2008 Section 1 league alignments
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- October
- 31
We reported last month on Section 1 boys lacrosse coaches deciding on the nine power-league teams and the league alignments for Division A.
At that time, the league alignments for divisions B and C had not yet been approved by Section 1 athletic directors. Now, they have been.
Here’s a complete rundown of the approved league alignments for all 43 of the teams in the section.
Be sure to post your thoughts.
Division A
League 1-A: John Jay (1), Rye (6), Mahopac (7), Putnam Valley (12), Suffern (13), Byram Hills (18)
League 2-A: Yorktown (2), Brewster (5), Horace Greeley (8), Mamaroneck (11), Pleasantville (14), Scarsdale (17)
League 3-A: Lakeland/Panas (3), Somers (4), Hen Hud (9), Fox Lane (10), North Rockland (15), Clarkstown South (16)
*Note: The top half of each league will play crossover games with the top three teams from the other two leagues. Teams in the bottom half of each league will play crossovers with the bottom three teams from the other two leagues. Teams are listed above in the order they were ranked, with their ranking in parentheses.
Division B
League I-B: Ardsley, Arlington, White Plains, Haldane, Harrison, Wappingers, North Salem
League II-B: Ossining, Bronxville, Briarcliff, Nyack, Tappan Zee, Pelham, New Rochelle
*Note: All teams will play each other.
Division C
League C-I: Edgemont, Croton, Clarktown North, Kennedy, Roosevelt, Eastcheste, Pearl River
League C-II: Sleepy Hollow, Hastings, Peekskill, Nanuet, Irvington, Albertus Magnus
*Note: All teams will play each other.
Don’t forget, the November signing period is almost upon us. So don’t forget to revisit our recruiting links:
• Click here to read our Daily recruiting updates page.
• Click here to read our Recruiting 101: Some questions and answers page.
This entry was posted
on Wednesday, October 31st, 2007 at 4:23 pm by Joe Lombardi.
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By the way, folks, you heard it here first. The Section 1 seeding meeting is May 20. Teams must end their regular seasons by May 19. The earliest start date for a game is March 24.
First prediction of the year…
Leaque II B Champs will be the Bears from Briarcliff!!
Bear – My goodness, what a surprise prediction. Has Vegas got the over/under posted for that yet.
Lax Watcher:
Not sure, but I make them a 2 -1 favorite
Maybe if they are so good they should be in A then!
Blindside:
I did actually make that point, but B is fine for now
nice job sand bagging it briarcliff. IF they should be in A and they go B- thats sad.
???
Huh? sand bagging? we don't get the choice here, it is made for us…we had heard rumours that we were on the bubble as the last team in A, but apparently went to Byram Hills…no problem either way, would prefer to play the tougher teams, we still need to go through Rye, PV, P'ville, etc in the playoffs.
Bear – careful what you wish for.
Ardsley, Arlington, and Bronxville would have been on the bubble.
Guys:
we had too many easy games last year, which didn't help..really all I am saying
Briarcliff, was not on the bubble to move up….
Bear – We all think our kid/his team is the best thing in the world, and 17-4 is a nice record, but you only played 2 "A" teams last year and they both spanked the Bears pretty good. Try and be a little objective
Lax Watcher
I am totally not objective, I fully admit…both those games we actually had our moments, but failed when the other team turned it on..hence, why I just wanted to play a better schedule…I didn't make up the bubble story, so if it's not true, no big deal…
BigBad
The choice is NOT "made for you". Coaches show up and discuss/rank their own teams…Maybe your coach doesn't have the same optimism you do…or maybe he (like many other coaches) didn't bother to show up at all.
RAW
have no idea what happened, I am a neophyte when it comes to what happens in Section 1…I am sure my coach was involved in some way…it is not optimism, I of course root for my team..I simply want them to play better teams so they can get better….if I mis-stated the process, apologies…
Irvington will roll over the competition in C-II
They easily have the best D in the league this year, and only graduated 1 senior last year.
17
and the call me biased….we played you last year, great hustle and determination…but best D? don't think so…you will be better than most in your League..but unless Sleepy has lost everyone, they will be the team to beat
be ready for pearl river and nanuet. Nanuet has a lot returning players and played some close games last year against B comp. Pearl river is a new team with seniors on it who have been playing lax for a few years now????
Joe
How do you send you info on an athlete in college
Thanks
North Salem will have a good team this year – although they got moved up to B. But you never know – Only graduated 3 seniors and will have some sophmores who started the initial team in Rec.
long pole – I assume you're talking about the college notebook I do each week in The Journal News and LoHud.com. I surf the Web each week for news of item, gets information e-mailed and faxed to me from college sports information directors and receive comments from readers. Best bet is to e-mail me. My contact info appears at the end of the link above. Hope that helps.
lax
since everyone picks on me for rooting for the Bears, I won't pick on you (too much)...but I think you will have a long year, you will be much better next year
Big Bad Bear it is november and you own nearly half the psts on this blog…maybe if you and your bears spent as much time as you did on the blogs at playing lacrosse you would be playing better competition in A
just trying to create a bit if buzz..but fine, no more comments from me….
Big Bear your gonna let a Pville fan tell you what to do. Cmon now!!! Keep those postings coming. I enjoy your insights and enthusiasm…
Observer Dude:
Lol…that's all I needed to hear..ok I am back!
I am looking forward to seeing Ardsley and Pelaham this year…(In B)...I think those teams, along with us, B-ville, Arlington, and perhaps Ossining will be the teams to beat
It will be interesting to see how Ardsley does this year considering they lost their entire starting defense including the goalie and about 5 of their top points leaders.
How is edgemont is in the selection for best team in the section but backed out of B league to go into C, which screw leage B.
ardsley will definitley have a tough time this season any team would having lost all of its defense and starting goalie, they will definitley have some holes to fill. broxville graduated its two main offensive weapons kolb and #9 (i forget his name), they will have a tough time on offense because last year most of the plays were run through the players mentioned above, i think ossining and arlington will be the teams to beat in B, arlington had a great season last year and knocked off some formidable opponents, ossining seems to have a lot of chemistry and a very solid goalie it will be interesting to see how they respond to the loss of brett miranda….in c im pretty sure that edgemont will run away from the competiton they have a lot of potential and with a strong offseason im sure they will make some noise. in terms of sectionals, i think the most interesting class will be class C, byram hills put valley and pville (three out of the top five last year) will all faceoff during the regular season, rye will have some holes to fill after losing much of their defense im not sure how much of a favorite rye is, put valley pville and byram all have legit shots if they put in the necessary work and also byram is not as much of a joke as everyone thinks, nearly all of their starting line up will be seniors that have played varsity for four years
also byram rye and put valley will all play each other as well, a lot is to be seen before i anyone can say rye is winning the section again (yes, i know its november im just saying the season will be a lot of fun to watch)
arlington lost a ton of kids, let's see what they come back with…all of our key kids are back, all seniors, all playing together for four years…glad to see Ardsley lost kids too! not ready to predict sectionals, even I need to see a few games first..
not sure where all this edgemont love is coming from, frankly…I give them tons of credit…but they just aren't that good..
Big bad bear, i don't know if you were at the Yorktown tourney but your team got destroyed by ardsley. i think your all underestimating them and forgetting they beat P'ville in sectionals last year. I Also remember you talking alot of crap about beating p'ville in football this year and you got destroyed by them to, so basically your opinion means nothing
would someone tell me why Byram is in A? there not at the level of john jay and the other A teams.
d man:
lol..if you were watching us at the tourney, you were watching our freshmen and a couple of soph's that have NEVER played before! Glad you got your rocks off on that…missing ALL of our seniors, including our leading scorer, and our goalie…and if you actually read MY posts, you will see I never said anything bad about Ardsley, I definitely think they will be a great contest for us, no doubt…the team I am questioning is edgemont..
and as for Football, I am very glad we are in basketball season now, I root for all the b'cliff teams…
wanna play us in hoops?
Why no love in class c for Briarcliff they put up a great fight with put valley last year and did not lose a single starter they have to be up there in the top of the section in class C and should defiantly be considered a contender
d-man
one word
chaum
byram is in a because division A went from 15 to 18 teams. as shown by their ranking they were the last team to be considered for division A, i am interested to see how they do, you never know what can happen these days in sports
we played byram last year, very physically tough team, very defensive oriented….
I do think when they play the better teams, they can't afford to go man down as much as they did last year…other team's will make them pay
Briarcliff is a very solid team. 17-4 record last year. EVERY starter from last year is back. Expect great things from the team this year, they are very dedicated. LETS GO HOOPS AND LAX!
BigBadBear,
For once I actually agree with you. Though I think it is pathetic that Briarcliff fans have to keep posting, trying to talk up their team it does show passion for lacrosse. As for what I agree with; if Byram does not control themselves they will be in trouble.
Section 1
Pathetic? not sure why that is so…just rooting…but fine, i am so glad we agree…
Wow ! how does Greeley get ranked #8. Did I read that right.
How did Byram and P'ville end up in A ahead of Bronxville who beat them? Beat Byram 2x…
No better than a 5 seed for them.
Greely, Mahopac???
nobody was there to represent them b/c bad AD's fire caring HS coaches
see, this is what I don't get…let's assume that ??? is right, the Bronxville coaches weren't there for whatever reason…WHY SHOULD THAT MATTER?..why do the coaches even have to be there, why isn't there a simple, objective process with specific criteria established for ranking (and everything else the Section does?)...there are 43 or so Section 1 teams…don't they all have a say? shouldn't they? or is it only teams with "history" that count? sorry for the rant, this stuff drives me crazy as a parent….
Bear-
I totally agree with u that the process should be objective, however, if team truly feels that they are capable to play at a different level from what there numbers say they are capable of let them do so. Are u goin to say that you dont want to see Byram Hills, who moved up to A, not win a single league game? We can nay say all we want about byram's decision but at the end of the day they should be left to dealing with their decision (losses). As far as bronxville goes, im not very familiar with there situation but it says alot about a program if there coach doesnt show up.
laxstar:
playing up is fine by me, (I also think Byram made a mistake, but ok) but what if you have 5 teams that want to play up? how do you decide? I just don't care for the impression anyway that things like this are decided by influence rather than rationality
What does everyone think of the teams in Div. C..who do you think is the best team? Any suprises for C-I or C-II?
laxer:
we played a bunch of those teams last year, and based on LAST year's roster, I would say that Sleepy was the best, followed by Croton…both teams lost a lot of players, so who knows…I will make the suprise pick for C…Irvington…not that they were that good, but they came to play, big support from their fans…I bet they improve a lot this year…the chalk would go with Edgemont..
And Happy New Year Everybody!
Yea i can see what you are saying..from what i can remember edgemont didnt lose any players and they had a solid team last year i agree with you
Joe, Just wanted to say youre doing a great job with this blog, really helps increase the excitement for Section 1 lacrosse…What are your thoughts on which team can go furthest in state playoffs this year? I mean, Yorktown is in class A which is obviously the toughest class to win in while JJ is in Class B which should not be too competetive this year. Who has the upper hand here?
I second that comment. Joe truly does a great job covering lax here in the lower hudson valley! i'm in college and keep up with all his articles and the blog at school.
Guys –
Thanks for the kind words. Coincidentally, just an hour or so ago, someone at work asked me what I enjoy about blogging. And my response was that, in addition to its immediacy, the things I enjoy most are the fact that it provides a forum to interact with readers as well as expound on some subjects of particular interest.
The question you just asked about the state playoffs is a perfect example.
I will throw in my thoughts and also ask our new addition, Jeff Gold, to add his insights about the Long Island teams I mention since he has covered them very closely the last few years.
In a nutshell, while Yorktown does benefit from not having to face John Jay in the same class in Section 1, outside of the section, it pays the price. Despite all the Huntington hype — and make no mistake, the Blue Devils were a great team — the fact is, West Islip was the mythical national champion last year. That's the team the 'Huskers had to play in the state semis. To their credit, they played them very tough too. Even if you're able to clear that hurdle, then it's almost always West Genny in the state finals. Folks, that's a real, real tough one-two combo of games that Yorktown has always had trouble clearing. (After all, five of Yorktown's six state titles have come in Class B.)
As for Class B, I would say your statement about it not being as competitive as Class A is usually correct (even with Huntington enjoying quite a nice three-year run) — and it could prove to be the case this year. However, I would add one caveat. From what I hear, Garden City could be the best team on the Island this year, and the Trojans are in Class B.
Joe asked me to provide some thoughts about which LI teams could be in Section 1's way come state semifinal time.
Having been at Newsday the last three years, I will ALWAYS pick West Islip until someone knocks them off. They did lose a ton – Justin Turri (Duke), Brian Caufield (Albany), Ryan Flanagan (UNC), the goalie Drew DiCioccio (Albany), as well as many many others – but they will still be really, really good. They had a freshman named Nicky Galasso last year who is going to be, provided he stays healthy, one of the most incredible lacrosse players ever. He played on the top attack line last year as a FRESHMAN on what was probably the best and deepest team in the country. Legendary lacrosse coach Joe Cuozzo – he of his 700 wins – said Galasso was the best player he had ever seen at that age. That said, West Islip WILL NOT be as good as it was last year. I spoke to Scott Craig, the WI lax coach a couple months ago, and he said the team was very athletic, but probably wasn't quite as good as last year's team. Then he quickly added that they would be really really strong next year. I still pick them this year. (I always pick them.)
West Islip's biggest challenge on Long Island will come from Ward Melville and their sensational goalie Steven Rastivo, and Syosset, who has Jeff Cohen, the best returning player in Nassau, as well as many other starters.
In Class B, I agree with Joe that Garden City is going to be a team to watch. Tradition, coaching, etc. Francis McDonough is awesome and the goalie last year was a sophomore and he was pretty solid. But they won't be Huntington of the last three years—not even close—and John Jay can definitely win the state title if it's anything like it was last year. In fact…dare I say it…John Jay is my favorite. No more underdog role.
Class C, I'd guess Manhasset as far as LI is concerned.
Jeff –
Thanks for the info. Just to add to a couple of things you wrote … Syosset's Cohen, an attackman, is headed to Harvard. It's noteworthy that two of LI's best attackmen of late — GC's Dean Gibbons and now Cohen – have ended up with the Crimson. Interesting and somewhat surprising, too. Melville's goalie, Steve Rastivo, is headed to Penn State. GC's McDonough is an attackman who has committed to Georgetown.
I agree that going into the season, John Jay is the favorite. Whether or not the Indians stay that way depends on how the brand-new close defense develops. (It sure helps having one of the best goalies around in Chris Latino though) and how John Jay's new attackmen do. One thing I will say is that in the past couple of years, Chris Bocklet has sometimes deferred to his teammates in certain situations because of the Indians' offensive balance. This year, he will need to be the most aggressive he's ever been offensively and be prepared to really carry the load more.
Jeff – one team I'm surprised you did not mention is Cold Spring Harbor. Yes, four-year starting goalie Adam Ghitelman is now at UVa, but if Manhasset wins, it won't be without a battle from the Seahawks I predict.
Also, Shoreham-Wading River, last year's LI Class C champs, which beat Corning East in the state final.
Joe,
Leaving out Cold Spring Harbor was not an oversight. Adam Ghitelman is the best lacrosse player I've ever seen – yes, that includes the Brattons – and I can't even begin to imagine what CSH will be like without him. I'm excited to see what he does at UVA.
They also lost David Lau (Cornell) and Corey Winkoff (UPenn). They have a great coach but it's going to be a very different team.
Depending on how good Manhasset is, I don't think it's too big a leap to think a Section 1 team could contend with the Long Island Class C representative.
I agree that JJ and Garden City definately will be the 2 favorites in class B this year to win the state title.
Offensively, JJ still of course has one of the best in the country in Chris Bocklet along with Kevin Drew. They lost Douglass and Stockel, Decandia and Santare, but they still have a lot of great players such as Granelli, Jones, Dibetta, Durst, Stewart, Malara, Laberch etc. Plus I hear the freshmen this year are one of the best classes ever who have Mike Daniello who may start.
As for GC, they lost their 2 best offensive players in their superstar Dean Gibbons and Dillon Dwyer, two great attackmen. But they still have players such as Savage (attack), McDonough (midfield), and Caroll (midfield) on offense, although they lost two of their captains in midfielders Harder and Kennedy, and many other strong players. I think JJ has more depth offensively.
As for defense, JJ of course lost their whole starting line but they still have many good players who can substitute for this, not sure who'll start though. Don't know a lot about Garden City defense but I hear that they're gonna be pretty solid this year.
They also both have they're starting goalies back, who will both be seniors this year. I'm fairly sure GC's was a junior last year, not a sophomore, Jeff, If I'm not mistaken. This definately helps both teams.
This will be a tough match but I think JJ can pull this off. I can't make an accurate prediction until the season starts.
Lax – Excellent analysis. I think your knowledge of Garden City may even rival Jeff Gold's!
Lax,
I looked it up and you're right, GC goalie Brian McCullough was a junior last season. Nice catch.
Like I said, I think Lax's knowledge of Garden City lax rivals that of Jeff Gold …
schedules are out! Bears play Arlington second game of the year, a game that we need to make a statement, if we are to do anything for the year…
And I had to look at Byram's schedule, wow….their "easiest" game appears to be M'neck….finish the year at JJ….
Jeff,
I agree that West Islip is the team to beat in Class A. Galasso is an amazing talent and I am sure he will be surrounded by very good players. Ward Melville is always in the mix due to their outstanding defense.
In the state semis last year, Yorktown actually gave West Islip a good game for three quarters but West Islip's depth and size prevailed as they dominated the fourth quarter.
Yorktown has run into this dilemma before and it mostly is due to the relative lack of depth and size at midfield. Do you think they have the same issue this upcoming season?
bbb, are you jealous or something that byram gets to play the best teams in the section or are considered better than your beloved bears? no matter what the answer is to that question you need to grow up and close your mouth. mocking a team and belittling their goal to get better and compete is disgusting on your part. they wanted a challenge and thats what they are gonna get. byram is trying to get better and take their game to the next level, and they will do that this season playing against the best of the best in the section. let's give them a chance fist before you massacre them
laxerbro6523:
lol..easy guy, I was hardly mocking them..Joe asked for comments about the schedule, I think there's is incredibly difficult, great for them,,,
re-read my line, all it said was "wow"...
guess I am only allowed to comment about the Bears?
BBB – Thanks for the evaluation. Lets see Mamk has 4 in a row over scarsdale, 3 in a row over p'ville, never lost to Clarks South or North Rockland, and we are Byrams easiest game??? Happy to fly under the radar all year long.
BBB – i apologize if all of my frustration came out on you, this particular comment was not as provocative as some of your others or some other peoples' comments it is just frustrating when indivuals bash players, coaches, and officials when this blog is designed to promote discussion about a game we all live for all year long, to see people say negative things is frustrating and in fact, i agree with your goal of promoting the game and the teams at all levels of the section although i must say that sometimes your methodology is a bit out there
laxwatcher – i agree, mamk is in no way the bobcats easiest game…the beatuiful thing about this is that no game is easy for the bobcats (that is the point of moving up, the boys have to be ready to play day in and day out or else they will get smoked)
laxwatcher:
as you can see, I used quotes, what I meant was that none of Byram's games will be easy, I will certainly be interested in how they do, and how that prepares them for the C playoffs….we have had the pleasure of playing you, actually appreciate that opportunity, (and we got smoked each of the last two years)
I was looking foward to seeing P'ville v. Ardsley regular season game but it didn't happen. Maybe they will play again in the tournament.
As for Bryam, laxerbro can yell all he wants but I can't wait to see them get destroyed in every game. I think the only chance they have is for their goalie to play at an AA level all year if they want to win any games(which won't happen).
Ardsley plays P'ville first game of the season this year check their website. should be fun. any predictions?
Erik:
May be wrong, but I think Ardsley lost something like 16 seniors, and P'ville brings mostly everyone back…plus P'ville will have big time motivation…hard for a b'cliff guy to say it, but you have to favor p'ville
hey, they were overlooking them last year to Putnam Valley in the playoffs and look what happened. And guess who they play after ardsley? For their sake, lets hope history doesnt repeat
Byram hills will have to overcome a whole lot this year if they want to have any success. First of all, as demonstrated by sec1fan's comment, Byram has earned themselves a bit of animosity from the section 1 lax community. They will thus have to overcome constant skepticism. However, as objectively as possible i still think that Byram may have been overzealous in the decision to move to A. Yes i'm aware that they essentially are the same team from 07. but that same team lost 11-3 to Pville. With no disrespect at all for Pville, they are one of Byram's "easier" games this season. Byram has to bring everything they got for every game or else they could be facing a dismal season.
Sorry your right, laxpower didn't have the game up so I figured they weren't playing eachother. Ardsley did lose alot of seniors but I still think it will be a fun game to watch.
i agree. it will deff be a fun game to watch even though ardsley lost like 4/5 of there team. maybe they will see eachother in the playoffs too. could be interesting to watch the progresion. does p'ville have a freshman goalie?
no one cares about all these little fish lets talk about the big sharks
Any1 got any predictions for North Salem in Section 1 I-b? they look pretty solid but i dont know if moving them up 2 leagues is helping their cause… predictions?
North Salem attended a scrimmage at Byram Hills with three other teams…and were easily the worst team as i compared each team to how they played against byram…there defense was non existent and there offense never touched the ball
also why is Byram Hills Playing John Jay under the lights….is that some sort of joke? Why would they wanna run up the electric bill for Byram hills?
John
If North Salem was the worst team – why did they beat the other 2 teams attending? They only lost to Byram and not by much.
John, they only let up 4 goals in 40 minutes and Byram is supposed to be better. Byram is a good school
As i said before i compared each team to how they played against byram and north salem was the team byram had the easiest time with and there was more then 4 goals
John,
So the teams that North Salem had no problem with – Byram had a tougher time playing?
John, Laxin, are we really arguing about North Salem and Byram??? Byram has no class and is not ready to be in division A. JJ is going to send them back to the stone age.
North Salem is not going to do anything in the section either. C'mon, why kid yourselves?
They said the same thing about North Salem's basketball team!!