We’ll be out covering the games this week, so be sure to check out www.varsity845.com each night as the scores and stories come rolling in. I’ll also be providing live updates from selected games on Twitter: @THR_Montgomery.

Monroe-Woodbury's Kerrie Walsh, left, and Kerry McHugh, apply a full-court press on Kenisha Lawrence, center, of Newburgh, during action on Thursday evening. 2-16-12 (DOMINICK FIORILLE photo/Times Herald-Record)

Class AA
Warwick is the defending Section 9 champion, but the Wildcats, suffering big losses to graduation, did not qualify for the postseason this year. That means it’s a free-for-all among Section 9’s largest schools.

Monroe-Woodbury earned the No. 1 seed by virtue of winning OCIAA’s Division I. The Crusaders lost just one game in the division, falling 57-47 to No. 2 seed Newburgh Free Academy on Jan. 17.

In the second meeting between the teams, Monroe-Woodbury bounced back with a 54-40 victory over the Goldbacks.

That win, coupled with a division-clinching 26-point margin of victory over Pine Bush on Wednesday, put Monroe-Woodbury into the driver’s seat, says Newburgh Free Academy head coach Rich Desiderio.

“To me, Monroe-Woodbury, they’re the No. 1 seed and they’re the team to beat,” Desiderio said. “I don’t think it’s as wide-open as it was a couple of weeks ago. They’ve gotten better.”

The Crusaders don’t have one superstar scorer, but they are deep, as every player in their eight-man rotation is capable of sparking the offense and playing lock-down defense. Sophomore point guard Kerry McHugh has emerged on both ends of the court after senior point guard Amanda Bessim went down with a knee injury in early January.

Newburgh beat its first-round opponent, No. 7 Washingtonville, by 17 points earlier in the season. The Goldbacks also have had success against a potential semifinal opponent, No. 6 Pine Bush, beating the Bushmen three times during the season.

One of those victories, however, was forfeited when Desiderio learned he had inadvertently used an academically ineligible player.

“For a long time, we were flying under the radar,” said Desiderio. “It’s an easy place to be when nobody expects anything out of you. Now, we’re the hunted and not the hunter and I don’t know if we know how to deal with that.”

No. 4 Kingston has won five of the last seven Section 9 championships and will host No. 5 Valley Central in Monday’s 6:00 p.m. quarterfinal at Kate Walton Field House.

Monroe-Woodbury isn’t sure how much it will get on the court from Bessim, but she’s been doing her best to keep the team focused in the meantime.

“Being a captain, I’m really a big leader,” she said. “I’ve been trying to lead this team, keep their hopes high. They were really upset when I got injured, as I was, but I’ve tried to keep their hopes up and not lose sight of the goal, which is a title.”

Championship prediction: Monroe-Woodbury 45, Newburgh Free Academy 38

Players to watch in Class AA:

Sarah Galloway, Kingston: Last year, Galloway was part of one of the best frontcourts in Section 9 alongside Sarah Longto. Longto graduated, leaving Galloway to do the dirty work in the paint for the Tigers. She can be a big matchup problem for teams without much height.

HaliAnn Fitzgerald, Valley Central: Fitzgerald leads a high-scoring attack for the Vikings, which certainly makes them a threat to upset No. 4 Kingston in the opening round.

Lauren Knowles, Washingtonville: Knowles had a huge game on senior night that clinched a playoff berth for the Wizards. Can Washingtonville carry that over into a quarterfinal upset at No. 2 NFA?

Kenisha Lawrence, Newburgh Free Academy: Heavenly Rayford might be the Goldbacks’ most dangerous weapon, but Lawrence is the engineer of the NFA offense in the halfcourt. When she’s going right, she’s a triple-threat as a scorer, rebounder and assist-maker.

Kerry McHugh, Monroe-Woodbury: McHugh, a sophomore, makes M-W tick on both sides of the floor. Can any of the teams in this bracket find out how to defend her?

Christie Nicolo, Pine Bush: Nicolo eclipsed the 1,000-point mark during the regular season and is the backcourt compliment to Danielle Powell in the post.

Class AA schedule

Mon., Feb. 27
Quarterfinals
No. 5 Valley Central at No. 4 Kingston, 6 p.m.
No. 7 Washingtonville at No. 2 Newburgh Free Academy, 6 p.m.
No. 6 Pine Bush at No. 3 Roosevelt, 6 p.m.
No. 1 Monroe-Woodbury, bye
Thurs., March 1
Semifinals
Valley Central/Kingston winner at No. 1 Monroe-Woodbury, 6 p.m.
NFA/Washingtonville winner vs. Pine Bush/Roosevelt winner at highest seed, 6 p.m.
Sun., March 4
Final
Semifinal winners at SUNY New Paltz, 1 p.m.

Wallkill’s Lisa Bouffard blocks a Red Hook player’s shot during the 2011 MHAL semifinals at SUNY Ulster in Stone Ridge. (CHET GORDON photo/Times Herald-Record).

Class A
The Class A bracket was full of upsets last year, as No. 1 seeded Cornwall and No. 3 Marlboro both lost their first postseason games.

For a second straight season, Cornwall is the No. 1 seed and Marlboro is No. 3.

Cornwall has had a number of impressive victories over the course of the season, perhaps none more so than the 53-52 Valentine’s Day overtime thriller over Monroe-Woodbury.

Jenna Wood (12.2 points per game) is the team’s top scorer, but Cornwall has plenty of other options in Caroline and Megan Staudle, Alex Jurgens and Morgan McDonald, any of whom can take over a game on any given night.

The Dragons will host the winner of a quarterfinal game between Monticello and Goshen in Thursday’s 6:00 p.m. semifinal. Cornwall, 6-0 in Division III, beat both of those teams twice during the regular season.

“Every year we always try and hope to get No. 1 seed,” said Caroline Staudle, “but we’ve been playing well and I think we had a tough schedule and I think we proved why we deserved to be the No. 1 seed. It’s always motivation and it’s always great knowing you’re one win away from the finals, but we know it’s going to be a tough game.”

No. 2 seed Red Hook, like Cornwall, receives a first round bye and will host the winner of a No. 6 Wallkill at No. 3 Marlboro quarterfinal.

In the only regular season meeting between Wallkill and Marlboro, on Dec. 16, Wallkill prevailed, 45-34.

Wallkill, which won the 2011 Section 9 Class A title as a No. 2 seed, was 12-5 in the regular season. Junior forward Lisa Bouffard and senior point guard Raven Pentz make the Panthers an awfully dangerous dangerous team in this bracket.

Red Hook, however, proved too tough for Wallkill in a pair of MHAL games. Red Hook won 48-39 on Jan. 10, but just barely edged the Panthers on Feb. 7, 55-53.

Championship prediction: Cornwall 51, Wallkill 44

Players to watch in Class A:

Erin Cunningham, Marlboro: Cunningham is a skilled scorer and rebounder for the Iron Dukes.

Sinead Hughes, Goshen: The Gladiators like to dial long-distance, as evidenced by Hughes’ three 3-point field goals in Wednesday’s 1-point victory over Port Jervis.

Sienna O’Han, Red Hook: One of Red Hook’s captains, O’Han has hampered by foul trouble in the MHAL finals against Coleman Catholic. If she can stay off the bench, she’s an all-around threat on the offensive end of the court.

Raven Pentz, Wallkill: The senior point guard led the Panthers to a Section 9 title last year. Will she do it again this time?

Yami Reyes, Monticello: Reyes went off on Wednesday, scoring 17 of the Monties’ 28 points in a loss to Cornwall.

Jenna Wood, Cornwall: Cornwall’s leading scorer is just one of the threats to put up points for the Dragons. If opposing teams opt to take her out of the game, who will step up behind her?

Class A schedule

Tues., Feb. 28
Quarterfinals
No. 5 Goshen at No. 4 Monticello, 6 p.m.
No. 6 Wallkill at No. 3 Marlboro, 5:30 p.m.
No. 1 Cornwall and No. 2 Red Hook, byes
Thurs., March 1
Semifinals
Goshen/Monticello winner at No. 1 Cornwall, 6 p.m.
Wallkill/Marlboro winner at No. 2 Red Hook, 6 p.m.
Sun., March 4
Final
Semifinal winners at SUNY New Paltz, 2:45 p.m.

Class B
The Highland Huskies are not only the No. 1 seed in the Class B bracket, they’re looking to make it a four-peat.

Highland, the MHAL’s Division II champions in the regular season, also clinched the only first round bye in the section tournament with the No. 1 seed. They will host the winner of a quarterfinal between No. 4 Onteora and No. 5 Liberty Wednesday in a 6:00 p.m. semifinal.

“We were really happy that we got the No. 1 seed,” said Highland’s Alex Garcia. “Getting that home court advantage is always important in sections, so we were really happy about that.”

Highland returns 11 players from last year’s championship team, but the Huskies have had their share of ups and downs during the regular season despite a 12-6 regular season record. Head coach Jim Delmar has struggled to find one particular defense that suits his team’s strengths, so the Huskies have mixed it up instead, playing man, zone and press variations at different points of the season. That versatility may help Highland match up against any opponent they face in the playoffs.

“A lot of us have been in this situation before, playing in big games, so know we can win this, but we also know that all of the other teams are kind of out to get us because we’ve won this so many times in a row,” Garcia said. “But we’re still confident.”

John S. Burke Catholic, which was 6-0 in OCIAA Division IV games but 4-8 outside the division with a challenging non-league schedule, is the No. 2 seed. Highland has defeated Burke Catholic in the Section 9 Class B finals each of the last two years.

The Eagles and the Huskies may be on a collision course for another championship game showdown, but there are certainly other teams that will challenge for the title in Class B.

No. 3 seed Ellenville is led by Regina Steele, who averaged 20.8 points per game during the regular season. Steele, a 5-foot-11 senior forward, is one of the best rebounders in Section 9 and is always a threat for a points-rebounds-blocks triple-double.

No. 4 seed Onteora has marquee victories on its schedule, including wins over Roosevelt and Red Hook.

Highland may have made winning a habit over the last three years, but that doesn’t mean the players are taking anything for granted.

“I don’t think it’s going to be easy at all,” Garcia said. “Every team that we’re playing is going to give us a hard time. We just have to work harder when it counts.”

Championship prediction: Highland 43, John S. Burke Catholic 35

Players to watch in Class B:

Jessica Ayala, John S. Burke Catholic: Ayala returned midseason from an ACL injury and instantly gave the Eagles a spark as they headed into OCIAA Division IV action.

Olivia Baum, Liberty: According to the stats phoned in to the Times Herald-Record each night, Section 9′s gross scoring leader isn’t one of the players you’d probably come up with off the top of your head. It’s Liberty’s Olivia Buam, who scored 261 points in the regular season, more than any other player in the section.

Kim Craft, Ellenville: Craft is the Robin to Regina Steele’s Batman, but she’s a more than capable scorer, averaging 8.1 points per game.

Kelly Murphy, Highland: Murphy averages eight points per game for the Huskies, but she’s most valuable in the paint. If opposing teams pay too much attention to Alex Garcia, she could break out with a big game.

Dani Riley, James I. O’Neill: Riley averaged 11 points per game in the regular season, but the Raiders have their work cut out for them as the No. 6 seed.

Class B schedule

Mon., Feb. 27
Quarterfinals
No. 5 Liberty at No. 4 Onteora, 6 p.m.
No. 6 James I. O’Neill at No. 3 Ellenville, 6 p.m.
No. 7 Spackenkill at No. 2 John S. Burke Catholic, 6 p.m.
No. 1 Highland, bye
Weds., Feb. 29
Semifinals
Liberty/Onteora winner at No. 1 Highland, 6 p.m.
O’Neill/Ellenville winner vs. Spackenkill/Burke Catholic winner at highest seed, 6 p.m.
Sat., March 3
Final
Semifinal winners at SUNY New Paltz, 1:15 p.m.

John A. Coleman Catholic's Emily Curley, right, and Makenzie Burud, left, battle for a loose ball with a Red Hook player during the MHAL finals at SUNY Ulster in Stone Ridge. (DAVID DOONAN photo/ For the Times Herald-Record).

Class C
It’s a new-look Class C bracket as two of the top three seeds played at different levels last season.

No. 1 John A. Coleman Catholic is the only undefeated team remaining in Section 9 (18-0) and is the defending state champion in Class D.

No. 3 Tuxedo was a Class B semifinalist one year ago.

No. 2 Tri-Valley (16-1), which shared the OCIAA Division V title with Tuxedo after splitting the season series with the Tornadoes, is the defending Section 9 Class C champion.

Last year, Tri-Valley rode senior scorer Jakki Pugh to the title, but this year the Bears have been successful using a well-balanced and deep rotation.

“This year we’ve been working together as a team a lot and we depend on the whole team to be there for us,” said sophomore point guard Sabrena Smith. “It’s not one person we’re relying on in Jakki. We’re relying on the whole entire team this year.”

Earning the No. 2 seed could be a major advantage for Tri-Valley if the seeds hold. The Bears would host No. 3 Tuxedo in a semifinal Tuesday.

“Yeah, that helps us because having our supporters there for us gives us more motivation to play,” said senior forward Erin Smith.

Coleman Catholic not only has an unblemished record, the Stateswomen have won some impressive games this season. They defeated Red Hook soundly in the MHAL finals last week and also own wins over Highland, Ellenville and Troy’s Catholic Central (12-7 in Class AA in Section 2).

Coleman Catholic had a relatively easy road to Troy last season, needing to win just one Section 9 playoff game and one state quarterfinal game before reaching the final four. This time around, they’ll need to win three games in Section 9 and two in the state playoffs just to get back to the state semis. Still, they appreciated the week of rest since the MHAL championships.

“We need a little bit of time to get healthy,” head coach Guy Leonard said after the MHAL finals. “I’m not making any excuses, but Emily Curley missed the last five games. She had a severely sprained ankle. She’s a little rusty. Pocket (Kate Shults) has a shoulder bothering her. (Makenzie) Burud’s knee is bothering her. We’re a little banged up.”

Burud, bound for Division II St. Michael’s College on a basketball scholarship, reached the 1,000-point mark for her career earlier in the season. Shults is the team’s lockdown defender.

No team in Section 9 has been able to crack either of those two so far.

“I’m really blessed to have those two as my captains,” Leonard said. “They’re so competitive. They’re about as competitive as I am, so we’re three of a crowd. I always tell them they’re a pair that can beat any three of a kind.”

Championship prediction: John A. Coleman Catholic 52, Tuxedo 42

Players to watch in Class C:

Lauren Melville, John A. Coleman Catholic: Melville isn’t one of the biggest names on this team, but the 6-footer is invaluable on the defensive end.

Mareena DiMilia, Tri-Valley: Not only is she a big basketball player for the Bears, DiMilia puts the shot in indoor track and recently led Tri-Valley to a Section 9 Class B championship.

Alex Gundermann, Tuxedo: As of three weeks ago (those are the latest team stats I have for the Tornadoes) Gundermann led the team in seven categories: 2-point field goals attempted, 3-point field goals attempted and made, free throws attempted and made, total points and blocks.

Mardelle Jean, Chester: Jean got Chester off to a fast start, scoring plenty of points early in the season and she averaged 11.5 points per game. Simone Ayers (8.9 ppg) is the team’s second-leading scorer.

Sheryl Pinder, Fallsburg: According to our Varsity845 database, Pinder made more 3-point field goals (34) than any other player in Section 9 this season.

Class C schedule

Sat., Feb. 25
Quarterfinals
No. 8 Pine Plains at No. 1 John A. Coleman Catholic, 6 p.m.
No. 5 Chester at No. 4 Millbrook, 6 p.m.
No. 7 Fallsburg at No. 2 Tri-Valley, 6 p.m.
No. 6 Rhinebeck at No. 3 Tuxedo, 6 p.m.
Tues., Feb. 28
Semifinals
Pine Plains/Coleman Catholic winner vs. Millbrook/Chester winner at highest seed, 6 p.m.
Tri-Valley/Fallsburg winner vs. Tuxedo/Rhinebeck winner at highest seed, 6 p.m.
Final
Fri., March 2
Semifinal winners at SUNY New Paltz, 5:30 p.m.

Livingston Manor's Marissa Diescher drives past John A. Coleman Catholic's Kate Shults during the 2011 Section 9 Class D championship game at SUNY New Paltz. (John Meore photo/ for the Times Herald-Record).

Class D
The final matchup is already set in Class D, as No. 1 Livingston Manor faces No. 2 Roscoe at 5:30 p.m. on March 1 at SUNY New Paltz.

Last season, Livingston Manor and Roscoe played as a combined team and fell in the Section 9 Class D championship game to Coleman Catholic. This year, the schools opted to field their own teams and were the only two Class D teams to qualify for the postseason.

Livingston Manor (10-8) won both regular season meetings against its rival, Roscoe (3-13). The Wildcats won by 21 points on Jan. 11, but the second game was much closer, as Livingston Manor prevailed 50-45 on Feb. 6.

It’s been a season of change for Livingston Manor, which has had to adjust to playing without Marissa Diescher, who lead the team in scoring each of the past five seasons.

“Listen, somebody has to step up,” head coach Kevin Clifford recalled telling the team early in the season. “We going to have to rely a lot more on our defense. We’re not going to have someone score 25 points a game. We might not score 50 points as a team. We’re going to have to play defense and take care of the ball on every possession.”

Senior point guard Maggi Callo is just one of the players that have risen to the occasion this year. As a junior, she played a more defensive role. This year, she has had to set the tempo for the Wildcats’ offense.

“Our team is more well-rounded,” said Callo. “Some games, one person will have a good game and another game, another person might have a good game. So it’s not like it’s one person scoring all the time.”

Championship prediction: Livingston Manor 45, Roscoe 39

2010-11 Section 9 championship results

Class AA: No. 2 Warwick 49, No. 1 Kingston 41: Shannon Allan scored 12 points and Danielle Holmes provided a spark off the bench as Warwick won its first Section 9 title.
Class A: No. 2 Wallkill 44, No. 4 Red Hook 40: Raven Pentz (13), Kaitlyn Ponesse (11) and Lisa Bouffard (10) all finished in double-digit scoring as the Panthers captured their first Section 9 title.
Class B: No. 1 Highland 32, No. 3 John S. Burke Catholic 29: The Huskies held Burke Catholic to a grand total of 18 points in the final three quarters en route to a third straight Section 9 title.
Class C: No. 1 Tri-Valley 40, No. 3 Millbrook 27: Jakki Pugh scored 17 points to lead the Bears to their first section championship since the 1979-80 season.
Class D: No. 1 John A. Coleman Catholic 44, No. 2 Livingston Manor-Roscoe 34: Marissa Diescher scored 30 points for Livingston Manor-Roscoe, but Coleman Catholic prevailed in the Class D final. The win launched the Stateswomen to a New York State Class D championship.

2. Burke Catholic (15-3): It’s Glens Falls or bust for the Eagles once again – and Burke Catholic is playing its best ball of the year. #dangerous.

3. Middletown (10-7): Section 9 already buzzing about the Middletown’s potential match-up against rival Newburgh. That game will have as much juice as a Section 9 championship game.

4. Kingston (16-2): Say what you want about Kingston’s two losses late in the season. Still, the Tigers are set up with the top seed in the AA tourney. We all know how bad Newburgh wanted the top spot.

5. Washingtonville (11-7): If guards Joey Picone and D.J. LaRocca start hitting 3-pointers – which they have been known to do – watch out. The fourth-seeded Wizards will be looking for the sharpshooters to be on when they host fifth-seeded Warwick in the Class AA quarterfinals on Monday.

6. Marlboro (14-4): The hottest team in Section 9 is seeking its first Section 9 title since 1989 (Class B). The Iron Dukes’ last played for a sectional championship in

7. Cornwall (10-8): Looking to make its sixth straight appearance in the Class A championship game, perhaps, top-seeded Cornwall has never seen a tougher road to glory. Don’t expect the Green Dragons to back down.

8. Red Hook (14-3): The potential match-up of Red Hook at Cornwall in the Class A semifinals could be one of the best games in the Section 9 tournament. Red Hook hosts Rondout Valley in the quarters and Cornwall faces New Paltz.

9. Warwick (12-6): Five of Warwick’s six losses this year have come to teams in the top 10 (Washingtonville (twice, Newburgh, Middletown, Kingston). The Wildcats’ other loss came to New Paltz, which spent time in the rankings earlier this year.

10. Pine Plains (16-2): A potential semifinal meeting with fourth-seeded Fallsburg could be a tough game for top-seeded Pine Plains, which has lost to only Red Hook and Marlboro this year.

John A. Coleman Catholic, defending state champion at the Class D level, is the No. 1 seed in Class C. Tri-Valley, the defending Section 9 Class C champion, is the No. 2 seed.

In Class AA, Monroe-Woodbury locked up the No. 1 seed with last week’s victory over the No. 2 seed, Newburgh Free Academy. Monroe-Woodbury gets a quarterfinal bye and will host the Valley Central/Kingston winner on March 1 at 6 p.m..

Cornwall's Jenna Wood led the Dragons to a No. 1 seed in Class A. (DOMINICK FIORILLE photo/Times Herald-Record)

In Class A, Cornwall is the No. 1 seed, but that didn’t bode well for the Dragons a season ago. Cornwall, seeded No. 1 in 2011, lost to No. 4 Red Hook in its first game. The Dragons will receive a quarterfinal bye and will host the Monticello/Goshen winner on March 1 at 6 p.m.

No. 1 seed Highland is the only team receiving a bye in Class B. John S. Burke Catholic, which finished 6-0 in OCIAA Division IV, earned the No. 2 seed. Those two teams met in last year’s Section 9 final, which Highland won.

Only two teams qualified in Class D, meaning No. 1 Livingston Manor and No. 2 Roscoe – which played as a combined team during the 2010-11 season, losing to Coleman Catholic in the Section 9 final – will square off in the Section 9 championship game at 5:30 p.m. on March 1 at SUNY New Paltz’s Hawk Center.

–

Class AA
Mon., Feb. 27
Quarterfinals
No. 5 Valley Central at No. 4 Kingston, 6 p.m.
No. 7 Washingtonville at No. 2 Newburgh Free Academy, 6 p.m.
No. 6 Pine Bush at No. 3 Roosevelt, 6 p.m.
No. 1 Monroe-Woodbury, bye
Thurs., March 1
Semifinals
Valley Central/Kingston winner at No. 1 Monroe-Woodbury, 6 p.m.
NFA/Washingtonville winner vs. Pine Bush/Roosevelt winner at highest seed, 6 p.m.
Sun., March 4
Final
Semifinal winners at SUNY New Paltz, 1 p.m.

Class A
Tues., Feb. 28
Quarterfinals
No. 5 Goshen at No. 4 Monticello, 6 p.m.
No. 6 Wallkill at No. 3 Marlboro, 5:30 p.m.
No. 1 Cornwall and No. 2 Red Hook, byes
Thurs., March 1
Semifinals
Goshen/Monticello winner at No. 1 Cornwall, 6 p.m.
Wallkill/Marlboro winner at No. 2 Red Hook, 6 p.m.
Sun., March 4
Final
Semifinal winners at SUNY New Paltz, 2:45 p.m.

Class B
Mon., Feb. 27
Quarterfinals
No. 5 Liberty at No. 4 Onteora, 6 p.m.
No. 6 James I. O’Neill at No. 3 Ellenville, 6 p.m.
No. 7 Spackenkill at No. 2 John S. Burke Catholic, 6 p.m.
No. 1 Highland, bye
Weds., Feb. 29
Semifinals
Liberty/Onteora winner at No. 1 Highland, 6 p.m.
O’Neill/Ellenville winner vs. Spackenkill/Burke Catholic winner at highest seed, 6 p.m.
Sat., March 3
Final
Semifinal winners at SUNY New Paltz, 1:15 p.m.

Class C
Sat., Feb. 25
Quarterfinals
No. 8 Pine Plains at No. 1 John A. Coleman Catholic, 6 p.m.
No. 5 Chester at No. 4 Millbrook, 6 p.m.
No. 7 Fallsburg at No. 2 Tri-Valley, 6 p.m.
No. 6 Rhinebeck at No. 3 Tuxedo, 6 p.m.
Tues., Feb. 28
Semifinals
Pine Plains/Coleman Catholic winner vs. Millbrook/Chester winner at highest seed, 6 p.m.
Tri-Valley/Fallsburg winner vs. Tuxedo/Rhinebeck winner at highest seed, 6 p.m.
Fri., March 2
Final
Semifinal winners at SUNY New Paltz, 5:30 p.m.

Class D
Thurs., March 1
Finals
No. 1 Livingston Manor vs. No. 2 Roscoe at SUNY New Paltz, 5:30 p.m.

–

Give me your picks on Twitter: @THR_Montgomery

Class A
Feb. 28
Quarterfinals
No. 8 New Paltz at No. 1 Cornwall, 6 p.m.
No. 5 Rondout Valley at No. 4 Red Hook, 6 p.m.
No. 7 Monticello at No. 2 Saugerties, 6 p.m.
No. 6 Goshen at No. 3 Marlboro, 6 p.m.
March 1
Semifinals
Cornwall/New Paltz winner vs. Red Hook/Rondout Valley winner at higher seed, 6 p.m.
Monticello/Saugerties winner vs. Goshen/Marlboro winner at higher seed, 6 p.m.
March 4
Championship
Semifinal winners at SUNY New Paltz, 4:30 p.m.

Class B
Feb. 27
First round
No. 5 Liberty at No. 4 James I. O’Neill, 6 p.m.
No. 6 Spackenkill at No. 3 Sullivan West, 6 p.m.
No. 1 John S. Burke Catholic and No. 2 Ellenville bye
Feb. 29
Semifinals
O’Neill/Liberty winner at Burke Catholic, 6 p.m.
Spackenkill/Sullivan West winner at Ellenville, 6 p.m.
March 3
Championship
Semifinal winners at SUNY New Paltz, 3 p.m.

Class C
Feb. 25
First round
No. 5 Tri-Valley at No. 4 Fallsburg, 1 p.m.
No. 7 Chester at No. 2 S.S. Seward, 6 p.m.
No. 6 Rhinebeck at No. 3 Millbrook, 6 p.m.
No. 1 Pine Plains bye
Feb. 28
Semifinals
Fallsburg/Tri-Valley winner at Pine Plains, 6 p.m.
S.S. Seward/Chester winner vs. Millbrook/Rhinebeck winner at higher seed, 6 p.m.
March 2
Championship
Semifinal winners at SUNY New Paltz, 7:15 p.m.

Class D
Feb. 27
Semifinals
No. 4 Roscoe at No. 1 Livingston Manor, 6 p.m.
No. 3 The Family School at No. 2 John A. Coleman Catholic, 6 p.m.
March 1
Championship
Roscoe/Livingston Manor winner vs. The Family School/Coleman Catholic winner at SUNY New Paltz, 7:15 p.m.

NFA guard Jarrod Scurlock in action during the regular-season. (Chet Gordon photo, THR)

Class AA
Nobody expected Newburgh Free Academy to all of a sudden morph into a Section 9 doormat this season. Still, the Goldbacks faced questions entering the year, losing three key players due to academic and disciplinary issues.
But what do you know? Newburgh is in the mix, playing its best basketball, as March approaches. The Goldbacks have won three consecutive Class AA titles and guard Jarrod Scurlock is bent on making it four.
“I knew we were still good,” said Scurlock, a senior, averaging 21 points per game. “We just had to get used to each other. We want to win it because it’s been happening for a while at Newburgh. The last time we didn’t win (2008), it was bad.”
Newburgh, 85-23 over the last five years, looked ready for a potential fall after losing to Washingtonville and Kingston early in the season. But the Goldbacks have won eight of nine since losing at Kingston on Jan. 10. Newburgh ended the Tigers’ perfect season with a 64-56 win earlier this month. Newburgh vs. Kingston, Part III is a potential must-see Class AA championship.
Scurlock and senior forward Jonte Rutty (14 points and 10 rebounds) have led the way for the Goldbacks this season. Senior forward Jason McAllister (eight points, seven rebounds) compliments Rutty inside and sophomore guard Donovan Fields (11 points) could also be a factor. Fearless forward Jovan Coffey (15 points, 11 rebounds) has been Kingston’s most consistent player. The Tigers also roll out point guard Justin Robinson (14 points, eight assists).
Still, this draw isn’t all about Newburgh and Kingston. Other teams to watch include Middletown, 1-7 against Newburgh over the last three years, and the Class AA runner-up the past two seasons. The Middies lost two heartbreakers to the Goldbacks during the regular-season. Also lurking is Washingtonville, which as the sixth seed last year, upset host Kingston in the quarterfinals. The Wizards pushed Middletown, before falling in the semis.
“I think there will be some surprises,” said Middletown point guard Kendrick Ray, averaging 23.2 points. “I think teams might be blowing us off, but we can surprise them. We can definitely win, we just have to focus and go out there and get the job done.”
Middletown beat visiting Kingston 66-63 on Tuesday, sending the Tigers to their second loss in three games. Kingston lost at Newburgh 64-56 on Feb. 8 and, in between, got all it could handle from Pine Bush.
That leaves some Section 9 players looking to bury the Tigers.
“We feel fine, Kingston coach Ron Kelder said. “We lost to two good opponents on the road. We had slow starts in both games and we had two chances in the last minute to beat Middletown. We have fought all year, for the most part, we’ve played well. We will see what happens, but we have what we want, the top seed.”
The top seed means Kingston isn’t a part of a potential semifinal match-up from hell. Instead, Newburgh and Middletown could go at it in the semis.
“We wanted to avoid that game,” Kelder said. “But we have to keep our guard up. Washingtonville came up to our gym last year and beat us (in the quarterfinals.”
Championship prediction: Newburgh 68, Kingston 66

Players to watch in Class AA (in alphabetical order)

Jovan Coffey, Kingston: You want find a more active player in the paint in the draw. Coffey can post up, slash and has nice tough with the jumper.

Calvin Crawford, Valley Central: If he is hot, VC is a dangerous team. Crawford, 6-foot-6, is averaging 18 points and has had several big games.

D.J. LaRocca, Washingtonville: Has one of the sweetest 3-point strokes in Section 9. And, when the Wizards start hitting the three-ball, they are dangerous. Joey Picone is another dangerous Washingtonville 3-point shooter.

Aaron Ray, Middletown: A versatile player, Ray can play inside and out. He also rebounds and is effective in traffic, driving for baskets. Aaron Ray averages 12 points per game.

Kendrick Ray, Middletown: As he goes, Middletown goes. Ray might need to carry the Middies on his back if Middletown is to win its first Section 9 title since 2001.

Justin Robinson, Kingston: The junior point guard has been slumping, for his standards, down the stretch. But one big assist, one big shot could get him going.

Jonte Rutty, Newburgh: A nice inside-outside player, Rutty has done some of his best work banging inside the paint.

Jarrod Scurlock, Newburgh: Can score off the dribble, penetrate and is tough on the ball. This is Newburgh’s difference maker and he always wants the rock in the big spot.

Class A
This is one of the deepest and toughest Section 9 draws in several years – in any class. Four teams, Cornwall, Red Hook, Marlboro and Saugerties, have a legitimate shot at winning the championship.
Then there are the dangerous teams lurking in the draw such as Rondout Valley and New Paltz. Don’t count out Goshen or Monticello, either.
“It’s going to be a battle royale,” Cornwall coach Tom Howe said.
Added Red Hook coach Rod Chando: “It’s going to be crazy.”
Red Hook (14-3) is the two-time defending champion, blitzing Cornwall 56-33 in last year’s championship.
“I have a lot of regret about that (Red Hook) game and we’re going to come out with vengeance,” Cornwall forward Sean Malvey said. “Every time we play this year, I think about that game, we just didn’t play well. This year, I think we can get it done.”
Cornwall has its own version of ‘The Big Three’ – Malvey (12.3), junior sharpshooter Zach Bouton (14) and senior swingman Joe O’Rourke (13.7). Red Hook senior swingman Joe Stortini leads Section 9 in scoring with 24.6 points per game.
Marlboro is the hottest team in the tournament, defeating Red Hook and Pine Plains to win its first Mid-Hudson Athletic League tournament last week. The Iron Dukes have won 10 games in a row.
“Obviously, it’s a different story, now that we have won the MHAL’s,” said Marlboro guard Mike Tamburri, who averages 15 points per game. “Everything changes, we aren’t the underdog anymore. I kind of liked that, but now we have a target on our back. We just have to work harder.”
Saugerties, which has wins over Marlboro and Red Hook this season, is led by senior guard Marc Whitaker, averaging 18 points. Scott Melville and J.T. Elmendorf, both guards, average nine rebounds apiece. Saugerties plays with a four-guard lineup.
“It’s going to be tough from one through eight. On any given night, a team like Cornwall can go down,” Saugerties coach Mike Tiano said. “We could be upset. There are no guarantees who will win this.”
Championship prediction: Red Hook 60, Marlboro 58

Class A players to watch

Zack Cone, New Paltz: Is one of several players (also see Bryan Krebs) that make New Paltz a potential dangerous draw in the tournament. Cone, a swingman, averages 14 points.

Sean Malvey, Cornwall: Is coming off one of his best games – 27 points against – Monticello and has been a consistent scorer, along with 3-point artist Zach Bouton and Joe O’Rourke this year.

Alex Smith, Marlboro: Smith continues to develop inside as streaking Marlboro gains more and more confidence. He averages 15 points and eight rebounds.

Joe Stortini, Red Hook: The best player in the draw, period. And if he starts dropping jumpers, look out. Stortini averages 24 points per game.

Mike Tamburri, Marlboro: The tenacious guard is averaging 12 points per game and he’s the defender nobody wants to face.

Manny Ukoh, Goshen: Ukoh, a swingman averaging 15 points per game, will likely have to go for Goshen to make a run in the tournament. Still, Goshen has other talented players in Ian Schupp and Section 9’s version of Linsanity – Flynnsanity. Paul Flynn arrived for Goshen with 25 points, including seven 3-pointers, in a win over Port Jervis last week.

Marc Whitaker, Saugerties: He’s had some of the biggest games in the MHAL this year, this side of Stortini.

Zach Rufer defends Middletown's Aaron Ray earlier this month

Class B
Don’t look for an upset here. Once again, top-seeded Burke Catholic is the overwhelming favorite to win the Class B championship.
Burke Catholic cake walked to the title last year, defeating Ellenville 73-46 in the championship. It marked the Eagles’ third straight Section 9 title and Burke Catholic went on to defeat Potsdam 62-52 for the Class B state championship.
The March Mission for Burke Catholic is to simple: Repeat as state champions.
“I think we can repeat. We have the ability to do it,” senior Burke Catholic sharpshooter Zach Rufer said.
The Eagles are led by the ‘Big Three’ – Rufer, the reigning Varsity845 Player of the Year, junior forward Stan Buczek and senior swingman Billy Garneau. All three can hit the 3-pointer. Buczek plays inside and out and Garneau is dangerous from the wing. Garneau leads the team with 14.6 points, followed by Rufer (14.4) and Buczek (13.5).
According to Rufer, who will play at Lafayette next year, Burke Catholic is playing its best ball of the season right now. The Eagles, 55-10 over the last three seasons, defeated Class AA Middletown last week and played famed New York City power Christ The King tough in Queens, losing 76-69.
“I’ve been looking forward to the playoffs all season,” Rufer said. “The regular-season doesn’t matter as much as the playoffs. I’m excited.”
As for a potential miracle on the hardwood, an underdog beating Burke Catholic, Ellenville coach Bryan Bonitz had this to say: “Listen, I scouted them the other night against Sullivan West. They were up 40-11 at halftime and their starters sat for most of the time. Can anybody beat them? It’s possible, but not probable. You would need a perfect storm.”
Added Spackenkill coach Terry Feeley: “I stopped going to watch Burke Catholic play because, after that, I couldn’t sleep at night. I don’t want to sound cocky, but I would take my chances against them on a big floor. I might lose by 40, who knows, but it beats playing them at home.”
Championship prediction: Burke Catholic 77, Ellenville 50

Class B players to watch

Stan Buczek, Burke Catholic: The junior does it all for Burke Catholic – from posting up to hitting the smooth jumper. Does a nice job of sharing the ball.

Eddie Byrd, Liberty: An explosive scorer, Byrd is averaging 20 points per game. Liberty, which forfeited four games earlier this season, petitioned Section 9 to get in the tournament.

Mark Candelario, Ellenville: Ellenville’s 6-7 center puts up 15 point and 17 rebounds per game.

Matt Cardona, Sullivan West: His 12.8 points lead a balanced scoring attack. Sullivan West is playing in the Section 9 tournament for the first time in three years.

Billy Garneau, Burke Catholic: Garneau is a 3-point shooter extraordinaire and has been on fire lately.

Josh Riley, Spackenkill: A standout football player, Riley, a physical inside player, averages 10 points and 10 rebounds.

Zach Rufer, Burke Catholic: Rufer is coming on late in the season and may even be better when the bright lights of the postseason are on.

Class C
S.S. Seward enters the tournament as the hottest team, winning 12 games in a row. The Spartans haven’t loss since Dec. 19 against Goshen – a Class A team. All three of Seward’s losses have come in December.
The Spartans also lost to Class AA Warwick (Dec. 6) and James I. O’Neill (Dec. 1). Still, defending champion Pine Plains is the favorite. The Bombers defeated Seward 46-45 for the Class C title last year – a loss coach Rob Gravelle called the toughest of his 17-year career after the game.
Pine Plains has more height than some Division I teams, starting out Zach Lydon (6-foot-9), Tyler Lydon (6-7), Adam Miller (6-6), Rob Lamont (6-5) and Justin Cooper (6-3). Lamont leads a balanced scoring attack with 15.6 points, followed by Tyler Lydon (15.0) and Cooper (14.6). Zach Lydon averages 9.4 points.
“They are definitely going to be tough,” said Seward swingman Anthony Bailey, averaging 19.2 points. “but I think we can do it. We just have to get around them and get to the basket. I know we have to play our best and I think we keep getting better.”
Said Pine Plains coach Brendan LoBrutto of Seward: “Obviously, both teams have to take care of business first. But Seward is an absolute dangerous team. They are talented, disciplined and I have a lot of respect for them.
Fallsburg, which returned its entire team this season, and Millbrook are also teams to watch in Class C.
Championship Prediction: Pine Plains 56, Seward 53

Class C players to watch

Anthony Bailey, S.S. Seward: Bailey he was given the responsibility of leading Seward at the beginning of the season. He nailed the assignment and has evolved into one of Section 9’s prime time players.

Justin Cooper, Pine Plains: A guard capable of a big game. Cooper scored 30 against Ellenville earlier this month.

Tyler Dahlin, Millbrook: A streaky shooter who could cause problems for opponents.

Shawn Howell, S.S. Seward: A reserve last season, Howell has been a stable presence inside for Seward. He averages about eight points and seven rebounds.

Tyler Lydon, Pine Plains: He’s a 6-7 guard who can shoot and handle the ball. It’s no wonder that Virginia Tech, Syracuse and Siena have inquired about Lydon, according to Pine Plains coach Brendan LoBrutto.

Michael Robinson, Fallsburg: One of several Fallsburg talents, Robinson leads the team with 16.5 points and 9.5 rebounds. Junior point guard Rakkir Watson is also a playmaker.

Class D
Livingston Manor’s baseball and softball teams turned the tiny town into “Title town” by winning Class D state titles on the same weekend last June. A Section 9 boys’ basketball championship would also put ‘Manor’ into a frenzy.
Livingston Manor’s boys’ basketball team has never won a Section 9 title. However, this could be the year. The Wildcats are the top seeds in Class D and, according to coach Charlie Hicks, peaking at the right time.
“We’re playing great basketball,” Hicks said. “I usually don’t tell my guys that, but we are playing great team basketball. I think the team wants to win this one for me because I’ve been harping on it so much. It would be great for everyone.”
Livingston Manor (12-5) has lost in the Section 9 Class D championship three times, including a 58-37 defeat to John A. Coleman Catholic in last year’s final. Coleman Catholic went on to the Class D state championship, where it lost to New York Mills 47-42. The Statesmen are the second seed this season with far less firepower than last year.
Mike Mills leads Livingston Manor with 14 points per game. Senior forward Ken Fisk, a role-player last season, has stepped up this winter and is averaging with 13.6 points and 10 rebounds. Point guard Troy Correa averages 12.1 points, 6.4 assists and 4.1 steals.
Coleman Catholic, the five-time defending Section 9 Class D champion, graduated four seniors from last season. Junior guard Jordan Shaw and sophomore Dino Celadon can lead the Statesmen, who aren’t ready to give up the title, in scoring on any given night.
“The kids definitely want to go for it,” Coleman Catholic coach John Funk said. “After last year, the word on the street was that we would struggle. Should we decide to show up against Livingston Manor, which has been an issue all season, we are going to give them a game.”
Championship prediction: Livingston Manor 57, Coleman Catholic 52

Class D players to watch

Dino Celadon, Coleman Catholic: Is averaging 15 points per game.

Ken Fisk, Livingston Manor: Could be Livingston Manor’s hottest player, seemingly gaining confidence with every game.

Mike Mills, Livingston Manor: Can play just about every position on the floor – and does it well.

Jordan Shaw, Coleman Catholic: Coleman’s most experienced player from last season averages 14.5 points per game. He is a 5-foot-10 guard.

2011 Section 9 Class boys’ basketball championship results

AA: Newburgh 54, Middletown 41 (Newburgh lost to Mount Vernon 72-49 in first round of the state playoffs)

A: Red Hook 56, Cornwall 33 (Red Hook lost Maine-Endwell 55-44 in first round of state playoffs)

B: Burke Catholic 73, Ellenville 46 (Burke Catholic defeated Albertus Magnus 75-65 in first round of state playoffs, following with victories over Mattituck (75-59, quarterfinals), Westhill (63-58, semifinals) and Potsdam (62-52, state championship). Burke Catholic lost to NYC’s Collegiate School 71-55 in state federation championship.

C: Pine Plains 46, S.S. Seward 45 (Pine Plains lost to Tuckahoe 91-64 in the first round of the state tournament)

D: John A. Coleman Catholic 58, Livingston Manor 37 (defeated Biondi Center 50-45 in the quarterfinals, following with a win over C.G. Finney (71-70, two overtimes) in the semifinals. Coleman Catholic lost to New York Mills 47-42 in the state championship).

Here are your 2011-12 OCIAA division champions:

I: Monroe-Woodbury

II: Valley Central

III: Cornwall

IV: John S. Burke Catholic

V: Tuxedo has at least a share, but Tri-Valley can tie at 9-1 with a win over Fallsburg Thursday

VI: Livingston Manor

The Section 9 playoff brackets will be released tonight. I will post them as soon as they come in. Justin will have his boys’ basketball preview in the paper tomorrow. My girls’ basketball playoff preview will be coming over the weekend.

John A. Coleman Catholic's Makenzie Burud (24) drives to the hoop against Red Hook in last Friday's MHAL finals at SUNY Ulster. Coleman Catholic won, 57-45. (DAVID DOONAN photo/ For the Times Herald-Record).

Who are your teams to watch over the next few weeks? It seems like a wide-open year, especially in Classes AA, A and B. Let me know what you think on Twitter: @THR_Montgomery.

Girls’ basketball standings
(Thru 2-22-12 games)
OCIAA Division I
League Overall
Monroe-Woodbury 7-1 15-3
Newburgh 6-2 12-6
Kingston 4-4 11-7
Pine Bush 2-5 11-6
Middletown 0-7 3-14
OCIAA Division II
Valley Central 6-0 12-5
Washingtonville 3-3 8-10
Warwick 2-4 8-10
Minisink Valley 1-5 7-11
OCIAA Division III
Cornwall 6-0 14-4
Goshen 3-3 8-9
Monticello 3-3 9-9
Port Jervis 0-6 3-15
OCIAA Division IV
Burke Catholic 6-0 10-8
Liberty 3-3 8-10
James I. O’Neill 3-3 7-11
Sullivan West 0-6 3-15
OCIAA Division V
Tuxedo 9-1 13-5
Tri-Valley 8-1 15-1
Chester 6-4 11-7
Fallsburg 3-6 10-7
Eldred 2-8 5-12
S.S Seward 1-9 6-12
OCIAA Division VI
Livingston Manor 4-0 10-8
Roscoe 3-2 3-13
Family School 0-5 0-18

MHAL Division I
Red Hook 10-4 13-6
Wallkill 9-3 12-5
Roosevelt 9-5 11-7
Saugerties 2-10 2-12
MHAL Division II
Highland 10-3 12-6
Marlboro 10-5 12-6
Rondout Valley 3-11 3-12
New Paltz 2-12 3-13
MHAL Division III
Onteora 10-5 11-6
Ellenville 8-5 9-7
Spackenkill 8-5 9-8
Pine Plains 3-10 5-12
MHAL Division IV
Coleman Catholic 14-0 18-0
Millbrook 6-6 7-9
Rhinebeck 3-10 6-11
Webutuck 0-14 0-18

2. Burke Catholic (13-3): We know the Eagles are darn good. Why? Of course, they have the players. The Eagles also play a beautiful unselfish game. For instance, you would never hear star guard Zach Rufer took about a personal milestone.

3. Kingston (16-1): Not counting Kingston out in AA. The Tigers have more scoring depth than NFA and better 3-point shooters.

4. Middletown (10-7): Coach Jim Kelly kicked talented point forward Jalon White off the team this week for breaking team rules. White stormed off the court, throwing his jersey on the floor, during the Middies’ loss to Burke Catholic earlier this week.

5. Washingtonville (10-7): Can win its first outright OCIAA Division II title since 2007 with a win at Warwick Tuesday.

6. Marlboro (14-4): Is there a hotter team in Section 9? Probably not. Marlboro, coming iff its first-ever Mid-Hudson Athletic League title, has won 10 in a row.

7. Red Hook (14-3): Didn’t play for the MHAL championship for just the third time in 11 years. However, now the lights out scorer Joe Stortini & Co. are fixated on the Section 9 Class A title.

8. Warwick (12-5): Can claim its first OCIAA Division II championship in 10 years with a win over Washingtonville. And keep in mind – Warwick and Washingtonville can seemingly possibly meet in the Section 9 Class AA tournament quarterfinals as the No. 4 and No. 5 seeds.

9. Cornwall (9-8): Likely the top seed in a dangerous, deep Section Class A tournament. No gimmees in that draw.

10. Pine Plains (16-2): The defending Section 9 Class C champs couldn’t ask for a better primer for this year’s tourney – a scrimmage at Newburgh this week.

As has been the case all season, nothing has been easy in a topsy-turvy and unpredictable Division I.

Monroe-Woodbury sophomore point guard Kerry McHugh scored 22 points and the Crusaders’ defense kept the Goldbacks off-balance throughout in the 54-40 victory Thursday evening at Monroe-Woodbury High School.

Was that a career-high for McHugh?

“I don’t know,” she shrugged. “I just try.”

Monroe-Woodbury's Kerrie Walsh, left, and Kerry McHugh, apply a full-court press on Kenisha Lawrence, center, of Newburgh during action on Thursday evening. 2-16-12 (DOMINICK FIORILLE photo/Times Herald-Record)

McHugh had four 3-point field goals in the game and also made four steals. She’s been a major asset to the team since starting point guard Amanda Bessim went down with a knee injury on Jan. 5. Bessim returned for very limited action Thursday on senior night.

“I don’t know,” McHugh said. “I just get the ball and shoot my good shot. I like 3-pointers.”

“I couldn’t be any more proud of her,” Bessim. “She’s stepped up completely. She’s doing a great job. I couldn’t ask for anything else.”

Monroe-Woodbury, which has lost just once in the division, the first game against NFA, in fact, has a chance to clinch the division Wednesday at Pine Bush.

–

NFA is done with the regular season and will await its seeding in the Section 9 Class AA tournament. (The Goldbacks will scrimmage John A. Coleman Catholic and may also schedule another scrimmage or two between now and then).

For first-year NFA head coach Rich Desiderio, it just may have been the right loss at the right time, what with a run through a wide-open Class AA bracket coming up for the Goldbacks.

“Honestly, it may be a catalyst for us to do good things because I would not have…if we would have come back and won by one point, I’m not getting their attention,” he said. “That’s the bottom line. I got their attention again.”

Maureen Anders of Monroe-Woodbury guards Kenisha Lawrence of Newburgh, who tries to save the ball from going out of bounds during action on Thursday evening. (DOMINICK FIORILLE photo/Times Herald-Record).

–

We also shot video at the game. Look for the clip on Varsity845.com Friday morning.

If you’re looking for updates from Friday’s MHAL girls’ and boys’ championships at SUNY Ulster, follow me on Twitter: @THR_Montgomery.

 Girls basketball
2011-12 NYSSWA rankings (through Feb. 12)

Class AA

1: 15-2 Cicero-North Syracuse-3
24: 13-2 Monroe-Woodbury

Class A

1: 17-0 John Glenn-11
20: 11-4 Cornwall
23: 11-4 Wallkill
25: 11-5 Red Hook

Class B

1: 17-0 Watervliet-2
24: 11-5 Highland

Class C

1: 16-0 Harpursville-4
3: 15-0 John A. Coleman Catholic
16: 11-4 Tuxedo
23: 13-1 Tri-Valley

Class D

1: 17-0 South Kortright-4
25: 9-7 Livingston-Manor

–

We’ve got some big games coming up in the next few days. Newburgh Free Academy plays at Monroe-Woodbury at 6:30 p.m. tonight. If NFA wins, it clinches its first OCIAA Division I title since the 2004-05 season. If M-W wins, it must beat Pine Bush Wednesday to clinch a second straight division title.

On Friday, Red Hook and Coleman Catholic square off in the MHAL finals. It’s Coleman Catholic’s third straight appearance in the game. Red Hook has won 13 MHAL titles since the 1986-87 season.

Any games out there that you’re looking forward to?

Rhinebeck's Nicole Fasolino, left, boxes out Highland's Samantha Mazzella during a game in Highland on Friday, Jan. 20, 2012. (Tom Bushey photo/Times Herald-Record).

–

I’ve had some people ask on Twitter about the Section 9 tournament seeds. Until the regular season is over, we can’t really figure out who’s in and who’s out. If you want the skinny on how teams are selected, check out the girls’ basketball handbook at the OCIAA website.

If the season was over today, here is how I would seed the playoffs. Take this with a grain of salt, but here goes on the predictions:

Class AA

1. Tonight’s NFA/M-W winner

2. NFA/M-W loser

3. Valley Central

4. Kingston

5. Pine Bush

6. Warwick

7. Roosevelt

Class A

1. Cornwall

2. Red Hook

3. Wallkill

4. Marlboro

5. Monticello

6. Goshen

Class B

1. Highland

2. Ellenville

3. Onteora

4. John S. Burke Catholic

5. Spackenkill

6. Liberty

Class C

1. John A. Coleman Catholic

2.Tuxedo

3.Tri-Valley

4. Chester

5. Fallsburg

6. Millbrook

Class D

1. Livingston Manor

–

Girls’ basketball standings
(Thru 2-15-12 games)
OCIAA Division I
    League     Overall
Newburgh    6-1     12-5
Monroe-Woodbury    5-1    13-3
Kingston    3-4     10-7
Pine Bush    2-4    11-5
Middletown    0-6     3-13
OCIAA Division II
Valley Central    4-0     10-5
Warwick    2-2     8-8
Minisink Valley     1-3     7-8
Washingtonville    1-3    6-10
OCIAA Division III
Cornwall    4-0     12-4
Goshen    2-2     7-8
Monticello    2-2     8-8
Port Jervis    0-4    3-13
OCIAA Division IV
Burke Catholic    5-0     9-8
Liberty    3-2     8-9
James I. O’Neill    2-3     6-11
Sullivan West    0-5    3-14
OCIAA Division V
Tri-Valley    8-1    15-1
Tuxedo    7-1     11-5
Chester    5-4     10-7
Fallsburg    3-5    10-6
Eldred    2-8     5-12
S.S Seward    1-7     6-10
OCIAA Division VI
Livingston Manor    4-0    10-8
Roscoe    3-2    3-13
Family School    0-5    0-18

MHAL Division I
Red Hook    10-4     13-5
Wallkill    9-3     12-4
Roosevelt    9-5          9-7
Saugerties    2-10     2-12
MHAL Division II
Highland    10-3    11-6
Marlboro    10-5    12-5
Rondout Valley    3-11    3-12
New Paltz    2-12     3-13
MHAL Division III
Onteora    10-5    10-6
Ellenville    8-5     9-7
Spackenkill    8-5     8-8
Pine Plains    3-10    5-10
MHAL Division IV
Coleman Catholic    14-0     17-0
Millbrook    6-6     7-8
Rhinebeck    3-10     5-11
Webutuck    0-14     0-18

———————————————————————–

By MHAL division, not overall MHAL
MHAL Division I
Red Hook    6-1     13-5
Roosevelt    4-2     9-7
Wallkill    1-3    12-4
Saugerties    0-5     2-12
MHAL Division II
Highland    6-0    11-6
Marlboro    4-2    12-5
New Paltz    1-5     3-13
Rondout Valley    1-5    3-12
MHAL Division III
Ellenville    4-1     9-7
Onteora    4-2    10-6
Spackenkill    2-3     8-8
Pine Plains    1-5    5-10
MHAL Division IV
Coleman Catholic    6-0     17-0
Millbrook    3-2     7-8
Rhinebeck    2-3     5-11
Webutuck    0-6    0-18

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What are your predictions? Let me know via Twitter: @THR_Montgomery.

MHAL boys’ basketball champions

2011: Red Hook

2010: Red Hook

2009: Roosevelt

2008: Rondout Valley

2007: Red Hook

2006: Red Hook

2005: Red Hook

2004: Red Hook

2003: Red Hook

2002: Red Hook

2001: Onteora

2000: New Paltz

1999: Spackenkill

1998: Onteora

1997: Red Hook

1996: Red Hook

1995: Red Hook

1994: Ellenville

1993: Liberty

1992: Wallkill

1991: Ellenville

1990: Ellenville

1989: Fallsburg

1988: Wallkill

1987: Liberty

1986: Liberty

1985: Coleman Catholic

1984: Wallkill

1983: Liberty

1982: Liberty

1981: Liberty