High School Girls Basketball

BY ADAM RONIS

It's difficult to find a team that has improved more over the course of a month than Massapequa. The Chiefs opened the season with three straight losses, including league losses to Syosset and Hicksville. It was certainly eye-opening for a team that has won five county championships in the last eight seasons.

Syosset defeated Massapequa 61-53 on Dec. 18. The teams met again tonight and Massapequa prevailed, 74-54. Tara Annunziata scored 23 points on 11-for-13 shooting and had 12 rebounds and Janine Aldridge scored 22 points, including 6 of 9 from three-point range, and added nine assists.

"We were searching for a comination of players back then," Massapequa coach Shari Roessler said. "We were relying on Janine to bail us out."

Now that the team is gaining confidence and jelling, Aldridge can get nine assists, like tonight. Massapequa has won eight consecutive league games and is 8-2 in Conference AA-I.

Massapequa plays Hicksville on Saturday at 1 p.m. in a rematch of last season's county final. Massapequa entered that game undefeated before falling to Hicksville.

BY ADAM RONIS

Floyd senior Dominique Johnson scored her 1,000th career point and finished with 19 points tonight in a 51-48 loss to Longwood. The 5-4 guard will attend Dowling.

BY ADAM RONIS

Wantagh coach Stan Bujacich notched his 200th career win tonight with a 66-51 victory over Malverne. Bujacich is 200-97 in his 15th season at the school. He guided the team to the Nassau Class A county championship in 2005 and 2006.

Wantagh is 5-5 in Conference ABC-I, but was recently bolstered with the return of Claire Peterson, who missed seven games. Wantagh has won two straight for the first time since Dec. 20.

"This win is important for us," Bujacich said. "It has been an unusual year."

BY ADAM RONIS

One injury can really affect a team in the new ability-grouping format. Just take Manhasset as an example. Point guard Italia Smith missed three games after neededing 10 stitches in her lip following a collision with a teammate in practice. Manhasset went 0-3 in her absence.

"Without her, we had trouble breaking the press," coach Vinny LoBianco said. "I know the injury hurt us and it has hurt Wantagh, too."

Claire Peterson missed some time for Wantagh, which started off very slow. Wantagh is beginning to play better with her return.

Manhasset (5-5) is 2-1 since Smith returned to the floor. She has 12 points and four assists in a 61-45 win over Island Trees tonight.

Here are some highlights of Roosevelt's win over Floral Park:

BY ADAM RONIS

Did you really think we would go the rest of the night without touching upon Nassau Class A again? No way. Garden City has had a wild season and it continued tonight with a 49-48 win over Roslyn. This comes on the heels of a 67-50 loss to Island Trees (2-7).

Garden City beat Roosevelt, 58-57, on Jan. 15 and Roosevelt is one of the hottest teams. Before that game, Garden City lost to South Side, 52-42. It just shows how tough it has been with the ability-grouping schedule. It's very difficult to determine what you will get from a team on a nightly basis.

Malverne, a Class B school playing all A schools, has struggled, but beat Division (5-4), 59-37, tonight. Malverne is 2-7, but should be well prepared for the postseason with the schedule it is playing.

BY ADAM RONIS

Holy Trinity was cruising along, surprising many by beating four-time champion St. John the Baptist earlier this month. The Titans continued to roll up the wins to lead the CHSAA, but fell into a first place tie with St. John the Baptist after being upset by St. Anthony's, 51-47, tonight.

St. Anthony's used a 22-10 fourth quarter to rally. Holy Trinity is now tied with St. John the Baptist atop the CHSAA with a 9-1 mark.The Titans led by 16 in the third quarter. Holy Trinity beat St. Anthony's, 46-35, on Dec. 14. St. Anthony's is 7-4 and this is a big win for its confidence.

The CHSAA regular-season title will likely come down to the game between SJB at Holy Trinity on Feb. 12.

BY ADAM RONIS

The wild night in girls hoops continues. Herricks eked out a 59-58 win over Syosset. Herricks has built its program up and starts all four-year seniors. This could be its only opportunity in the near future to make a deep run.

Herricks has lost in the Nassau Class AA quarterfinals the last two years. Herricks came into the season seeded sixth, but is 3-2 against the top 5 seeds. Still, Herricks can't be seeded higher than sixth in a bizarre system that needs tweaking.

Herricks trailed most of the game and was being outplayed thoroughly in the second quarter. Herricks used a 22-12 fourth quarter to prevail.

BY ADAM RONIS

It wasn't a playoff game or anything close. But Gabrielle Gibson did her best impersonation of Willis Reed tonight. Gibson, who injured her ankle on Thursday against North Babylon, was supposed to be out at least a week.

But with Copiague trailing Centereach 30-21 entering the fourth quarter, Gibson was called into action and she delivered. Gibson scored 14 points in a 22-8 fourth quarter to rescue Copiague from an upset in a 43-38 win. She also had four rebounds, four steals and two assists.

The loss would have been damaging for its hopes of a league title. North Babylon leads Copiague by one game after beating it on Thursday. The teams meet one more time. The loss would have likely hurt its chances as being a top four seed, too.

Judging from her performance, Copiague was likely being very cautious with Gibson. I doubt it would risk her future for a regular season game. What a performance for Gibson. It's one to remember.

BY ADAM RONIS

The race in Suffolk League IV has become real tight over the past week. Half Hollow Hills West, Riverhead, Smithtown West and Kings Park have all played well and are vying for first place.

But Hills West and Riverhead created some breathing room tonight with victories. Hills West beat Smithtown West, 60-55, and Riverhead downed Kings Park, 54-45. Hills West is 7-1; Riverhead is 6-1; and both Smithtown West and Kings Park are 5-3.

Hills West already defeated Riverhead easily at home, but the teams meet again at Riverhead in what could decide the league title. It has been an interesting race and don't be surprised if things tighten up again.

BY ADAM RONIS

Two of the top contenders for the Suffolk Class A title met tonight and Harborfields beat Huntington, 51-43. It's the second time the teams met this season and Huntington won the first matchup at home.

Each team is now 9-1 in League V. Last season, Huntington went into the Class A title game undefeated and lost to Harborfields. These teams are building a nice rivalry and look to be pretty even.

The teams are likely to play another game, which will be in the postseason.

BY ADAM RONIS

I told you we would return shortly. And like I predicted, the topic is Nassau Class A. Roosevelt, which we talked about several days ago being the team coaches pointed to as a sleeper before the season, upset Floral Park today, 64-54.

The game stands out because Floral Park has dominated the league. Besides a four-point win over Wantagh, Floral Park has been winning with ease. Roosevelt is 7-2 and Floral Park is 8-1.

I saw Roosevelt on Saturday and it certainly has the nucleus to win a championship. Roosevelt has three solid guards and some big girls inside that should improve. Floral Park was due to have a loss somewhere along the way in the ability-grouping schedule. Give a tremendous amount of credit to Floral Park for winning its first eight games in league play.

BY ADAM RONIS

Besides Floral Park, can anyone figure out who the next best team is in Class A? The record says it's Roosevelt, the team seeded 10th entering the season. Every night, there's a result of a game or two that seems a little shocking. These teams are really beating up on one another.

Most are hovering around the .500 mark. It's early in the day and already we have a somewhat surprising result as South Side, a Conference ABC-II team, beat Manhasset, in Conference ABC-I, 53-37. Manhasset is 2-4 in its last six, including two overtime games.

South Side is starting to turn it on with a 4-2 record in its last six. It should be a wild scramble in Class A. I'm sure we'll have some more wild games later tonight, so come back as it's a very busy night in girls hoops with 52 games.

NYSSWA rankings ( records through Jan. 23)
Note: PSAL and CHSAA teams not included

Class AA
Rank Record Prev

1. Amsterdam-2 12-0 1.
2. Mount Vernon-1 13-0 2.
3. Hicksville-8 9-2 4.
4. Sachem East-11 9-2 5.
5. Jamestown-6 11-1 6.
6. Shenendehowa-2 11-1 7.
7. Minisink Valley-9 13-1 8.
8. Canandaigua-5 15-0 9.
9. Commack-11 9-2 10.
10. Bethlehem-2 11-1 11.
11. North Babylon-11 8-4 12.
12. Fairport-5 12-1 13.
13. Calhoun-8 9-3 19.
14. Penfield-5 12-1 17.
15. Massapequa-8 8-3 15.
16. Copiague-11 9-2 16.
17. Churchville-Chili-5 12-1 3.
18. Oswego-3 12-3 NR
19. Rush-Henrietta-5 12-2 18.
20. Ursuline-1 10-3 20.


Class A

1. Pioneer-6 13-0 1.
2. Newark-5 12-2 2.
3. Indian River-3 15-0 3.
4. John Glenn-11 12-2 4.
5. Cortland-3 15-0 6.
6. Honeoye Falls-Lima-5 13-1 7.
7. Floral Park-8 10-2 8.
8. New Hartford-3 14-1 9.
9. Beacon-1 13-1 5.
10. Pittsford Mendon-5 12-1 10.
11. Waverly-4 12-2 11.
12. Cornwall-9 10-2 13.
13. Huntington-11 9-4 14.
14. Malone-10 13-2 15.
15. Harborfields-11 9-3 16.
16. Maine-Endwell-4 10-4 NR
17. Averill Park-2 9-4 17.
18. Kenmore East-6 11-2 18.
19. Wallkill-9 10-3 NR
20. Shoreham-Wading River-11 10-4 NR

Class B

1. Elmira Notre Dame-4 13-1 1.
2. South Jefferson-3 12-1 2.
3. Hoosic Valley-2 14-0 3.
4. Burke Catholic-9 12-0 4.
5. Nazareth-5 13-1 5.
6. Wyandanch-11 11-2 6.
7. Hampton Bays-11 10-3 7.
8. Binghamton Seton-4 12-1 8.
9. Briarcliff-1 13-2 9.
10. Albertus Magnus-1 12-1 10.
11. Cohoes-2 11-3 11.
12. Sullivan West-9 9-2 12.
13. Highland-9 12-1 14.
14. Lansing-4 12-2 15.
15. Saranac-7 11-1 17.
16. Tamarac-2 11-2 18.
17. Malverne-8 4-7 19.
18. Cazenovia-3 11-2 20.
19. Marcus Whitman-5 10-4 13.
20. Ogdensburg Free Academy-10 11-3 NR


Class C

1. Marion-5 15-0 1.
2. Florida-9 11-0 2.
3. Little Falls-3 15-0 3.
4. Mechanicville-2 12-1 4.
5. Haldane-1 13-1 5.
6. East Rockaway-8 11-2 6.
7. Newfield-4 13-1 7.
8. Cooperstown-3 15-0 8.
9. Perry-5 14-0 9.
10. Stony Brook-11 8-2 10.
11. Schenectady Christian-2 14-0 11.
12. South Seneca-5 13-1 12.
13. Maple Hill-2 12-1 13.
14. Oakfield-Alabama-5 11-1 14.
15. Bainbridge-Guilford-4 11-1 15.
16. Madrid-Waddington-10 11-3 16.
17. Frewsburg-6 13-2 18.
18. Stillwater-2 9-3 19.
20. Millbrook-9 7-3 20.
20. Tioga-4 10-4 NR


Class D

1. Sherman-6 12-0 1.
2. Coleman Catholic-9 12-0 2.
3. Hammond-10 12-3 3.
4. Sackets Harbor-3 14-1 4.
5. Davenport-4 14-1 5.
6. Romulus-5 10-3 6.
7. South Kortright-4 12-2 7.
8. Jasper-Troupsburg-5 12-1 9.
9. New York Mills-3 12-3 10.
10. Chateaugay-10 13-1 11.
11. Cherry Valley-Springfield-4 12-0 13.
12. Downsville-4 12-2 14.
13. Whitesville-5 12-1 15.
14. Elizabethtown-Lewis-7 10-4 16.
15. Fillmore-5 12-2 8.
16 Rome Catholic-3 9-6 12.
17. Argyle-2 7-5 17.
18. Pine Valley-6 11-2 18.
19. Hartford-2 9-2 19.
20. Schroon Lake-7 11-3 20.

Kristen Doherty (Sachem East): Doherty had 27 points, seven rebounds and seven steals in a 64-31 win over Ward Melville on Thursday in a battle for first place. The sophomore had 22 points and six steals in a 66-46 win over Longwood on Saturday.

Kayla Koch (Kings Park): Koch scored a game-high 24 points, including nine in a 17-15 fourth quarter for Kings Park in a 59-54 win over Half Hollow Hills West on Thursday. She also added seven rebounds. Koch had 10 points, 10 assists and seven steals in a 65-41 win over Deer Park on Saturday.

Eileen Gaffney (Manhasset): Gaffney scored 23 of her 36 points in the second half and overtime and added 16 rebounds for Manhasset in a 72-65 win over Division on Friday. Gaffney scored on a three-point play to tie the score at 55 with 30 seconds left in regulation.

Meghan Biondolillo (Island Trees): The junior scored a career-high 30 points and added nine rebounds for Island Trees in a 67-50 win over Garden City on Friday.

BY ADAM RONIS

1. Hicksville: Senior Courtney Breen scored her 1,000th career point in win over Farmingdale on Friday. Hicksville plays Massapequa on Saturday.
2. Sachem East: Very impressive 64-31 win over Ward Melville. Looking very good.
3. St. John the Baptist: Beat St. Anthony’s 58-50 on Friday behind 22 points and 10 rebounds from Christine Huber.
4. North Babylon: Took one-game lead over Copiague in League III with 53-48 win on Thursday.
5. Commack: Beat Connetquot 65-36 on Thursday.
6. Holy Trinity: Leads the CHSAA with 9-0 mark.
7. Copiague: Falls one spot after 53-48 loss to North Babylon.
8. Massapequa: Coming on very strong. Janine Aldridge scored 30 points in a 58-46 win over Uniondale on Friday.
9. Floral Park: Still rolling through Nassau Class A. Beat South Side on Friday, 50-33.
10. Syosset: Five straight wins puts Syosset in the top 10 for the first time.
On the bubble: Herricks, Calhoun, Roosevelt, Ward Melville, Huntington, Glenn, Wyandanch

BY ADAM RONIS

Many coaches I have talked to regarding ability-based grouping are against it. One of the arguments against it is good teams will lose more often than usual and although those top teams are assured of a playoff berth, they could have low confidence entering the playoffs.

Malverne is an interesting case study. Malverne is seeded No. 2 in ABC, but is a Class B team playing all A schools in the regular season. Malverne is struggling in the league with a 1-6 mark, but knows it will be the top seed in the Class B playoffs.

Based on the seeds, Malverne is clearly the best B team. The team has reached the Class B finals for five consecutive years. Will the losing take a toll when the postseason begins?

BY ADAM RONIS

The buzz prior to the season was Roosevelt was a team to watch. And so far, that sentiment has proven true. Roosevelt is 9-4 and 6-2 in Nassau Conference ABC-II.

Roosevelt has good guards with DonnaKay Henry, Denise Crawford and Nikita Green. Roosevelt has some size inside and the development of some of those young players could impact how deep Roosevelt goes in the postseason.

Coach Don Crummell said his best player down low hasn't even taken the court yet. Simone Thomas, a 5-10 senior, has a slight ACL tear. She just started practicing four days ago and she is expected to be back soon.

Sophomore Samantha Corbit has also picked up her play the past few games. She had 10 of her 12 points in the third quarter of a 56-46 win over Malverne yesterday.

BY ADAM RONIS

Junior Kerry Hicks has been instrumental in the ascent of the Huntington program. Hicks scored her 1,000th career point tonight in a 67-38 win over Eastport-South Manor. She scored all of her game-high 27 points in the first half for Huntington (10-0).

Huntington went into last season's Suffolk Class A championship undefeated, but lost to Harborfields by one point. Huntington beat Harborfields last month and the teams meet again on Tuesday.

BY ADAM RONIS

Herricks coach Glenn Lavey was concerned about how his team would guard the top players on the upper-echelon teams in Nassau Conference AA-I. In the past, it has been a major problem.

But Herricks was able to hold Calhoun's Megan Vasquez and Jasmine Fuller in check in a 41-38 win tonight. Vasquez had 13 first-half points and hit a three-pointer to open the third quarter, but didn't score the rest of the game. Fuller scored three points.

"In the past, we lose this game 59-35," Lavey said. "For us, this is a good win. Calhoun is a very good team. We didn't do much on offense. We played good, physical defense."

Herricks doesn't turn the ball over much. Lavey said the team hasn't turned it over more than 10 times in a game this season, and had 15 or 16 turnovers tonight. Herricks, which can't be seeded higher than 6th in the Class AA playoffs, is 2-2 against the top 5 seeds and plays Syosset on Tuesday.

BY ADAM RONIS

Senior Courtney Breen scored 13 points, including the 1,000th point of her career for Hicksville in a 55-27 win tonight over Farmingdale. Breen tore her ACL three weeks after the season ended last year, but was back to start this season.

BY ADAM RONIS

Copiague junior guard Gabrielle Gibson is out at least a week with a severely sprained right ankle. Gibson rolled her ankle early in the third quarter in a 53-48 loss to North Babylon last night.

Gibson, who had 13 first-half points, is undergoing physical therapy. Copiague plays Manhattan Center on Sunday at JFK in the Bronx in a matchup of two outstanding junior points guards with Ieasia Walker for Copiague and China Crosby of Manhattan Center.

Here are some highlights of North Babylon's win over Copiague on Thursday:

BY ADAM RONIS

Just when it appeared that Half Hollow Hills West was in control of Suffolk League IV, it quickly changed. The teams in League IV have beat up on each other all season. Tonight it was Kings Park knocking off first-place Half Hollow Hills West, 59-54.

Hills West and Riverhead are 5-1 and Kings Park and Smithtown West are 4-2. Riverhead's lone loss is against Hills West; Kings Park lost to Smithtown West and Riverhead; and Smithtown West has lost to Riverhead and Hills West. Got it?

All these teams are solid and could make waves in the postseason. Who will emerge as League champs?

BY ADAM RONIS

There's no doubt Ward Melville has improved a lot. But to get mentioned among the elite, it has to beat one of the upper-echelon teams in Suffolk Class AA. Tonight Ward Melville had its opportunity against Sachem East.

Ward Melville started well, opening up an 11-6 lead, but it was all Sachem East after that in an easy 64-31 win. Sachem East (7-0) leads Ward Melville (6-1) by one game in League I.

"We had to send a message," Sachem East coach Matt Brisson said. "We're playing for a No. 1 seed. The effort level was superior."

Kristen Doherty had 27 points, seven rebounds and seven steals and Ashley Caggiano added 17 points, seven steals and five assists.

Brisson highlighted the play of senior center Stefanie Mignone, who held Tania Williams to nine points and none in the second half. Ashley Gyscek also played well for Sachem East with nine rebounds and took two charges.

"I'm really happy with what happened tonight," Brisson said, "but I'd be nervous again if we played them tomorrow. They're a good program."

BY ADAM RONIS

In what could be a potential playoff game in Suffolk Class AA, North Babylon defeated host Copiague, 53-48, tonight in a League III game. North Babylon coach Mike Petre described it as a playoff atmosphere. He said a plethora of colleges were on hand, including Notre Dame, Michigan State, Steon Hall, Temple, Vanderbilt, St. John's and Stony Brook.

There certainly were upper-echelon players involved in this one with North Babylon junior Eugeneia McPherson and sophomore Bria Hartley and Copiague juniors Ieasia Walker and Gabrielle Gibson.

But it was junior Kahsyrah Bryant who came through in the decisive 16-5 third quarter that gave North Babylon (6-0) a 38-30 lead. North Babylon forced 11 turnovers in the quarter. McPherson scored 22 points and had seven steals and Hartley added nine points and five steals.

Gibson had 13 first-half points for Copiague (5-1), but rolled her ankle early in the third quarter and didn’t return. Ieasia Walker scored 12 of her 18 points an 18-15 fourth quarter for Copiague.

Copiague led 25-17 late in the first half, but McPherson scored on a three-point play and then converted her own steal into a layup to slice the halftime deficit to 25-22.

"Hartley and McPherson are always incredible," Petre said. "The difference in this game was the role players. Bryant gave us a big lift with her scoring and she did the little things."

Caitlyn Fifield hit a three-pointer in the fourth quarter to push the lead back to double digits after Walker was getting hot. The absence of Gibson seemed to hurt Copiague, too.

"It was a shame one of the marquee players couldn't finish the game," Petre said. "Copiague is really a good team. We were able to shut them down and get turnovers. I don't put any stock in this victory. Championships aren't won in January."

Here are the matchups for this weekend's JFK Challenge in the Bronx. Two teams from Long Island will play.

Saturday
1) SPRING VALLEY HS VS LEHMAN HS (BRONX NY) - 11:15AM

2) MOLLOY HS (QUEENS NY) VS WHITE PLAINS HS (WESTCHESTER NY) - 12:40PM

3) CENTRAL HS (PHILADELPHIA) VS SOUTH SHORE HS (BROOKLYN NY) - 2PM

4) CAVER HS (PHILADELPHIA, PA) VS H.D. WOODSON HS (WASHINGTON DC) - 3:30PM

4) ST MICHAEL ACA.(NEW YORK) VS HAMPTON HS (VIRGINIA) - 5PM

5) TRENTON CATHOLIC HS (NEW JERSEY) VS MARY LOUIS HS (QUEENS NY) - 6:30PM

6) JOHN F KENNEDY HS (BRONX, NY) VS MOUNT VERNON HS (WESTCHESTER NY) - 8PM

SUNDAY
1) ST. PETERS HS (STATEN ISLAND NY) VS HOLY TRINITY HS (LONG ISLAND NY) - 11:30AM

2) HAMPTON HS (VIRGINIA) VS JEFFERSON HS (BROOKLYN NY) - IPM

3) COPIAGUE HS (LONG ISLAND NY) VS MANHATTAN CENTER HS (MANHATTAN NY) - 2:30PM

4) H.D. WOODSON HS (WASHINGTON DC) VS MURRY BERGTRAUM HS (MANHATTAN NY) - 4PM

5) UNIVERSITY HS (NEWARK, NJ) VS J F KENNEDY HS (PATTERSON NJ) - 5:30PM

6) SHABAZZ HS (NEWARK NJ) VS ST. MICHAEL ACADEMY HS (MANHATTAN NY) - 7PM

BY ADAM RONIS

It's been difficult to get an accurate gauge on St. John the Baptist this season. The Cougars got off to a great start while playing an arduous non-league schedule. SJB hosted the Rose Classic Super Jam and beat St. Mary's from Phoenix and H.D. Woodson of Washington D.C. in overtime.

One week late SJB lost in Baltimore to Seton Keough and scored just 43 points. The offensive malaise continued in the Delaware Diamond State Classic. SJB opened it with a 48-26 loss to Ursuline Academy (Delaware), but finished the Classic with wins over Central Dauphin (Delaware) and Caravel Academy (Delaware).

So, the schedule was tough and the results were mixed. Then came a 37-32 loss to Holy Trinity in CHSAA play, just its second league loss in three seasons. But SJB has roared back since, winning four straight league games and pulling out an impressive win over University (N.J.) yesterday, 61-58, in the NY-NJ Challenge at Kean University. University is ranked nationally in some polls.

The expectations heaped upon SJB this season are enormous. After ending the 17-year CHSAA state reign of Christ the King last season, the question was could SJB take that next step. After the win over CK, SJB lost to national powerhouse Bergtraum (Manhattan) in the Federation semifinals.

The loss to Holy Trinity might have been the smelling salt SJB needed. It certainly appears that way so far. The win over CK was even surprising to many players last season. Now, SJB is expected to win its fifth straight CHSAA championship and see if it could advance further. Those lofty expectations might have been too much early in the season.

Expect SJB to finish strong. The regular-season league title will likely come down to the game against Holy Trinity in a few weeks. This is where the Cougars experience will help. It should be a fun finish.

BY ADAM RONIS

Suffolk Players of the Week

Sara English (Smithtown West): Sara English had 18 points, 15 rebounds and seven blocks in a 62-45 win over Bellport Friday. She had 20 points, 17 rebounds, and 10 blocks in a 69-64 win over Kings Park on Jan. 15.

Danielle Spiliotis (Stony Brook): The junior had a career-high 35 points and 12 rebounds in a 55-43 win on Jan. 11. She had 27 points and 11 rebounds in a 56-30 win over Pierson on Friday.

BY ADAM RONIS

Nassau Players of the Week

Diana Leondis (Garden City): Leondis scored 30 points, including 9-for-9 from the free-throw line in a 28-19 fourth quarter en route to a 69-58 win over Division on Saturday. The sophomore had 21 points in a 58-57 win over Roosevelt on Jan. 15.

Shemique Hooks (Westbury): Hooks had 17 points, 10 rebounds, seven assists and six steals in a 53-51 win over Valley Stream South Friday. She had 18 points and seven rebounds in a 46-30 win over Plainedge on Jan. 15.

BY ADAM RONIS

No movement this week. None of the teams in the top 10 lost the past week.

Newsday Top 10 rankings

1.Hicksville: Since loss to Elmont, Hicksville has won by 32, 17, and 34 points.
2. Sachem East: Making it look real easy in league games. Toughest league game comes Thursday against Ward Melville.
3. St. John the Baptist: Offense is back on track and has won by at least 16 points in last four league games.
4. North Babylon: Rolling through the league. Big test and game of the week comes at Copiague on Thursday.
5. Commack: Sammy Prahalis and Kaitlin Milazzo are really clicking.
6. Copiague: Ieasia Walker and Gabrielle Gibson are too much to handle for League III teams. Real test comes Thursday against defending champion North Babylon.
7. Holy Trinity: Continue to pile up the wins and remain in first in the CHSAA.
8. Massapequa: So much for a down year. Won last four by 16, 12, 17, and 14.
9. Calhoun: Three straight wins after two losses.
10. Floral Park: Not even getting tested right now.

On the bubble: Half Hollow Hills West, Herricks, Syosset, Roosevelt, Ward Melville, Huntington, Glenn, Wyandanch

BY ADAM RONIS

Don't forget to check out the next girls basketball insider that will be online Monday. This week's story focuses on Holy Trinity. The Titans are 8-0 in the CHSAA and have already defeated four-time champion St. John the Baptist.

We'll also have the new Top 10, Nassau and Suffolk Players of the Week as well as the games to watch next week and there are some great matchups, so check back.

BY ADAM RONIS

Here's an interesting topic that infiltrated my mind today. With Nassau playing an ability-based schedule, does Nassau have an advantage over Suffolk when it comes to the Long Island championships?

There's still time before those matchups arrive, but it is a good debate. On one hand, playing a good team every night gets you better. It also makes you stronger mentally. On the other side, it can wear you down. A tough, grueling physical game every night could take its toll by the end of the season.

How many times in sports do you hear about strength of schedule? There's no comparison when it comes to strength of schedules when comparing the counties. There's just too many games in Suffolk that are lopsided. Teams just don't get tested often enough, which leads to less playing time for the starters. That rarely happens in Nassau.

What do you think? Will ability-grouping benefit Nassau when playing Suffolk or will it hurt? Share your thoughts.

(Note: CHSAA and PSAL teams not included)
Class AA
Rank Record Prev

1. Amsterdam-2 12-0 1.
2. Mount Vernon-1 12-0 2.
3. Churchville-Chili-5 12-0 3.
4. Hicksville-8 8-2 4.
5. Sachem East-11 8-2 5.
6. Jamestown-6 10-1 6.
7. Shenendehowa-2 10-1 7.
8. Minisink Valley-9 13-1 10.
9. Canandaigua-5 13-0 11.
10. Commack-11 8-2 13.
11. Bethlehem-2 11-1 15.
12. North Babylon-11 7-4 16.
13. Fairport-5 10-1 17.
14. Monroe-Woodbury-9 11-1 18.
15. Massapequa-8 7-3 NR
16. Copiague-11 8-2 20-T
17. Penfield-5 11-1 NR
18. Rush-Henrietta-5 8-3 8.
19. Calhoun-8 8-3 12.
20. Ursuline-1 10-3 14.

Class A

1. Pioneer-6 11-0 1.
2. Newark-5 10-2 3.
3. Indian River-3 12-0 4.
4. John Glenn-11 11-2 5.
5. Beacon-1 12-1 6.
6. Cortland-3 13-0 7.
7. Honeoye Falls-Lima-5 11-1 8.
8. Floral Park-8 9-2 9.
9. New Hartford-3 13-1 12.
10. Pittsford Mendon-5 11-1 13.
11. Waverly-4 11-2 14.
12. Oneonta-4 12-2 NR
13. Cornwall-9 9-2 2.
14. Huntington-11 8-4 10.
15. Malone-10 11-2 15.
16. Harborfields-11 8-2 16.
17. Averill Park-2 9-4 17.
18. Kenmore East-6 7-1 20.
19. Tappen Zee-1 8-2 NR
20. Manhasset-8 6-5 NR

Class B

1. Elmira Notre Dame-4 13-0 1.
2. South Jefferson-3 11-1 2.
3. Hoosic Valley-2 14-0 3.
4. Burke Catholic-9 12-0 4.
5. Nazareth-5 11-1 5.
6. Wyandanch-11 9-2 6.
7. Hampton Bays-11 9-3 9.
8. Binghamton Seton-4 11-1 10.
9. Briarcliff-1 13-2 7.
10. Albertus Magnus-1 10-1 8.
11. Cohoes-2 11-3 11.
12. Sullivan West-9 9-2 12.
13. Marcus Whitman-5 10-2 14.
14. Highland-9 9-1 16.
15. Lansing-4 11-2 17.
16. Locust Valley-8 8-3 13.
17. Saranac-7 9-1 18.
18. Tamarac-2 11-2 19.
19. Malverne-8 4-6 15.
20. Cazenovia-3 10-2 NR

Class C

1. Marion-5 13-0 1.
2. Florida-9 11-0 2.
3. Little Falls-3 13-0 3.
4. Mechanicville-2 12-1 4.
5. Haldane-1 12-0 5.
6. East Rockaway-8 9-2 6.
7. Newfield-4 12-1 7.
8. Cooperstown-3 13-0 8.
9. Perry-5 13-0 9.
10. Stony Brook-11 6-2 10.
11. Schenectady Christian-2 14-0 12.
12. South Seneca-5 11-1 13.
13. Maple Hill-2 12-1 15.
14. Oakfield-Alabama-5 11-1 16.
15. Bainbridge-Guilford-4 10-1 17.
16. Madrid-Waddington-10 11-3 14.
17. Blind Brook-1 9-3 18.
18. Frewsburg-6 11-2 NR
19. Stillwater-2 9-3 NR
20. Millbrook-9 7-3 NR


Class D