The Post’s high school staff looks ahead to the most intriguing matchups in boys basketball and girls basketball for the week of May 28 through June 3.
BASEBALL
CHSAA Class AA third round (Monday, all day)
Four third-round, best-of-three series will begin Monday with St. John’s University, Fordham University and Archbishop Molloy playing hosts. St. Joseph by the Sea meets Monsignor Farrell, Iona Prep plays Cardinal Spellman, All Hallows takes on St. Francis Prep and Archbishop Molloy meets Holy Cross. Three of those are intra-divisional matchups, which should provide fireworks.
George Washington vs. Norman Thomas, PSAL Class A quarterfinals (Tuesday, 3:30 p.m. @ Grand Street Campus)
When these two teams meet in the regular season, there’s usually high drama – emotions are even higher this time of year. The two rivals split a pair of regular-season meetings – each won on the road – and shared the Manhattan A East crown. The rubber match has extremely high stakes: the winner moves on the PSAL Class A semifinals and the loser goes home. While George Washington has star outfielder Fernelys Sanchez back from a broken fibula, Norman Thomas will have co-aces Jeffrey Ledesma and Garbin Villar both on full rest and ready to go when called upon.
Grand Street Campus vs. James Monroe, PSAL Class A quarterfinals (Tuesday, 3:30 p.m. @ Lane)
Grand Street is the prohibitive favorite to win the PSAL Class A title, the team loaded from top to bottom with stars like Ernesto Lopez, Jose Cuas and Kevin Martir. After a league-opening loss to Midwood, the Wolves reeled off 17 straight wins against PSAL competition. Monroe, meanwhile, is extremely young with just two seniors, infielders Luis Santini and Ramger Iglesias, and is playing with nothing to lose. That could prove to be dangerous for Grand Street – the Eagles lineup was impressive in a 9-4 win over Bryant in the second round on Friday and ace Ricky Parra could be back on Tuesday from an elbow injury.
CHSAA Class AA championship round (Wednesday, TBA @ TBA)
Xaverian earned the top seed in the championship round of the playoffs Sunday with a 12-0, five-inning win over St. Raymond. The loss gives St. Ray’s the No. 2 seed and Moore Catholic beat Fordham Prep to earn No. 3. Fordham will have the most difficult road of the four divisions winners in the championship round with its No. 4 seed.
PSAL Class A semifinals (Friday, TBA @ TBA)
The PSAL was top-heavy all spring and we may very well see the top four seeds – Cardozo, Grand Street Campus, George Washington and Tottenville – in what should be intriguing, best-of-three series. The location has yet to be determined, but if all goes as expected, you’ll want to be in attendance.
SOFTBALL
CHSAA state tournament (May 29, 1:30 p.m.)
St. Joseph by the Sea and Archbishop Molloy, winners of the last two CHSAA state crowns, square off in this year’s semifinals at Kellenberg. The Vikings have gotten the better of the Stannersl, beating them in the final two years ago and earlier this season. The winner likely gets favorite and unbeaten Kellenberg, which faces Sacred Heart (Buffalo) in the other semifinal, in the championship game at Hofstra.
Horace Mann vs. Holy Child, NYSAISAA final (May 29, 3:30 p.m. @ Manhattanville College)
After getting run-ruled twice this year by Fieldston, Horace Mann came into the semifinals Wednesday as a heavy underdog only to stun the Eagles, 8-2. Mia Farinelli pitched great and Jamie Gropper, Kaitlyn Puglia and Paige McMahon all had big days at the plate. The Lions also lost to Holy Child in the regular season, but they won’t let that shake their confidence now.
Lab Museum United vs. Morris, PSAL Class B final (May 30, 4:30 p.m. @ TBA)
With a core of sophomores two years ago in the ‘B’ final, Lab Museum United always knew it would make it back to this game eventually. Now those sophomores are seniors, led by ace Sarah D’Amico, and LMU is the favorite to take home the title it couldn’t in 2010. Morris, meanwhile, is making its first final appearance led by ace/slugger Chasity Quinones.
Tottenville vs. Susan Wagner, PSAL Class A final (May 30, 6:30 p.m. @ TBA)
One team – Tottenville – is a veteran of the championship game, winning seven of the last eight titles and looking for its ninth. Rival Wagner on the other hand is making its first appearance since 1989 and first for coach Marco Altieri. The Pirates won both regular-season meetings, the second in run-rule fashion and will try to ride ace Cheryl Lopez to another crown. Wagner and its workhorse Taylor Sarcone plan on having a say in that.
