NYPost.com girls basketball beat writer Marc Raimondi takes a look at the New York State Federation Class B tournament, which begins 10 a.m. Friday at the Times Union Center in Albany. For the live blog, click here
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SCHEDULE
NYS Federation Class B semifinals
10 a.m. – Scholars Academy vs. Irvington
11:45 a.m. – Long Island Lutheran vs. St. Mary’s (Buffalo)
Scholars Academy Seawolves
Head coach: Janet Kleiner
Record: 27-1
Player to watch: Jessica Glaz
Irvington Bulldogs
Head coach: Gina Maher
Record: 25-1
Player to watch: Alexis Martins
Outlook: Scholars Academy was one of the best stories of the season, the small school in just its second varsity season winning the PSAL Class B championship. Almost all of Rockaway came to cheer the Seawolves on in the finals Sunday at St. Francis College and they expect to have a large contingent wearing powder blue Friday morning at the Times Union Center.
But upstate is where the special teams are separated from the great ones. It has already been an incredible ride for Scholars. Now this group can earn itself one of the greatest accomplishments in Federation history: winning a title in just its second year. It has probably never been done before.
It will not be easy – no way. The semifinals opponent is Irvington, the defending Federation champion. The Bulldogs’ coach is Gina Maher, who was inducted into the state basketball hall of game in Glens Falls last year. They will also have the best player on the floor in Alexis Martins, who had a combined 46 points and 33 rebounds in last weekend’s NYPHSAA Class B final four.
Scholars will counter with a bunch of scrappy, fundamentally sound players led by sharpshooter Becky Moers and athletic freshman Jessica Glaz. What the Seawolves give up in size and strength, they more than make up for in heart. On the bench are longtime PSAL coach Janet Kleiner and assistant Clare Droesch, who owns three NYS Federation titles playing with Christ the King.
Long Island Lutheran Crusaders
Head coach: Rich Slater
Record: 19-5
Player to watch: Boogie Brozoski
St. Mary’s Lancers
Head coach: Keith Junik
Record: 15-7
Player to watch: Raeann Stilwell
Outlook: LuHi is trying to get off the schneid. The Crusaders have been to the last two New York State Federation tournaments, but have yet to win one. This year, they are arguably the favorite.
Coach Rich Slater’s squad has beaten New York City teams like John F. Kennedy, Staten Island Academy, McKee/Staten Island Tech, Poly Prep, Manhattan Center, Midwood and Bishop Kearney. LuHi is long and athletic with girls like Keda Nicholas and Sade Gibbons, but can also shoot and bang around down low with Adelphi-bound Sam Milhaven and Yuni Sher. The linchpin is Queens native Boogie Brozoski, an eighth-grade point guard who runs the show with her speed and court vision, and Christina Raiti can flat shoot the ball.
St. Mary’s will counter with incredible sharpshooter Raeann Stilwell who scored in bunches up in Glens Falls last year. The Lancers, guided by Keith Junik, are a well-coached squad who beat St. John’s Prep in the CHSAA Class B state championship game to get here.
