The Post’s high school staff looks ahead to the most intriguing matchups in boys basketball and girls basketball for the week of April 2 through April 8.
BASEBALL
Walton @ James Monroe (Monday, 4 p.m.)
Remarkably, after one week of action, these two are the lone undefeated teams remaining in Bronx A East. While Monroe may be somewhat down – the Eagles are extremely young with just two seniors, shortstop Luis Santini and second basemen Ramger Iglesias – it still has plenty of pitching and a lethal lineup. Walton, meanwhile, is up after a few losing seasons, and has one of The Bronx’s top talents in catcher Larry Campusano.
All Hallows @ Iona Prep (Wednesday, 4 p.m.)
Both teams have Division I-bound shortstops – All Hallows’ Stephen Alemais is going to Tulane and Iona Prep’s Vinny DeMaria is heading to Iona College. Iona has the edge in pitching with UConn-bound Matt D’Ariano and Temple-bound Tim McCarthy, but All Hallows counters with Jayson Reyes, who is receiving D-I interest. Both teams called the Gaels will be competing for a CHSAA Class AA intersectional title.
Cardinal Spellman @ Xavier (Wednesday, 4 p.m.)
Cardinal Spellman has a chance to be a sleeper this year with so many promising juniors, a deep pitching staff and a slick-fielding squad. Xavier, though, has been one of the top dogs in the CHSAA, advancing to the eight-team championship tournament the last two years. St. John’s-bound ace Nick DiLeo and company want to get even further this year and could use this first game as a springboard.
Collegiate @ Fieldston (Wednesday, 4:15 p.m.)
The two rivals are both looking to get off to a fast start in the Ivy Prep League, and what better way than to win the opener? Fieldston has one of the league’s top lineups, anchored by dynamic juniors Will Savage and Kevin Fich while Collegiate returns talented ace Rick Terry. He will likely get the ball in The Bronx on Wednesday.
Monroe Tournament pool play (Saturday, All day)
Pool play begins Saturday in what will be a loaded field in the 43rd annual holiday tournament. Host Monroe, last year’s champion Grand Street Campus, Queens PSAL dynamo William Bryant, PSAL runner-up Tottenville, defending CHSAA city champion Tottenville and loaded Iona Prep are all part of the field.
SOFTBALL
Archbishop Molloy @ St. Francis Prep (Monday, 3:45 p.m.)
It’s the two teams you expect to be standing in CHSAA Brooklyn/Queens when all is said and done. SFP and Molloy renew their rivalry in the first of three meetings. The Stanners will be looking to get rolling after a season-opening loss, while the Terriers will want to show this is a different kind of year in the division.
Bayside @ Francis Lewis (Tuesday, 4:30 p.m.)
One of the best rivalries in the PSAL in many sports will be reprised here on the softball diamond. Lewis is looking for a second straight Queens A-I division title and has the core back to do just that. Bayside, meanwhile, has a young core of solid players and a lot to play for with coach Steve Piorkowski battling cancer, which has brought upon a broken neck.
St. Joseph by the Sea @ Preston (Wednesday, 10 a.m.)
The young Panthers are off to a hot start with wins over Cardinal Spellman and Brooklyn/Queens power St. Francis Prep. If Preston wants to prove it is a legitimate CHSAA Archdiocesan title contender, it gets its chance when perennial favorite St. Joseph by the Sea visits The Bronx. The Vikings get a chance to continue a dominant start.
James Madison vs. Telecommunications (Wednesday, 4 p.m. @The Dust Bowl)
One team is the reigning Brooklyn powerhouse, which hasn’t lost to a league from its borough in five years. The other just came up from the ‘B’ league after winning the title there and has taken the ‘A’ by storm, starting the season undefeated. Can Telecom overtake Madison, which has been in the last three city finals, as Brooklyn’s top team?
Poly Prep @ Riverdale (Wednesday, 4 p.m.)
Riverdale coach Sue Fleming believes she has the team to beat with two returning pitchers in Nicole Cornet and Madison Kahn and a team that didn’t lose much from a renaissance season. But Poly Prep is the six-time defending NYSAISAA champion with a very good core returning itself. The Blue Devils even have two pitchers, too – freshman Amanda Grossman and Ciara Schirripa.
LACROSSE
Fordham Prep vs. Iona Prep (boys) (Tuesday, 4:30 p.m.)
The Rams won all three meetings last season on their way to a NYCHSAA Class AA title. Iona has come into the year with a “nasty” resolve to retake its title and control of the rivalry. Can Fordham Prep’s veteran defense do enough to hold off a stellar Gaels offense?
New Dorp @ Midwood (boys) (Wednesday, 4 p.m.)
Both teams get their first real test of the season. Midwood as squeaked by in three wins and now has to face the league’s best goalie in Chris Fiore. New Dorp is trying to show it’s a title contender again. A win here would certainly do that.
Poly Prep @ Riverdale (girls) (Thursday, 4:30 p.m.)
This is a rivalry that spills over from last season. Poly ended Riverdale’s perfect season, but the Falcons beat them for the NYSAISAA title. The Blue Devils and star Jessica Dahldorf believe this is their season and Riverdale wants to prove it can repeat.