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KDJ: Ranking the Section 1 title contenders
Devaney's Class AA Top 10
| RANK | TEAM | REC | LW | COMMENTS | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1 | John Jay-EF | 16-4 | - |
Why they can win: Top to bottom, this team has the most talent in the section. The pitching is rich and veterans Mike Laffin, Tyler Kardas and John Repetto are poised for a big postseason. |
|
2 | Ketcham | 16-4 | - |
Why they can win: The defending champs have a winning attitude, plus the best pitcher in the section (Seth Lamando) and the best hitter (also Lamando). Leaving men on base has been a slight problem. They must overcome that. |
|
3 | Arlington | 13-7 | - |
Why they can win: The Admirals played outstanding baseball in the second half and are the most feared team in the bracket. They don’t have the pitching of the teams ahead of them. But this lineup will wear you down quickly. |
|
4 | Suffern | 15-5 | - |
Why they can win: Confidence was high on this team even before sweeping North Rockland in the final week of the season to claim the league title. The Mounties have the pitching depth to win it all. |
| 5 | Mahopac | 14-5-1 | - |
Why they can win: Balance is everything for the Indians. There are so many people in the lineup that can beat you, led by Elliot Haight, and Kevin Kernan, Matt Bass and Dylan Jorde are all No. 1-caliber pitchers. | |
|
6 | North Rockland | 15-5 | - |
Why they can win: Go back in all five of their losses and you can pinpoint one play or even a pitch that lost them the game. They’ve grown tougher from that and enter the playoffs confident. |
|
7 | Mamaroneck | 15-5 | - |
Why they can win: Game in game out, the Tigers haven’t faced quite the schedule of the teams ahead of them. They have a bonafide ace in Michael Williams and an elite bat in Matt Mezansky. But seeding will be key. |
| 8 | Carmel | 15-3-1 | - |
Why they can win: First and foremost, the Rams are hot. They won their final six games and are 13-1 since being swept by Mahopac in mid-April. Carmel has maybe the best stable of arms in Class AA. | |
|
9 | Fox Lane | 14-5 | - |
Why they can win: History and a proven track record. The Foxes always peak in the postseason, and this group has faced a daunting schedule and is a better team for it. |
|
10 | New Rochelle | 16-4 | - |
Why they can win: The Huguenots have a potent lineup, led by Phil DiBuono and Jayson Gray. If they can tighten up things defensively they’ll be a factor in the postseason. |
Devaney's Class A Top 10
| RANK | TEAM | REC | LW | COMMENTS | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1 | Kennedy Catholic | 14-6 | - |
Why they can win: The wealth of hitters, especially from the left-side, is unmatched and the Gaels have groomed a tremendous staff of young pitchers. They’re poised for a deep run. |
|
2 | Harrison | 16-4 | - |
Why they can win: There isn’t a better rotation in Class A than Max Bruckner, Mike Forgione and Luke Sassano. They’ve been dominant all season. If the hitters come through, Harrison is title worthy. |
|
3 | Somers | 13-6-1 | - |
Why they can win: This is a seasoned group that has enough players back from last year’s run to the finals to know what it takes. Joe Scambia leads what might be the best lineup in the bracket. |
|
4 | Beacon | 14-6 | - |
Why they can win: The Bulldogs may be the most battle-tested team in the conference. They have plenty of power, led by the region’s top underclassmen in Tony Romanelli, and an ace in Dan Golembiewski. |
|
5 | Tappan Zee | 12-8 | - |
Why they can win: Well, they have won before. Last year the Dutchmen made a run to the title as No. 11 seed. While this is a different team, they play with the same loose and gritty style. History could repeat itself? |
|
6 | Pearl River | 13-7 | - |
Why they can win: The Pirates may be the best defensive team in Class A and they have a slew of capable arms. They’ll need to hit better than they have of late. But the potential is there. |
|
7 | Lakeland | 12-8 | - |
Why they can win: The whole picked Lakeland to repeat at champs last year and they went down in the first round. This squad has played solid baseball of late. Beating Kennedy last week showed they can match up with anyone. |
| 8 | Byram Hills | 12-8 | - |
Why they can win: Andrew Slosberg. The senior right-hander has been exceptional all season. He obviously can’t pitch every game. But his presence makes Byram an incredibly confident bunch. | |
|
9 | Yonkers | 18-2 | - |
Why they can win: Because nobody will pick the to even get out of the first round — and they’re thriving on the underdog role. Yonkers is the No. 1 seed at 18-2. They hit 1 thru 9 and have several capable pitchers. |
|
10 | Ardsley | 14-6 | - |
Why they can win: Sleeper alert. The Panthers are hot and learned late in the year how to win close games. This is a clutch-hitting bunch that plays solid defense. Pitching, which they've done well of late, will be key. |
Tri-State lacrosse Top 20: Week 7
HV/WE power rankings: Spring sports
All-Metro boys and girls basketball: 2012-13
All-HV/WE teams: Winter 2012-13
