There's one thing I'll always be willing to admit to you: I don't know everything. I'm always trying to learn, no matter what it is. I was able to spend a lot of time in different places this weekend. Caught high school boys soccer, JuCo men's & women's hoops, along with Division II men's hoops. Didn't go to Cortland for girls soccer, but kept a close eye on it. I've learned over this weekend - or at least have been reminded of some things previously learned. Let me reflect:
1.) Downstate runs soccer. I mean, shoutout to WNY squads Greece Athena and International Prep in boys soccer and Arkport girls soccer taking home state titles, but it was all downstate heaven besides that. Section I took the individual award with 3 state champs - all girls soccer, with Somers, Bronxville, and Haldane winning in Classes A through C. Section IX took home a boys title - Rhinebeck rode one of the greatest soccer moments I've ever seen personally straight to a state championship in Class C. Long Island took home 3 titles as well, with Section XI's Commack and Mattituck winning boys titles in AA and B, and Massapequa taking the girls AA title out of Section VIII. Mind you, those downstate sections sometimes don't even have Class D schools. Out of the 4 sections, only one had a girls entry in D and 2 represented in the boys bracket. All Section 2 & 3 teams except for Schoharie, Poland, and Bolton took their losses from a downstate school. Whatever they do in the tri-state area, the rest of NY better get on that downstate diet!
2.) Don't kick the ball away after committing a foul to burn more time. Lansing learned that in the hardest of ways on Saturday. They broke a scoreless tie with 1:30 remaining in the Class C boys semifinals, and on Rhinebeck's last charge, an attacker was making a run up the right side towards the flag. A Lansing defender took him down and was called for a foul. Just a foul, nothing more... until he kicked the ball to the fence after the whistle was blown to try and let more time run down. The ref wasn't having it. Play was blown dead and the defender was given a yellow card with 11.8 showing, stopping the clock and letting Rhinebeck bring all numbers forward - even the goalie - for one last set piece. The free kick was served into the 6 yard box and headed home with 8.5 seconds left, sending the game into OT. In the 8th minute of OT, a beautiful Rhinebeck strike won the game. Rhinebeck went on to win the state title, but it would've been Lansing there if the kid just left the ball alone. Rhinebeck didn't really have any numbers up when the foul was called, and there was under 15 seconds left anyway. Even if the kid got up and took the kick, it would've been down to a few short seconds remaining on the kick and Rhinebeck would've had half the numbers up that they ended up having. Leave the ball alone, and Lansing is most likely playing World of Inquiry instead of Rhinebeck.
3.) The only place 'Section 3' football is better than 'Section 4' football is the Cortaca Jug. Ok, maybe a little harsh. At least Section 3 took a couple games this year, instead of the 0-5 from 2013. Henninger's win was very convincing - they're legit. Indian River, a team that housed everyone they played in Section III this year, even the AAs, won (just) 19-0 against a Union-Endicott team that was 3-6 coming in. It speaks to the strength of Section IV when a 3-6 team is going to give a team regarded as one of the top 3 or 4 in Section III, regardless of class, the best game they've had all year. That's where the luck ended for CNY. Homer ran through everyone with offense all year - Maine-Endwell held them to 10. Notre Dame's offensive was also explosive - held to 14 while being grounded & pounded to nearly 60 points. Tioga played hard for one half in their win over Dolgeville, which is the same result they've had since 2011. All I ever hear in Section III is how football is king, football this, football that. Well, my advice to you: might want to spend a week down in Section IV to see what you guys are missing, because the southern tier has been flexing on you for a while now.
4.) Don't sleep on Division II hoops. If you have a Division II school in your area, make it a point to watch some of their basketball games. If you like good hoops, it's fun. Talented guys who can all score, but also work hard and play defense. They take pride in what they do and really want to win. The difference between a JuCo with scholarship-level talent (Herkimer) and Division II schools is the effort. The best players on Herkimer's team and other JuCos can play D2 ball, but every guy on the 4 teams I watched Sunday worked harder than every guy I watched in the NJCAA so far. It's refreshing to watch guys sacrifice their bodies, play tough pressure defense up top, bodies banging down low, no easy layups, crisp sets on offense, unselfish fast breaks. If you love hoops, check out a Division II game. All the fun at half the cost of D1!
5.) At least Section II can hang its hat on football this year. 5 section champions, 5 advance to the state semifinals. Ok, ok. All of them except Shen practically got a bye since they were playing the north country. Section VII & X playing Section II might be worse than III playing IV. I know. But still, Shenendehowa, Queensbury, Schalmont, Hoosick Falls, and Cambridge/Salem still play at Dietz Stadium next weekend with the chance to advance to the Carrier Dome. Good for them. Hell, I might even want to go to the Dome if Shen/Henninger happens...
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