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CHSAA headliner Stepinac goes wire-to-wire atop the lohud Top 10 boys basketball rankings

mike dougherty, rockland/westchester journal news
·4 min read

As promised, the playoffs delivered high drama.

Here is how teams in the Lower Hudson Valley stacked up when the final buzzer sounded on the season. Stepinac may have a game or two left, but there is nobody challenging the Crusaders for the top spot.

Stepinac defeated Nazareth 66-51 in the CHSAA city championship at Fordham University March 10, 2024.
Stepinac defeated Nazareth 66-51 in the CHSAA city championship at Fordham University March 10, 2024.

lohud Top 10

Final

1. Stepinac (25-4) — There were a couple of hiccups, but the Crusaders largely dominated, going 19-1 against CHSAA rivals. Stepinac was nationally-ranked all season. Kentucky signee Boogie Fland sparked a quick postseason turnaround following a loss to St. Raymond in the Archdiocesan tournament, leading the Crusaders to the CHSAA AA Intersectional championship for the second year in a row. Previously: 1

2. Mount Vernon (16-7) — Optimism was hard to come by when the season began. There wasn't enough scoring. There wasn't enough chemistry. The Knights followed the lead of Tavien Tyler, revved up the defense, peaked in the playoffs and captured an unexpected Section 1 title. Previously: 7

3. New Rochelle (19-4) — Malik Gasper and Kas Mirza were dynamic all season long for the Huguenots, who came into the Class AAA championship with plenty of momentum, but lost the handle while pursuing a third win over Mount Vernon. Previously: 4

4. Mamaroneck (19-3) — It was an unprecedented season for the Tigers, who captured their first league title and set a program record for wins. Cosimo Hardinson was the centerpiece of a balanced lineup that came within a timely bucket of a championship game appearance. Previously: 3

5. White Plains (20-2) — Logan McCormick was arguably the best player in Section 1 all season. The Tigers had all the pieces necessary to make a playoff run, but there were some early speed bumps in a Class AAA semifinal against Mount Vernon that knocked this team off course. Previously: 2

Kai Harvey and Tavien Tyler of Mount Vernon double team Lee Hester of New Rochelle during the section 1 Class AAA Boys Basketball Championship Game at The Westchester County Center in White Plains March 3, 2024. Mount Vernon defeated New Rochelle 41-37.
Kai Harvey and Tavien Tyler of Mount Vernon double team Lee Hester of New Rochelle during the section 1 Class AAA Boys Basketball Championship Game at The Westchester County Center in White Plains March 3, 2024. Mount Vernon defeated New Rochelle 41-37.

6. Iona Prep (18-9) — The foundation was put in place this season under first-year coach Tim Philp and the Gaels are bringing a strong core back, starting with Lucas Morillo and Johnny Keenan. Some of the close losses to league rivals should go the other way if the group continues to progress. Previously: 5

7. Peekskill (24-2) — It was quite a run for the Red Devils. This community will be talking about the Section 1 Class AA championship for years and the fourth-quarter impact of Jaden Chavis, who got off the bench after battling illness all day and sparked a regional win over Binghamton, for decades. Previously: 8

8. Suffern (18-6) — When the playoffs tipped off, the Mounties were ready. This was probably the most improved team in Section 1 start to finish. Jake Pampolina and Jeph Joseph had Suffern rolling by late February and the season came down to a pair of missed free throws against Peekskill in the championship game. Previously: NR

9. Yorktown (20-3) — When the Huskers were good, they were very, very good. Brandon Montero was a double-double threat all season long and had plenty of help, but Yorktown did not play well in the County Center this season, falling to Mamaroneck in the Slam Dunk and to Suffern in a Class AA semifinal. Previously: 7

10. Byram Hills (18-7) — Tyson Repa and the Bobcats played a challenging schedule to prepare for a deep Class A bracket and quickly put the lessons learned into play. Byram Hills celebrated a Section 1 title, but went ice cold in regional play. Previously: NR

On the bubble: Eastchester (16-7); Haldane (21-4); Mahopac (18-3); North Rockland (15-6); Pearl River (19-4); Rye (18-6); Woodlands (21-5).

Woodlands defeated West Hempstead 72-66 in overtime in the state Class B regional final at Yorktown High School March 9, 2024.
Woodlands defeated West Hempstead 72-66 in overtime in the state Class B regional final at Yorktown High School March 9, 2024.

Section 1 class-by-class rankings

Class AAA: 1. Mount Vernon; 2. New Rochelle; 3. Mamaroneck; 4. White Plains; 5. North Rockland; 6. Ossining; 7. Arlington; 8. John Jay-East Fishkill.

Class AA: 1. Peekskill; 2. Suffern; 3. Yorktown; 4. Eastchester; 5. Scarsdale; 6. Somers; 7. Mahopac; 8. Fox Lane.

Class A: 1. Byram Hills; 2. Rye; 3. Pearl River; 4. Hen Hud; 5. Nyack; 6. Tappan Zee; 7. Ardsley; 8. Hastings.

Class B: 1. Woodlands; 2. Hamilton; 3. Westlake; 4. Dobbs Ferry.

Class C/D: 1. Haldane; 2. Leffell; 3. Tuckahoe; 4. Greenburgh/North Castle.

This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Final lohud top 10 boys basketball rankings for 2023-24 season