OK, here we go. It’s, perhaps, the best part of the high school sports year.
The Section 9 boys’ basketball tournament kicks off Saturday with five classes — AA, A, B, C and D. The winners move on to the state tournament, where the final destination is New York basketball’s hallowed grounds — the Glens Falls Civic Center.
Check out Varsity845 for even more coverage during the Section 9 tournament. Also follow me on Twitter at justinrod845. We will be posting Section 9 boys’ basketball preview videos on Friday and Monday. I will have the schedules and brackets up later tonight (Thursday)
Here is a detailed look at each bracket – packed with information:
NFA guard Jarrod Scurlock in action during the regular-season. (Chet Gordon photo, THR)
Class AA
Nobody expected Newburgh Free Academy to all of a sudden morph into a Section 9 doormat this season. Still, the Goldbacks faced questions entering the year, losing three key players due to academic and disciplinary issues.
But what do you know? Newburgh is in the mix, playing its best basketball, as March approaches. The Goldbacks have won three consecutive Class AA titles and guard Jarrod Scurlock is bent on making it four.
“I knew we were still good,” said Scurlock, a senior, averaging 21 points per game. “We just had to get used to each other. We want to win it because it’s been happening for a while at Newburgh. The last time we didn’t win (2008), it was bad.”
Newburgh, 85-23 over the last five years, looked ready for a potential fall after losing to Washingtonville and Kingston early in the season. But the Goldbacks have won eight of nine since losing at Kingston on Jan. 10. Newburgh ended the Tigers’ perfect season with a 64-56 win earlier this month. Newburgh vs. Kingston, Part III is a potential must-see Class AA championship.
Scurlock and senior forward Jonte Rutty (14 points and 10 rebounds) have led the way for the Goldbacks this season. Senior forward Jason McAllister (eight points, seven rebounds) compliments Rutty inside and sophomore guard Donovan Fields (11 points) could also be a factor. Fearless forward Jovan Coffey (15 points, 11 rebounds) has been Kingston’s most consistent player. The Tigers also roll out point guard Justin Robinson (14 points, eight assists).
Still, this draw isn’t all about Newburgh and Kingston. Other teams to watch include Middletown, 1-7 against Newburgh over the last three years, and the Class AA runner-up the past two seasons. The Middies lost two heartbreakers to the Goldbacks during the regular-season. Also lurking is Washingtonville, which as the sixth seed last year, upset host Kingston in the quarterfinals. The Wizards pushed Middletown, before falling in the semis.
“I think there will be some surprises,” said Middletown point guard Kendrick Ray, averaging 23.2 points. “I think teams might be blowing us off, but we can surprise them. We can definitely win, we just have to focus and go out there and get the job done.”
Middletown beat visiting Kingston 66-63 on Tuesday, sending the Tigers to their second loss in three games. Kingston lost at Newburgh 64-56 on Feb. 8 and, in between, got all it could handle from Pine Bush.
That leaves some Section 9 players looking to bury the Tigers.
“We feel fine, Kingston coach Ron Kelder said. “We lost to two good opponents on the road. We had slow starts in both games and we had two chances in the last minute to beat Middletown. We have fought all year, for the most part, we’ve played well. We will see what happens, but we have what we want, the top seed.”
The top seed means Kingston isn’t a part of a potential semifinal match-up from hell. Instead, Newburgh and Middletown could go at it in the semis.
“We wanted to avoid that game,” Kelder said. “But we have to keep our guard up. Washingtonville came up to our gym last year and beat us (in the quarterfinals.”
Championship prediction: Newburgh 68, Kingston 66
Players to watch in Class AA (in alphabetical order)
Jovan Coffey, Kingston: You want find a more active player in the paint in the draw. Coffey can post up, slash and has nice tough with the jumper.
Calvin Crawford, Valley Central: If he is hot, VC is a dangerous team. Crawford, 6-foot-6, is averaging 18 points and has had several big games.
D.J. LaRocca, Washingtonville: Has one of the sweetest 3-point strokes in Section 9. And, when the Wizards start hitting the three-ball, they are dangerous. Joey Picone is another dangerous Washingtonville 3-point shooter.
Aaron Ray, Middletown: A versatile player, Ray can play inside and out. He also rebounds and is effective in traffic, driving for baskets. Aaron Ray averages 12 points per game.
Kendrick Ray, Middletown: As he goes, Middletown goes. Ray might need to carry the Middies on his back if Middletown is to win its first Section 9 title since 2001.
Justin Robinson, Kingston: The junior point guard has been slumping, for his standards, down the stretch. But one big assist, one big shot could get him going.
Jonte Rutty, Newburgh: A nice inside-outside player, Rutty has done some of his best work banging inside the paint.
Jarrod Scurlock, Newburgh: Can score off the dribble, penetrate and is tough on the ball. This is Newburgh’s difference maker and he always wants the rock in the big spot.
Class A
This is one of the deepest and toughest Section 9 draws in several years – in any class. Four teams, Cornwall, Red Hook, Marlboro and Saugerties, have a legitimate shot at winning the championship.
Then there are the dangerous teams lurking in the draw such as Rondout Valley and New Paltz. Don’t count out Goshen or Monticello, either.
“It’s going to be a battle royale,” Cornwall coach Tom Howe said.
Added Red Hook coach Rod Chando: “It’s going to be crazy.”
Red Hook (14-3) is the two-time defending champion, blitzing Cornwall 56-33 in last year’s championship.
“I have a lot of regret about that (Red Hook) game and we’re going to come out with vengeance,” Cornwall forward Sean Malvey said. “Every time we play this year, I think about that game, we just didn’t play well. This year, I think we can get it done.”
Cornwall has its own version of ‘The Big Three’ – Malvey (12.3), junior sharpshooter Zach Bouton (14) and senior swingman Joe O’Rourke (13.7). Red Hook senior swingman Joe Stortini leads Section 9 in scoring with 24.6 points per game.
Marlboro is the hottest team in the tournament, defeating Red Hook and Pine Plains to win its first Mid-Hudson Athletic League tournament last week. The Iron Dukes have won 10 games in a row.
“Obviously, it’s a different story, now that we have won the MHAL’s,” said Marlboro guard Mike Tamburri, who averages 15 points per game. “Everything changes, we aren’t the underdog anymore. I kind of liked that, but now we have a target on our back. We just have to work harder.”
Saugerties, which has wins over Marlboro and Red Hook this season, is led by senior guard Marc Whitaker, averaging 18 points. Scott Melville and J.T. Elmendorf, both guards, average nine rebounds apiece. Saugerties plays with a four-guard lineup.
“It’s going to be tough from one through eight. On any given night, a team like Cornwall can go down,” Saugerties coach Mike Tiano said. “We could be upset. There are no guarantees who will win this.”
Championship prediction: Red Hook 60, Marlboro 58
Class A players to watch
Zack Cone, New Paltz: Is one of several players (also see Bryan Krebs) that make New Paltz a potential dangerous draw in the tournament. Cone, a swingman, averages 14 points.
Sean Malvey, Cornwall: Is coming off one of his best games – 27 points against – Monticello and has been a consistent scorer, along with 3-point artist Zach Bouton and Joe O’Rourke this year.
Alex Smith, Marlboro: Smith continues to develop inside as streaking Marlboro gains more and more confidence. He averages 15 points and eight rebounds.
Joe Stortini, Red Hook: The best player in the draw, period. And if he starts dropping jumpers, look out. Stortini averages 24 points per game.
Mike Tamburri, Marlboro: The tenacious guard is averaging 12 points per game and he’s the defender nobody wants to face.
Manny Ukoh, Goshen: Ukoh, a swingman averaging 15 points per game, will likely have to go for Goshen to make a run in the tournament. Still, Goshen has other talented players in Ian Schupp and Section 9’s version of Linsanity – Flynnsanity. Paul Flynn arrived for Goshen with 25 points, including seven 3-pointers, in a win over Port Jervis last week.
Marc Whitaker, Saugerties: He’s had some of the biggest games in the MHAL this year, this side of Stortini.
Zach Rufer defends Middletown's Aaron Ray earlier this month
Class B
Don’t look for an upset here. Once again, top-seeded Burke Catholic is the overwhelming favorite to win the Class B championship.
Burke Catholic cake walked to the title last year, defeating Ellenville 73-46 in the championship. It marked the Eagles’ third straight Section 9 title and Burke Catholic went on to defeat Potsdam 62-52 for the Class B state championship.
The March Mission for Burke Catholic is to simple: Repeat as state champions.
“I think we can repeat. We have the ability to do it,” senior Burke Catholic sharpshooter Zach Rufer said.
The Eagles are led by the ‘Big Three’ – Rufer, the reigning Varsity845 Player of the Year, junior forward Stan Buczek and senior swingman Billy Garneau. All three can hit the 3-pointer. Buczek plays inside and out and Garneau is dangerous from the wing. Garneau leads the team with 14.6 points, followed by Rufer (14.4) and Buczek (13.5).
According to Rufer, who will play at Lafayette next year, Burke Catholic is playing its best ball of the season right now. The Eagles, 55-10 over the last three seasons, defeated Class AA Middletown last week and played famed New York City power Christ The King tough in Queens, losing 76-69.
“I’ve been looking forward to the playoffs all season,” Rufer said. “The regular-season doesn’t matter as much as the playoffs. I’m excited.”
As for a potential miracle on the hardwood, an underdog beating Burke Catholic, Ellenville coach Bryan Bonitz had this to say: “Listen, I scouted them the other night against Sullivan West. They were up 40-11 at halftime and their starters sat for most of the time. Can anybody beat them? It’s possible, but not probable. You would need a perfect storm.”
Added Spackenkill coach Terry Feeley: “I stopped going to watch Burke Catholic play because, after that, I couldn’t sleep at night. I don’t want to sound cocky, but I would take my chances against them on a big floor. I might lose by 40, who knows, but it beats playing them at home.”
Championship prediction: Burke Catholic 77, Ellenville 50
Class B players to watch
Stan Buczek, Burke Catholic: The junior does it all for Burke Catholic – from posting up to hitting the smooth jumper. Does a nice job of sharing the ball.
Eddie Byrd, Liberty: An explosive scorer, Byrd is averaging 20 points per game. Liberty, which forfeited four games earlier this season, petitioned Section 9 to get in the tournament.
Mark Candelario, Ellenville: Ellenville’s 6-7 center puts up 15 point and 17 rebounds per game.
Matt Cardona, Sullivan West: His 12.8 points lead a balanced scoring attack. Sullivan West is playing in the Section 9 tournament for the first time in three years.
Billy Garneau, Burke Catholic: Garneau is a 3-point shooter extraordinaire and has been on fire lately.
Josh Riley, Spackenkill: A standout football player, Riley, a physical inside player, averages 10 points and 10 rebounds.
Zach Rufer, Burke Catholic: Rufer is coming on late in the season and may even be better when the bright lights of the postseason are on.
Class C
S.S. Seward enters the tournament as the hottest team, winning 12 games in a row. The Spartans haven’t loss since Dec. 19 against Goshen – a Class A team. All three of Seward’s losses have come in December.
The Spartans also lost to Class AA Warwick (Dec. 6) and James I. O’Neill (Dec. 1). Still, defending champion Pine Plains is the favorite. The Bombers defeated Seward 46-45 for the Class C title last year – a loss coach Rob Gravelle called the toughest of his 17-year career after the game.
Pine Plains has more height than some Division I teams, starting out Zach Lydon (6-foot-9), Tyler Lydon (6-7), Adam Miller (6-6), Rob Lamont (6-5) and Justin Cooper (6-3). Lamont leads a balanced scoring attack with 15.6 points, followed by Tyler Lydon (15.0) and Cooper (14.6). Zach Lydon averages 9.4 points.
“They are definitely going to be tough,” said Seward swingman Anthony Bailey, averaging 19.2 points. “but I think we can do it. We just have to get around them and get to the basket. I know we have to play our best and I think we keep getting better.”
Said Pine Plains coach Brendan LoBrutto of Seward: “Obviously, both teams have to take care of business first. But Seward is an absolute dangerous team. They are talented, disciplined and I have a lot of respect for them.
Fallsburg, which returned its entire team this season, and Millbrook are also teams to watch in Class C.
Championship Prediction: Pine Plains 56, Seward 53
Class C players to watch
Anthony Bailey, S.S. Seward: Bailey he was given the responsibility of leading Seward at the beginning of the season. He nailed the assignment and has evolved into one of Section 9’s prime time players.
Justin Cooper, Pine Plains: A guard capable of a big game. Cooper scored 30 against Ellenville earlier this month.
Tyler Dahlin, Millbrook: A streaky shooter who could cause problems for opponents.
Shawn Howell, S.S. Seward: A reserve last season, Howell has been a stable presence inside for Seward. He averages about eight points and seven rebounds.
Tyler Lydon, Pine Plains: He’s a 6-7 guard who can shoot and handle the ball. It’s no wonder that Virginia Tech, Syracuse and Siena have inquired about Lydon, according to Pine Plains coach Brendan LoBrutto.
Michael Robinson, Fallsburg: One of several Fallsburg talents, Robinson leads the team with 16.5 points and 9.5 rebounds. Junior point guard Rakkir Watson is also a playmaker.
Class D
Livingston Manor’s baseball and softball teams turned the tiny town into “Title town” by winning Class D state titles on the same weekend last June. A Section 9 boys’ basketball championship would also put ‘Manor’ into a frenzy.
Livingston Manor’s boys’ basketball team has never won a Section 9 title. However, this could be the year. The Wildcats are the top seeds in Class D and, according to coach Charlie Hicks, peaking at the right time.
“We’re playing great basketball,” Hicks said. “I usually don’t tell my guys that, but we are playing great team basketball. I think the team wants to win this one for me because I’ve been harping on it so much. It would be great for everyone.”
Livingston Manor (12-5) has lost in the Section 9 Class D championship three times, including a 58-37 defeat to John A. Coleman Catholic in last year’s final. Coleman Catholic went on to the Class D state championship, where it lost to New York Mills 47-42. The Statesmen are the second seed this season with far less firepower than last year.
Mike Mills leads Livingston Manor with 14 points per game. Senior forward Ken Fisk, a role-player last season, has stepped up this winter and is averaging with 13.6 points and 10 rebounds. Point guard Troy Correa averages 12.1 points, 6.4 assists and 4.1 steals.
Coleman Catholic, the five-time defending Section 9 Class D champion, graduated four seniors from last season. Junior guard Jordan Shaw and sophomore Dino Celadon can lead the Statesmen, who aren’t ready to give up the title, in scoring on any given night.
“The kids definitely want to go for it,” Coleman Catholic coach John Funk said. “After last year, the word on the street was that we would struggle. Should we decide to show up against Livingston Manor, which has been an issue all season, we are going to give them a game.”
Championship prediction: Livingston Manor 57, Coleman Catholic 52
Class D players to watch
Dino Celadon, Coleman Catholic: Is averaging 15 points per game.
Ken Fisk, Livingston Manor: Could be Livingston Manor’s hottest player, seemingly gaining confidence with every game.
Mike Mills, Livingston Manor: Can play just about every position on the floor – and does it well.
Jordan Shaw, Coleman Catholic: Coleman’s most experienced player from last season averages 14.5 points per game. He is a 5-foot-10 guard.
2011 Section 9 Class boys’ basketball championship results
AA: Newburgh 54, Middletown 41 (Newburgh lost to Mount Vernon 72-49 in first round of the state playoffs)
A: Red Hook 56, Cornwall 33 (Red Hook lost Maine-Endwell 55-44 in first round of state playoffs)
B: Burke Catholic 73, Ellenville 46 (Burke Catholic defeated Albertus Magnus 75-65 in first round of state playoffs, following with victories over Mattituck (75-59, quarterfinals), Westhill (63-58, semifinals) and Potsdam (62-52, state championship). Burke Catholic lost to NYC’s Collegiate School 71-55 in state federation championship.
C: Pine Plains 46, S.S. Seward 45 (Pine Plains lost to Tuckahoe 91-64 in the first round of the state tournament)
D: John A. Coleman Catholic 58, Livingston Manor 37 (defeated Biondi Center 50-45 in the quarterfinals, following with a win over C.G. Finney (71-70, two overtimes) in the semifinals. Coleman Catholic lost to New York Mills 47-42 in the state championship).
