The Post’s high school staff looks ahead to the most intriguing matchups in boys basketball and girls basketball for the week of May 7 through May 13.
BASEBALL
All Hallows @ St. Raymond (Tuesday, 4 p.m.)
Both teams can be explosive offensively – St. Raymond, for example, scored 20 runs combined between two victories this weekend. All Hallows beat Fordham Prep on Saturday, handing the Rams their first loss of the league season, but then fell to below-.500 St. Peter’s on Sunday. St. Ray’s is still hot with nine wins in its last 10 games.
Archbishop Molloy @ Xaverian (Tuesday, 4 p.m.)
The last time these two teams met, Xaverian’s John Pena and Blaise Scerbo combined to outduel Rosario DiLorenzo of Archbishop Molloy in a 2-1 victory. Xaverian remains undefeated in league play, while Molloy has scuffled of late with four losses. The Stanners are in a scrum with four other teams fighting for second place in CHSAA Brooklyn/Queens ‘AA.”
Fieldston @ Poly Prep (Thursday, 4:30 p.m.)
One of these two teams will win the Ivy Prep League title and the winner of Thursday’s contest, twice rained out last week, will be in the driver’s seat. If Fieldston prevails, the two sides would be tied, but the Eagles would hold the tiebreaker courtesy of its two head-to-head victories. A five-time defending league champion, Poly Prep, meanwhile, could create a two-game lead in the division with a win.
Grand Street Campus @ Fort Hamilton (Friday, 4 p.m.)
While these two teams hail from different PSAL Brooklyn Class A divisions, the loser’s title chances will be greatly diminished as the two clubs are currently tied for the top spot in the respective divisions. It will be an intriguing matchup, pitching-rich Fort Hamilton against Grand Street’s potent and deep lineup.
Fordham Prep @ St. Joseph by the Sea (Saturday, 1 p.m.)
This one could be a preview of the CHSAA Class AA intersectional finals. St. Joseph by the Sea is undefeated in league play thus far and Fordham Prep was undefeated until a loss Saturday to All Hallows. Xaverian, Sea and Fordham are arguably the top three teams in the CHSAA right now with the playoffs approaching.
SOFTBALL
Telecommunications @ James Madison (Monday, 4 p.m.)
James Madison has owned Brooklyn in recent years and two defeats in crossover games have them in danger of losing out on the division crown. The Knights beat Telecom 14-2 in their first meeting and will have to repeat the feat again. Just the fact that Telecom, which moved up to the ‘A’ this season, is in this position is an accomplishment in itself. Now they will try to take the next step.
Francis Lewis @ Bayside (Tuesday, 4 p.m.)
Another chapter in a wild season of PSAL Queens A-I softball will be written Tuesday. Cardozo beat both Francis Lewis and Bayside last week to earn a first-place tie with Bayside atop the division. Lewis can avenge a previous loss to Bayside in this one or Bayside can push the Patriots further back – perhaps out of reach of a second straight division title.
Preston vs. Cardinal Spellman (Tuesday, 4 p.m. @ Bicentennial Veterans Memorial Park)
The two rivals meet for the third time this season. Preston, who is closing in on a CHSAA Bronx/Westchester title, won the first two meetings and is a threat to reach the Archdiocesan final. Spellman is fighting for second place in the division and a win over the Panthers would go a long way. Pilots star Victoria Quinones’ bat has been hot of late.
Construction @ Bryant (Thursday, 4 p.m.)
Bryant is on a roll right now with recent wins over Cardozo and Forest Hills. The Owls will look for a share of the PSAL Queens A-II title against Construction, which has won the last two crowns. With the seeding committee meeting just two days later, this one will have serious implications for where both teams will end up in the playoff draw.
Susan Wagner @ Tottenville (Friday, 4 p.m.)
Susan Wagner is one of the few teams to push Tottenville this season. The Falcons and star Taylor Sarcone would love nothing more than to take a game before the playoffs off their rival and grab a share of the PSAL Staten Island crown. A Pirates win behind ace Cheryl Lopez would seal another unbeaten regular season and lock up the top seed in the upcoming PSAL Class A playoffs.
LACROSSE
Curtis @ Tottenville (girls) (Tuesday, 4:30 p.m.)
While Tottenville has already clinched the division title, it lost its first meeting to rival Curtis and doesn’t need to give it any more confidence heading into the postseason. A win locks up the No. 2 seed for star Taylor O’Gara and the Warriors and sends them flying into next week’s playoffs.
Farrell @ Stepinac (boys) (Tuesday, 5:30 p.m.)
First place in the NYCHSAA Class A division will be on the line on Staten Island as both teams enter unbeaten. Stepinac moved down from the Class AA league and have its sights set on a title. Farrell is trying to erase the memory of last season’s loss to Mount in the championship game.
Dalton @ Horace Mann (boys) (Wednesday, 4:15 p.m.)
Horace Mann is struggling through a year with a youthful squad and will try to end its losing streak when the Tigers visit. Dalton won the first meeting, 7-4, and would like a repeat performance as its looks to stay in the upper echelon of the Ivy Prep League.