I know you guys are slightly worried about the blog; but have no fear. I will be posting a lot. But I’d love to hear what you guys think in each class. So I’m going to put you guys to task: I want to hear your top five picks in each class. But there’s a catch… give me your reasoning for each.
Let the predicting begin!
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I’d love to predict some top teams, but with teams moving up and down classes in sectionals seems to make the situation a little bit messy. Playing lower class teams hurts your ratings for teams like Pearl River that move up for sectionals (although I don’t think that will particularly affect Peral River).
These are some particular teams that will be successful this spring:
A/AA (bigger schools)
Arlington, Ketcham, White Plains, Suffern
(A, B? decreasing in size)
Pearl River, Albertus Magnus, Eastchester, Brewster, Kennedy Catholic, Lourdes, Put Valley
(Smallest schools)
Haldane, Dobbs Ferry
It will be interesting to see how the pitching holds up this year considering the fact that during sectional and regional play, teams will be playing double headers. Obviously this will give teams with only one pitchers a disadvantage but it will also give teams a chance to get hot off a half descent pitcher allowing any team to beat any other.
OK I’ll go first. Admittedly, I don’t know about all of the teams particularly Dutchess and the smaller schools but, here goes.
Class C: Haldane, Valhalla, and North Salem. These three teams seem to go far year after year. I don’t know the teams very well but, I give the edge to Haldane with Chelsea Lisikatos in the circle again this year.
Class B: Magnus, Dobbs Ferry, Westlake,JFK. Again I did not see these teams play last year but, Magnus and JFK will have their top pitchers returning from last year so I have to give those two the edge.
Class A: Tappan Zee, Brewster, Pearl River, Lakeland, Eastchester. Each of these teams are returning many of their top players from last year and are the most balanced with pitching, hitting and defense. Sleeper team Harrison.
Class AA: I’m not going to list the team I root for (fear of jinxing the season), so I won’t say Ursuline.
North Rockland, Arlington, Scarsdale, White Plains JJEF. I can’t say Yorktown even though I think Coach Melikian is a great coach. There were so many Seniors on the team last year that I don’t know who the new players will be. North Rockland has two very good pitchers and can hit the ball. Arlington lost their Senior pitcher but, have Emmie Dolfi moving into the circle so they should be good again. White Plains and JJEF are always good but, I did not see either play. Also, watch out for C. North (good hitters) and New Ro should make the playoffs this year too. I know Debbie said 5 teams but, some are too close to call. I didn’t say JJCR either because they have been so strong over the years, I don’t know who will be the new pitcher in place of Gaby Torzilli. I guess only time will tell.
Koala fan,
I know I said five but in something like AA if there’s a lot of top teams you can go over.
I just want to make it know that when we get a little closer to the start of the season, I will reveal my top 5 picks for the season in each class.
There are not any doubleheaders scheduled for Sectional Tournament play. Only Class B & Class C will play a Super-Regional format. Section One’s Class B & C Champion will play the Section 9 Champions at Mitchell Field (Section 8) and the two winners in each respective class will play the winners of Section 8 vs. Section 11 games immediately following the conclusion of the first games.
The comment should read (Section 8). Section 8 is located on Long Island.
Debbie – What happened to Coach Walsh at Eastchester? He is basically a NYS HS Hall of Fame Softball Coach, having coached at Eastchester HS for almost 30 years, and capturing 2 State titles along the way. I think he may have retired from teaching which then, by contract, opens the Softball job to any qualified teacher, to take the job. But did Coach Walsh want to give up the job? You don’t just replace a legend, despite the Union Contract protocols. Do you know what has happened? If he was ‘forced out’ that is very very sad.
Debbie. Are you or Jane going to be covering any of the upcoming scrimmages ?
Joe B~
Unfortunately, we’re not going to make any scrimmages but I can speak for Jane when I say I am looking forward to the start of the season.
hotdog37~
I’m not totally certain what happened at Eastchester with Coach Walsh and I don’t want to speculate. Let’s not start any rumors about what happened all right?
Are you going to be covering any Yonkers High School games. Iwonder if pitcher Marianna Monaco is their only pitcher and in 8th grade!?
I’m not commenting on what happened in Eastchester, because I don’t know anything about it, but that rule that teachers have first shot at coaching jobs is ridiculus and counterproductive.
I thought it was a school district rule, if it’s in the union contracts teachers should be ashamed of themselves. Everytime their contracts are up they talk about what best for the kids, “we need more money, because that attracts the most qualified teachers, and that’s best for the kids”, “we need more jobs, because lower student to teacher ratio is best for the kids” blah blah blah. How is hiring less qualified people simply because they’re teachers better for anyone. Oh I forgot, it’s better for the teachers, and that’s what most of them really seem to care about
I take exception with your rationale. And please stop generalizing. If a teacher is not qualified to coach, why would an athletic director hire that person? Also understand that there are a number of courses/certifications that must be earned as well as background investigations/fingerprinting that some “qualified, non teachers” may not be able to get past. In that case its not a case of “Oh I forgot, its better for the teachers, and thats what most of them really seem to care about” its about the kids.
I would like to make a comment about Eastchester. Not about Coach Walsh or anything derogatory. Last year many bashed Eastchester for playing a weak schedule. Their schedule of add-in games is much tougher this year so good job to whomever took care of that. Good luck in your season Eagles!
When are the spring sports previews going to be published in the paper, and more specifically the softball one?
i think kennedy will win the section this year. They are lead by the ultimate pitcher in Devon Disienna. The girl is human pitching machine. Also they have a new recurit. Tennis star Sarah Viebrock, I know hard to believe this Qunnipiac bound tennis star is getting her glove out and playing and shes good. She is currently dating kennedys own basketball player Dan Hoter. Viebrock can play ultimately play any position. You may think this posts a joke but it isnt Watch out for kennedy catholic
Now that the teams are ready, can someone let mother nature know…
Who you play is overrated. Its how you play.
Debbie or Jane When will game coverage start. Mahopac is at Eastchester today. Good story new coach, new era for Eastchester softball.
P
I would hope an Athletic Director would not hire an unqualified person to coach a varsity sport, but qualified does not make you “the most qualified”, and by requiring that teachers be hired you may not be getting the most qualified.
And as for the lower levels of school athletics, I have seen UNqualified coaching at the modified and freshman level.
OK that’s enough.
I don’t want people speculating or spreading anything regarding what happened at Eastchester. No one, unless you were either there or involved, knows the truth. Let’s not make any accusations here and keep the boards to the 2009 season.
Let’s keep to the fact that the season has started. That’s all I ask.
Debbie – We weren’t talking about Eastchester, we were talking about a policy that most if not all schools have…
Sarah Viebrocx is a force. However “Kennedy” does not what what he or she is talking about. Dan Hoter did not play basketball but rather watched it, hence his back to back winning of the coveted “Most Valuable Section 1 Bench Player.” Although Viebrock is overrated at tennis anyways so maybe picking up the mit was a good decision. Any thoughts?
Dan Hoter of Kennedy did not actually play basketball but rather watched from the bench this past season hence “Bench Player of The Year” Honors. However his lifelong companion Sarah “The FUPA” Viebrock is a stunning athlete. Her tennis career is rather overly hyped, so maybe picking up the mit was not such a bad idea after all. Any thoughts?
Also Shannon Connor of Kennedy Catholic has a cannon and should cause for some serious matchup issues both in the field and at the plate. Her “me-first” attitude and selfishness will most certainly carry the team especially in the postseason. Best of luck girls!