NCN SPORTS BLOG

Basketball season is officially underway.

There will be a host of the same stuff you were used to seeing — pictures, videos, audio interviews and analysis — plastered all over this blog for the 2007-2008 season.

Check back frequently for updates.

1) Peekskill (1-0) – No real surprise here. With what could be labeled as the best team in Peekskill history, the Red Devils are the odds on end favorite to take home a fourth straight New York state plaque. Make sure you check this act out; it is not to be missed.

2) Briarcliff (2-0) – Joe Lombardi, Alex Gulotta and Kyle Beechum are three of the best players in Class B. Realistically speaking; Briarcliff would be a top contender in Class A this season. The Bears wasted little time getting things started on the right foot, taking home the championship trophy at the Pelham tournament this past weekend.

3) Croton-Harmon – Ryan Sawyer is one of the best pure shooters in Section 1. He is also a high-pressure lockdown defender. Frank Dimaggio is a seasoned point guard and Brandon Sileck is burgeoning swingman. Look for the Tigers to be playing at the County Center come February.

4) John Jay – Kevin Drew is as good an athlete as there is in Section 1 and Anthony Iacomini can stroke the three with the best of them. Look for the Indians to be a possible Cinderella story this season.

5) Panas – Jonathan Hood is gone, but the Panthers return a solid core from last year’s team. They will be as tough as ever this season.

6) JFK – This is the definition of a blue-collar team with Eddie O’Connell acting as the Forman. Steve Feeney is as strong as they come down low and Vincent Tancora is dangerous in transition. Look for the Gales to return to respectability this season.

7) Ossining – Tough loss to Kennedy to start the season. They will look to rebound as the football players – Jesse Drinks, Jeff Ward and Myles Thomas – get their legs back. Will improve drastically as the season progresses.

Lakeland – The Ralph Watts transfer really hurts the Hornets. But Lou DeMello is back, and he is the heart and soul of this group.

9) Lincoln Hall – Sir Aaron Taylor returns and that’s all that really matters. He may be the highest energy player in all of Section 1. As Sir goes, so do the United.

10) Yorktown – The last in the great Markley lineage returns for his senior season and will be the catalyst for ‘Town.

11) Mahopac (1-0) – Tumultuous off-season with the transition into a new coach can’t be seen as a positive. We will see how the Indians jell as a team. 

12) Putnam Valley (1-0) – Hugh O’Gorman will look to keep this youthful bunch competitive.

13) Hen Hud (1-0) – The Sailors are in one of the toughest leagues in the Section with Peekskill and Poughkeepsie. Hopefully, they can eek out some wins.

14) Somers (0-1) – There has to be an improvement from 1-19, right?