High School Girls Basketball

BY ADAM RONIS

Playoff record: 57-10

Wednesday
CHSAA AA state semifinals at College of Staten Island
St. John the Baptist vs. St. Michael Academy (Manhattan), 6 p.m.: St. Michael (24-1) is loaded with talent and is ranked No. 11 in the country by USA Today. That has been the case for St. Michael the past few years, but it has yet to win a state title. St. Michael has size and is very athletic and features 6-1 junior Jelleah Sidney, 6-foot junior Shenneika Smith, Jennifer O'Neill and Janine Davis. St. John the Baptist is the defending CHSAA state champion after ending the 17-year reign of Christ the King. St. John the Baptist plays very good defense. SJB likes to work the ball inside to 6-4 junior Christine Huber. That opens the perimeter for Dani Iervolino and Felicia Joyner. Kathryn Cronin is solid on the boards and freshman Alexis Smith is a promising young player. SJB has the experience of winning last season and also has a mental advantage. The only team that beat St. Michael Academy this season was H.D. Woodson (Washington D.C.). St. John the Baptist beat H.D. Woodson, 55-51, in overtime. This will be a tough game for St. John the Baptist and it needs to play better than it has in the postseason to win. SJB surprised last season by beating Christ the King. Can the Cougars do it again? PICK: St. John the Baptist