Finally, this thing kicks off. I’m going to check in with each day’s matchups
(8 seed) Port Jervis at (1) Cornwall, Class A quarterfinals – Cornwall coach Tom Howe goes for his 300th victory. This will be the third time the teams have played this season. Cornwall won the first two – 63-41 and 79-47 – and should be considered a heavy favorite to win here.
(5) Wallkill at (4) Rondout Valley, Class A quarterfinals – Third meeting between these MHAL Division I teams. Rondout Valley won the first two, including a 56-36 victory on Feb. 5. Wallkill is just 1-5 over the last month, the worst of the 30 Section 9 tournament teams. Rondout Valley has to be considered the favorite.
(7)New Paltz at (2) Red Hook, Class A quarterfinals - This will be the third meeting between these MHAL Division II teams. Red Hook won the first two – 68-39 and 84-37. New Paltz hasn’t played since February 9, which can’t help. Red Hook is a big favorite here.
(6)Monticello at (3)Saugerties, Class A quarterfinals – These teams have not played each other this year. Saugerties is 3-2 over the last month, Monticello is 2-3. I wouldn’t be surprised however this one goes.
(5)Spackenkill at (4)Onteora, Class B quarterfinals - This will be the third game between the MHAL Division III teams. Onteora won two close ones – 64-62 and 61-59. Both teams are 4-2 over the last month. Spackenkill seems a little more well-rounded on offense, and gets its third crack at stopping Max Taylor.
(7)Rhinebeck at (2)Pine Plains, Class C quarterfinals - Rhinebeck beat Pine Plains 56-53 on Dec. 18.
(6)Tuxedo at (3)Millbrook, Class C quarterfinals – This will be the first teams these teams have played each other. Millbrook has won five of the last six titles, and is the two-time defending champion.
(5)Fallsburg at (4)Chester, Class C quarterfinals – Chester won the first two meetings between these teams – 42-34 and 57-54 and has a 5-1 record over the last month. Fallsburg is 1-4 over that same stretch.
Tuesday pre-game tournament thoughts
First off, our apologies for the scoreboard/stats portion of the program not working on Monday. I’ve been told it is being addressed. Good first night of the tournament. Sorry to see Ron Semerano’s coaching career end. He’s one of the good guys. Wasn’t shocked to see Spackenkill beat Onteora, as I wrote on Monday.
Let’s move to Tuesday…..
(5 seed)Warwick at (4)Kingston, Class AA quarterfinals – Kingston beat Warwick 66-44 Jan. 21 at Kingston. I’m not saying Kingston is 22 points better Tuesday night, but I would be stunned if Kingston loses here. Keep in mind, though, Warwick is 4-1 over the last month. Winner plays at Newburgh in the semifinals on Thursday.
(6)Monroe-Woodbury at (3)Minisink Valley, Class AA quarterfinals – Minisink Valley beat Monroe-Woodbury 51-43 on Dec. 18. I wouldn’t be surprised what happens here, either way. Winner plays at Middletown in the semifinals on Thursday.
(4)Livingston Manor at (1)John A. Coleman Catholic, Class D semifinals – The first meeting of the year for these teams. Coleman Catholic is the three-time defending champs and should be considered a strong favorite to reach the title game on Friday.
(2)Chapel Field at (3) Eldred, Class D semifinals – This was scheduled to be a home game for Chapel Field as the higher seed, but since it doesn’t have a gym – and couldn’t make an alternate arrangement – the game is moved to Eldred. These teams split their two games this year. Both were played in Eldred. Eldred won 53-48 on Dec. 16. Chapel Field won 45-26 on Feb. 5. Chapel Field is 6-1 over the last month. Eldred is 3-4. Still, probably a toss-up because of the gym.