Everything (and nothing)
-
- May
- 16
Michael Bonitatibus and Yorktown took the unofficial title of Section 1’s best team from Chris Bocklet and John Jay. Now it’s time for sectionals. (Photo by Dave Kennedy/The Journal News)
Edge: Yorktown.
13-10 ‘Huskers.
There were no trophy presentations, no Gatorade dumped on coaches and no tears on the losing end. Just some simple pride and bragging rights.
Yorktown can rightfully call itself Section 1’s top team for now – the ‘Huskers beat Rye and John Jay by three goals each – but what happens now if Yorktown doesn’t win a section title and the other two do and then go on and win a state title. Does Yorktown relinquish the 2008 crown?
Still, there’s no denying the importance of yesterday’s game and how well Yorktown played. A week ago, on a gorgeous day in Rye, Rye upset John Jay 9-8 in double overtime before a crowd that I’d guess had about 200 people. In other words, about 10% of how many people were at yesterday’s game in a downpour from start to finish.
Yorktown NEEDED this game. It was on its home field, it had lost three straight to John Jay and craved the spotlight and recognition of being the top dog in the area. That isn’t a treat for Yorktown; it’s an expectation.
Ultimately, it was a stellar game from Michael Bonitatibus (17 saves) and balance on offense that was the difference. Not many people would have predicted two goals from Tom Casey and Remy Lieberman. Both played like stars, and Yorktown’s normal stars (Kevin Interlicchio, John Froats, John Ranagan, Brendan Kurpis, Rocky Bonitatibus) were strong throughout. Defensemen Bret Cabrielle and John Fennessy were outstanding as well.
Yorktown’s had a very good (maybe even great?) regular season, capped off by a terrific win over its arch-rival. John Jay has had a lousy regular season, and needs to go back to being the hunter instead of the hunted.
It would be so easy to put a wrap on the lacrosse season with the conclusion of the game we all look forward to all year. Strangely, however, this is just the beginning.
Sectionals are upon us and seasons will be defined in the next few weeks. John Jay-Yorktown can finally take a break.
(Yeah right.)
This entry was posted
on Friday, May 16th, 2008 at 11:16 pm by Jeff Gold.
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Froats , Interlicchio and the huskers cannot be stoppped!!! KI22 is the next soph AA congrats to a very well coached Town team and the players on BOTH town and jj who gave it their all!...
Well said JGold. We'll be hearing about which JV, freshman and youth league teams are better directly.
Joe- How come there was no reporting of the Briarcliff Ossining score?
If we look into the future (specifically next year), I have to think that Jay has a very difficult time, especially against a team like Yorktown. Jay is losing their stellar goalie, their best defensiveman on a weak D unit, their entire starting attack including arguably the best player in Section 1 in Bocklet as well as probably the best player on face off's in Granelli, Kevin Drew, etc, etc. I keep hearing how great their JV team is, however, if you look at a team like Yorktown it appears that most of their top JV guys are already on Varsity! When you look at Yorktown's returning players for next year, is is very impressive; leading the way is Mike B. at goalie who should be a top Division 1 recruit. I realize that Jay does have some very good players returning, Freshman Daniello, I think LaPerch is a junior? Harrison Silver, and a few others, but the losses from last year and this years senior class is hugh. What do people in the know think about Yorktown and Jay's teams next year? And by the way, I am not trying to take away from Yorktown's win yesterday, it was a great game for them and they deserve to be the Champions of Section 1 (assuming they win Class A). I am just curious how this awesome rivalry plays out in the near future….
Does rye take over the 2 spot in the Fab five now, I dont see any reason why they wouldn't. Joe?
? – If we don't have a score it means it wasn't reported to us. We ask the coaches of the home team to report results but either coach can.
LacrosseInsider – You make some interesting points and I will give some of my own on this topic later on today.
zob – Definitely fuel for thought, especially now that Rye has just two losses and JJ five. But JJ's tougher schedule is a big factor. We shall see.
ZOB,
Rye had a great win over JJ but as it was a 1 goal win in OT + JJ's much larger margin of wins over common opponents +Jays's stronger schedule I'd still give Jay the #2 spot.
Insider,
I would have to agree with you on the fact that Yorktown will probably be the better team in the near future. Yorktown will definately be a better team next year, only really feeling the losses of Rocky and Kurpis. 4 very athletic, good poles return in Fennessy, Brunelle, Cabrielle and obviously Fox, along with the best goalie in the section, Mikey B. Offensively they return a plethora of weapons as well with KI, Tom Casey(this game wasn't a fluke he is a big, strong, athletic attackman) Rannagan, Liam McCarthy, Matt Pappas, and Remy Lieberman. Meanwhile Jay loses the big 4 of Granelli, Drew, Latino, and Bocklet and while they may have a stellar JV team JV experience is nothing compared to Varsity experience which Yorktown will have at every position. Mark my words, next year it wont be this close.
laxin-
great points. ytown wil be able to handle jay easily next year. I think that the lack of experience will be huge for a young jay team next year. We'll just have to wait another 2 years to see if jj can compete.
insider-unfortunately for jj LaPerch is a senoir. Their top returner will be Will stewart and also harrison silver.
I agree. Next year won't be close. Town will be able to handle a very young JJ team. In two years, it will be close, Town has a really strong sophomore class (4 on varsity), and JJ has also has a strong sophomore class (3 on varsity). Also JJ is supposed to have one of the best classes in school history with the freshman (1 on varsity). It will be close in two years. Can't wait!
Laxin & Insider
Yorktown will indeed be better in the very near future.
Let's not forget about the D middies who get forgotten about in all the hype.
Hanlon, a junior, who I've heard about lately, played a solid game last night. Joe what can you tell me about him ?
Casey was awesome as well as the regulars.
Town will only improve with their young Varsity squad.
Impressive the game raised $ for Breast Cancer Research
Kuddos to the Ytown Coaches for their efforts to the cause
JJ has a very strong freshmen class led by Daniello but backed up by many more great players on JV some having a legit chance of making varsity this year such as Walter, Caviola, Lanza, Winter, Pray, the Morris brothers, Lupinacci, Weil, Jack Stewart… I'm predicting as many as 4 STARTING next year. They have some good sophomores as well. Genovesi didn't play this year but he's a great defender, Pickel is very athletic, Maher will be the starting goalie next year, O'donnell is huge with good stick skills, this kid Merlino from Arlington is apparently pretty good also. But JJ won't be as good as Town next year with Town's great Junior and Sophomore classes.