The Post high-school staff takes a look at the top performers in boys basketball and girls basketball from the week of April 9.
BASEBALL
Nick Gonchar, St. Joseph by the Sea
The right fielder drove in the only run of a big, 1-0 win over Iona Prep on Tuesday with a booming double to right center. He also had an RBI single off Poly Prep ace Andrew Zapata in Sea’s impressive, 3-2 win over the reigning NYSAISAA champion.
Matt Guzman, Fieldston
Whatever Matt Guzman did before Fieldston’s two wins this weekend, he should replicate it. He belted a game-tying, three-run homer in the seventh and scored the winning run three innings later in a thrilling 8-7 win over Ivy Prep League dynamo Poly Prep on Friday. The next day, he had four hits and five RBIs in a 17-3 blowout of King (Conn.).
Eric Kalman, Xaverian
Xaverian didn’t win the Monroe Tournament, finishing second in the 20-team showcase. It was no fault of the George Washington-bound third baseman, who hit .438 in six games – four Xaverian wins – and was named the batting champion.
Basael (Ralphy) McDonald, Grand Street Campus
The speed merchant of a center fielder repeated as Monroe Tournament MVP after leading Grand Street Campus to its second straight title in the prestigious showcase. McDonald lit up the final, a 13-6 Grand Street win over CHSAA dynamo Xaverian, with three runs scored, an RBI, two stolen bases and a triple.
Randy Rodriguez, George Washington
The George Washington Tournament MVP, Rodriguez went 12-for-18 in six games, drove in eight runs and played exceptional defense as the Trojans went 5-1 and blanked Cardozo, 6-0, in the tournament’s championship game.
SOFTBALL
Jackie Cautela, St. Joseph by the Sea
This was a monster week for Cautela. She picked up three wins in the circle, allowing just three runs, while striking out 26. At the plate the junior collected six hits and drove in seven runs to help the Vikings grab six wins in seven days.
Nicole Lomangino, St. Francis Prep
It was weeks like this that Lomangino lives for. The senior stuck out 22 batters over two games, wins over Fontbonne Hall and Mary Louis, and allowed just two runs. She also collected two RBIs in the win over the Bonnies.
Dayna Williams, Susan Wagner
The junior shortstop was exceptional with her bat and her glove Thursday in a 5-0 non-league win over Francis Lewis. Williams had three RBIs on a pair of doubles and also fielded cleanly nine of the 21 outs recorded by the Falcons in a flawless defensive performance.
LACROSSE
Nicholas DeMeo, Tottenville
The sophomore came up huge in a thrilling 5-4 overtime win over Xaverian. He assisted on a Gino Agnese score with six seconds left in the game to send it to the extra session and provided the winner as well.
Tanner Morris, Fieldston
The senior attack was a goal scoring machine. He found the back of the nets five time against Trinity and four more versus rival Poly Prep to help the Eagles to a perfect 3-0 start in the Ivy League.
Ben Vallimaresu, Dalton
If anyone wondered how Dalton’s offense would fair without star attack Mark Philipps, Vallimaresu quickly provided that answer. He scored five times in the Tigers’ season-opening win over Riverdale
