ESPN RISE

Baseball - Norman Thomas

Coach Nerva Jean Pierre tries not to focus on what the Tigers don't have. Instead, he thinks about the gifts  talented, hard-working players  his squad has in abundance. But when you don't have a field, it's difficult. In five years, Jean Pierre helped turn Norman Thomas into one of the city's best programs despite the obstacles. The team practices in the gym, lifting weights, taking grounders and hitting in the cage. When it's game time, the Tigers head to Central Park, where according to Jean Pierre, they have to be off the field by 6 p.m. for local softball leagues, often forcing games to last only five innings. Still, the team has thrived. After defeating George Washington, 4-2, last year, Jean Pierre realized his team was ready. The Tigers return a dominant trio of senior pitchers, led by ace Mariel Checo. Behind him are fellow right-handers Yancy Taveras and Isaac Reynoso. "I don't think anyone has three pitchers like I have," Jean Pierre says. At the plate, senior 3B Keith Herring sets the tone, along with senior C Raul Gonzalez, senior OF Daryln Gonzalez and junior OF Jose Rodriguez, who's best known for his game-winning three-run homer against George Washington last year. And after two straight losses in the quarterfinals, the Tigers are ready to take the next step. While they might not have a field, Jean Pierre's players have something better. "What these kids do have is heart. They love the game and love that it's a challenge to win."

Softball - West Babylon

Shea Stadium may have been replaced by Citi Field, but the Eagles might want to think about reviving the name in honor of their star pitcher. Senior Chelsea Shea led West Babylon to its first Class AA state championship last year, going 25-3 with a 0.56 ERA and 178 strikeouts on the year. In the postseason, she was even more dominant, with three consecutive shutouts leading up to the title game  where she allowed only an unearned run in a 6-1 win over Horseheads.

Boys' Basketball - Christ the King

The Royals won their first Brooklyn/Queens diocesan title in three years with a 66-60 win over Xaverian on Feb. 27. Not surprisingly, star senior Sean Johnson led the way. Fresh off being named the Class AA MVP, Johnson scored a gamehigh 29 points for Christ the King. From there, the Royals advanced to the city intersectional finals after beating Bishop Loughlin, 77-69, in the semis on March 11. Johnson had 28 points in that game.

Girls' Lacrosse - Massapequa

The Chiefs went to the Nassau Class A finals last year. They plan on going even further in 2009. Led by senior attack Danielle Etrasco, Massapequa won't have any problem scoring. The Newsday All-Long Island selection netted 46 goals last season and saved her best for elite competition. In two games against the nation's top goalie  Farmingdale's Lauren Maksym  she had seven tallies. Senior midfielder Monica DeMairo is another dangerous scorer.

BREAK OUT TEAMS

BOYS' LACROSSE  PORT WASHINGTON Princeton-bound senior Jeff Froccaro patrols the midfield. SOFTBALL  HAUPPAUGE Newsday All-Long Island pick Alexis Gonzalez, a senior catcher, hit .425 with 29 RBIs last year. BOYS' TRACK  SHEEPSHEAD BAY Sharks keep rolling thanks to senior Darryl Bradshaw and junior John Thomas. GIRLS' TRACK  HEMPSTEAD Senior Charlene Lipsey is one of state's best middle-distance runners.