Several teams have already clinched playoff spots, so let's go through some scenarios.
Boys Hoops:
CLINCHED: Longwood (7-1 League I, Class AA)
SOON TO CLINCH: Miller Place (6-2 League VI, Class A)
BUBBLE: Rocky Point (5-4 League V, Class A)
ELIMINATED: SWR, Mt. Sinai
The Lions have been living on the edge, most recently a 61-60 win on the road at Sachem East Saturday. The win comes on the heels of a 53-51 win on the road at Sachem North. The latest win locked up a postseason berth for the Lions who are in position now to take a run at the League I title. Lindenhurst has one loss as well, so if the Lions can beat them at home Feb. 5, they'll be in the driver's seat.
Aside from the Lindenhurst game the Lions will also face a tough test on the road Feb. 11 at Brentwood. The Indians are a legit team and gave the Lions a battle at Longwood a week ago.
Now, should the Lions close out undefeated (my hunch says they drop at least one of their last six), that could put them in position for a three or four seed in the playoffs. Last year they went 8-4 and took an eight seed.
Walt Whitman and Hills West should be locks for the one and two seeds, so then it's a matter of where everyone else falls. Bay Shore looks good to earn a three seed and the four seed will then likely go to the League I winner. If Longwood doesn't win the league and finishes 12-2 or 11-3, the Lions will probably land at around a six seed. Not bad. Last year you remember the Lions had to go on the road in the second round to top-seeded Copiague, not the ideal place for a second-round game.
Miller Place got smacked by John Glenn today. Not sure what happened yet, but the Panthers lost 91-38 according to the score listed on Newsday.com today. Ouch.
The Panthers have been a real surprise this season, putting together one of their best seasons in a few years. They'll be in the postseason with one more win, which should come Tuesday at home against Shoreham. After that the Panthers' toughest test comes Feb. 6 at home against Bayport-Blue Point. The Phantoms beat Miller Place the first time around.
In Class A East Hampton will be the one seed and it looks Glenn will be the two. Where everyone else falls after that is up for grabs. Harborfields, Bayport, Islip and Miller Place are all bunched together.
I don't see anyone beating East Hampton, though, so this is all a battle for second.
As for Rocky Point, a win against Sayville Friday moved the Eagles to 5-4 and two wins away from the postseason. I think the Eagles get in, judging from their remaining schedule. The Eagles have five games to go, including Comsewogue Tuesday. That should be a win, which means the Eagles need one win in their last four (@Eastport, vs. East Hampton, @ Harborfields, vs. Huntington). Eastport and Huntington are both winnable games.
It would definitely be nice if we get a first round game of Rocky Point vs. Miller Place. Probably won't happen, but I think that would be a great matchup, even without taking into account how close the schools are.
Girls Hoops:
CLINCHED: SWR (7-1 League VI, Class A)
BUBBLE: Longwood (3-5 League I, Class AA)
ELIMINATED: Miller Place, Mt. Sinai, Rocky Point
Not the most exciting season in girls hoops. Shoreham has had a nice season and should earn a high enough seed to avoid an outbracket game like last season when the Wildcats beat Bayport before heading to Huntington. The Blue Devils are putting together another terrific season at 8-0 in League V and should be the top seed again. John Glenn or Harborfields will be two or three. If Harborfields can beat Huntington Tuesday, it might be able to take the top seed itself. We'll see.
I think the best Shoreham can hope for is a four seed, which would at least get the Wildcats a home game. That could change of course if the Wildcats beat Glenn, but ... I don't think that happens.
Boys Bowling:
CLINCHED: Longwood (203 points, League III), Mt. Sinai (265.5 points, League V)
Girls Bowling:
CLINCHED: Longwood (353.5 points, League II)
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