NBA Draft Preview

Even though a labor dispute threatens the 2011-12 NBA season, there will still be a draft, and top college and foreign players will be joining the league. Here’s a look at some of top prospects for the 2011 NBA Draft, which will take place on June 23:
Derrick Williams (Arizona): Williams emerged from the shadows of the Pac-10 and dominated the nation this past season. He was actually Pac-10 Freshman of the Year two seasons ago, but most people outside of Arizona didn’t expect him to average 19.5 points per game and lead his team to the Elite Eight. Many believe that he will be selected by Cleveland with the number 1 overall pick. He may not have the hype that LeBron James did, but Williams is another forward that the Cavs can build a team around, especially since they have the number 4 pick as well. Williams is extremely explosive, and when he gets to the rim, he almost always finishes or gets to the foul line. He is definitely MVP material, and we’ll see if he can carry the Cavs or any other team that picks him to championship glory.
Kyrie Irving (Duke): Irving only played 8 games at Duke, but his ability to excel was evident. Irving showed great scoring and passing traits in Durham, but his turftoe injury poses big durability questions for him at the next level. His game resembles the game of Hornets’ star Chris Paul. He is a certain top 10 pick in the draft, and might go to Minnesota or Cleveland, which are two teams with point guard needs.
Brandon Knight (Kentucky): Knight had the nearly impossible task of filling the void left by John Wall’s departure from UK, but he was able to step up for Coach John Calipari, especially later in the season. Knight, like Irving, is 6’3”, and also like Irving, only spent a year in college, but he should also excel on the next level. He has even better speed than Irving, but is a little less consistent, which could pose a problem in the long, 82-game NBA season. He’s great from behind the 3-point arc, and will most certainly go in the top 10.
Kemba Walker (UConn): The junior blew the nation away this past season, with his electric game-winning shots, highlight-reel plays, and victory in the national championship game. He grew a huge amount from his freshman year, and was able to help his teammates develop into champions. He’s undersized at 6’1”, but that hasn’t stopped tons of great point guards, like Isaiah Thomas, who was 5’10”. He might need more time to get used to the NBA style of play, but when he’s ready, he’ll be worth the wait.

Garden City Girls Lacrosse

Garden City Trojans
15 out of last 17 section 8 (Nassau County) championships: 1994-2002, 2005-2010
15 out of last 17 regional (Long Island) championships: 1994-2002, 2005-2010
11 out of last 16 state championships: 1995, 1997, 1999-2002, 2006-2010 (no state tourney before 1995, GC went undefeated to finish ’94 season)
Longest winning streak: 43 (active: 2009-present)
Other streaks: Unbeaten: 42 (1994-96), Winning: 36 (1994-96), Winning: 27 (2006-07), Winning: 22 (2007-08), Winning: 15 (2008-09)
Record since 2005: 134-8 (.944 winning %)
All-Americans since 2000: Amy Appelt, twice (2000-01) (Virginia), Mary Beth Hogan (2001)(Princeton), Catherine Elbe (2001)(Georgetown), Brittany Barry (Boston College)(2002), Katie Cox, twice (2003 and 2005) (Princeton), Caitlin Sotell, twice (2003-04)(Georgetown), Ali Holland (2004)(Brown), Erin Walters (2004)(Brown), Ali McDonough (2005)(Harvard), Kara Kelly (2005)(Brown), Brittany Shannon (2005)(Columbia), Caitlin Strain (2005)(Brown), Erin Brennan, 3 times (2006-08) (UPenn), Caitlin Defliese (2006)(Boston University), Elise Terracciano, twice (2006-07)(Syracuse), Krystie Piscopo (2006)(Cal), Dayna Defliese, twice (2007-08)(UMass), Becky Lynch, twice (2007-08)(UNC), Brittany Wilton (2008)(Boston College), Catherine Furman (2008)(Holy Cross), Caroline McTiernan, twice (2008-09)(Virginia), Shannon Mangini, twice (2009-10)(UPenn), Mikaela Rix (Boston College)(2010), Barbara Sullivan (Notre Dame)(2010), Caroline Tarzian (Georgetown)(2010), Kelly Weis (Harvard)(2010), Shannon Defliese (2010)(UMass)- 27 total girls in 11 years
Almost all GC Trojan greats have played for the Long Island Elite Yellow Jackets club team
Amy Appelt won the Tewaaraton Trophy in 2004, and a national title at Virginia
In 2003, Manhasset beat GC in Section 8 final, and went on to win states
Coach: Diane Chapman (2002-present)
Beat Nyack in state semis from 1999-2001
Beat Brighton in state final 2006-07 and 2009 after losing to them in final in 2005; also beat Brighton in state semis in 2008