ALBANY — NYPost.com boys basketball beat writer Zach Braziller breaks down this weekend’s New York State Federation Class A tournament at the Times Union Center in Albany. To follow our interactive live blog, click here.
SCHEDULE
Friday
6:45 p.m. – Brooklyn Collegiate vs. Long Island Lutheran
8:30 p.m. – Iona Prep vs. Harborfields
Saturday
7:30 p.m. – semifinal winners
Brooklyn Collegiate Lions
Head coach: Jake Edwards
Record: 26-5
Player to watch: Ervin Mitchell
Long Island Lutheran Crusaders
Head coach: John Buck
Record: 21-6
Player to watch: K.J. Lee
Iona Prep Gaels
Head coach: Vic Quirolo
Record: 23-3
Player to watch: Isiah Ice
Harborfields Tornadoes
Head coach: Chris Agostino
Record: 22-2
Player to watch: Lucas Woodhouse
Outlook: Whatever happens this weekend, it will be a memorable experience for Brooklyn Collegiate. It had never reached the semifinals of the city playoffs before this March and now the Brooklyn school is two wins from a state title.
The Lions were considered underdogs in the PSAL Class A semifinals and finals against Long Island City and Mott Haven, respectively, but shut down the two explosive foes with lockdown defense and got enough offensive production out of star senior Ervin Mitchell and a horde of underclassmen maturing by the moment.
Unlike Brooklyn Collegiate, Long Island Lutheran is used to this stage – it won the ‘A’ crown last year. Despite a mostly new team after graduating Achraf Yacoubou (Villanova) and Jordan Allen (Hofstra), the Crusaders enjoyed another successful year under third-year coach John Buck. LuHi has a solid core of guard Anthony Pate, versatile wing K.J. Lee and forward Kentan Facey.
It improved as the year went on, giving national power St. Anthony of Jersey City a game, defeating four-time state champion Collegiate on the road and knocking off Albany Academy in the NYSAISAA Class A title game to get to Albany.
Iona Prep began as overwhelming favorites in CHSAA Class A and despite a few scary moments won its second city crown in four years. It went on to defeat St. John the Baptist in the Catholic state final two weeks ago.
Iona may lack a true superstar, but it is deep and versatile. Luke Wooters runs the point, Felix Abongo is an athletic wing, Tim McCarthy is a load to handle inside and Isiah Ice, a sophomore scorer, has been money in the postseason.
Harborfields won its first public school state title last weekend in Glens Falsl, defeating Tappan Zee 67-58 behind 15 points and 10 assists from star senior Lucas Woodhouse. The Longwood commit makes the Tornadoes go and he has help from guys like Justin Ringen, Kevin Zabransky and David Ba.