NCN LAX/BASKETBALL BLOG

Tuesday offers a slew of tantalizing Section 1 matchups.

So let’s dig in and forecast some of the outcomes.

Somers (2-2) vs. John Jay (2-2)

Somers’ JoJo Marasco leads the Tuskers into a marquee matchup against John Jay.

Will this be a preview of the Section 1 Class B finals?

In my opinion, yes.

With both teams hovering right at .500, you can bet this contest will have all the urgency of a playoff game. Somers got up for the Yorktown game on a big stage, so I expect JoJo Marasco and company to come out with all the fire and brimstone of a Vince Lombardi speech.

When it comes to knocking off Somers, the first order of business is formulating a plan to keep Marasco under wraps. It would help if they had a tape of the Cold Spring-Harbor game. Amazingly, the Seahawks held JoJo to a single goal, which is like limiting Barney from “The Simpsons” to one Duff beer. It’s hard to imagine Marasco getting held down twice in a row, so I think he will at least pop in three goals.

According to The Corning Leader, John Jay lost 13-of-19 face-offs against Corning East. The Indians also lost the groundball battle, 26-11. Somers’ Matt Deiana is a veritable vacuum cleaner and isn’t exactly a slouch at the draw. Jay will have to really improve upon those numbers to slow down an athletic Tuskers squad. Look for John Jay’s Forrest Walter and Will Stewart to try and control the midfield, which they both have the skill and athleticism to do.

Despite the eventual 11-6 loss to Corning, John Jay only trailed 6-4 heading into the fourth. Sound familiar? Yes, eerily similar to the Manhaset game. If Jay can play an entire game and finish with a strong fourth quarter, I think they have a shot at taking this one.

Still, Marasco has never beaten the Indians. I’d imagine that eats away at him — enough so to carry the Tuskers to the win.

Prediction: Somers 9, John Jay 8

Yorktown (4-0) vs. Greeley (3-0)

Michael Bonitatibus and Yorktown’s defense will look to shutdown the Quakers.

While the Quakers always seem to play the Huskers tough, they simply aren’t in Yorktown’s class this year.

Even if Greeley formulated some quasi “Interlicchio Rules” — similar to what Chuck Daly’s Detroit Pistons did against Michael Jordan — the Huskers still have a host of other weapons.

Also, something tells me that K.I. isn’t done assaulting the net. Seriously, it’s going to take more than a whole pail of water just to cool him down.

Look for ‘Town’s defense to get back to its preseason goal of holding teams under five goals.

Prediction: Yorktown 13, Greeley 4

L/P (3-0) vs. Mahopac (1-2)

Mahopac’s John Brandofino will look to lead the Indians over Lakeland/Panas.

This is a chance for Lakeland/Panas to make a statement. Here are a few items that would help them in doing so.

• A top-notch performance out of Johnny Hittman at the draw. If Mahopac’s potent attack doesn’t have the ball, they won’t be able to hurt them.
• Shawn Honovich must completely control the midfield. Look for Honovich — a freak of an athlete — to impose his will against against a questionable Indians midfield unit.
• Andy O’Mara — L/P’s top defenseman — has to be a monster. It will be interesting to see what L/P does on defense to neutralize Tyler Perrelle and John Brandofino. Regardless of what the plan is, it will all start with O’Mara.

Mahopac is coming off a hard-to-swallow loss against Northport, which means they could be one of two things:

1. Desperate/hungry
2. Demoralized/defeated

I’m guessing desperate/hungry, which can bring out the best in a team.

On defense, I’d expect Brendan Synan to matchup against L/P’s stud attackman Jack Doherty. Doherty, a true lax rat, was at Mahopac’s loss to Northport, so I’m pretty sure he will be ready for whatever the Indians throw at him. Shutting down secondary options like Will Fallo and Johnny Fitzpatrick will be key, as Doherty has shown the ability to draw defenders and hit the open man.

Thus far, Johnny McGuigan has looked excellent in goal. Mahopac can pretty much expect him to turn in a plus-performance.

On offense, the Indians have to generate more opportunities out of 6 vs. 6. Relying on the transition game for production is the kiss of death — especially against a team with a face-off man like Hittman.

Middie Chase Thompson, who will have to step it up at the draw, has the skills to dodge and get off his shot. But he will need some support from some of the secondary players to stay fresh.

Perrelle showcased his rifle against Northport. He really only needs a split-second to get off a laser and is deadly accurate from distance. Inverting him up top could result in some matchup problems for L/P. More importantly, it would give him more chances to unload the dangerous crank. In fact, Perrelle has the athleticism/skills to play both middie and attack. It would be interesting if ‘Pac inserted him at middie for a few runs.

Brando has the potential to do some serious damage in isolation against an inexperienced L/P defensive unit.

This is by far the hardest pick of the week . . .

In short, I think Mahopac sorts things out on offense and McGuigan comes up big down the stretch.

Prediction: Mahopac 12, Lakeland/Panas 9