Move over Lou Kliewe. Rockland County is about to have a new John Wooden.

Yesterday’s 63-44 win by Pearl River over Clarkstown North was the 447th career W for Pirates coach Lorraine Moylan. That is also the number of wins held by Kliewe, the all-time winningest basketball coach in county history—girls or boys.

Pearl River’s next game is Sunday at home against Minisink Valley. Win then and she would stand alone with 448 wins.

Moylan is 447-121 over a career that includes two state championships Albertus Magnus and a sectional title at Pearl River. Considering that title came last year, and considering she’s won the last two Rockland Coach of the Year awards from The Journal News, the woman is obviously at the top of her game. When she’s through, that wins record is going to be awfully hard to catch.

Lou Kliewe retired in 1995 after 35 years of coaching boys hoops at Albertus Magnus and Spring Valley. He remains the only person to coach a Rockland boys team to a state title, which he did with Spring Valley in 1982. He died in 2007 at the age of 72.

I’m curious what observers think of Moylan as a coach. Anybody want to share thought you have on her career or coaching style?

What a shooting display tonight from the Tappan Zee Dutchies, and Megan Curran (pictured below) in particular. Most of the time when basketball teams live on the perimeter they get themselves into trouble. At some point they get cold, they can’t rebound misses because they’re all 20 feet from the basket, and the other team that’s generating more sustainable offense pulls away. This isn’t the NBA where teams can stay hot for a whole game.

So it was amazing to watch TZ keep launching from the outside, and keep hitting. It felt like every shot was at or near the 3-point line. I went back and checked after the game and sure enough, it was true. Tappan Zee hit 22 fields goals against Nanuet. Two were fast-break layups. Four were putbacks off misses. Of the remaining 16 field goals—that is, any basket that came off a half-court play—14 were jump shots. Thirteen were long jump shots. Long being defined as, let’s say, 17 feet or more.

The shots just kept falling. You couldn’t leave anyone open (especially Curran, who I’ll get to in a second) or they burned you. Except for one dry spell in the early second quarter, they kept at it for a 62-48 win over Nanuet. This was important not only for the opponent they beat but the fact that two other Rockland teams watched them do it because it was the finale of the North Rockland tournament.

Curran was incredible. The sophomore guard scored 28 on 10 of 17 shooting to easily set a career high.

Curran even got the honor of a box-and-1 defense for a little while. As coach Reid Hoffer pointed out, box-and-1s are usually reserved for superstars.

The hot hand isn’t going to last, and I think TZ knows that. What I think it can build on is the fact that these shots weren’t taken with hands in their faces. The shooter always had a little space, which is incredible when you remember that all they did was shoot from the outside. It’s a credit to the ball movement around the perimeter, which was initiated by freshman point guard Regina Argenzio (right). Argenzio’s presence has been a boon because she knows where to get the ball and it allows Jacqueline Pollack to play off it.

A couple other observations about the win:

— Bench center Val DiMuro was a quiet hero. Nanuet was pulling away 28-20 in the second quarter as K.C. Jentzen was drawing fouls inside and TZ was getting killed on the glass. DiMuro came in and immediately started gobbling up offensive rebounds. She had three stickbacks in the four minutes before halftime to get the game tied again. Her size gave the game a different feel.

— Kiera Brady (11 points, eight boards, five blocks) and Meagan Carley adapted to Jentzen very well. Like I said, Nanuet’s mobile forward was killing them for the first part of the game. She scored 12 of her 15 over the first 13 minutes. But those two defenders clamped down and limited her damage. Pollack also did a nice job on Lauren Kahn.

Nyack beat North Rockland 39-28 in the consolation game. I promised to talk about North Rockland’s struggles, and I want to do that in more than just a paragraph, so I’ll get into that tomorrow with no games on the schedule.

Besides the Slam Dunk, two other local tourneys went on today. In the championship at Carmel, Gillian Felix’s 20 points and 18 boards carried Mahopac over Brewster 62-56. Some of our readers think the officiating was less than stellar. Carmel won the consolation over Kennedy. My question is, why didn’t Haldane get the fourth invite to make it an all-Putnam tournament?

On the other side of the river, Nanuet beat Nyack and TZ beat North Rockland to advance in the North Rockland tournament. N-Rock is really struggling. I’ll be at the championship and consi games tomorrow so maybe I can diagnose why to those of you who are as curious as me.

Here’s the full complement of games.

Peekskill 46, Millbrook 21: In the third round of the Dutchess County Holiday Classic at Spackenkill High School, Kiana Letsinger and Sheridan Taylor each scored nine points for the Red Devils. Tasia Nolan added eight points.
Mahopac 62, Brewster 56: In the finals of the Carmel tournament, Gillian Felix had 20 points and 18 rebounds for the Indians. Jessie Kavana added 17 points. Devon Quattrocchi scored 20 points and Emily Tapio add 18 for the Bears.
Carmel 56, Kennedy 43: In the consolation game of the Carmel tournament, Kim Broccoli and Marie Mullen each scored 18 points for the Rams. Brittany Horne added nine points. Allison Santini led the Gaels with 12 points.
Nanuet 53, Nyack 31: In the first round of the North Rockland tournament, Lauren Kahn scored 19 points for the Golden Knights. K.C. Jentzen added 12 points. Caroline Chesterman scored 12 points for the Indians. Nanuet will play Tappan Zee today at 7 p.m. in the championship game. Nyack will play North Rockland today at 5 p.m. in the consolation game.
Blessed Sacrament 76, A. Phillip Randolph 50: In the consolation game of the IS 219 tournament, Lynda Fields had 21 points and five assists for the Cardinals. Teammate Tara Fearon had 11 points and 10 rebounds.
Tappan Zee 48, North Rockland 41: In the first round of the North Rockland tournament, Kiera Brady had 17 points and eight rebounds for the Dutchies. Meagan Carley 10 points and eight rebounds. Jen McSharar scored 15 points for the Red Raiders. Tappan Zee will play Nanuet today at 7 p.m. in the championship game. North Rockland will play Nyack today at 5 p.m. in the consolation game.

Quite a stretch of games for Albertus. Yesterday it was Greece-Athena, an excellent team from Rochester. Today it was Lourdes, the favorite to win Class AA in Section 1. There’s a week off before the Falcons travel to Briarcliff, the Class B state champion that looks ready to repeat. Then it’s a visit from Class A champion Pearl River. Finally, the Falcons entertain unbeaten Irvington.

In Josh’s latest top 10, Lourdes is ranked 3rd, Briarcliff 1st, Irvington 6th, and Pearl River 7th. As of Sunday morning, the record of the five teams combined was 29-1. The only loss was by Pearl River to Briarcliff.

Of course you can add two more losses now that Greece-Athena and Lourdes ran into Albertus. If anyone is up for the challenge of facing those five nasty opponents in a row, it’s the Falcons. When it’s over they’d like to have handed four teams their first defeat.

Yesterday they needed an incredible comeback to knock off Greece-Athena. Down 17 points in the third and 14 in the fourth they won 62-58 to advance to the championship of the Slam Dunk. No amazing feats needed today. They beat Lourdes 65-47 in a game that wasn’t exactly a blowout, but wasn’t in doubt either.

Felicia DaCruz’s 10-point flurry to start the second half put them up 15 points, and the lead never got into single digits after that. Lourdes tried to press but DaCruz and Katelyn Spicer (left), the primary ballhandlers, beat it every time. They’d push up court and feed Alaina Walker for transition hoops that just inflated the lead more.

DaCruz and Walker had 21 points apiece. Walker got tournament MVP. I’m sure there’s no room left on her trophy case so you can probably buy the big hunk of plastic for $7.50 and a soda.

Now it’s a week off before they go to Briarcliff on Tuesday. Expect a huge crowd for that one. Both teams have been talking about it since preseason. There’s already a history because of last year’s sectional championship. It appears now that they also happen to be the two best teams in Section 1.

There’s an early favorite for Game of the Year.

This morning at the County Center two amazing teams took the floor. Greece-Athena is the four-time defending Section 5 Class AA champion. Albertus Magnus is, well, you don’t need me to tell you about them or Alaina Walker. Neither team had a loss.

They battled back and forth for a half, trading baskets and leads. Greece-Athena completely took over in the third quarter, going up by as many as 17. The Trojans ran their offense to perfection while Albertus was missing everything. A spectacular first half had given way to a stinker at one end. Entering the fourth quarter the lead was 14.

Would you believe Albertus won the game? Somehow, against an exceptionally-talented and exceptionally-coached opponent, the Falcons stormed back for a 62-58 triumph. It was a win these players will remember for a long time. I know I’ll be talking about it for a while. I find it hard to be impressed by a team as great as Albertus because there’s not much they can do that I haven’t seen out of them. Today, in the first round of the Slam Dunk tournament, I was impressed.

The comeback belonged to two players — Walker and guard Maura Power (pictured right, although not from today). They combined for Albertus’s first 25 points of the fourth quarter. Both girls outscored Greece-Athena by themselves in the fourth — a quarter the Falcons dominated 28-10.

After Power sunk a couple of 3s, Trojans coach Mike Butler yelled to his girls to come out on the shooter.
Last year he would have been more right than he knew. Power has been mostly a 3-point specialist during her varsity career. Not this year. She said in preseason she was making a concerted effort to drive more so she wouldn’t be as easy to defend. She heard Butler’s command and anticipated the defender would be in her face. When the defender got close she drove baseline and converted a smooth layup that I don’t think she ever would have taken in previous years. Her aggressiveness also earned her three trips to the line in the quarter.

The go-ahead basket was Walker’s tremendous acrobatic stick-back with her back practically to the basket. That happened with 2:05 left and put them up 56-55. It was a mind-boggling event considering how much the game had gotten away from them in the third. Coach Joe McGuinness must have called four timeouts in an effort to stop the bleeding. Nothing worked. Until something just clicked in that fourth quarter.

Walker led all scorers with 22. Power had 13, all in the final quarter. Felicia DaCruz also had 13.

Big guard Sarah Alwardt scored 21 for Greece-Athena. Freshman Nicole Bini added 16.

Between the comeback, the nip-and-tuck first half, the talent level on the court, and the discipline on both ends that was clearly a product of coaching, I don’t anticipate watching a better game this season. All it was missing was a winning shot at the buzzer. It’s hard to overstate how smart both of these teams were. Combined, they forced maybe three poor shots. The defensive sets were superb. Hat’s off to both.

For the first time in three years, the champion of the Yorktown tournament is…(drumroll)…Yorktown! Maggie Natell had 12 points and 10 boards and hit the tying layup with less than two minutes to go. Ann Kelsey followed with the go-ahead bucket on the next possession. ‘Town went on to beat Putnam Valley 43-37.

After Putnam Valley won yesterday I asked coach Kelly Thomson who she matched up better against, Yorktown or Somers. Definitely Somers, she said. Looks like that was right. Obviously her team had a lot of trouble scoring against Yorktown.

Lakeland’s defense bounced back in the consolation game. Yesterday Steve Fallo was exasperated about how players weren’t moving their feet, were reaching and creating fouls. They sent Put Valley to the line 37 times. Big turnaround today in the consolation game. Somers took just 11 free throws in a 49-22 loss. Lakeland’s offense was led again by Vicki Kowalski, who scored 15.

Lakeland is going to have to get used to playing without its 6-3 center Tori Jarosz. She’s out for at least another three games with a back injury, and probably more. If Fallo’s prediction of a mid-January return holds up it could be as many as eight more games. Between Kowalski, Kerry Johnson, and Kristin Pappalardo, there is enough talent to stay afloat. They have to guard against things like the lazy feet that submarined them against Putnam Valley.

In other action, Ossining opened the girls portion of the Slam Dunk tournament with a 76-55 win over Woodlands. This was the challenge game (basically just a stand-alone), which isn’t part of the greater tournament, so neither team will be back at the County Center.

Good thing they made an impression while they could. Alex Venuto hit eight 3-pointers on her way to 36 points, which tied a career-high set earlier this year. Teammate Hayley Awerdick had 19 points, 10 assists, and seven boards. Porsha Postell was spectacular as usual for Woodlands, scoring 34 with nine rebounds. Yet the Falcons dropped below .500 (3-4) despite having arguably the best player in the section.

The only other games were the opening round of the Carmel tournament, which are described below.

Mahopac 57, Kennedy 46: On the opening day of the Carmel tournament, Jessie Kavana led the Indians with 16 points. Bari Chavis added 13 points. Amanda Viteretti scored 16 points for the Gaels. Brewster will play Mahopac on Monday at 5 p.m. Carmel will face Kennedy at 7 p.m.
Brewster 72, Carmel 64: On the opening day of the Carmel tournament, Devon Quattrocci had 23 points, six assists and four steals for the Bears. Teammate Emily Tapio had 15 points and 18 rebounds. Marie Mullen had 24 points for the Rams.

By the singular magic of the internet, I come to you from the great state of California, where the governor once starred in classics such as “Junior” and a mudslide is more than just a tasty drink served during summertime.

Back in the LoHud, the paper published our first notebooks of the season today, and with it the first Westchester/Putnam and Rockland power rankings. Yet again, Rockland has a strong crop of teams. You may notice that by reading the following Top 10, which features a few clubs from the other side of the river injected smack in the middle of teams listed in my Westchester/Putnam rankings.

1. BRIARCLIFF (7-0): No fear! Excitement is on the horizon! The Bears host Albertus Magnus on Jan. 6 in what should be a battle between Nos. 1 and 2.

2. ALBERTUS MAGNUS (6-0): The Falcons can enter that clash on a roll if they win the Slam Dunk. It will be awfully tough considering the competition they will face.

3. OUR LADY OF LOURDES (6-0): First up is Cornwall, the Section 9 Class A champ, followed by Magnus and Greece Athena. I think it’s safe to say we’ll know more about the Warriors by Monday.

4. MOUNT VERNON (5-0): The Knights are still looking for their first challenge. A few are on the horizon in the new year.

5. OSSINING (7-2): The only blemishes on this resume were losses to No. 1 and No.3. Can’t fault Ossining for that.

6. IRVINGTON (5-0): It’s a shame the Rye tourney was canceled last week. The Bulldogs could’ve used the competition. But much like Mount Vernon, it’s coming.

7. PEARL RIVER (5-1): The Pirates have won five straight, including a conclusive victory over Nanuet. Their always-imposing schedule is very difficult in ‘09 and will include a date with Minisink Valley and big-time D-I recruit Stefanie Dolson.

8. NANUET (4-1): Fair is fair. Yes, the Golden Knights lost their one tough game against other Top 10s, but they’ve been strong otherwise. Still, they have yet to reach the heights they were at last December.

9. JOHN JAY-EAST FISHKILL (don’t know): I can hear the bellyaching now — this team will end up with one of the two or three best records heading into the Class AA playoffs, if not the best. The Patriots will have to ensure they remain sharp between now and then.

10. URSULINE (4-3): Chastise me if you must, I’m sticking with the Koalas for now. One day I feel they will reward my faith.

On the bubble: Scarsdale (4-1), New Rochelle (6-1), Hamilton (7-1).

Put Valley and the host Huskers advanced to tomorrow’s 5 p.m. championship game, where Yorktown will try to win its home tourney for the first time in a few years.

In the early game, Put Valley rode a huge free throw edge to a 51-46 victory over Lakeland. Lakeland hung in there until the final minute, which is commendable considering its many statistical disadvantages. Put Valley went 21 of 37 from the line, led by Nicole Scott’s 10 of 12, while Lakeland was 5 of 11. Put Valley outrebounded Lakeland 27-11 in the second half, led by Dana Tatnell’s 11 boards.

The only place the Hornets had an edge was the turnover department, but that soon dried up as well. After a rough first half with the ball Put Valley only had three giveaways in the third quarter.

Speaking of disadvantages, how about the fact that star center Tori Jarosz was in sweats for the second game in a row. Lakeland lost both games while allowing 50+ points in both, two things they didn’t do in three games with Jarosz. Vicky Kowalski was their high scorer with 16 points.

Scott (17 points) and Amanda DeChent (16) paced the Tigers.

The day’s second game was anything but close. Yorktown shut Somers out in the first quarter, and held Somers without a field goal until there were 37 seconds left in the half. Needless to say, the host won big, 63-25.

Maggie Natell had 18 points and 11 boards in a game that was over quickly. Somers just couldn’t hit a thing. And got whistled for more travels than I can count. It was strange because the Tuskers had won two in a row.

Those were on the back of senior guard Kelly Casey, who totaled 44 points in the two wins. She was the focus of Yorktown’s D. Boy did it ever work. Casey was held scoreless.

The consolation game is at 1 p.m. today.

One of the biggest surprises/disappointments of the season is North Rockland. North Rockland (0-4) is one of six LoHud schools without a win yet. Weird to see from a team that’s historically one of the best in Class AA.

The Red Raiders just haven’t found the basket consistently. Amanda Babcock has gotten some points but no one has scored more than 12 points in any game. That’s how they lost 35-34 to John Jay.

They’ll pick up a couple W’s once league play begins. But they’d rather not wait that long.

Enter the North Rockland tournament, where they’re hoping to break the O-fer. You know they’ll be playing hard in front of the big crowds on their home turf. The first round is Monday and it concludes Tuesday. They meet TZ at 7. The other first rounder is Nanuet vs Nyack at 5 p.m.

It’s not official yet, but it sure looks like Section 1 schools are about to undergo a massive league realignment.

And you thought sports was a refuge from the perils of the new economy.

It seems this recession has gotten its tentacles into high school sports as well, prompting a drastic response from Section 1 schools. Starting in the fall, the leagues for most sports are expected to be completely reconfigured. Geography, not school size or team competitiveness, will be the overriding factor. That means you could be seeing current Class C programs like Haldane in a league with Class AA programs like Ossining, because they’re both on Route 9.

While the teams will still split into their proper classes for playoffs, get ready to see a lot more blowouts than before. Especially in sports like hockey and lacrosse, where power leagues have kept games close until now. Now you’ll be seeing developmental teams getting murdered twice a year by elite teams.

I’m sure no AD is crazy about the idea, but economic realities make it necessary. Budgets have to be cut. Gas and other travel expenses cost thousands of dollars a season. The new alignment will greatly reduce travel time and distance.

Read Harold Gutmann’s story for all the details.