With the Section 1 girls basketball playoffs getting underway this week and the schedule having been published, lohud girls basketball reporter Stephen Haynes offers a quick breakdown of the brackets in each classification and some modest predictions.
We go into this with the understanding that a single-elimination tournament will have its surprises, a handful of upsets, and occasionally a Cinderella team will make a run. But, with the information gathered throughout the regular season, and factoring matchups and past success, we’ll take a shot at forecasting.
Class AAA
Best early-round matchup: No. 5 John Jay-East Fishkill at No. 4 Mamaroneck
The upset-minded team nobody wants to play: No. 6 Scarsdale
Easiest draw: No. 1 Albertus Magnus
Tough luck draw: No. 2 Arlington
Potential bracket breaker: No. 7 Ursuline
Tournament MVP candidates: Ellia Bailey, Sr., G, Arlington; Nico Cuba, Sr., G, John Jay-East Fishkill; Addie Dorfman, Sr., C, Mamaroneck; Ally Kaminski, Sr., F/G, Ketcham; McKayla McLoughlin, So., G, Port Chester; Abby Nadborny, Fr., G, Scarsdale; Sara Nezaj, So., G, Albertus Magnus; Julia Riina, Sr., G, Ursuline; Julia Scott, Sr., F, Albertus Magnus; Olivia Sliwa, So., F, Ursuline; Soukeyna Tounkara, Sr., G, Mamaroneck; Maddy Zuppe, Sr., G, Albertus Magnus
Who’s going to the County Center: No. 1 Albertus Magnus; No. 3 Ketcham; No. 4 Mamaroneck; No. 7 Ursuline
And the winner is: In the least surprising revelation since the announcement of water being wet, Albertus Magnus is the pick. The Falcons have won two consecutive state championships, have two Division I players in the lineup, and they’ve hammered Section 1 competition all winter.
Class AA
Best early-round matchup: No. 9 Clarkstown South at No. 8 Fox Lane
The upset-minded team nobody wants to play: No. 6 Suffern
Easiest draw: No. 2 Ossining
Tough luck draw: No. 3 Rye
Potential bracket breaker: No. 7 Lakeland
Tournament MVP candidates: Liliana Aguirre, So., G, Lakeland; Zoe Brodsky, Sr., F, Suffern; Ty’Asia Carver, Sr., G, Ossining; Grace Delaney, Fr., G, Suffern; Phoebe Greto, Sr., F, Rye; Fiona Kelleher, Sr., G, Mahopac; Lauren Leon, Jr., G, Brewster; Claire Schnecker, Sr., F, Ossining; Charlotte Storz, Fr., G, Rye; Carley Voce, Sr., F/G, Clarkstown South; Riley Waters, Jr., G, Lakeland
Who’s going to the County Center: No. 1 Nyack; No. 2 Ossining; No. 3 Rye; No. 4 Mahopac
And the winner is: Nyack has looked dominant and was far more consistent in the regular season, but Ossining charges into the postseason fresh off three big wins and brimming with confidence. These teams have similar strengths — versatile forwards and skilled playmakers — and love to push the pace. However, Ossining has been tested more, endured its growing pains, and seemingly hit its stride at the ideal time.
Class A
Best early-round matchup: No. 9 Bronxville at No. 8 Irvington
The upset-minded team nobody wants to play: No. 5 Pearl River
Easiest draw: No. 2 Pelham
Tough luck draw: No. 4 Pleasantville
Potential bracket breaker: Pearl River
Tournament MVP candidates: Maddie Becerra, So., G, Pleasantville; Madison Bortstein, Sr., G, Ardsley; Kayla Clinton, Sr., G, Irvington; Caitlin Dempsey, So., G, Pearl River; Adrianna D’Orio, Sr., G, Tappan Zee; Ellie Fahy, Jr., F, Bronxville; Brooke Green, So., F, Pelham; Julia Junkovic, So., F, Croton; Julie Karaqi, So., G/F, Pleasantville; Emma McHugh, Sr., F, Tappan Zee; Emma Namba, Jr., G, Pelham; Grace Palumbo, So., G, Pearl River; Elyse Smith, Sr., G, Hen Hud; Kate Stratton, Sr., F, Hen Hud
Who’s going to the County Center: No. 1 Tappan Zee; No. 2 Pelham; No. 3 Hen Hud; No. 5 Pearl River
And the winner is: Tappan Zee has looked the part of a championship team since January and has lost only once to a Section 1 opponent (Class AAA’s Ursuline). The Dutchmen have depth, defense and height, and sharpshooter Adrianna D’Orio has heated up down the stretch.
Class B
Best early-round matchup: No. 10 Hastings at No. 7 Dobbs Ferry
The upset-minded team nobody wants to play: No. 7 Dobbs Ferry
Easiest draw: No. 1 Alexander Hamilton
Tough luck draw: No. 4 Briarcliff
Potential bracket breaker: No. 3 Blind Brook
Tournament MVP candidates: Emilee Doherty, So., G, Yonkers Montessori; Izzy Doherty, Jr., G/F, Hastings; Megan Harnett, Jr., G, Dobbs Ferry; Kendall Konigsberg, Sr., G, Blind Brook; Julie Labick, So., F, Briarcliff; Arsela Mustafaj, Sr., C, Yonkers Montessori; Jaya Oliva, Sr., G, Alexander Hamilton; Kayla Ruggiero, Sr., G, Haldane; Liliana Toro, Jr., G, Yonkers Montessori
Who’s going to the County Center: No. 1 Alexander Hamilton; No. 2 Yonkers Montessori; No. 3 Blind Brook; No. 4 Briarcliff
And the winner is: The teams split two regular-season meetings and Hamilton had a stronger finish as Yonkers Montessori stumbled a bit while dealing with some injuries and illness. But, YMA is the defending section champion with the benefit of experience, and they’ve got a deep lineup with three standouts capable of taking over a big game. That’ll be the difference.
Class C
There are only three teams in this bracket.
Tournament MVP candidates: Chloe Angello, So., F, Tuckahoe; Juliana Manginelli, So., F, Tuckahoe
Who’s going to the County Center: No. 1 Tuckahoe; No. 2 North Salem; No. 3 Keio
And the winner is: When Tuckahoe broke through in 2024 and reached the state tournament with a roster comprised mostly of middle schoolers, it signaled the birth of a potential dynasty. The Tigers have done nothing this season to dispel that idea, and they’re poised to capture a third straight section title.
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Here’s a breakdown of the Section 1 girls basketball playoff brackets
Reporting by Stephen Haynes, Rockland/Westchester Journal News / Rockland/Westchester Journal News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
