Middletown hosts Newburgh on Tuesday

By Kevin Witt | Published: February 8, 2010 | 0 Comments

A few key notes to start…..Middletown is only letting the first 750 people in. The next 1,000 will be sent to the new gym, where they will see a live broadcast of the Time Warner Cable feed. Tip off is 7 p.m. Since both communities get Time Warner, it probably makes the most sense to stay home – unless you plan on heading out early.

I think this will be a great night for local basketball. I think Middletown-area (and surrounding communities) folks already might have had this one circled, because it was a chance to see Newburgh. Middletown being 14-0 is an added bonus.

Having said that, I think Middletown is going to have its hands full. Newburgh has a tremendous advantage with the caliber of its ballhandlers – and this will be an up-tempo game. I think Newburgh’s depth plays a role. Jarrod Scurlock and Devon McMillan probably would be the starting backcourt for any team in the section – and those guys come off Newburgh’s bench. Middletown should be able to hang on the boards, which is a huge plus since Newburgh lives off of its put-backs. As far as big-game atmosphere experience goes, huge edge to Newburgh.

It will be interesting to see how much of a home court advantage this turns out to be for Middletown. I haven’t seen a whole lot of kids at Middletown games – meaning there have been a lot of adults. Newburgh traditionally doesn’t travel – and those who come, won’t be kids.

Should be fun.

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The new top 10 (and 11-20)

By Kevin Witt | Published: February 4, 2010 | 0 Comments

The poll gets its biggest shakeup of the season, with the exception of the top three spots.

Top-ranked Newburgh Free Academy faces its biggest local threat of the season Tuesday at Middletown.

(RECORDS THROUGH FEBRUARY 3)

1. Newburgh (10-2): Dropped to fifth in the Class AA state rankings after loss to Bishop Maginn. Still unbeaten locally.

2. Red Hook (14-0): Ranked fourth in the state in Class A. Clinched its 10th straight MHAL division championship.

3. Middletown (13-0): A loss Friday at Monroe-Woodbury takes all the luster off home Tuesday against Newburgh.

4. Cornwall (13-2): Knocked off previous No. 4 Burke Catholic, then lost at No. 3 Middletown. Should handle Goshen home on Tuesday.

5. Kingston (9-6): Beat Monroe-Woodbury by 29 on Wednesday, avenging an earlier loss. Plays at Newburgh on Friday.

6. Burke Catholic (10-3): A busy week ahead, with three games over the next five days.

7. Minisink Valley (11-4): Can lock up the OCIAA Division II title with victories over Washingtonville and Warwick.

8. Coleman Catholic (12-1): Ranked seventh in the state in Class D, it clinched the MHAL Division IV title.

9. S.S. Seward (13-1): Jumps a spot as the state’s 15th ranked Class C team. Plays at Chester on Friday.

10. James I. O’Neill (10-4): Hops into the rankings, and plays Tuesday at Burke Catholic.

11. Warwick (8-7)

12. Monroe-Woodbury (8-6)

13. Onteora (10-4)

14. Marlboro (10-4)

15. Spackenkill (8-6)

16. New Paltz (7-5)

17. Saugerties (8-6)

18. Port Jervis (7-7)

19. Eldred (7-4)

20. Pine Plains (8-6)

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State boys’ hoops rankings through Jan. 31

By Kevin Witt | Published: February 3, 2010 | 0 Comments
Rank Class AA
===== ====================
1 New Rochelle-1
2 Half Hollow Hills West-11
3 Albany CBA-2
4 Bronx JFK-PSAL
5 Newburgh Free Academy-9
6 Wings Academy-PSAL
7 Rice-CHSAA
8 Christ The King-CHSAA
9 Poughkeepsie-1
10 Boys & Girls-PSAL
11 Shenendehowa-2
12 Niagara Falls-6
13 Bishop Loughlin-CHSAA
14 Longwood-11
15 Wadleigh-PSAL
16 Mount Vernon-1
17 Middletown-9
18 Bishop Maginn-2
19 North Rockland-1
20 Rochester Wilson-5
21 Cicero-North Syracuse-3
22 Jamestown-6
23 North Tonawanda-6
24 McKee-PSAL
25 Baldwin-8
   
   
  Class A
===== ====================
1 Jamesville-DeWitt-3
2 St, John Baptist-CHSAA
3 South Bronx-PSAL
4 Red Hook-9
5 Newark-5
6 Iona Prep-CHSAA
7 Buffalo East-6
8 Buffalo Canisius-CHSAA
9 Buffalo Timon-CHSAA
10 Cornwall-9
11 Westbury-8
12 Harborfields-11
13 Buffalo Nichols-AIS
14 Maine-Endwell-4
15 Long Island Lutheran-AIS
16 Peekskill-1
17 Mount St. Michael-CHSAA
18 Spring Valley-1
19 Elmont-8
20 Williamsville South-6
21 Pittsford Sutherland-5
22 Rockville Centre South Side-8
23 Lansingburgh-2
24 Pittsford Mendon-5
25 Bedford Academy-PSAL
   
   
   
  Class B
===== ====================
1 Pleasantville-1
2 Olean-6
3 Collegiate-AIS
4 Burke Catholic-9
5 Lawrence-Woodmere-AIS
6 Fonda-Fultonville-2
7 Depew-6
8 Woodlands-1
9 Bishop Grimes-3
10 Briarcliff-1
11 Grover Cleveland-6
12 Potsdam-10
13 Westhill-3
14 Salesian-CHSAA
15 Wellsville-5
16 Batavia-5
17 Ogdensburg Free Academy-10
18 Lackawanna-6
19 School of the Future-PSAL
20 Norwich-4
   
   
  Class C
===== ====================
1 West Canada-3
2 Mynderse-5
3 Buffalo Middle College-6
4 Southold-11
5 Valhalla-1
6 Maple Hill-2
7 Cassadaga Valley-6
8 East Rockaway-8
9 Marion-5
10 Hoosick Falls-2
11 Tully-3
12 Watertown Immaculate Heart-3
13 Voorheesville-2
14 Rensselaer-2
15-T Seward-9
15-T Dundee-5
   
   
   
  Class D
===== ====================
1 New York Mills-3
2 Davenport-4
3 South Kortright-4
4 Maple Grove-6
5 Batavia Notre Dame-5
6 Chateaugay-10
7 Coleman Catholic-9
8 Westport-7
9 Fillmore-5
10 Sherman-6
11 Arkport-5
12 Sackets Harbor-3
13 Prattsburgh-5
14 Argyle-2
15-T Sharon Springs-2
15-T Belleville-Henderson-3

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Cornwall-Middletown on Wednesday night

By Kevin Witt | Published: February 2, 2010 | 0 Comments

Cornwall plays its second tough road game in three nights Wednesday at Middletown. Cornwall is 13-1. Middletown is 12-0. This is a non-league game, but should draw considerable interest from the local basketball crowd. Tip off is 7 p.m.

I watched Cornwall win at Burke Catholic 70-65 on Monday. Great game. I can watch these teams play every night, because they are fundamentally sound and play their butts off for 32 minutes.

For Middletown, the main event is next Tuesday night home against Newburgh in a league game. But if the Middies look past Cornwall, they will lose by 10. Here’s the major difference between these two programs: Cornwall goes into every game in every sport, expecting to win – and it usually does. Middletown is only learning what it is like to taste this success, and there’s something to be said for “being there.”.

I’m very interested to see how Middletown’s defense handles Cornwall’s patience on offense. I’m very interested to see how Cornwall’s defense handles Middletown’s ability to penetrate on offense.

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Heading out to Burke Catholic-Cornwall on Monday night

By Kevin Witt | Published: February 1, 2010 | 0 Comments

This will be the third time these teams have played this year. Each has handed the other its only local loss this year, and are a combined 22-3. We’ll be shooting video on this game, with the idea everything gets posted as soon as Tuesday. With a light night around the area, I expect to run into a number of locals – who, like all of us, love any early February game with some juice.

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Random thoughts on a chilly Friday night

By Kevin Witt | Published: January 29, 2010 | 0 Comments

If you haven’t checked out the results of the this year’s coaches poll, I would encourage you to do so. Thanks for all who participated for your time and honesty.

I got a little ambitious heading into the final month of the regular season by stretching out the rankings to 20 teams. On the first night of games since, my 11th- (James I. O’Neill), 12th- (Marlboro), 13th- (Warwick) and 15th-ranked teams (Onteora) all won. Thanks for the validation, fellas.

Good win for Warwick, beating Monroe-Woodbury 47-41. Aside from the Newburgh loss, Warwick has played better ball over the last couple of weeks.

Max Taylor scores 39 points on seven 3-pointers against winless Webutuck. Still impressive, though.

Jacob Palmer scored 22 points as Coleman Catholic beat New Paltz 68-63. I have a feeling we’re going to be seeing a little more of Coleman on this site and on our print pages – and that’s a good thing.

Red Hook moves to 13-0. Middletown goes to 12-0. You certainly could see this with Red Hook back in November. Middletown? If you say you did, you are, um, how should I put in, lying. Middies host Newburgh on Feb. 9.

Tayquan Boddie hit two free throws with 1.9 seconds left as Pine Bush beat Valley Central 59-58. Both of these teams needed a close one, I’m guessing.

Seward clearly bounced back from its Burke loss, beating Livingston Manor by 25. I like watching Seward’s David Oliver play. Of course, I’ve always been a fan of kids who crash the boards.

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Kevin Witt’s new top 10 (along with No. 11-20)

By Kevin Witt | Published: January 28, 2010 | 0 Comments

They’ll be tipping off through the Section 9 on Friday night, with the Regents tests and that week-long break safely in the rear-view mirror. Look for OCIAA and MHAL division races to be decided in the next few weeks. No change in the top seven spots of this poll. Coleman Catholic, ranked among the top 10 most of the season, returns. 

RECORDS THROUGH JANUARY 28

1. Newburgh (8-1): Avenged its only loss (Iona Prep), now plays Bishop Maginn Sunday at Siena College. Maginn ranked No. 21 in the Class AA state poll. Newburgh is second.

2. Red Hook (12-0): Likely will clinch the MHAL Division II title if it wins home Tuesday against Marlboro.

3. Middletown (11-0): Now ranked No. 22 in Class AA, the Middies host Cornwall on Wednesday.

4. Burke Catholic (10-2): Remains fourth, despite loss to New Jersey’s Don Bosco. Dropped two places to No. 5 in the Class B state poll.

5. Cornwall (12-1): Gets another crack at Burke Catholic on Monday. The teams split their first two games.

6. Monroe-Woodbury (8-4): Should be tested Friday at Warwick, then Wednesday at Kingston.

7. Minisink Valley (10-3): Travels Monday to Newburgh Free Academy, then hosts Port Jervis on Wednesday.

8. Kingston (8-6): Re-establishing itself as DaVonne Dunlap is playing like one of the area’s top players.

9. Coleman Catholic (9-1): Returns to the rankings with Jake Palmer leading the way. (***SEE NOTE ON THE BOTTOM***)

10. S.S. Seward (10-1): Let’s see how these guys to respond to that blowout loss to Burke Catholic

11. James I. O’Neill (9-4)

12. Marlboro (9-3)

13. Warwick (6-7)

14. New Paltz (6-4)

15. Onteora (8-4)

16. Port Jervis (7-5)

17. Saugerties (7-5)

18. Pine Plains (9-5)

19. Spackenkill (6-6)

20. Monticello (5-8)

***Now that the comments section has been enabled, I’m going to get ahead of something that undoubtedly will come out. Coleman Catholic kids are not included among our leaders because the school does not call, fax or email its results to us. I requested information on the team in the beginning the year in an email, but it was not answered. Nor was another recent email.

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Comments enabled…with a catch

By Kevin Witt | Published: January 27, 2010 | 0 Comments

Just to let blog readers know, comments are now enabled. You need a Facebook, Twitter, Yahoo or Twitter account to sign in and post your comments. It is my understanding that they can be attached to the bottom of any blog posting. So if you want to participate, this is your chance.

Here are my rules: Just be cool about it. Treat people with the same respect you would like to be treated if you were speaking with them face-to-face. Player bashing will not be tolerated

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New state rankings

By Kevin Witt | Published: January 22, 2010 | 0 Comments
Rank Class AA
===== ====================
1 Rice-CHSAA
2 Newburgh Free Academy-9
3 Wadleigh-PSAL
4 Half Hollow Hills West-11
5 Mount Vernon-1
6 New Rochelle-1
7 Christ The King-CHSAA
8 Bishop Loughlin-CHSAA
9 Albany CBA-2
10 Shenendehowa-2
11 Poughkeepsie-1
12 Jamestown-6
13 Niagara Falls-6
14 Rush-Henrietta-5
15 Wings Academy-PSAL
16 Bronx JFK-PSAL
17 Sweet Home-6
18 Boys & Girls-PSAL
19 Curtis-PSAL
20 Longwood-11
21 Rochester Wilson-5
22 Bishop Maginn-2
23 Middletown-9
24 North Rockland-1
25 Cardozo-PSAL
   
   
  Class A
===== ====================
1 Jamesville-DeWitt-3
2 Iona Prep-CHSAA
3 Long Island Lutheran-AIS
4 Buffalo Nichols-AIS
5 Port Chester-1
6 St, John Baptist-CHSAA
7 South Bronx-PSAL
8 Mount St. Michael-CHSAA
9 Newark-5
10 Red Hook-9
11 Buffalo East-6
12 Buffalo Canisius-CHSAA
13 Peekskill-1
14 Buffalo Timon-CHSAA
15 Spring Valley-1
16 Cornwall-9
17 Ichabod Crane-2
18 Rockville Centre South Side-8
19 Harborfields-11
20 Environmental Studies-PSAL
21 Utica Notre Dame-3
22 Pittsford Sutherland-5
23 Maine-Endwell-4
24 Aquinas-5
25 Lansingburgh-2
   
   
   
  Class B
===== ====================
1 Pleasantville-1
2 Collegiate-AIS
3 Burke Catholic-9
4 Lackawanna-6
5 Olean-6
6 Lawrence-Woodmere-AIS
7 Potsdam-10
8 Fonda-Fultonville-2
9 Westhill-3
10 Batavia-5
11 Depew-6
12 Bishop Grimes-3
13 Woodlands-1
14 Briarcliff-1
15 Hackley School-AIS
16 Grover Cleveland-6
17 Nanuet-1
18 Irvington-1
19 Wellsville-5
20 Skaneateles-3
   
   
  Class C
===== ====================
1 Marion-5
2 West Canada-3
3 Mynderse-5
4 Buffalo Middle College-6
5 Valhalla-1
6 Hoosick Falls-2
7 Southold-11
8 Maple Hill-2
9 Cassadaga Valley-6
10 Seward-9
11 East Rockaway-8
12 Voorheesville-2
13 Rensselaer-2
14 Tully-3
15 Walton-4
   
   
   
  Class D
===== ====================
1 New York Mills-3
2 Davenport-4
3 South Kortright-4
4 Maple Grove-6
5 Chateaugay-10
6 Coleman Catholic-9
7 Watertown Immaculate Heart-3
8 Batavia Notre Dame-5
9 Fillmore-5
10 Sackets Harbor-3
11 Westport-7
12 Arkport-5
13 Sherman-6
14 Prattsburgh-5
15 Hermon-Dekalb-10

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Smashmouth Awards play of the year

By Kevin Witt | Published: January 20, 2010 | 0 Comments

It was Warwick’s Sam Careccia making a one-handed catch on a pass from Rian White in the first Monroe-Woodbury game. Check out the video on the main sports page. Thanks to all who voted – and then voted again. I was there for that catch and remember thinking it certainly will be a candidate. Then it won its category and then the whole thing.

Sam actually was one of my favorite players this year, because other kids on his team got attention – and rightly so – but Sam just kept making big catch after big catch until people were like, “Man, that kid No. 24 is pretty good, too.”

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