Led by veteran stars and a battle-tested coach, the Falcons will chase another championship Sunday, March 8, at the Westchester County Center. Here’s an interview with the coach, and some of the players, by our new sports interviewer – Tom Brady!
(Yep…that’s his name, we’re not kidding – and he’s from Rockland County!)
By Tom Brady, Reporter – All Things Sports
Bardonia, NY – The Falcons will face Roy C. Ketcham in the Section 1 Class AAA girls basketball final on Sunday, March 8, 2026, at 11 a.m. at the Westchester County Center. Albertus Magnus enters the matchup as a program with a recent championship pedigree – and a coach whose official school biography credits him with guiding the Lady Falcons to major postseason success, including the 2024 New York State Class AA title.
For Albertus Magnus, the moment is about more than a single game. It is another chance for a veteran group to extend a run that has already placed this team among the area’s most accomplished programs.
In an interview with Rockland News and the All Things Sports Rockland podcast, head coach Pat Buckley described a team driven by shared purpose, experience and leadership. He pointed to seniors Julia Scott, Maddy Zuppe and Lauren Thomas as the backbone of a Falcons squad that, by his account, entered championship week at 20-2 with losses only to strong opponents.
Buckley said the leadership of his senior core has shaped the identity of the team. Scott and Zuppe, both four-year starters, have helped give Albertus Magnus a level of continuity that few high school teams enjoy. Buckley described that continuity as essential, especially at point guard, where Zuppe’s steady decision-making has, in his words, helped “drive the bus.” He also praised Scott not only for her talent, but for the humility and maturity she has brought to the program over four seasons.
That veteran presence is matched by high-end talent. Buckley said Scott, who is headed to Clemson, has developed into one of the most accomplished players the school has produced. On the Albertus Magnus athletics page, the school highlights a long list of college destinations for girls basketball alumni and identifies Buckley as an alumnus who has helped sustain the program’s standard.
The players themselves echoed the same theme: culture matters, but so does composure.
That mix of confidence and discipline has become central to the Albertus Magnus identity. Buckley said each season brings a different group and a different challenge, but he believes the culture remains steady because players take ownership of it. He credited not only his staff, but the school community and generations of players who have carried the program forward.
Scott said the sting of losing as a freshman helped fuel the championships that followed and continues to motivate this year’s team. She also said this postseason run may be the most difficult of the three, both because the competition is stronger and because the seniors understand exactly what is at stake. Zuppe put it more bluntly, saying the Falcons work hard every day and believe in what they are capable of doing. Sophomore Sara Nejaz said the key is staying focused, paying attention to the small details and playing together.
Sunday’s opponent adds another layer of intrigue. The game is a rematch of last year’s championship meeting between Albertus Magnus and Ketcham, a pairing also reflected in schedule and matchup listings for this year’s title game.
For Rockland County fans, the assignment is simple: show up, tune in and appreciate what this group has built. Albertus Magnus has already earned its place on the biggest stage in Section 1. Now the Falcons will try to turn one more March morning into another banner moment.
Tickets for the Section 1 basketball championships are available in person at the Westchester County Center for just $10, and streaming information is available through SportsEngine Play – although it should be noted that the Rockland News team had difficulty finding the information about the game on the website – hopefully before gametime at 11 am tomorrow! Team information is available through the Albertus Magnus girls basketball page.
