Although fans perceive Selection Sunday as a day of suspense and excitement, the reality is that all but a couple of NCAA basketball tournament berths are already known ahead of the official announcement. Between automatic bids and tools such as power ratings and the RPI, probably 66 of the 68 participants will be absolutely certain they're in before the March 13 announcement.
If you want real drama, stick with high school basketball. Every possession in a close game can be the difference between moving on in the tournament and moving the lacrosse cages out of storage to start spring practice the following day.
A case in point:
Manhasset vs.
Floral Park Memorial last Friday night.
Dan Merola's desperation 35-footer at the buzzer gave Manhasset a 66-65 victory in two overtimes in the Section VIII Class A semifinals.
The Indians, minus two starters who had fouled out, were trying to run a set play that failed to materialize as drawn up. Merola had to improvise and let fly for the last of his 15 points, capping a recovery after Manhasset gave back all of its 41-26 lead to Floral Park (15-4) through three quarters.
Besides letting the big lead melt away, Manhasset also surrendered all of its four-point lead in the first overtime as
Shamoy McIntosh (31 points) tallied five points in a 1:45 span.
In the second OT, Floral Park's
Lloyd Wheeler scored on a putback before Merola's heroics advanced Manhasset (18-2) to Saturday's sectional final vs. Lawrence at Hofstra University for a berth in the New York State Public High School Athletic Association tournament.
And that wasn't even the most shocking double-overtime game in the state for the weekend.
Will Bromirski's free throw with 2.7 seconds left in the second extra period gave
Cambridge (10-10) a 68-67 upset of Argyle (18-2), the state's top-ranked Class C squad, in the Section II tournament quarterfinals. Bromirski made five 3-pointers and finished with 27 points for Cambridge, which advanced to the semifinals against Greenwich.
The state Class C tournament was further turned upside down when Greenport (18-2) was eliminated from the postseason via a 56-53 loss to
Port Jefferson (12-7) in the Section XI final. Junior Anthony Lanieri hit both ends of a one-and-one with 12 seconds left to advance the Royals to the first round of the state tourney against
Friends Academy (Locust Valley) of Section VIII.
GIRLS BASKETBALL: HUGE GAME BY SOPHOMORE STAR
File photo by Lonnie Webb
Ossining's Saniya Chang.
Saniya Chong scored two points in the first quarter of Ossining's Section I Class AA quarterfinal, and heated up with 15 more before the half. What happened after that is why the sophomore guard is regarded as one of the state's most exciting young players.
Chong, the first
Ossining player to score 1,000 points before the end of her 10th grade season, poured in 44 more points after the half to finish with 61 in a 84-69 win over visiting John Jay-East Fishkill. Her previous high had been 47 vs. Briarcliff.
Kristin McGarvey of Pearl River set the Section I record of 63 in a game in the 1989-90 season.
Chong also finished with five assists and 10 steals. She made seven 3-pointers and was 14-for-16 at the line.
"We had 10 turnovers in the first quarter," coach Dan Ricci told The Journal News. "We were stagnant and missing shots. We needed her to put the team on her back."
MILESTONE FOR SECTION III COACHWesthill (Syracuse) coach Sue Ludwig won her 400th game when the Warriors downed previously unbeaten South Jefferson, ranked second in the state, 56-50 in the Section III Class B girls tournament.
Ashley Cianfriglia led the way with 20 points and Anna Ross chipped in with 18. It was the Spartans' first home loss since Dec. 14, 2001.
John Schiano, who has written about high school sports in western and central New York for more than 25 years, covers New York for MaxPreps. He may be reached at john.schiano@maxpreps.com.