The regular season is in the rear-view mirror and the playoffs begin this week. The moment of truth is upon us.
It was a wacky few months, but the postseason is what separates the contenders from the pretenders. Tension heightens. Pressure mounts. It’s what high-school sports is all about. The seeds were released Sunday and they were not without controversy. But the bottom line is you have to win on the field. Do-or-die-time starts Friday.
Here’s how the pre-playoff rankings shape up:
1. Tottenville (17-0) (Last week: 1)
The back of Tottenville’s warmup shirts say “Revvin’ for Seven” and the Pirates will begin that quest for a seventh straight title Friday when they host Stevenson in the first round. Last week, Tottenville had a pair of tough challenges against Poly Prep and Susan Wagner and took care of business against both.
Next: Stevenson (May 21, 4 p.m.)
2. James Madison (14-1) (2)
The post-Bill Dumont era begins in earnest Friday when Madison hosts Lehman in the PSAL Class A first round. Can the Knights, who have been dominant in the regular season, make a return trip to the final? Can they finally get over the Tottenville hump? We’ll find out soon enough.
Next: Lehman (May 21, 4 p.m.)
3. Susan Wagner (15-2) (3)
The Falcons got a double dose of good news this weekend. Not only will they be the No. 3 seed in the Class A playoffs, which begin Friday, there are also plans in the works to get them a home field finally. Wagner is the best softball team in the PSAL that doesn’t play at its school.
Next: Hunter College HS (May 21, 4 p.m. @ Great Kills LL)
4. Cardozo (12-2) (5)
The Judges have been money since ace Amanda Annicaro got back from illness. They haven’t lost since and they look like a completely different team. Cardozo just plays better behind her. If the seeding holds up, we could see coach Larry Alberts’ team in the semifinals for the second straight year.
Next: Fort Hamilton (May 21, 4 p.m.)
5. Construction (13-0) (4)
If the Red Hawks are going to make some noise in these playoffs, it won’t be easy. The Queens A-II winner might have to go through Francis Lewis just to get to the quarterfinals. They only beat the Patriots, 3-0, in the regular season in a game that could have gone either way.
Next: Manhattan Center (May 21, 4 p.m.)
6. Bayside (11-3) (6)
Six is the seed Bayside wanted and the one it got. The Commodores will avoid Tottenville and Madison until the semifinals and they certainly have a shot to make it that far. Of course, they will probably have to beat Port Richmond and Susan Wagner to do it.
Next: Newtown (May 21, 4 p.m.)
7. Port Richmond (11-6) (7)
It hasn’t been a great end of the year for the Red Raiders. They were shocked by Petrides and were shutout in three straight games by Wagner, Tottenville and Madison. A date with Bayside in the second round could be looming. Port Richmond has a chance to turn it around in the second season.
Next: Midwood (May 21, 4 p.m. @ West Shore LL)
8. Francis Lewis (7-6) (8)
Things could go either way for Francis Lewis in the playoffs. The Patriots could lose in the first round or find themselves in the semifinals. It’s not out of the question to think they could win potential games against Construction and Cardozo – this is, if they defeat MSIT on Friday.
Next: McKee/Staten Island Tech (May 21, 4 p.m.)
9. Clinton (11-2) (9)
So, apparently Clinton and Riverdale/Kingsbridge will get to play that tiebreaker after all. The two teams that shared the Bronx A title could potentially meet in the second round. Clinton will have to beat New Utrecht to uphold its end of the bargain. The Governors best watch out for Utes third baseman Nicolette Sinagra. She’s one of the best players in the city that no one talks about.
Next: New Utrecht (May 21, 4 p.m.)
10. Riverdale/Kingsbridge (11-2) (10)
For the second straight season, RKA will meet a Brooklyn team in the first round. This time, though, the Tigers should be fine. They can’t be happy with a potential second-round meeting with Clinton, though. The two teams split during the year and shared the Bronx A title.
Next: Grand Street Campus (May 21, 4 p.m.)
New: None
Dropped out: None
On the bubble: Environmental Studies, Bryant (10-3), Bronx Science (7-6), Bushwick (9-6), Murry Bergtraum (10-5), George Washington (10-5) and Stuyvesant (8-7)