Who’s going to win?
There are four very clear favorites heading into this year’s Section 1 boys lacrosse tournament, but there is always potential for a fortunate bounce that changes momentum. We saw it happen last spring. Here are some thoughts about what’s coming up over the next 12 days.
Enjoy the games and come out to support these kids. Lacrosse is always better live and in person.
Class A
Best early-round matchup: No. 5 North Rockland at No. 4 Clarkstown North
The upset-minded team nobody wants to play: No. 2 White Plains
Easiest draw: No. 1 Mamaroneck
Tough luck draw: No. 4 Clarkstown South
Potential bracket breaker: No. 3 Scarsdale
Tournament MVP candidates: Brian Auker, Sr., MF, Mamaroneck; Ben Bacallao, Sr., G, Mamaroneck; Ethan Gross, Jr., FOGO, Mamaroneck; Jude Miesner, Sr., A, Mamaroneck; Carson Winters, Sr., A, Mamaroneck.
Who’s going to the semifinals: No. 1 Mamaroneck, No. 4 Clarkstown South, No. 3 Scarsdale, No. 2 White Plains.
And the winner is: Mamaroneck is undefeated against Section 1 opponents and has all-stars up and down the field. If the Tigers are serious about moving on and getting the state championship they’ve been focused on for years, the final could wind up in running time.
Class B
Best early-round matchup: No. 5 Carmel at No. 4 Mahopac
The upset-minded team nobody wants to play: No. 5 Carmel
Easiest draw: No. 2 Greeley
Tough luck draw: No. 4 Mahopac
Potential bracket breaker: No. 2 Greeley
Tournament MVP candidates: Hunter Mezzatesta, Sr., G, Yorktown; Gianluca Marchini, Sr., MF, Yorktown; J.T. Carney, Sr., A, Yorktown; Tyler Caricati, Jr., FO, Yorktown; Luke Dessi, So., A, Greeley; Luke Tavolacci, Sr., FO, Greeley; Thomas Pollard, Jr., A, Greeley.
Who’s going to the semifinals: No. 1 Yorktown, No. 4 Mahopac, No. 3 Brewster, No. 2 Greeley.
And the winner is: Yorktown is an experienced team that is determined to make last season’s championship game loss a distant memory. If the Huskers are not putting the ball on the ground, they are better than any team in Class B.
Class C
Best early-round matchup: No. 10 Nanuet at No. 7 Pearl River
The upset-minded team nobody wants to play: No. 4 John Jay-Cross River
Easiest draw: No. 3 Pelham
Tough luck draw: No. 7 Pearl River
Potential bracket breaker: No. 4 John Jay-Cross River
Tournament MVP candidates: Will Niejadlik, So., A, Rye; Nigel Strazzini, Sr., D, Rye; Carson Miller, Sr., MF, Rye; Henry Shoemaker, Sr., A, Rye; Cam Violante, Jr., A, Somers; Bret Kennedy, Sr., D, Somers; Tristan Iglesias, Jr., A, Somers; Blake O’Callaghan, Sr., G, John Jay-Cross River.
Who’s going to the semifinals: No. 1 Rye, No. 4 John Jay-Cross River, No. 3 Pelham, No. 2 Somers.
And the winner is: Rye had the worst possible shooting day a year ago and was unable to match the intensity Somers brought to a memorable championship game. That’s a hard lesson learned. It’s hard to imagine the Garnets don’t win another sectional crown in a year full of sectional crowns.
Class D
Best early-round matchup: No. 8 Rye Neck at No. 9 Edgemont.
The upset-minded team nobody wants to play: No. 4 Putnam Valley.
Easiest draw: No. 2 Bronxville
Tough luck draw: No. 1 Pleasantville
Potential bracket breaker: No. 4 Putnam Valley
Tournament MVP candidates: David Hundzynski, Sr., FOGO, Pleasantville; Matteo Pettricione, So., A, Pleasantville; Braden Feeney, Sr., MF, Pleasantville; Nick Martinelli, Sr., A, Bronxville; Patrick Plunkett, Fr., MF, Bronxville; Thomas Freeman, Sr., MF, Bronxville; Nick Martinelli, So., A, Putnam Valley.
Who’s going to the semifinals: No. 1 Pleasantville, No. 4 Putnam Valley No. 3 Irvington, No. 2 Bronxville
And the winner is: Bronxville and Pleasantville are pretty much givens in the championship game. The Panthers came back to win the regular-season meeting. It was a slap on the helmet for the Broncos, who are going to repeat as long as they create enough turnovers and possess smartly to compensate for Hundzynski’s advantage on faceoffs.
Mike Dougherty covers high school lacrosse for The Journal News/lohud.
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Section 1 boys lacrosse tourney bracket analysis, championship picks
Reporting by Mike Dougherty, Rockland/Westchester Journal News / Rockland/Westchester Journal News
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