NCN SPORTS BLOG

These are my picks for the 2007 Section I men’s lacrosse season.

Class A

Yorktown Huskers

Class B

John Jay Indians

Class C

Putnam Valley Tigers

Disagree?

Tell me why and leave a comment.

Check out our main page http://www.ncnlocal.com/ for three videos we put together on the ‘Friends of Jaclyn’ College Lacrosse Challenge.

Click the — NCN-TV WATCH. — Button

We have interviews with Northwestern players, including Tewarrton winner Kristen Kjellman, UMass head coach Alexis Venechanos, Dennis Murphy and Jaclyn Murphy.

There is also a separate video of highlights from the UMass vs. NU game.

There were 3,075 people in attendance at this game and over $38,000.00 dollars were raised to support pediatric brain tumor awareness.

Enjoy.

Peekskill took down Hayes, 44-42, in the Class A federation title game.

Mookie Jones drained a three-pointer at the buzzer to secure the game for the Red Devils.

He scored 18 points and pulled down 9 rebounds.

Tonight, Umass will challenge Northwestern in the first annual Friends of Jaclyn Murphy Lacrosse Game. The game will start at 7 p.m. and is being played at Yorktown high school

Below is an excerpt from http://www.friendsofjaclyn.org/index.html

It details her struggle and the foundation set up in her name.

The Friends of Jaclyn Foundation is inspired by Jaclyn Murphy, an 11 year old, who was diagnosed with a medulloblastoma, a malignant brain tumor, in March 2004. Jaclyn’s strength and courage, relentless spirit, and joy for life are an inspiration to those who know her. When granted her “Make-A-Wish”, Jaclyn asked, “for all the children in the hospitals to be healed.”

Friends of Jaclyn is a charitable organization, created to raise public awareness regarding pediatric brain tumors. Funds will be used to offset medical expenses for children who are diagnosed with pediatric brain cancer, as well as donate contributions to charities that are specifically related to pediatric brain tumors. It is our goal for Jaclyn to be able to continue to touch people with her smile, her kind heart, her hope and faith that some day there will be a cure! In the meantime, it is our hope that through Jaclyn’s example, we can help to improve the lives of other children and families dealing with pediatric cancer.

Here is some more reading material on the event:

• This one is from ESPN
  
• This is from the Northwestern wesbsite

We have been putting a video together these past few days, which will concentrate on three different aspects from this amazing event. There will be interviews from Northwestern lacrosse players, Mr. Murphy (Jaclyn’s dad), highlights from the benefit dinner at Colonial Terrace, and footage/ interviews from tonight’s game. Keep checking back for updates.

There will also be local representation on display this evening, as athletes from around the region return to compete on the collegiate level. They are as follows:

Northwestern — Katrina Dowd (Yorktown graduate), Morgan Lathrop (Briarcliff graduate)

Umass — Alexis Venechanos (Umass head coach and Yorktown graduate)

I urge everyone to come out for the game, it is for a great cause, and the level of competition on the field will be top notch.

See you at the game!

Last season — The Sailors struggled last year, finishing with a record of 6-14. They bowed out in the second round of the sectionals, losing to Somers by a score of 12-4. The down year can be attributed to their lack of seniority on the roster, as it was clearly a rebuilding year for the usually competetive Sailors.

Top Returnees – Rob Bosco, Chase Bernard, Tom Burkland, Matt Colombini, Ryan DeSilva, Matt Jenks, Ryan Martin, Nick Sarcone

Young Guns — Jake Green, Colin Parkhurst, Alex Kaufman, Andrew Nimeinski, Tim Brophy, John Quartuccio

Game Circled Game On Your Schedule — “All our games are important, our schedule is difficult, but All Class B games are very important. We are also playing Beverley Hills, CA this season.” — Coach Solomon

Season Outlook — “A tough schedule should prepare us for the sectionals. We play 3 out of section games vs Wantagh, Niskayuna and Beverley Hills, Ca. In order to win we have to play hard for a full game and get contributions from all members on the roster. I hope to be competitive in all our games.” — Coach Solomon

Starters-

• Attack - Jake Green, Alex Kaufman, Colin Parkhurst
• Middie- Rob Bosco, Chase Bernard, Nick Sarcone, Andrew Nimeinski
• Defense- Matt Jenks, Martin Rodrigues, Ryan Martin, Alfonso Rodrigues, Greg Bleakley
• Goalie- Matt Colombini

Goal Scorer — Rob Bosco and Chase Bernard

Top Assists Man — Rob Bosco, Colin Parkhurst

Ground Ball Hog(s) - Rob Bosco, Nick Sarcone, Ryan Desilva

Editor Notes — Hen Hud scored 146 goals and dished out 78 assists last season, and not one of them was by a senior. This year, however, the Sailors will have a bevy of senior talent on the roster. Bosco, who was an All-American last year, scored 39 goals and added 41 assists to lead the team in overall points. He will once again be the main threat in the midfield. Bernard, who scored 34 goals and dished out 19 assists last year, will be the secondary option for the Sailors at midfield. Collectively, Boscoe and Bernard will be the main playmakers for Hen Hud and will garner the most attention from the opposition.

Nicholas Sarcone (25 goals/1 assist) will return as the lone senior on the first-string attack line. He will be joined by future stud, Jake Green. Green scored 22 goals and added 3 assists last year as a sophomore. Colin Parkhurst (10 goals 4 assists), who was a freshman last year, will return with much needed experience on the varsity level.

Matt Colombini and the rest of the defensive unit will look to strengthen their resolve, as they relinquished 10 goals a game last year. Matt Jenks, Martin Rodrigues, Alfonso Rodrigues and Greg Bleakley will all be depended upon on the defensive end.

Overall, the Sailors will be much improved this year. They have all the offensive firepower in the world in order to score, but they must improve on the defensive end to make a run deeper into the playoffs.

Thoughts on the Sailors?

Leave a comment.

Last Year – The Tigers went 11-9 last season, reaching the Class C sectional finals. However, once there, they lost a closely contested battle to Rye, 5-4.

Top Returnees — Tom Kelly(M), Hugh O’Gorman(M), Peter Morgan(A), Cory Ender(G)

Top Young Guns – Dillon Chesnut(A), Dan O’Gorman(M), Ryan Fitzgerald(M), Shane Kelly(M)

Goal Scorer – Peter Morgan(A), Tom Kelly(M)

Defensive standout — Cory Ender(G)

Ground ball Hog — Tom Kelly(M)

Game You Have Circled On Your Schedule – Every year–Rye

Overall Season Outlook – “We are very young and hoping to just peak around May.” — Coach Kuczma

2007 Season Schedule – CLICK HERE

Editor Notes – The Putnam Valley Tigers return their top two scorers from last season in Peter Morgan (38 goals/36 assists) and Thomas Kelly (40 goals/15 assists). Morgan will anchor the attack line, while Kelly will be the go-to-guy at midfield.

Senior Cory Ender will return between the pipes, where he posted a 7.23 GAA last season. Ender’s ability to command the inexperienced defense will be key for Put Valley’s success.

Hugh O’Gorman, only a sophomore last season, emerged at the end of last year. He will look to continue his progress and become the second option after Kelly in the midfield.

The Tigers should once again be in the hunt for the Class C sectional crown, as their heated rivalry with Rye continues.

Thoughts on the Tigers?

Leave a comment.

Last Year- The Indians finished last year at 19-3, winning the Class A Sectional title with a dramatic 10-9 OT win over Yorktown. They made it all the way to the state semi-finals before falling to West Islip from Section 11.

Top Returnees- (Defense)- Ryder Bohlander, Bob Crossett, Justin Schneidmann, Zach Weil (attack) - Chris Bocklet, Brian Douglass, Kevin Stockel (Middie)- Jake DeCandia, Kevin Drew, Mike Santare

Top Young Guns- Tyler Granelli, Lucas Durst

Primary Goal Scorer- Kevin Stockel

Defensive Standout- Ryder Bohlander

Ground Ball Hog- Kevin Drew

Game We Have Circled On Our Schedule- Somers

Overall Season Outlook- “We look to play one game at a time, we have the toughest schedule in the histroy of our program. In order to win a sectional crown we will have to- Come together as a team, and work harder than ever before.” — Coach Savastano

2007 Season Schedule - CLICK HERE

Editor View- John Jay is absolutely stocked with talent this year. On paper, they are Section One’s best bet to bring home a state championship plaque. The Indians are returning their entire first-string attack line—Douglas, Stockel and Bocklet—which put up a combined 128 goals and 79 assists last year.

In terms of the midfield, they will look to replace last year’s leading scorer Chris Daniello. Jake DeCandia is the logical choice to fill the void. As a junior last season, DeCandia finished fifth on the team in scoring with 34 goals. Kevin Drew and Mike Santare will also look to expand their roles from last season.

On the defensive end, it is all about Maryland bound Ryder Bohlander. He will anchor a physically intimidating line, which includes Rob Crossett and Justin Schneidmann. All three stand over six feet tall and weigh a combined 610 lbs. Zachary Weil will be the primary option at LSM. Matthew Phillips is in line to replace All-American goaltender Connor Sweeney. He will have big shoes to fill, as Sweeney was sixth in Section One with a 5.44 goals against average.

I’ll be previewing — or trying to — a new team each day.

The season is right around the corner.

Thoughts on John Jay?

Leave a comment.

Elton Brand and the Los Angeles Clippers were in town this past weekend to play the New Jersey Nets at Continental Airlines Arena. Head sports editor Jim MacLean and photographer Andy Jacobs were both in attendance at the game. Jim was able to sit down and get an interview with Brand, while Andy wrote up a brief story and shot pictures.

The interview is quite timely, seeing that Peekskill had just wrapped up their fifth state title earlier that day. Jim offers a candid view into Brand’s thoughts and feelings on the infamous Red Devils basketball tradition and more … CHECK THIS OUT ON THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE.

——————————————————————————————-

Brand, Clippers Struggling To Meet Expectations

By Andy Jacobs

Until last year, there had been three certainties in life: death, taxes and the annual appearance each spring of Los Angeles Clipper general manager Elgin Baylor in Secaucus, New Jersey for the NBA draft lottery.
But with Elton Brand, the pride of Peekskill, emerging as one of the league’s elite players and the arrival of veteran sharp shooter Sam Cassell, the Clippers established themselves as one of the best teams in the Western Conference. They finished 47-35 to supplant the Lakers as the preeminent team in Tinseltown, made the playoffs for the first time in nearly a decade and came within one game of reaching the conference finals.
 With their newfound success came added expectations. The Clippers were supposed to continue their ascension this season, a challenge they haven’t been able to meet. They arrived at the Meadowlands on Sunday in the middle of a grueling six-game road trip to face the New Jersey Nets in a matchup of underachieving teams struggling mightily to secure a place in the rapidly approaching playoffs.
Though they had plenty of chances, the Clippers fell 101-95 to the Nets, their sixth loss in seven games. With 16 games left in the regular season, Brand and the Clippers find themselves one game behind in the race with Golden State for the final playoff spot.
“We need to win ballgames,” Brand said after his 17-point, nine-rebound, foul-plagued performance against the Nets. “Right now, we’re trying to get any (playoff) seed we can. We’ve gotta fight harder and finish this road trip up strong to do it.”
Los Angeles began the 2006-07 season by winning five of its first six games, all at home. But any chance the Clippers had of building on last year’s improvement quickly disappeared as injuries ravaged their backcourt. Cassell, now 37, has been in and out of the lineup all season with an assortment of ailments, missing 15 games so far. Shaun Livingston, the neophyte point guard who could have replaced Cassell, was lost for the season with a dislocated knee in late February.
“A big part of what we were last year was how good we were at the point, being able to finish games,” said coach Mike Dunleavy. “Any team that loses two players at a position, it’s really hard to replace that. We were thinking we were going to be OK with Livingston being able to take over. He was getting better and better all the time. Shaun’s going down is kind of like a little bit of a double whammy.”
That double whammy was echoed by a frustrated Brand. “We’ve got some injury problems we need to get over,” he said. “Sam Cassell’s not at full strength, hasn’t been at full strength. We’ve got J (Jason) Hart coming in, doing a good job. But he’s only been here a week and a half. So when you’ve got your point guard position like that, it’s tough. It’s tough.”
Brand, who just turned 28 last week, spent the first six years of his NBA career watching the playoffs on television before the Clippers’ breakout season a year ago. He knows what’s needed if he wants a chance at another postseason like last spring when the Clippers eliminated Denver four games to one before losing to Phoenix in a classic seven-game series that tipped in the Suns’ favor with their double-overtime win in the pivotal fifth game.
“With our full complement, I think we would’ve been a good team,” he said. “We still have a chance to be. We’ve gotta play hard. We gotta get to loose balls, little small things, and we can win the games.”
But with 14 losses in their last 20 games, the Clippers are quickly running out of time. Their latest defeat came against a New Jersey team as desperate for wins as they are.
“We have times when teams aren’t helping us right now,” said Brand. “Teams are trying to make their runs to the playoffs. Earlier, teams were helping us, losing every time we lose. It’s not that way any more, so we need to step it up.”

I complied some pictures that Jim MacLean took over the weekend and came up with a Peekskill championship graphic.

Click the thumbnail for a full size view …

I spoke with Dequann Brickhouse after Peekskill defeated Cornwall at SUNY New Paltz …

He made a pretty bold prediction; stating that Peekskill was going to win the state title.

Well, he was 100 percent correct.

CLICK HERE … to hear audio of Dequann making the prediction.

Way to go Red Devils!