OK folks, as we all know tomorrow is the day where we find out the brackets for the Section 1 tournament so I’m tasking you all with a challenge… make your own brackets.
I’ll give you a set of parameters and I would like you all to fill out the seeds.
Then I’ll let you know tomorrow, after the seeding meeting.
In Class AA, I want you all to predict seeds 1-20. I want to see what you all think but don’t just go off of records, put some thought into this and factor in strength of schedule based on this… the teams that they play out of area.
In Class A, predict seeds 1-20. Put some thought into this as well but the strength of schedule goes like this… playing a higher class (ie: Pearl River playing North Rockland twice.
In Class B, predict seeds 1-16. Follow the same SOS as Class A.
In Class C, since there usually aren’t that many teams in that tournament so go 1-5. But the SOS is the same as Class A and B.
Remember, I’ll be posting the blog info Wednesday after the meeting so hop to it people.
19 Comments
A lot to think about but, just quickly my guess for at least the top 5 in class AA will b, this is based on the new formula for seeding that they are doing this year and a quick glance at everyones results.
1 RCK
2 North Rockland
3 Arlington
4 Ursuline
5 White Plains
My guess is RCK will take it all, because we have been crushed by Ursuline twice it would seem natural to not want them to take the section but the truth is , they so deserve it.They truly are amazing so my hopes are with them.
My predictions for Class AA:
1. North Rockland – Simply beacuse there 3 losses were to Pearl River (1st game of the year) and 2 in the Morabito Tournament. No other Class AA team in Section 1 has faced the schedule that North Rockland did this year.
2. RC Ketcham – Taking nothing away from Leagues 2-1 and 4-A, but in my opinion, League 1-A (with the exception of Lourdes, was the toughest Class AA league in Section 1). RC Ketcham gets the 2 seed over Arlington simply based on the 2 splitting this year and Ketcham beating Harrsion the other day.
3. Arlington – Again, same reasons used above. Arlington faced a tough challenge within their league. Although I would say that Arlington could have played a tougher Non-League schedule than they did (Heck, Monroe Woodbury out of Section 9 was HORRIBLE this year).
4. Ursuline – Some really quality wins this year for the Lady Koalas gives them the #4 slot. I don’t like the fact that Ursuline finishes the regular season against Lincoln of Yonkers. Facing Lincoln is like facing North Rocklands Modified Team (no offense to Lincoln, but it is a fact). HOPEFULLY, the Ursuline Coach will try to get a scrimmage in against someone really really good, like maybe Harrison, just before Sectionals start.
5. White Plains – If the Lady Tigers got a few breaks this year in some of the games that they lost, they might have been a #2 seed. But, unfortunately they did not and thus the reason why they get the #5 seed. HOWEVER, White Plains will be a very dangerous team come sectionals and I would not want to face them.
6. Clarkstown North – This team has come on strongly as the season ended. Very good hitting and very good pitching. If their defense plays up to the level that their hitting and pitching are, they, too, could be a dangerous team in sectionals.
7. Scarsdale – Another team who played a really tough schedule, especially non-league. It is really tough for the good teams in League 2-1 to play some of the bottom rung teams and then have to face a White Plains or Ursuline the next day.
8. John Jay (East Fishkill) – Again, JJEF had to play in League 1-A with RC Ketcham, Arlington and Beacon (who plays down in Class A for Sectionals). Then, Coach Schilling goes out and plays the toughest Non-League schedule of any of the teams in their league and takes their lumps. Another dangerous team come sectionals that no one will want to play against.
9. Mamaroneck – Finished the regular season with some really quality wins. Lets see if the magic continues in Sectionals.
10. Clarkstown South – Some really tough losses for this team. If the ball bounces some other way in a couple of their games and they would have a higher seed.
11. New Rochelle – This team is playing together as a complete unit. They might not be the most talented team in Section 1 – Class AA, but don’t take anything away from their grit and determination.
I will stop at this point because I do not know that the next 9 or 10 teams in Class AA will have that great of an impact on Sectionals. I am not a believer of having teams with a sub .500 record play in Sectionals. But, again, I am old school when it comes to this. So, basically you will have almost every Class AA team in the Section playing in the Sectionals. With this in mind, you will see some early blow outs after all the play in games are completed (ie: 1 vs. 16, 2 vs. 15, 3 vs. 14, etc, etc.)
My prediction for Class AA is simple. There are a number of teams with talented rosters, no holes in the lineup, etc. I won’t pick among them in a one-game elimination tournament but I will predict that, in the end, coaching will be the difference; i.e., teams will win and teams will lose because of good or bad coaching, not because the winning team is necessarily more talented.
H.L. what do you see for class A. And debbie how do you see one pitcher three times when i dont think you ever seen any of brewster’s pitchers. Again we dont bite north of westchester thank you
Class A:
1) Harrison – No doubt about it. They have proven all season long to be the “Creme of the Crop” They deserve the #1 spot
2) Pearl River – Another no brainer. I see a really good potential show down in the Sectional Class A Semi Final between Beacon vs. Pearl River. Will Pearl River show Beacon a taste of Rockland County Softball?
3) Beacon – Also a no brainer. Playing in a Predominate Class AA League, Beacon had a great great season. Depending upon some of the seading, Beacon could be the #2 with PR getting the #3. Again, a potential Class A Semi Final showdown could await Beacon and Pearl River. Will this potential game allow the fans and supporters of Beacon Softball to show the rest of Section 1 what Beacon is all about this year?
4) Eastchester – A very dangerous team that could easily beat any of the 3 teams listed above.
5) Hen Hud – Another “Sleeper” team that a number of people are not looking at. Could surprise a team or two.
6) Yorktown – I believe that Yorktown plays in Class A (and not Class AA) this year.
7) Brewster – Played a BRUTAL schedule this year and it will be interesting to see how they fare in the Class A Sectionals
8) Pelham – Another interesting team who is well coached but not the type of Pelham team we have been used to seeing in the past.
I will again pass on the others as I think that having 20 teams in Class A waters down the tournament somewhat.
Eastchester should be higher than 4. Beat Pearl River and Yorktown. Had tough losses To Koala’s and Tappan Zee. Scrimmaged North Rockland earlier in the year to a 1-1 tie. Again, seems like Eastchester gets no respect. I guess we will see how it all plays out on the field. Good Luck to all the teams.
Runon,
Awww Thanks for the nice compliment to the Ursuline team. I’m not sure which team you root for, but good luck to your team in the playoffs!!!!
I think Eastchester is a lock for the number 3 seed.
It is a point system and they have more points than the other teams mentioned aside from Harrison and Pearl River. And I agree with J Girl that Eastchester is definitely one of the top A teams.
HL we haven’t butted heads so far this year so that is a good thing. lol
Today’s game against Lincoln was a rain make-up that needed to be played to decide our league champion.
The Lincoln team is a great bunch of girls, they made some nice catches in the outfield today, especially the right fielder.
It’s really going to be an all out struggle for the sectional title, especially in AA, anybody could capture the crown. As far as A goes, between Harrison, Pearl River, Beacon and Brewster it could really be anyone’s day! I am unsure as to how Classes B and C will pan out. Although, I am a little anxious/hopeful for a Northern Westchester/Putnam/Dutchess team to win simply because they NEVER get near enough coverage as other team or enough credit.
hallie
you seem pretty knowledgeable about the workings of seedings etc in section 1 sball. are you a coach,former player, sport reporter?
JGIRL, r u a JGIRL
4theluvofsball – I played Varsity Softball “many years ago” having played at Ardsley High School for Coach Pete Acampora. Also played Collegiately at St. Bonaventure also many years ago. Love the game and love how all of the girs of “this era” work so hard to improve their game.
Koala Fan – Yep, amazingly we had a “peaceful year” LOL : )
Didn’t know that this was a make up game. I am sure that Lincoln did their best, but based upon the score, it wasn’t much of a challenge for Ursuline yesterday, thus the reason why I mentioned about the possibility that the Ursuline Coach set up a scrimmage before their first round game. ALSO – Great game yesterday between Clarkstown South and Arlington. Another reason why the Top 10 or 11 teams in Class AA will certainly have a shot of knocking each other off at any given time.
hallie,
thanks, nice to hear an independent voice this year. Agreed, the girls who work hard at training year round have taken hs sball to another level..
Were will a Team like Sleepy Fall they could be dangerous, not dangerous enough to win it but to upset a higher seed.
Debbie – Will you be posting all of the Sectional Brackets (AA, A, B, & C) once they are announced? (Did I hear correctly that the meeting was scheduled for 10 AM this morning?) or will we have to wait until your appearance on the VC Chat Show this evening?
Hallie L. The seedings are out. It would be nice if Debbie, or someone who knows them could put them out before tonights V.C. Chat..