A frenzy of finals
May 26, 2004

Class A-No. 3 Farmingdale vs. No. 1 Hicksville (8:30 p.m.); Class B- No. 2 South Side vs. No. 1 Bethpage (3:30 p.m.);
Class C- No. 2 Cold Spring Harbor vs. No. 1 Manhasset (6 p.m.)


BY CHRIS ANTONACCI, Newsday


Three teams are each one win away from the county title. Another two wins after that and it's state championship party time. Much is at stake at Wednesday's tripleheader at Hofstra.

Class A
No. 3 Farmingdale vs. No. 1 Hicksville (8:30 p.m.): These two teams played in the season opener on March 23. One team's season will come to an end. Both teams endured tough semifinal games and enter on emotional highs. Farmingdale (12-6) is the two-time defending champ and the lowest seed left in the Nassau playoffs. Joe Zucchero, Greg Cerar and Ryan Bagnasco could lead Farmingdale to a third straight crown. Anthony Triolo, Bob McAuley and Bob Humann are primed to help Hicksville (14-4) win its first Nassau title since 1997. Hicksville won the opener, 9-5. The Comets will remember their 2003 semifinal loss, when Farmingdale induced running time in the third quarter. Farmingdale seeks to attain its first state title for 35-year coach Bob Hartranft. Farmingdale remains strong despite sending eight players to major Division I programs following a one-goal loss to West Genesee (Section III) in the 2003 state final.

Class B
No. 2 South Side vs. No. 1 Bethpage (3:30 p.m.): South Side (16-1) is not satisfied even though the Cyclones make their first final appearance. This is the only Nassau final matchup between teams that did not meet in the regular season. Kent Lucas, Kevin Hill and Eddie Ege could carry South Side to its first title. Bethpage (16-1) has not won a title since 1996. Kevin Colleluori, Tom Michaelsen and Jordan Levine lead Bethpage. Both teams have a multitude of weapons. The one that plays the best defense will prevail.

Class C
No. 2 Cold Spring Harbor vs. No. 1 Manhasset (6 p.m.): Manhasset (16-0) makes its fourth straight final and seeks its third title in as many seasons. Cold Spring Harbor thwarted Manhasset's title bid in 2002. Manhasset defeated Cold Spring Harbor in the semifinals last season before it fell in the Downstate Championship. Manhasset, Nassau's only undefeated team, features an offense centered around Brian Connors, Chris Finn and Gavin Petracca. Stephen Peyser is seemingly a one-man show for Cold Spring Harbor (11-5). Manhasset played its only overtime game this season against Cold Spring Harbor.
Copyright © 2004, Newsday, Inc.

 
 
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