.
They are playing each other this weekend in Richmond Virgina. The reason why the Knicks have their whole team back is that last year when they played the knicks team was a true 15 year old team playing up and the knights team was a 16 year old team with two 15 year olds.
confused let me try and explain the concept of an AAU Program. See in an AAU program there are more than one team, there are actually several. Al Viani coaches one team and the Lady Knicks are an AAU program with more top players than the Hudson Valley Knights could ever dream of. Al Viani is a great guy and a great coach with the team he has. But, follow me here confused and perhaps we can un-confuse you, there is a whole program to consider. That is why kids like Liz Milner leave the Knights and go play with the Lady Knicks. Ask her which one is the better program and perhaps you won't be so confused. The two programs are not in the same stratosphere.
Wow why would anyone play any where but the lady knicks???
Lady Knicks a good aau program, who happens to dominate this area (in terms of # of players) so what!! They have a lot of coaches around and involved in hs sports who may or may not influence these decisions but who cares! These are all very talented girls who will go on to do great things. Hoopgurlz is missing a lot of players, you have to look at BLue Star report to see really who has signed and there are still plenty of great basketball players who have not. In most cases girls wait so that they can take the rest of their visits after the season. A lot of you are forgetting that this now is the regular signing period its not like it is July already and the two signings are over! You all need to calm down…we have some very talented seniors in this area and they will go on to do great things on and off the court over the next few years so lets just say congrats to them and move on. We also have some good junior who I know will do the same. And who cares if lady knicks has an impact over these decisions, this area is the "home base" for their players, coaches, and the northeast is where all of their tournaments are so who cares if they are everywhere… what is done is done move on!!! COngrats to all of these girls 1st, 2nd and honorable mention they all deserve credit and work very hard. Good luck in the rest of your careers girls. And to the uncommitted seniors make the right choice for YOU!! its about YOU not these people who want to pass judgement so often on what a good school is/what schools are left! Pick the place where you are happy and will succeed on the court and in the classroom! best of luck .
I checked the Blue Star website and they list the top prospects but not whether they have signed or not, at least that I could find. Who else from the area other than Aguirre is still unsigned and will go D1 this year?
Someone mentioned the ESG and I got a few questions..The empire state games, was the team predominately girls from the lady knicks? Should girls from other AAU teams try out and what are their chances of being selected? Are they looking for new blood or is everyone coming back from last year?
I may be wrong but I believe the ESG Team only takes girls who play for the Lady Knicks unless of course you receive a benediction from the Pope who just happens to be in town. Most years no one outside of the Lady Knicks would be considered but with his the Pontiff in town the doors are open to everyone. Good luck girls!
ES team had 4 from HVK's last year. Stallings, Shields, Moran, Biordi. Murphy was a sub, also from the knights. The first three started. Moran will be back, if she chooses , but may not since there were just not enough balls to go around last year. Walker and Postell will be back and Sophia A. all from the knicks. Not sure about Blair. I think the year before,it was more a knicks team than last year. Stallings and Shields were still there, but the rest of the team was knick heavy. I think what happens is the Knicks are already known to the coaches, so they don't really have to prove anything at the tryouts. Even if they have a bad tryout, the coaches know what they are capable of. If you are an unknown, you really have to show what you have at the 4 tryouts. I think that is the only advantage to being a knick. If you are good enough, they will take you. Shannon Ray from Ursaline and Biordi were surprises last year. Stallings was an unknown the year before. They came out and proved how hard they could play, and bumped others, who thought they were a sure thing. Just a question, for all the knick supporters. In the past three years, who has gotten free rides from the Knicks. Don't count Ivys or D3. We need the full ride. Please include any Jr. Verbals. I know Walker has verbally committed to the Bonnies. Were Liz Flouks and Jackie Goldner knicks?
If you watch the NBA, every year there is an argument about who should win the MVP. Some years, it goes to the Steve Nash guy, who leads his team to unexpected places. Others, it goes to the Kobe Bryant guy who is just the best player in the league. For folks who are alledging bias and corruption, or demanding specific and formulaic criteria, they gave the award to Angelei Aguirre. It's not like they gave it to me. Could we at least try to be rational?
haha Poo Poo bandit, that was good!!!
And thank you for the info Hudson Valley. Also there are some very good talented girls out there that are NOT involved with the Lady Knicks and should give it a shot.
Could someone tell me where exactly is the Lady Knicks home base, if someone would want to try out for their AAU team next year?
Watched 1st half of
Hudson Valley (Bianca, Tancredi, Moran, Felix)
Vs.
Lady Knicks (Postel, Walker, Sophia A., Blair, Sferra, Dweck)
LK was up most of the half by about 6 to 10, but still a very competitive game. Last word i had was with about 2 min left to go the LK's were up by about 10. Both teams have very talented players.
Thanks for update Vir. AAU. Sounds like a good game, kinda funny they go all the way to Richmond, and end up playing each other. I hear the HVK's got some bigs from across the river. How big?? and are they any good??
Contrary to Virgina AAU's entry. The Knicks were up 19 points late in the game before they subbed. They ended up winning the game by 11 points. The guards from HVK really struggled with the pressure from the Knicks guards, turning the ball over way too much.
Hey Hudson Valley (MM),
Wait until the Lady Knicks get back from Virginia, I'm sure that they would be more then happy to post a list for you, and why would you discount the Ivy League? Isn't this about getting a once in a lifetime opportunity? Do you think that Section 1 has a lot of players who are going to play in the WNBA?
What a ridiculous statement, maybe the stupidest thing I have ever heard here.
What coach or parent around here wouldn't be happy to have their daughter playing basketball and getting an Ivy League education? If that's what you believe then you should retire right now.
Last year, Carol Johnson who was a point guard on their SECOND TEAM, committed to Pace. Isn't that where Brittany Shields is going? Wasn't she a finalist for the POY? The year before there were at least three players on the second team who received rides.
Open your eyes, this is the simple truth of it. Most of the AAU programs around Westchester, other then the Lady Knicks, cater to the girls and/or parents that are simply too lazy to put in the work and dedication that the Lady Knicks would require of them.
Well said "Parent".
I don't know if I would use the word lazy, but the Lady Knick players do learn the value of dedication and hard work.
I'd like to see a list from one of the Lady Knick coaches or parents who know what players went to what schools.
Former lady knick parent, What is your problem? I am not bashing the knicks. Do you have a persecution complex. I don't know who came from the lady knicks in the past three years and got full rides, and I would like to know. I guess you think I am saying that no one did, but I am simply asking. I would love for someone to come back from Virginia and tell me. The topic I was talking about was that someone said the knicks were the best team in the area, and that their players were so much better than any other aau team. I just want to know if they turn out anymore full ride players(D1 or D2) than other aau teams. The Ivys and D3 don't give them. If someone can't afford the Ivys or doesn't want to take out loans for them, then they will be looking at D1 or 2. I didn't say there was anything wrong with going to them. And, D2 is included in a full ride, so give me that info too. I don't know who MM is, and I am not a coach so I can't retire. Not from coaching anyway. And can someone please answer about Jackie G. and Liz F. What aau team did they come from?
HV, you are too funny.
I guess if your daughter gets in to Harvard partly because of basketball and you have to pay for some of that education then that is not as good as any D2 ride?
Don't you think that the 2 Lady Knicks who are currently playing at Harvard had other D1 and D2 offers?
I thought that the "Lady Knick Parent" was being a little harsh with you but you sound dumber by the moment
I know that Liz F and Jackie G both played for more then one AAU organization.
Not dumb, just not as rich as some. If my kid got into a D2 or D1, especially a Patriot leg. school, on a full basketball scholarship, you better believe they are going with the scholarship. If I had the choice between a Lehigh or a Drexel, with a full ride, and an IVY, I'm going with the Patriot league school. Once again, I never bashed the IVY's or the knicks. I assume you think I know more than I do about 2 players who are going to Harvard. I know of only one, who was a freshman, and if I had their money, then I wouldn't have to worry about paying for an IVY. Half scholarship at an IVY is what, about 25,000? From an economic stand point, I think a 4 year free ride, from a top institution such as Lehigh or Drexel is better than a 4 year IVY degree at the cost of $100,000. If that makes me stupid and dumb in yours and knick parents eyes then so be it.
Hudson Valley
Eveyone is entitled to their own opinion about selecting schools and schools are selected for various reasons. I laughed when I read your statement when you said "if I had the choice between a Lehigh or a Drexel, with a full ride, and an Ivy I'm am going with the Partiot League" because it's not really about you it's more about your child and what will be the best choice for that individual.
As a parent paying for an IVY League education, with a child who did turn down full scholarship offers, it was a diificult financial decision. However, when you have a child who has worked incredibly hard in high school and whose number one goal was to go the best academic institution possible it was difficult to turn down an IVY League education when the situation presents itself. Does it require an incredible amount of financial sacrifice… as opposed to accepting a full ride at another school that is not the right fit for the athlete? Yes it does but that is where I say it is not all about the money.
I'm proud of my child that her number one priority was education, not athletics when selecting a college. I think your point about taking the money over paying for an education is easy to say now, I used to say the same thing but when faced with making the decision and be given an opportunity to attend one of the top universities in the nation it does make you stop and truly weigh the pros and cons.
As I originally stated everyone's priorites and opinions are different and should be respected but more importantly your child's opinions and priorites must weigh heavily in making his/her college choice.
HV is MM
HUDSON VALLEY IS THE PARENT OF A RED FOX
shocking
NOT REALLY- IF YOU FOLLOW THEIR RESPONSES
ivy league parent- You are right on. Everything is a matter of choices free is not the end all be all!
Thank you Ivy parent, for an intelligent response. Finally someone can give me their opinion, without bashing. I never put down anyones decision to give their child an ivy education. I am the one paying the bill, so it is a decision that I must make that is right for me and my entire family. What if I have 3 other kids at home, that need an education also. Ivy leg. is wonderful, and if your kid worked hard for it, and you are willing to make the sacrifice, than congratulations to you. This whole conversation started because I asked for the full rides from the past and current knick players. I said to omit Ivys and D3, not because they are not worthy, but because they are not considered athletic scholarships. I am saying this based on the JN reporter, I believe it was Josh, who last year wrote an article about how Liz Flouks was the only D1 scholarship recipient. At the time, I don't think Goldner had decided. I thought that was odd, because up until I read that article, I considered IVY's a scholarship. The reporter said otherwise. As to my identity. I am not MM or a red fox parent. I would love to some day be a red fox parent, but for now I am a HVK supporter, who doesn't like to see my club or anyone from it put down. I responded when a knick supporter, Gags I believe,stated that the knick players were so much more superior to the HVK's players. The topic went way south after that. If I offended any D3 or Ivy future bball players or parents then I apoligize. I do not apoligize for supporting the HVK's. They have turned out many good players, including the Viani's, Stallings, and Shields, (one year only) getting 5 years of education, for free,(haha) at Pace. The future is bright for the current team with Moran, Tancredi, and newcomers.
Sorry I left out the udson Valley in the previous post, but it's from me.
Just for the record, only 6 players returned to the Lady Knick team with Porsha and Alaina. Their other guards sought out other AAU teams. I saw the Lady Knick vs. Knight game. The Knicks' guard play with Alaina and Porsha was very impressive!!
Hey MM, she is not good enough to play there. MAYBE a D3 school.
YOU are forgetting that Shields played for the Lady Knicks before she went to the Knights. Both teams are very good AAU
teams. Some people are hung up on their D-1 status. The real prize is at the end of the four years what you are able to do with the education you recieved from the school no matter what division it is.Both coaches have helped players get scholarships some more than others. It is not a smart choice to pick a school on basketball alone.I think Hudson Valley should just worry about his/her childs choice and not be concerened with everyone elses !! Why would you want a list of what D-1,D-2 scholarships. Some of the players have gotten their education paid for in full because of their academic hard work and will also be playing basketball in college- does this make them a less talented basketball player- I think not!! The exposure girls get from both of these teams is great.
As far as your previous post about Aguire being a "left over" I think you are way out of line- whatever school that is lucky to get this "left over" will be very fortunate. I have also questioned why Marist has not (I do not know for sure) shown any interest. SHE would have been a great choice comming from a strong AA program playing against STRONG competition. I along with many others wish her only the best where ever she goes. So watch your bashing of players!
I am going to search my very large brain to come up with a list of players from the Knicks who are playing basketball in college.
Please give me some time because, as you know, I have a lot of area to cover!
Let me remind all of you that I am doing this voluntarily.
I cannot and will not accept any monetary compensation for my work.
I am STRICTLY a volunteer.
Thank God there are people like you in the world.You make it easier for people to sleep -letting people know who got
scholarships from the Lady Knicks- Thanks again!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I am sure that I have forgetten someone so please write in if you can add names
Ex-Lady Knicks from the past few years and their colleges:
Lauren O Conner – Springfield
Angela Pace – Robert Morris
Kristi Dini – Boston University
Tara Flaherty – Fairfield
Jenna Franciosa – Manhattan
Megan Barnum – Qunnipiac
Amy Vokel – St Rose
Elise Bronzo – Cornell
Emma Markley – Harvard
Jackie Alemany – Harvard
Kristina Freeman – Gannon
Julie Kleber – Gannon
Carey Hickey – Manhattanville
Joanna McNellis – Rochester
Anthea Chambers – Dominican
Plus I know there is another at Dominican and one at NYU but I can't remember the names.
I think Ashley McCauley had basketball offers but she is playing another sport.
OK folks, you have all strayed way off course with the AAU Club comparisons. Enough already. Each one has positives and negatives, but the bottom line is that our female basketball players get exposure, make close friendships, learn the value of hard work, and have fun.
The original issue was the fact that for two years in a row, the "Adams Family Connection" managed to lobby hard for, and have success in getting their White Plains players voted POY in the Journal News. This, despite the fact that Brittany Shields '08, and Jackie Allemany '07 were clearly the best basketball players in the area. Case closed.
I disagree Jackie Allemany was not the best in 07 nothing personal but she was not. Sorry Vet but you are wrong on that one.
Hey Vet,
What positives did we hear about any other AAU clubs?
For the record, the Adams family lives in Rye and the Munsters live in White Plains.
BBall mom:
You are wrong to say that the POY selections this year and last year were incorrect and if you saw all 4 players play in those respective years and if you judged with a learned eye (as did the panel of coaches who voted for the awards in both years) you would not say that. And if you polled the coaches who voted for the awards I would defy you to find a single one that would say that Coach Adams called to lobby anyone concerning these awards. And knowing of the reputations of these coaches, I submit that they could not be "lobbied" by anyone about their choices.
It is one thing to maintain a sour grapes position when your "favorite" player doesn't get an award, it is quite another to post ad hominem attacks on a well respected head coach and a panel of similarly well regarded coaches that I believe have far too much class to respond.
Timster and Smokey- You said it all! I agree totally. Every year is hard to pick that one player but the panel did it. Vet mom give it up! Especially bringing up last year give up already.
Josh,
On the panel of coaches that vote for JN Player of the Year, what coaches voted, and from what class (not conference) did they represent?
Here is the panel: Erik Bartell, Dobbs Ferry; Jerry Fioretti, Mahopac; Don Hamlin, Briarcliff; Manny Martinez, Blind Brook; Tim Pitrulle, Maria Regina; Dan Ricci, Ossining; Kelly Thompson, Putnam Valley; Mike Tracy, Edgemont; Luke Vaccaro, Scarsdale; Patrice Wallace-Moore, Mount Vernon; Beth Wooters, Ursuline.
There are four Conference I coaches; one Conference II coach; three Conference III coaches; two Conference IV coaches; and one CHSAA coach.
Class AA: 5
Class A: 0
Class B: 4
Class C: 1
CHSAA: 1
Josh- Why no A coaches? And alot of B and Double A?
confused…To me, it's more important to get the coaches broken down by conference (that's what the majority of the schedule is based on) and to get get coaches who see a lot of games. As I said a couple weeks ago, if you're someone who I see drive to games on your free time just to check out a good game, you're probably someone who has a good perspective on who the best players are. Right?
maybe just a thought maybe you should change it up year to year. Not always the same. Just a thought. I think you are doing a great job Josh. I have no child playing just a fan. Keep up the good work.
confused…I was cognizant of that to a point, and did change some of the panel from last year. It's clear many of you don't trust that I asked the right coaches, and that's a shame.
Remember: If I talked to different coaches, it doesn't mean the results would be different. It also doesn't mean they'll be more "accurate." There's no way to make everyone happy.
Josh- You are reading me wrong. I know its not easy to do. I was just saying mix it up form year to year and you said you did so thats good. I trust you and I know you are doing your best I have had kids in this program not now and believe me they are lucky to have you although one of my kids had Jane mcmanus spelling might not be right and she did a great job. She did not have to contend with a blog not sure thats good or bad might be another debate?
Is a 100 comments a record on the blog Josh?
Too many hammers and not enough nails
Josh based on the coaches that selected the player of the year shields never had a chance with 5 coaches from AA and 1 from class c shields never played against any of the in AA coaches this year. How many of the AA coaches voted 4 shields?My guess is ricci was the one that voted for both?
I'm not going to disclose the coach's votes. The votes, however, did not go along class lines, so that wasn't a factor.
Josh I'm not asking the coaches names just if shields received any votes from the AA coaches.
yes.
can you repost the lists..the links are not working..thanks