The LoHud Girls Basketball Blog

OK, as I mentioned over on my new space, I’m headed to Utah on a ski trip beginning Saturday morning. You’ll be left with my colleagues until I return, so play nice.

I may have another post or two before the end of the weekend, but if you have any news to share please contact the esteemed Rick Carpiniello at rcarpini@lohud.com or my editor, Sean Mayer, at smayer@lohud.com.

Now on to the slightly-altered rankings, plus a bonus (rankings by class!):

1. IRVINGTON (13-1), Last week: 2 — Can you lose a game in a week where you didn’t play? Only if I screw up the record the week before! Yes, Irivington is 13-1 (not 14-1) and for all intents and purposes should finish the season 17-1 — not bad against what was a difficult non-league schedule.

2. MOUNT VERNON (12-3), Last week: 2 — Impressive performance for Mount Vernon last Sunday in a 20-point win over Molloy. Taylor Palmer told me Wednesday the Knights are dedicated now and have regained their hunger. Only time will tell.

3. OSSINING (10-3), Last week: 3 — A quiet week for Ossining heats up tonight with Edgemont. But expect this team to enter the season finale  with Peekskill on Feb. 9 at 14-3.

4. LAKELAND (10-1), Last week: 4 — The Hornets beat their rival, Panas, last week, but has a good test at home on Friday with Carmel. If Lakeland has a big performance, does it say hello top 3???

5. PEARL RIVER (13-2), Last week: 5 — I’ve said this a bunch the last couple days, but the Pirates are in line to win the league and compete for the Rockland County Championship. All that stands in their way is Albertus Magnus at home on Tuesday.

6. CARMEL (10-3), Last week: 6 — The Rams were quiet in the last week, with just the one win over rival Mahopac. But…here comes a rematch with Lakeland and Tori Jarosz next Friday. That should be a great, great matchup, both between the stars, but also between the sharp-shooting role players around them. An interesting contrast.

7. NANUET (12-3), Last week: 7 — With Lauren Kahn due back but not yet in the lineup, I’ll take a wait-and-see approach. Also, K.C. Jentzen is back and healthy despite missing much of the second half vs. Nyack with an injury. Their absence will only help the rest of the Golden Knights, who were forced to face adversity.

8. NEW ROCHELLE (10-4), Last week: NR — As I said Monday, I heard many, many positive reviews of the Huguenots. I talked to Bruce Daniele tonight and he told me his team played better vs. Long Island Lutheran than in its upset of Mount Vernon. I know the White Plains fans don’t get it, but New Ro has the better overall resume (wins over MV, Long Island Lutheran, Ursuline, etc.), despite two close losses to the Tigers.

9. ALBERTUS MAGNUS (10-2), Last week: 8 — The Falcons were bumped because of a too-close-for-their-comfort victory over Spring Valley, coupled with New Ro’s triumph. It’s only fair to the Huguenots, who are inconsistent but a more dangerous at their peak.

10. BREWSTER (11-3), Last week: 9 — This not a slight to Brewster but praise to New Ro, for reasons I have already stated above. The Bears remain a contended for the County Center in Class A, provided the team remains at full health.

Dropped out: Briarcliff.
On the bubble: Briarcliff (12-2), Kennedy (12-2), Peekskill (12-2), Nyack (9-6).

Class rankings:
Class AA
1. Mount Vernon
2. Ossining
3. Carmel
4. New Rochelle
5. Ursuline

Class A
1. Lakeland
2. Pearl River
3. Albertus Magnus
4. Brewster
5. Peekskill

Class B
1. Irvington
2. Nanuet
3. Briarcliff
4. Kennedy
5. Dobbs Ferry

Class C
1. Valhalla
2. North Salem
3. Haldane
4. Blind Brook
5. Hamilton