Hey everyone, I'll try to make this short and sweet this week. Here is this week's insider about Brianne LoManto and the Rocky Point squad, which is the top seed in Suffolk Class B and will likely meet Garden City in the L.I. Championship game for the fourth straight year (Garden City has won each of the past three meetings). You can read more about Rocky Point by clicking below...
Also in the insider, as always, are two players of the week and the top 10 rankings in each county. Here are the Long Island rankings for this week:
1. Garden City (15-0)
2. Shoreham-Wading River (15-1)
3. Farmingdale (13-1)
4. West Islip (14-1)
5. Northport (15-2)
6. Manhasset (11-4-1)
7. Rocky Point (13-3)
8. Massapequa (10-5)
9. Wantagh (9-5-1)
10. Bay Shore (13-4)
Also, here are the matchups for the first round of the Suffolk Class A playoffs tomorrow at 4 p.m. (with each team's Division I record):
-No. 9 Smithtown East (8-6) at No. 8 Lindenhurst (9-5) **the winner play at No. 1 West Islip (13-1) on 5/29 at 4 p.m.
-No. 11 Ward Melville (6-8) at No. 6 East Islip (9-5) **the winner plays at No. 3 Bay Shore (12-2) on 5/29 at 4 p.m.
-No. 10 Floyd (8-6) at No. 7 Sachem East (8-6) **the winner plays at No. 2 Northport (12-2) on 5/29 at 4 p.m.
In the other quarterfinal game on 5/29 No. 5 North Babylon (10-4) visits No. 4 West Babylon (11-3) at 4 p.m.
Couple of notes on these games:
-Ward Melville narrowly avoided missing the playoffs for the first time in team history. Ward Melville and East Islip played yesterday in each team's season finale, and East Islip prevailed, 14-12. This game should be a close one.
-Smithtown East defeated Lindenhurst 19-15 on May 5, and Sachem East beat Floyd by one, 13-12, on April 30. Again, both these games should be tight.
-As far as West Babylon is concerned, All-American Shannon Smith has been out since suffering an ankle injury against West Islip on April 30. Head coach Paul DiGiulio said last week that he was targeting the first-round playoff game as a potential return date, but whether she comes back at 100 percent or not is up in the air.
West Babylon lost just one game (to Garden City) at full strength. So if Smith is healthy, the Eagles could make a run at the title no matter who is in their path.
Speaking of Smith, she was mentioned in an SI.com article that featured Garden City's Erin Brennan.
So enjoy that, and enjoy the playoffs! We'll see you soon!
Here's some extra info on Rocky Point that didn't fit in today's insider:
LoManto on potentially facing Garden City for the fourth straight year in the L.I. championship: "Hopefully this game we'll have the lucky edge. They're phenomenal players, but we're focused on Deer Park and Hauppauge [the team's two potential first round opponents."
On losing two in a row to SWR and Northport: "We got spoiled with winning. We're not used to losing. When we did, it was a blessing in disguise."
On potentially having to ride the bench next season at Northwestern: "This is the first year I've even had a backup. My mentality is just to learn from the goalies they have now."
Coach Dan Spallina on the upcoming playoffs: "You can never underestimate a team in the playoffs. You need to go into every game with a purpose."
On a potential matchup with Garden City: "It's a matter of not playing over your head. That program, for us, has been tough to compete against."
On the team's 13-5 loss to Northport: "I've never been around a game of that magnitude where nobody showed up. My girls just did not show up."
On how the team bounced back from that loss and has won four games in a row: "We're right in the midst of getting in stride. We can hit this magical run."
On LoManto: "She wanted to be the best athlete between the posts. If you're small, you better be fast. She's not one of those goalies sitting around eating twinkies."
On LoManto staying focused despite already having a scholarship to go to Northwestern: "Sometimes the engines might sputter a little bit. But she did a 180 and is working harder than she ever has."
On senior Danielle Vivonetto, who will attend the Naval Academy next year: "Dani is a very goal-oriented kid. She sets that bar and doesn't let anybody stop her get there. It takes a special person [to attend the Naval Academy]. She won't shy away from a little work."
On sophomore Kara Mupo: "She's a very coachable kid. If you want [her to do] 'A,' Kara will give you 'A' on the next play."
Comments (1)
Any word on the Nassau playoff schedule?