Class B, Section One Playoffs, 2024
Putnam Valley has to be the favorite. They also have one of the top three players in class B in Nai Torres who can do it on both offense (driving and threes) and defense. And PV won the section and made it to Troy the last two years. And Nai has a couple teammates who can score. The potential Achilles’ heel for them will be foul trouble, and also if they check out mentally. They started slow this year and had a befuddling loss to North Salem recently. But their D is consistently strong. They just have to stay locked in and focused.
The other two top players in Class B are Ashari Emuze from Woodlands and Kendall Konigsberg from Blind Brook. Both of whom can get you 30. Emuze may be the most explosive scorer in the entire section, regardless of class. I’m not saying she’s the section 1 version of Zoe Mesuch, but I’ve seen stretches where she is unstoppable and almost unguardable.
If Woodlands makes it to County Center, things could get very interesting. Emuze on that big stage and that big court would have an opportunity to make a statement. She’s gone off on numerous occasions, but could she could do it against Putnam Valley, in the postseason?
For Woodlands to get to CC, they need to beat Croton, who is led by guards Ava Andrews and Lucia Thoreson. Croton also has an excellent coach in Donny Lucas and a good supporting cast, who play Lucas’ active, extended zone quite effectively. It must be noted that Croton actually played Putnam Valley closer in the regular season last year, when Eva Dechent was still there. Croton has the size and the skill to compete with Putnam Valley, but they will need to come in with more of an attack mindset on offense. Maybe the third time will be a charm.
Not to discount a young, rising Pleasantville squad led by Coach Kelly from Empire, but Yonkers Montessori, the one seed, has to be favored to reach the final. They don’t have that one super star player, but the whole team plays fast, aggressive defense under passionate Coach Elie Moise, who really has that squad working together. The YMA sum is greater than the parts. If it comes down to Yonkers Montessori and Putnam Valley, Yonkers will have to disrupt Putnam Valley’s offense, especially Nai Torres, and make it into a grind it out defensive battle.
Kendall and Blind Brook could be disruptors. Same with Westlake. Not sure how far whoever comes out of Section One will go, as Albany Academy is waiting out there in the future with revenge on their mind after how Putnam Valley knocked them out last season. Newark Valley also has some firepower. Should be exciting.