We are currently amidst holiday tournaments, and the top contenders are already establishing their presence in the Lower Hudson Valley. As we progress through the basketball season, here are the top 10 rankings for the early stages of the season:
1. Stepinac (4-0) —
Stepinac boasts a roster of seven players with Division I offers, and more talent waiting to emerge. As the team shapes its rotation to accommodate eight or nine players, it will certainly be a challenge.
2. Scarsdale (2-0) —
Carlos Rodriguez and Jake Sussberg lead an experienced team, motivated after narrowly missing out on a Section 1 title last season.
3. White Plains (4-0) —
Secured their first quality win of the season against North Rockland, and the team eagerly anticipates their upcoming test against New Rochelle.
4. Yorktown (2-1) —
Billy Feeks sparked a remarkable comeback win against Mount Vernon, further boosting the confidence of the team’s seasoned core.
5. Iona Prep (4-0) —
Under new coach Tim Philp, the Gaels are not starting from scratch. Johnny Keenan and Lucas Morillo offer consistent scoring options.
6. Mount Vernon (0-1) —
Despite the opening season loss, it’s important not to read too much into it. The team is young and will require some time to adjust, but their competitive spirit remains strong.
7. Ossining (3-0) —
Building upon the momentum from the previous season, Ossining continues to forge ahead with a fresh lineup.
8. Somers (0-0) —
With a new head coach at the helm, there may be a lot of changes afoot, but the team possesses a talented lineup of guards, giving them the potential to return to the County Center.
9. New Rochelle (2-0) —
With a more mature and physically robust core, the question remains whether there are sufficient newcomers ready to step up and provide depth to the Huguenots’ roster.
10. North Rockland (1-1) —
Four starters from the previous Section 1 championship team have departed, placing the responsibility on Elijah Barclay to be this year’s physical and emotional leader.
Teams on the bubble include Blind Brook (3-0), Dobbs Ferry (3-1), Fox Lane (2-0), Hamilton (5-0), Hastings (1-0), Peekskill (3-0), and Rye (1-0).
As the season progresses, it will be intriguing to witness how these teams navigate through the challenges and triumphs that lie ahead. We anticipate providing updates and insights as we follow the journey of the Lower Hudson Valley’s finest basketball talents in the 2023-24 season.