Now that the 2008 Hudson Vallet ESG team is all set, I took a few moments to give my thoughts on the selections, the selection process and what the schedule looks like for Hudson Valley in Binghamton.

Just received the final 30-player roster (including alternates) via e-mail from Hudson Valley ESG coordinator/coach Dave McNally.

Here it is. (Players' class in school is effective the fall.)

It's been a summer staple since 1986.

And today, the Sound Shore Lacrosse League is more popular than ever.

Publik House defenders Don Femminella and Nick Chalsen pressure Bar None's Aaron Fishkin during a Sound Shore Summer Lacrosse League game at the Joseph T. St. Lawrence Community, Health and Sports Center in Ramapo last week. Publik House [...]

Two of the top players in the LoHud — rising seniors Joe Marasco (Somers) and Michael Bonitatibus (Yorktown) — are featured by InsideLacrosse.com in video highlights of the Jake Reed Nike Blue Chip Camp that just wrapped up at the University of Maryland-Baltimore County.

On Friday, July 11, we'll be unveiling our Westchester/Putnam all-stars and Rockland all-county selections in boys lacrosse in The Journal News and right here at LoHud.com.

The Hudson Valley team that will compete in the Empire State Games is just about set.

Last night, following its Sound Shore League game against the Tailgators at Purchase College, the Hudson Valley coaches met and cut the team down to 31 players.

Our friends at laxpower.com just passed along their final national high school rankings for the 2008 season to me.

It's back, folks.

But this year, we are starting our "Recruiting updates" thread about two months earlier than we did last year.

Hey folks. Just returned from the all-section dinner at Colonial Terrace in Cortlandt Manor.

Here is a rundown of some upcoming lax camps. Feel free to post info on others.

Former Somers all-America goaltender Mike Novosel, now a standout at Dartmouth, gives pointers to youngsters during the No Limit Camp at Rippowam-Cisqua School in Bedford last summer. (File photo by Frank Becerra Jr./The Journal News)

Despite tonight's heavy rains and thunderstorms, Sound Shore League action did get under way, marking the start of another season.

Thirsty Turtle's Michael Bartomioli, left, tries to get around No Limit's Jon Meyers, during a Sound Shore League game at Mahopac High School last summer. (File photo by Frank Becerra Jr. /The Journal News)

Today's senior all-star game at Yorktown and the ESG tryout at Horace Greeley have been postponed because of the threat of thunderstorms.

Because of state regulations, today was the last day the all-star game could be played so it will not be rescheduled.

The rumor mill has been buzzing the past few days that Yorktown all-America midfielder John Ranagan was close to making his college decision.

Those rumors can now be put to rest because the junior has made his choice.

John Ranagan will become the first Yorktown 'Husker to play at Hopkins since three-time high school all-American Chris Watson, [...]

I put together some thoughts on Thursday's state semifinal games at Hofstra as well as the state championship games.

Hope you enjoy.

Download:

We'll be posting updates as we get them, folks.

It was a day that had the potential to be a historic one for Section 1 boys lax.

The possibility of three teams making the state finals in the same season for the first time was very real as action got under way at Hofstra's James Shuart Stadium.

Those dreams were quickly dashed though as Yorktown started [...]

The game, originally scheduled for a 5:30 p.m. start, now won't get under way till 6 p.m.

We'll be back with updates.

Hey folks. I arrived here at Hofstra's James M. Shuart Stadium about 20 minutes ago, about two minutes before Yorktown's coach bus pulled in. The players were very business-like as they made their way onto the turf field.

Class B update No. 3: It's official, John Jay advanced to tomorrow's state semifinals with a 17-2 win over South Glens Falls. The Indians will play at Hofstra at 5:30 p.m. against either Rocky Point of Section 11 or Garden City of Section 8.

John Jay freshman Mike Daniello strong arms a South Glens Falls defender [...]

Yorktown's John Froats unleashes a shot during today's 9-6 Class A state quarterfinal win over Niskayuna at Yorktown High School. (Photo by Matthew Brown/The Journal News)

Rye's Kris Kilpi controls during today's 18-3 win over Johnstown in the Class C state quarterfinals at Lakeland High School. (Photo by Seth Harrison/The Journal News)

Be sure to keep it here, folks, for updates on today's state quarterfinal games.

We will also be posting scores from the Long Island championship games as they become available.

By around 7:30 tonight we will know exactly how many Section 1 teams will be heading to Hofstra tomorrow for the state semifinals.

Really, I mean it this time.

Of course, we thought the same thing when we woke up yesterday. But then came 98 degrees of separation. All three games wiped out by — get this [...]

The annual Yorktown alumni game is coming back.

It will be played this Sunday at 3 p.m. at Charlie Murphy Field. (It is on a Sunday instead of Saturday this year because the high school state championships, of course, are on Saturday.)

Former 'Huskers Mike McCall and Chris Watson have done a great job organizing this year's [...]

Will Section 1 make it 3 for 3 in the state semifinals for the third straight year?

There's a good chance.

Yorktown (Class A), John Jay (Class B) and Rye (Class C) have state quarterfinal-round games today starting at 3:30 p.m. at Yorktown High School when the 'Huskers face Niskayuna in what should be the most competitive [...]

Here's a one-stop shop for state playoff schedules and results as well as links to state brackets and rosters, stats and schedules for matchups involving the three Section 1 teams still alive.

We should be in store for an interesting week, folks.

And I think it could wind up being a memorable one for Section 1 lax.

Yorktown, which finished the season unbeaten against Section 1 competition, placed 10 players on the all-Section 1 team.

Yorktown junior defenseman John Fennessy, shown in action today against Valley Central, was one of 10 'Huskers named all-section. (Photo by Matthew Brown/The Journal News)

Rye, which defeated John Jay during the regular season to end the Indians' 47-game [...]

We will have the all-section and all-section honorable-mention teams as well as coach of the year selections shortly.

A week from today, state champions will be crowned in three classes at Hofstra University's Shuart Stadium, starting with the Class A title game at 11 a.m.But we have plenty of action crammed into the next five days to determine who will get there. Beginning today.

All-America midfielder Kevin Drew and John Jay will be playing [...]

Three juniors were named New York City metro private school all-Americans to lead the list of local players selected to all-Metro and all-CHSAA teams.

Iona Prep attackman Nick Trizano and midfielder Michael O'Hagan and Fordham Prep goaltender Chris Moffa make up the trio.

Fordham Prep's Chris Moffa was named a New York City metro private school all-American. [...]

Section 1 teams that win tomorrow advance to Tuesday's state quarterfinals, which will be played at Yorktown if the games involve Section 1 squads.

CLASS A
If Yorktown beats Valley Central tomorrow in the first round of the state tournament, it would likely face powerful Niskayuna on Tuesday in the state quarterfinals at Yorktown. (Photo by Frank [...]

I just pulled into the main parking lot at John Jay High School, gang. In front of me was a van labeled "Tufts athletics." There should be quite a few college coaches here scouting recruits as is the case every year at the sectional finals.

Today's sectional championship tripleheader is about to get under way.

Today's the day, gang.

By the end of the day, three Section 1 teams will be headed to the state tournament.

Last year, the Rye Garnets celebrated their third straight Class C sectional final win against Putnam Valley. Today, they hope to make it four titles in a row. This time, their opponent will be Byram [...]

We have a brand-new group of all-Americans, folks.

Somers' Joe Marasco, a junior attackman who has committed to Ohio State, is among seven first-time all-Americans. (Photo by Matthew Brown/The Journal News)

Yorktown lacrosse players were among those who have had to make that decision.

Harold Gutmann takes an in-depth look today in The Journal News and on LoHud.com.

Check it out here.

The sectional finals tripleheader is just a few days away.

Which is plenty of time to weigh in with your predictions.

Brewster hopes to cap its turnaround season with a sectional championship on Thursday when it faces No. 1-seeded John Jay at John Jay in the second game of the sectional finals. (Photo by Frank Becerra [...]

It's been an interesting season of previews of picks.

But there's been no week that can top this one, gang.

That's because it's sectional championship time.

Donald Keough and the Rye Garnets will be going for their fourth straight Class C sectional title on Thursday when they face Byram Hills at 8 p.m. at John Jay High School. (Photo by Mike Roy/The Journal News)

I will of course be checking back with some thoughts on all these matchups.

As I write this today, there are 12 teams left standing in Section 1 boys lax — four in each of the three classes.

Chris Gautieri and the Pleasantville Panthers will be looking to deny Rye a shot at a fourth straight Class C sectional title today when the teams meet in the semifinals. (Photo by [...]

Well, folks. We have the matchups.

I've also officially gone on the record with my picks.

Now, it's your turn.

Can Stefan Carpentieri help Byram Hills end a long drought by making it back to the sectional finals? To do it, the Bobcats would have to pick up their second win of the season against a Put Valley [...]

As you will see, I think there are two games that really stand out as having the potential to be great games: Somers at Brewster in Class B and Byram Hills at Put Valley in Class C.

I also provide picks on each of the six games.

Click here for a rundown of all the matchups.

Despite some one-goal games today, the seeds have held up.

All games are set for Friday.

Let's hear your early read on the matchups, gang.

That's the situation today, folks, for 24 Section 1 teams as we shift to the quarterfinal round of the Section 1 playoffs.

Today's winners advance to Friday's semifinals.

Brian Mendoza and the Mahopac Indians hope to earn a trip to the sectional semifinals. (Photo by Matthew Brown/The Journal News)

We will be keeping an eye on the MLL collegiate draft, which will be held tomorrow night. It is set for 8:30 p.m. and will follow the Warrior Major League Challenge at Stevens Tech in New Jersey.

Tomorrow are the sectional quarterfinal-round games.

Today is a state championship.

Goaltender Paul Anderson and the Iona Gaels are eyeing a state title. The Gaels play Holy Trinity today in the CHSAA Class A state title game at Chaminade. (Photo by Frank Becerra Jr./The Journal News)

In the CHSAA that is.

Iona Prep is playing Holy Trinity [...]

What could be better than watching an exciting D-I lax final while enjoying some time in the pool on Memorial Day?

That's what sisters Alison and Lindsay Stiller of Airmont did earlier today.

But they have divided loyalties. Alison, pictured at left, graduated from Syracuse in 2001. Lindsay, a senior at Suffern, will be a freshman at [...]

John Carrozza had it all figured out.

When I talked to the former John Jay star on Saturday after he realized that either he or former teammate Matt Bocklet would win a national title in their final college game, Carrozza offered his take.

Syracuse players celebrate with the NCAA championship trophy after defeating Johns Hopkins 13-10 in [...]

The Section 1 quarterfinals are all set for Wednesday.

As is often the case, the No. 5 vs. No. 4 games appear to have the potential to be the most highly contested.

I three out three picks for you folks on this report. Please ask about any games I didn't predict that you're interesting in.

Players from Johns Hopkins, above, and Syracuse, below, celebrate after their big wins today. (Associated Press photos)

When Johns Hopkins senior defenseman Matt Bocklet walked off the field following the Blue Jays' dramatic 10-9 win over top-seeded and No. 1-ranked Duke in the NCAA semifinals, one of the first people he saw was former John [...]

It's Memorial Day weekend, gang.

And that can only mean one thing.

It's Final Four time in the college lax world.

I will be weighing in with my thoughts tonight on RNN's "NewsCenter Now."

In the meantime, we are privileged to get the insights of former Somers and Loyola College star Ryan Rabidou.

Ryan Rabidou gives some pointers to youngsters [...]

It's postseason time, gang.

The Section 1 tournament starts today with 13 opening-round games.

Brian Rose and the North Rockland Red Raiders host rival Clarkstown North today in the first round of the Class A sectional playoffs. (Photo by Peter Carr/The Journal News) 

Normally at this time, we have a bunch of scores to report on and get your reactions to — but not tonight.

That's because it's the night before the Section 1 tournament starts.

With that in mind, I put together some thoughts.

Hope you enjoy and let me know what you think.

Download:

We've been on top of commitments by senior — and in some cases junior — lacrosse standouts from the LoHud throughout the year.

Here you go, folks.We'll let you know as soon as we know of any game changes. There is one that is likely — the White Plains/Clarkstown South game, which may be moved from Thursday to another day.

We will be back shortly with the matchups.

Class A
No. 1 Yorktown, bye
No. 2 Lakeland/Panas, bye
No. 3 Horace Greeley, bye
No. 4 Mahopac
No. 5 North Rockland
No. 6 Suffern
No. 7 Clarkstown South
No. 8 Scarsdale
No. 9 Mamaroneck
No. 10 White Plains
No. 11 Wappingers
No. 12 Clarkstown North
No. 13 Roosevelt

Class B
No. 1 John Jay, bye
No. 2 Brewster, bye
No. 3 Somers, bye
No. 4 [...]

Who's No. 1?

And No. 2, and No. 3, and No. 4. …

Well, you get the idea.

Tonight, we will know.

That's right, gang. The sectional seedings meeting is set for 7 o'clock at Clarkstown South High School.

Hey folks, just obtained the dates from ESG coach/Hudson Valley ESG lax coordinator Dave McNally.

Registration starts 30-45 minutes prior to competition.

The sites: SMS (Suffern Middle School), HG (Horace Greeley High School), ARL (Arlington High School.

Here's the rundown. An additional day may be added.

We're less than 48 hours away from knowing the seeds for the 2008 Section 1 tournament.

But we still have a few good regular-season games before then.

One quick note. The John Jay-Mahopac game, which had been scheduled for last Thursday but then moved to this Wednesday after the JJ-Yorktown game was rescheduled for Friday, has [...]

Yes indeed, folks.

The NCAA D-I Final Four field was completed today at Cornell.

Here are the results from those two quarterfinals games:

We last visited this topic on April 22.

Here's that link.

Needless to say, a lot has changed since then.

Now that we've had a little more time to take in the significance of Yorktown's 13-10 win last night over John Jay, I put together a few thoughts.Download:

As we get set for today's games, as I said last night, Yorktown's 13-10 win over John Jay has led to some questions.

Among them: Is John Jay's two-year run as arguably the premier program in the section now over? Is "The King" (Yorktown) not only back — but likely for a while? Especially in light [...]

I'm not exactly sure if it completely fits or not, but that's what popped into my mind in the closing minutes tonight as Yorktown was securing its 13-10 win over John Jay.

Yes, the 'Huskers have had some close calls against Section 1 teams, but none have been able to beat them.

Including now, John Jay.

Yorktown celebrates [...]

Hey folks –
I arrived here a few minutes ago just as John Jay players were making their way  off the team bus.

The rain, which was pretty heavy as I was making my way up, has let up just a bit. We'll see if it holds up.

The next time I talk to you folks, it will be from [...]