Finals preview: Class A facts and stats
-
- May
- 31
Yorktown defeated Lakland/Panas 9-6 in last year’s sectional final. No surprise that the teams will be meeting again this year. (Vincent DiSalvio/Journal News file photo)
Coming tomorrow: A look at the Class B final between John Jay and Brewster.
Here are some quick facts and stats to know about the Class A final.
No. 1 Yorktown (17-3) vs. No. 2 Lakeland/Panas (14-6),
3 p.m., Thursday at John Jay
• Yorktown is going for its 27th sectional title in 29 years.
• Yorktown defeated Lakeland/Panas 9-6 in last year’s title game.
• Yorktown defeated Lakeland/Panas 10-9 in the Murphy Cup on May 3. Yorktown led 8-4 in that game before falling behind 9-8 in the fourth quarter. Yorktown scored two goals in the final 1:16, the first coming from Brendan Kurpis and the winner from John Ranagan with 16.7 seconds left.
• Yorktown has won 10 straight games, the second longest active streak in Section 1. Rye is first with 18 straight.
• Yorktown’s leading scorer is Kurpis, who has 75 points. In addition to Kurpis, Kevin Interlicchio, John Ranagan, Rocky Bonitatibus and John Froats all have 43 or more points.
• Yorktown starting goalie Michael Bonitatibus has a 7.17 GAA and a .606 save percentage.
• Lakeland/Panas Jack Doherty is second in Section 1 with 91 points. John Jay’s Chris Bocklet is first with 100. Doherty, a junior, has 56 goals and 35 assists.
• Lakeland/Panas’ other leading scorers are Keith Rodriguez (56 points), John Fitzpatrick (52 pts.) and Mike Malan (36 pts.)
• Lakeland/Panas goalie Michael Mackay has a 5.54 GAA and a .632 save percentage.
• Lakeland/Panas last won a sectional title in 2003, defeating Suffern 11-7.
• Lakeland/Panas has won seven straight games and 10 of 11. Its lone loss was to Yorktown in the Murphy Cup.
• Lakeland defeated Yorktown 7-4 in the 1997 sectional final. In that game, current L/P coach Jim Lindsay scored four goals.
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Joe- Could you please provide the dates and locations for the regionals (vs Section 9) and Quarters (vs Section 2)? I think these dates were referenced before but I am having trouble finding that information. Thanks.
Saturday, June 7
State tournament first round, at Dietz Stadium, Kingston
Class A, 1 p.m.
Class B, 3:30 p.m.
Class C, 6 p.m.
Tuesday, June 10
State quarterfinals, at Yorktown (if Section 1); at Dietz (if Section 9)
Class A, 3:30 p.m.
Class B, 5:30 p.m.
Class C, 8 p.m.
Thursday, June 12
State semifinals, at Hofstra
Class A, 3:30 p.m.
Class B, 5:30 p.m.
Class C, 8 p.m.
Saturday, June 14
State finals, at Hofstra
Class A, 11 a.m.
Class B, 1:30 p.m.
Class C, 4 p.m.
BIG NEWS: Lafayette OUT!; Melville wins by 1; West Islip struggles
Boys … the parity continues. Skeneateles defeated Lafayette tonight 9-8. Ward Melville survived, 6-5 over Smithtown West, and West Islip beat Lindenhurst just 7-3.
On the surface, who knows what this really means? But as far as I am concerned Section I teams have better than average shots this June of making serious, serious noise come Hofstra.
BIG NEWS II: Corning East OUT! Homer OUT!
Don't know specifics yet, but if you're Rye or Jay you are cautiously optimistic.
Correction: Corning East not out. My apologies on that one. I'm getting second-hand info.
L/P was 4-0, then 4-5, and now 14-6? talk about streaky. they've been flying under the radar as of late. i hope they put on a good show against y'town like they did in the murphy cup.
Syracuse – do you know what is going on in Class A and B on the Island? Is Garden City still in it, any other specifics??
Thanks!
In class B Lynbrook (who beat Garden City in the season) got defeated by plainedge who lost to GC yesterday.
LacrosseInsider—I'll break it down for you:
Class A
Section 8 title game:
Syosset (14-4) vs. Long Beach (14-4) on June 4
Section 11 title game:
Ward Melville (19-0) vs. West Islip (18-1) on June 5
Class B
Section 8 title game:
South Side (15-3) vs. Garden City (14-4) on June 4
Section 11 title game:
Rocky Point (17-1) vs. Comeswogue (15-4) on June 5
Class C
Section 8 title game:
Manhasset (14-3) vs. Cold Spring Harbor (14-3) on June 4
Section 11 title game:
Mount Sinai (14-3) vs. John Glenn-Elwood (12-6) on June 5
Thoughts:
I think the Melville-Islip rematch is going to be crazy, but I think Islip will find a way. Melville's offense is nothing great. They score 6 or 7 goals every game it seems and win because Restivo is maybe the best goalie in the state and they play not good but great D. Islip, though, has so much firepower with Galasso on attack. I think they eke out a one-goal win and throw the national rankings into chaos.
I think you are looking at a South Side-Rocky Point L.I. championship. John Jay (or Brewster) can play with these teams, and I think Jay has a great chance to get back to a likely rematch with JD in the state final. I just don't see Brewster stopping the Jay offense. Take Jay in that game like 15-11.
Manhasset should roll to a Hostra state semifinal against Rye. That will be a great game. I'm giving a slight edge to Manhasset because they are Manhasset, but Rye plays as good a defense as anyone in the state in Class C. And with Lafayette now out, Skaneateles or Corning East will likely be the rep from upstate in the final.
Bottom Line:
I want to believe Yorktown can do this. They are playing their best lax right now. I expect L/P to push them for a half. I expect the same from Nisky or even Shenendehowa, but in the end Town will get to Hofstra and let the chips fall where they may against Islip or Melville. I think this Town team can do the "impossible," just like the 2003 team did when it beat Shoreham-Wading River, snapping their ridiculous winning streak, on their way to the Class B state crown.
John Jay and Rye "can" win state titles. I said before I liked Rye's chances more than Jay's, but I don't know now. Manhasset will be an incredible test for Rye at Hofstra. Jay will likely meet a great unknown in Rocky Point at Hofstra. And if past history is any indication, the teams that come "out of nowhere" to win state crowns and establish themselves in our fine state, often come from Class B on Long Island. Look no further than Wantagh, Bethpage, Comeswogue and South Side.
Strap yourselves in boys … I just have a funny feeling we could very well see Section I history this year. But you can call me crazy if you want. I've been called worse.
Assuming Yorktown, John Jay, and Rye all win, as the best 3 teams in our section they all have legit chances of getting a state championship. It's very close on class B on the island, I'm predicting South Side to come out on top (we JJ fans are rooting for Comsewogue though). Manhasset is the likely favorite in class C, but it's an all out war in class A and B. I'm predicting Melville, South Side, and Manhasset will win the island but it could just as easily be West Islip instead of WM or GC or Rocky point instead of SS. Good title game in section 8 GC only lost by 1 to SS in the season.
Thanks Syracuse!
The Palasek Bro's at Rocky Point are SUPER LEGIT…both going to Hopkins and Hopkins usually gets MD kids, these island boys are serious..
saw the kids last summer. Fast as I have ever seen. Nobody here can compete
Joe- When does the meeting for All-section/All-league take place ?
TIME TO GO TO WORK TOWN!.....
although lakeland/panas is a very good team, the stats you give regarding the year are not the true picture, seems that the teams that yhs went against were of a much higher level, wm,cham., st. a's,darian, wilton, md team. the goals made and given up would slight yhs stats a bunch and given the level l/p went up against would pad theirs. that is not to say this isn't going to be a great game, but the picture you are trying to paint is not really comparing oranges to oranges. perhaps you should list the stats vs common opponets to give a more accurate tale of the tape. and common now enough with the yhs scored with under 2 minutes left. seemed when jj did it last year in a big game, it was the greatest thing since sliced bread, actually it was, and so is anytime 2 very good teams play each other and one finds the wherewith all to dig deep and make something happen.
no one,
I agree that objectively the first measure would be to look at the game they played earlier in yr, then stats vs other common opponents and then finally you need to throw in the toughness and successes that Town had with a very tough out of Section 1 sched.
Given the above, despite LP's 1 goal loss to Town, I think Town should be the very heavy favorite.
That said, LP's winning consistently plus the emotion and importance of this game MIGHT bring the same type of close game as in the Murphy Cup (i.e it would be a huge upset but within the realm of a "possibility")
Good luck to both teams!!
well i dont know of you heard but next year town and greeley are moving down to class b…so l/p might be looking to go out with a fight since they will only be playing each other next year at the murphy cup….
Chillax – We did report that several weeks ago. It sure makes Class B stacked with Yorktown, John Jay, Brewster, Somers, etc.
it also makes class a skimpy….mahopac north rockland alrignton and l/p…..also i herd reports of nisky moving down along with other class a teams out of section 1
Joe,
It's that time of year again – Sectional finals are here and the boys will be playing for pride.
I think Yorktown has been playing well recently. However, their offense has been so strong that it has masked some problems with their defense. If possession tilts in Lakeland's favor, it could get very interesting.
Lakeland has three attackmen who can finish and a fiery middie in Malan. Despite the recent wins, Yorktown's defense has been caught ball watching way too many times and has been rescued by the incredible play of Mike Bonitatibus.
Speed could pose a match up problem for Yorktown's defense as it did in the second half of the Murphy Cup. Fennessy – Doherty will be a classic battle and the Fox – Malan match up should be great. I think the remaining match ups could determine the outcome as Rodriguez and Fitzpatrick could prove to be too much for the relatively slower tandem of Brunelle and Cabrielle.
I believe Yorktown does have other options that they could rely on to improve the overall defensive speed and such a move could catch Lakeland by surprise.
section one – The AA/all-section meeting is Tuesday nite.
Laxfan – Good analysis and nice job highlighting the probably Fennessy-Doherty matchup. Fennessy, just a junior, did a tremendous job on Chris Bocklet in the JJ game. At about 6-2, 190, he matches up well size-wise with Doherty, who had 3-2 in the Murphy Cup.
The goalie matchup of Mike B. vs. Mike Mackay was a good one in the Murphy Cup and should be once again on Thursday.
You can work on Def-Attack match ups all you want. I believe the big Question is how L/P is going to stop Y-Towns Middies?? Goalies are a wash. The other factors really cancel each other out.
I belive town can make it to the state championship. They will make it to the semi's along with jay and rye, but i really do see town making it all the way. My state champ predictions are A: Melville or Town B: Rocky Point C: Manhasset. A is a very tough one because of Islip, Melville, Town and West Genny
I personally think JJ has a better shot at winning semis (assuming they get there) than Yorktown. Town has a shot but they will have a tough time with WI or WM, who they lost to 1-9, so how can you say you see town making it over jay or rye? I think WM would be tougher for town than RP for JJ, rye has a shot too. Yorktown has a fair shot, but it's just WM has probably the best defense in the nation, it's very possible but it's going to be tough.
any chance of the game times for the state final getting moved back because of the ACTs?
Ward Melville will lose Thursday to West Islip. You watch …
hey joe, L/P's Jack Doherty has had a monster season. is he getting any major D1 looks?
Meliville isn't losing to Islip, if they do it is much better for town, it would be easier for them to beat Islip than ward. Such a rivalry with ward and already losing to them by 8 this season. Turf should also help town with both teams who play on dirt with some grass.
STRONG—Great stuff as always … So you say Town has a better shot against West Islip. I would think Melville's relative lack offense would make them the more attractive foe of the two. I think the 9-1 loss earlier this season is a non-issue.
It made not be a issue and turf also will help, but the rivalry will make the game so much more intense. I just think after watching Islip and seeing Town lose by one goal to them in fall ball, without out Kurpis, Fox, Brunell, or Fennesy and islip having galasso and braddish, they have a better chance.
Town has a better chance against WI than WM, especially with that 9-1 loss daunting in their minds, it's much easier to score on WI. But even if town plays WM they have a shot I've seen a handful of teams in my years of following lacrosse turn a big loss during the season to a win in the playoffs. It all depends on how good they play obviously, they can come out like they did against Chaminade and St. Anthony's or like they did against WM or Darien in the season. If Mike B steps up then I'm sure they have a fair shot and all the players will be pumped up for this huge game.
Too Funny… all this talk about Town in the semis. Make sure you don't look too far ahead. You have to win the quarters before you can plan for the semis ;^)
Section 2
...and you have to beat Lakeland-Panas before you do that
Wasabi
...so true….they should never assume….and we all know what happens when you "assume"
Section 2
Easy there guys … considering L/P is a huge underdog and Nisky could easily lose to Shaker I say you guys are the ones who should think before you speak …
Time will tell ;^) I'll be back Friday night to recap the next few days events.
town rocks rebels!
Wasabi – we NEVER assume – we PLAY! :o)
You taking the bus trip down to 'Town on Tuesday, LaxBusSection2?
I think if Nisky wins Friday, their trip to Yorktown on Tuesday will be a tad bit different than playing in the somewhat friendly confines of Dietz or at Albany. The Silver Warriors may be 20-0 or 21-0, but they are about to enter a place that few walk out of with a win.
I know they play a deliberate style, are well coached and play superb defense, but if Yorktown gets the transition game going there isn't a team in the state that can stop them. That's not to say there isn't a team in the state that can beat them. It's just you have to take Yorktown out of what it does best to have chance.
Nisky will have to maintain possession and beat it back to the hole when they lose possession. I have no idea what they do 6-on-6 on the defensive end, but I can't imagine them having enough to shut down all of Town's weapons. They will have six guys on offense whenever they have the ball that can score from anywhere and quickly. That's just in a settled situation.
They get the break going, they'll be TOUGH to stop.
Add to that the fact that their close D unit has improved in leaps and bounds and that they have the best goalie probably in Section I. Knowing this, they may not have to run and gun to win. Maybe they can beat Nisky at their own game.
I know I sound super confident, but I've said consistently all season that Yorktown is a work in progress, probably more so than any team in Section I, mostly because what they do is fairly complex and takes a while to master.
Once May 1 rolled around, you'd see the real Town. Well, since May 1 they have won 12 straight, including beating John Jay. They went undefeated in Section I, a big deal nowadays considering the parity that has engulfed the section.
Their wins over St. Anthony's and Chaminade were not flukes. Their loss to Ward Melville might have been, though I think that would've been a hell of a matchup had there been a rematch.
I think Yorktown is on a mission now. I think John Jay is as well. I think Rye has one more thing to prove, beating L.I. on L.I. in June.
I'm telling you … I will repeat for the umpteenth time … something magical is happening and something special will happen on June 14.
Cuse,
Right on!! Go Town, JJ and Rye!!
Agree with your final comment on my Rye team!! To be considered an "elite" team you've got to play and get your share of W's against the BEST not only within Section 1 but OUT of Section 1.
Cuse,
Some great points. Had the chance to see Town play alot this year they seem to gain more confidence with each win. Would not be surprised if they go all the way. As far as JJ goes if they get by Long Island next week can I can see them winning it all as well. And as far as Rye goes don't know to much about them, don't really care but wish them luck. My prediction for Town/Nisky game is Town 13-5.
Re-Lax – I'm going to pick Yorktown by a decisive margin as well. But I am wary of Nisky because of all the intangibles they will bring to Tuesday's game. They've beaten Town before in a big spot so the potential is there for them to do it again, but I, like you and many others, also believe Yorktown is a team brimming with confidence right now …
The Jay and Rye scenarios will also be extremely interesting to say the least, but both are very talented teams and certainly have what it takes to get to the June 14 title game.
ugly!
Cuse, great points again. Just saw Town crush an over matched CV team. To much fire power and D is playing great. Earlier in year Nisky may have concerned me but saw an article in the Albany paper the other day. They beat a Shaker team which was not that good,8-4 and score was not an indication of how close game was for three quaters. I just think Town is on a great roll and unles Nisky jumps on them early, and Town is looking ahead I can't see it being much of a contest past the second quater. I hope I'm right.
Cuse
Rye's Tuesday game better not be "interesting" (adjective taken from your above commnet) at all except to ponder how big a "wupping" they'll put on Johnstown!
Slay-baby,
I'm looking beyond Tuesday for Classes B and C. If either Jay or Rye don't win by at least 10 goals Tuesday I'll be very surprised. After that, though, all bets are off …