County Center Countdown: What are the most difficult gyms to win a game in?

We're going to make a few lists and drop a few names before the Section 1 boys basketball tournament brackets are finalized on Monday. Keep checking in as new content will be added to the file daily through Sunday.

Play hard. Have fun.

Wildcards

There are five teams positioned to eliminate a favorite or three and steal the spotlight at the County Center. It wouldn't be a huge surprise to see at least one of these teams win a gold ball.

1. Mount Vernon

It’s not the most talented Mount Vernon team we’ve seen, but the likely fifth-seeded Knights did close with momentum. Imagine having to open the Class AAA playoffs against this defense.

2. Scarsdale

The Raiders ended a six game slide in the regular-season finale. The preseason favorite in Class AA is now a No. 10 seed. A.J. Booth is in the lineup again. If the approach is right, this could be a memorable story.

3. Somers

Mac Sullivan gave the fifth-seeded Tuskers a presence at both ends when he returned from injury. A win over Mahopac to close out the regular season rightly grabbed the attention of potential Class AA foes.

4. Tappan Zee

Can the No. 8 seed build enough chemistry in the next week to sustain another run to a sectional title? Getting back a pair of starters – Tommy Linehan and Jack Piccione – before the regular season ended made the Dutchmen a threat in Class A.

5. Nyack

The approach has to be right game to game, but the seventh seed in Class A is good enough to win. North Rockland, Pearl River and Tappan Zee all took a loss against the RedHawks this season.

Breakout players

There are no surprises on this list. All of these players showed glimpses of what is on display this season game in and game out. They have levelled up and have the potential to play a starring role in the County Center.

1. Cosmo Hardinson, Mamaroneck

The hyperactive senior forward is going out in style. He led the Tigers to a first-ever league title.

2. Kas Mirza, New Rochelle

The senior guard missed last season with a wrist injury and is more than making up for lost time.

3. Jake Pampolina, Suffern

The sophomore guard is quickly expanding his game and ranks among the top scorers in the section.

4. Jaden Chavis, Peekskill

The junior point guard became a bigger threat when he found a trusty sidekick in Zeke Jones.

5. Matthew Nachamkin, Haldane

The versatile senior forward was a secondary option last season, but looks awfully comfortable in a leading role.

6. Aidan Santiago, North Rockland

The senior forward is delivering timely buckets for a team that really doesn't rely on any one scorer.

7. Anthony Ficarrotta, Dobbs Ferry

The gritty sophomore guard has a nose for the ball and isn't shy about getting shots up wherever they come.

8. Zach Efobi, Byram Hills

The junior forward is no longer just the best defensive player on the court. He's a double-double threat.

Home court advantage

The coaches were asked to name three of the most difficult gyms to play in based on fan turnout, atmosphere, and past success of the home team. Here’s what they came back with:

1. Tappan Zee (18.9%)

2. Mount Vernon (14.9%)

3. Mahopac (11.9%)

4. Yorktown (9.9%)

4. Mamaroneck (9.9%)

6. Byram Hills (6.9%)

7. Pearl River (3.9%)

7. White Plains (3.9%)

Also receiving votes: Blind Brook, Haldane, Fox Lane, New Rochelle, North Rockland, Peekskill, Pleasantville, Poughkeepsie, Somers, Spring Valley, Valhalla).

Money!

Consistency is a big deal. There are just a handful of high school players who are going to deliver in all 20 games. Defenses set up game plans to stop the money players, but these seven mainstays always seem to find a way.

1. Logan McCormick, White Plains

We knew the senior forward was good last season, but he's really matured and could very well be the best all-around player in Section 1 right now.

2. Keith Capuano, Hastings

This is what happens when a player sticks to doing what he does best. The senior power forward routinely fills up the stat sheet.

3. Malik Gasper, New Rochelle

Growing a couple of inches over the summer raised the junior forward's ceiling. Gasper is hard to keep a body on in the post.

4. Will Plunkett, Mamaroneck

Opponents need size to match up with the sophomore forward, but he's a serious threat from beyond the arc, which presents issues for most.

5. Eric Woodberry, Woodlands

It's not like the senior guard is under the radar. Every opponent comes in with a plan, but he refuses to be impacted by the special attention.

6. Brandon Montero, Yorktown

There's a lot of talent in this hyperactive body. A lack of size really should be more of an issue for the senior forward, but he's unbelievably effective in low post traffic.

7. Chris Popotte, Greenburgh-North Castle

A typical game includes 20 points and 18 rebounds for this one-man wrecking crew. The senior forward might be enough to land a third straight Class D title for the Knights.

Recent history

2023

Class AA: North Rockland 52, Scarsdale 40

Class A: Tappan Zee 39, Somers 15

Class B: Valhalla 65, Byram Hills 48

Class C: Haldane 63, Tuckahoe 53

Class D: Greenburgh/North Castle 68, Children’s Village 30

2022

Class AA: Mount Vernon

Class A: Poughkeepsie

Class B: Bronxville

Class C: Hamilton

Class D: Greenburgh/North Castle

2021

No tournament due to pandemic

2020

Class AA: Greeley

Class A: Rye

Class B: Hastings

Class C: Hamilton

Class D: Children’s Village

2019

Class AA: Mount Vernon

Class A: Poughkeepsie

Class B: Dobbs Ferry

Class C: Tuckahoe

Class D: MLK

2018

Class AA: Mount Vernon

Class A: Ardsley

Class B: Briarcliff

Class C: Hamilton

Class D:   MLK

2017

Class AA: Mount Vernon

Class A: Lourdes

Class B: Pleasantville

Class C: North Salem

Class D: MLK

2016

Class AA: Fox Lane

Class A: Byram Hills

Class B: Briarcliff

Class C: Haldane

Class D: Clark Academy

2015

Class AA: Mount Vernon

Class A: Spring Valley

Class B: Woodlands

Class C: Haldane

Class D: Clark Academy

2014

Class AA: Mount Vernon

Class A: Panas

Class B: Woodlands

Class C: Haldane

Class D: Clark

Playoff readiness

The postseason can be very intense for teams without a lot of experience in close games with atmosphere. Competing in a league with several other contending teams is a big part of getting prepared for what's coming next week.

So, what were the five most competitive leagues this year?

1. League I-D

Harrison, Mamaroneck, Mount Vernon, New Rochelle, Scarsdale

This is where the heavyweights live. Mamaroneck, Mount Vernon, New Rochelle and Scarsdale could all make the County Center. Harrison was not a pushover and had the other four sweating.

2. League II-A

Nanuet, Nyack, Pearl River, Tappan Zee

None of these rivals came through unscathed. Pearl River has been consistent start to finish, but Nyack and Tappan Zee are wildcards. If at least one of these teams isn’t at the County Center in a couple of weeks, consider it an upset.

3. League II-D

Brewster, Byram Hills, John Jay-Cross River, Somers, Yorktown

There is a chance this league will produce a pair of Section 1 champions, Yorktown in Class AA and Byram Hills in Class A. It wouldn’t be a surprise if Somers wound up back at the County Center, either.

4. League II-C

Ardsley, Eastchester, Edgemont, Pelham, Rye

Rye was a step ahead of the rest all season, but did not go unchallenged. Ardsley and Eastchester are good enough to win a playoff game or two and Pelham is sneaky good.

5. League I-B

Clarkstown North, Clarkstown South, North Rockland, Ramapo, Spring Valley, Suffern

It’s a top-heavy group. North Rockland has momentum right now, but Class AAA is loaded, so a return trip to the County Center is not a lock. Suffern is now in Class AA and might have better odds to get there.

Quotes of the year

It’s been a bumpy ride for Scarsdale. When the season is beginning to spiral, how do you start a comeback?

“By winning the next game,” junior guard Jake Sussberg said. “Moving on. Keep playing the game. Keep staying positive.

North Rockland is beginning to settle in offensively. The points are coming from different sources on different nights, though. Is that a good thing or a little disconcerting?

“It’s not because we are built to have multiple guys score in double figures on any given night,” Red Raiders coach Jamie Ryan said. “The tricky part is having everyone accept that. Some nights you might get two and the guy next to you gets 15 and the system still works. If you’re not able to accept the two, we get into trouble. It’s the way the game should be played, in my opinion, and it makes you unscoutable when you find the open man for a shot. They’re all capable of making it. They’re all basketball players. So that’s what we preach, but again, it is hard at times to not get the points you’re used to and that’s our struggle.”

10, 9, 8, 7 ...

These are the seven players who absolutely have to have the ball in their hands when their teams are down a bucket with 10 seconds to play. All of them can handle. All of them can shoot. All of them have made big play after big play this season.

1. Tavien Tyler, Mount Vernon

Good luck matching up with Section 1's most elusive player. He's a 5-foot-7 junior point guard who's got range and confidence. Tyler can get inside a defense, too, and create contact.

2. Kas Mirza, New Rochelle

Do not let this guy have time and space. The 6-foot-5 senior swingman has a quick release and is rarely in one place for too long. Mirza is not shy about playing in traffic, either.

3. Tyson Repa, Byram Hills

Somebody did some homework over the summer. The 6-foot-4 point senior guard has a higher basketball IQ this season and will find a way to exploit the defense.

4. Ray Boutin, Nyack

When he's got a bounce in his step, bring help. Quickly. The 5-foot-11 senior guard is fast in every direction and doesn't need much room to break down a defense off the dribble.

5. Billy Feeks, Yorktown

Imagination counts for something, and the 5-foot-10 senior guard has a habit of getting creative. Feeks moves quickly without the ball, too, which typically gives him a step on the defense.

6. Jake Sussberg, Scarsdale

A rhythm shooter who can find the groove with a quick toe tap. The 6-foot-4 guard is especially lethal when the Raiders have proper spacing and defenses cheat toward Carlos Rodriguez.

7. Tommy Linehan, Tappan Zee

Experience is huge. The 6-foot-2 junior guard has a championship ring and is back after dealing with an injury. Linehan dropped five 3s before halftime last year in a semifinal win at the County Center.

Red Devils: Peekskill is making a comeback and is positioned to add to a prolific legacy

Save the date

Feb. 12: Section 1 seeding meeting

Feb. 14: Outbracket games in Class AA and A if needed

Feb. 15: First round games in Class AAA, B and C at the higher seed

Feb. 16: First round games in Class AA and A at the higher seed

Feb. 20: Class B and C quarterfinals at the higher seed

Feb. 21: Class A quarterfinals at the higher seed

Feb. 22: Class AA quarterfinals at the higher seed

Feb. 23: Class AAA quarterfinals at the higher seed

Feb. 24: Class D championship at the County Center, 11 a.m.

Feb. 24: Class B semifinals at the County Center, 3 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.

Feb. 25: Class C semifinals at the County Center, 1:45 p.m. and 5:15 p.m.

Feb. 26: Class A semifinals at the County Center, 4:45 p.m. and 8:15 p.m.

Feb. 27: Class AA semifinals at the County Center, 4:45 p.m. and 8:15 p.m.

Feb. 28: Class AAA semifinals at the County Center, 4:45 p.m. and 8:15 p.m.

March 1: Class B championship at the County Center, 7 p.m.

March 2: Class A championship at the County Center, 2:15 p.m.

March 2: Class AA championship at the County Center, 7:15 p.m.

March 3: Class AAA championship at the County Center, 2:15 p.m.

March 3: Class C championship at the County Center, 7:15 p.m.

Mike Dougherty covers high school basketball for The Journal News and lohud.com. Follow along on X/Twitter @lohudhoopsmbd or Instagram @hoopsmbdlohud.

This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: lohud boys basketball Section 1 tournament go to players toughest gyms