The Post’s high school staff looks ahead to the most intriguing matchups in boys basketball and girls basketball for the week of March 5 through March 11.
BOYS BASKETBALL
St. Raymond vs. Cardinal Hayes, CHSAA Class AA semifinals (Wednesday, 6 p.m. @ St. John’s University)
Here we go again. There is no love lost in this burgeoning rivalry. Hayes coach Joe Lods didn’t have anything incendiary to say about St. Raymond after his team defeated Bishop Loughlin in the quarterfinals Sunday. But the Ravens still remember what he said about them before the last time they played, a St. Ray’s win, and they also remember falling in the semis two seasons in a row.
Holy Cross vs. Mount St. Michael, CHSAA Class AA semifinals (Wednesday, 7:45 p.m. @ St. John’s University)
In the preseason, who would have predicted these two teams meeting in the semifinals? Holy Cross was supposed to be a nice team this year, but the Knights have been flatout excellent from the very start. Mount St. Michael was an unknown coming off an ‘A’ title and all the Mountaineers did Sunday was stun two-time defending champion Christ the King in the semifinals.
Boys & Girls vs. Lincoln, PSAL Class AA semifinals (Saturday, 5:30 p.m. @ St. John’s University)
The rivalry needs no introduction. It’s Coney Island against Bed Stuy, Isaiah Whitehead against Leroy (Truck) Fludd, Ruth Lovelace against Dwayne (Tiny) Morton, the two-time defending champion Kangaroos against the powerhouse Railsplitters, winners of the four previous city titles. Boys High won the last two matchups – Lincoln won the first one – but Whitehead missed the most recent one and suffered an ankle injury late in the third quarter of the middle one. He’ll be back for the fourth, and by far most important, encounter at St. John’s University as the two rivals meet for the fifth time in the last six postseasons.
Thomas Jefferson vs. Wings Academy, PSAL Class AA semifinals (Saturday, 7:15 p.m. @ St. John’s University)
Whoever prevails, there will be a massive celebration at St. John’s on Saturday night. Neither program has been to Madison Square Garden for the PSAL Class AA finals, other than as spectators. Jefferson last won it all in 1954 while Wings has never take home a crown at the highest classification. Both teams are familiar with the semifinals. Wings has been there each of the last three years while the Orange Wave have gotten to the final four times in coach Lawrence (Bud) Pollard’s eight seasons. Both teams will be desperate to get the monkey off their backs.
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St. John’s University, CHSAA Class AA semifinals, St. Raymond, Cardinal Hayes, Mount St. Michael, PSAL Class AA semifinals, Isaiah Whitehead, PSAL Class AA, Bishop Loughlin
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