Note: This is not an official ballot. Also, just because a coach’s name isn’t here, that doesn’t mean that Rob and I don’t respect that coach and his/her ability and skill. This is based on this season’s results. (In fact, I’m a strong believer that unless a coach is completely incompetent, or a complete superstar, talent is what matters the most.)
Lorraine Moylan, Pearl River (22-3): Moylan led Pearl River to its first ever state final four, and did it without her star point guard Nicole Grossbard, who missed the season due to a torn ACL. Yes, she had a talented team full of experiences seniors, but one of Pearl River’s greatest strengths is its 2-2-1 press, which you could say is a direct result of Moylan’s X’s and O’s. And her players love her.
Tom Cromer, Tappan Zee (18-3): Before the season, few people expected Tappan Zee to be just a few made shots away from being sectional champions. Last year Tappan Zee was 14-6 and got knocked out in the second round of sectionals. This was Cromer’s second as Tappan Zee head coach, and he clearly figured out a way to get through to his players and institute the changes that he wanted. Yes, he also had a ton of seniors, but you can also say that taking over a team with returning players, and getting them to buy into your changes is a difficult task and is something that should be commended.
Pat Buckley, Albertus Magnus (16-5): This was not a very deep Albertus Magnus team. After Maeve Parahus and Kelly Guarino, the Falcons’ didn’t have many players who could create their own shot. Buckley gets his team play hard every night, and they beat Tappan Zee once and almost beat Pearl River in the sectional semifinals. He also deserves credit for helping Parahus take a major step and become a big-time scorer. (although he’d be the first to say that Parahus was the one who put in the work).
Jennifer Chiera, Clarkstown South (14-5): Clarksotwn South won a League title for the first time since 2003, and lost to a poorly rated Carmel team (No. 10?? They made it to the County Center) in the first round of sectionals. Being a AA team hurts the Vikings “Rockland Profile;” they don’t get put in the PR, AM, TZ group, but Clarkstown South had a great season this year with a very young team.
Kevin Metcalf, North Rockland (13-6): Another great turnaround job. North Rockland won more games this season than it did in the past two (12), and may have had a better sectional seed had its leading scorer, Alex Bertolino, not gotten a concussion towards the end of the year that caused her to miss a few games.
12 Comments
Tom Cromer- hands down
Mat- Why cromer? Wasnt it all the Tz fans and the journal news pundits that had Tz the “favorite” to win it all in rockland? I think if you go back 2-3 months, most opinions had tz with an overall better starting five. Cromer had 2 seasons with this team and in 5 (five) trys could only beat PR once. He had the better talent and 2 (two) years to figure it out. SO, what happened? If he is coach of the year, then Moylan should get coach of the century.
PS Also, wasnt it a lot of people in south orangetown and lohud who seemed to think Tz had 5-6 very good players (3 of them 6ft) And Pr had one exceptional player only so Tz was the Favorite. CROMER – WHY??????
Its not cromer. He had the most balance and split with PR and AM. On this list he is almost dead last. Give it to Moylan then Buckley
Baller- Agreed. The edge goes to Moylan with Buckley a very close second. BTW, in the category of sportsmanship, moylan and buckley have nice compliments for the opposing teams when they lose. There is no need to say anything negative- everyone knows about the lack of a post game “comment” by one coach.
Baller- Why-Agreed
Moylan! She got the most out of all her players without her all section point guard in Grossbard. Brought her team to the final four with only one first team All Section player and in my opinion the Rockland county player of the year(Scogs). According to this blog Tappan and Albertus both had two first team selections. Buckley a close second did a great job with a young team, and will be the team to beat next year in Rockland County and the section. Gromer had the most talent but didn’t utilize his bigs and Metcalf saw North Rockland play a couple of times and all he seems to do is bark out defense to his players, does not seem to be to much coaching going on.
Ok here’s my 2 cents on a couple of points
#5-met calf. Decent coach who was blessed with 2 uber talented freshman(Rivera and burden) decent guard in Bertolino even though she missed a bit-thought he could have done better but good 2nd place/nice guy/fair guy/well liked by all
#4-cromer-had his team ready to play/ played aggressive and it showed with his teams/bit unfriendly to other coaches(bordering on being standoffish/rude) would be higher if he had more years behind him,let’s see what he does next year when he loses 4 starters and 2 other key players who are seniors
#3-chiera..great job wining her league/good game time coach/well liked by other coaches and refs…usually comes in with a good game plan and has a top notch assistant in Becky Miller-she will keep south in the winning column for the next few years
#2-moylan-legend of section 1…develops a great program and runs it the PR way…will go back to the county center as long as she wants to…good game tactician and knows her game..
#1buckley-runs the juggernaut of AM…great young aggressive coach who gets his girls ready for playoff ball/has the best asst coach in rock lands all time leading scorer steph cleary..prepares his team great but is also great at adjusting to what is in front of him..liked by all coaches/even the ones he spanksnad has the respect(as does miss Moylan) of all the refs
I am no way affiliated with any of the above coaches or schools
I a
“I am no way affiliated with any of the above coaches or schools”
We know mountie we know lol
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Juggernaut? Have not beaten good teams on a consistent basis. I believe they have beaten PR once in the last six meetings!!
Want to give you credit for including coaches who led teams to “turnaround” seasons…like the idea of looking at coaches who do a lot with a little. Metcalf and Chiera both did an excellent job. Building or rebuilding is tough. I’m not saying any joe schmo can get a title if they have the most talent, but it’s 100 times easier, especially in Section 1. Looking forward to seeing your nominees for Westchester.
when and wherr is the senior exceptional game..saw boys listed on varsity insider
Congrats to Coach Moylan !!