So the Rangers head to Philadelphia to face the Flyers tomorrow night, first place in the Eastern Conference still theirs for the taking with three games to go, but having squandered an opportunity to have set up this final week much differently.

“Obviously we would have loved to have clinched it, but it’s still right in our hands,” Brad Richards said after last night’s 2-1 defeat to the Bruins at Madison Square Garden that prevented the Rangers from clinching their first conference and division titles since 1994. “We’re looking to win in Philly, but just as much, we’re focusing on taking care of our game.

Paul J. Bereswill

‘B’ STING: Carl Hagelin can only skate away as the Bruins celebrate a goal during the Rangers’ 2-1 loss last night at the Garden, which put the Rangers’ plans to clinch the best record in the Eastern Conference on hold.

“I wasn’t looking at this week as a breather no matter what.”

The magic number remains at one for both first seed in the East and the Atlantic crown in relation to the fourth-place Penguins, who play in Boston tomorrow night against the defending Stanley Cup champions, whose victory both clinched their division and stopped a five-game regulation losing streak to the Rangers dating back to last season.

The Rangers go from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh for what will or will not be a showdown on Thursday before the finale at the Garden against the Capitals Saturday night.

“I didn’t really consider what the rest of the week would be like if we won or lost,” said Henrik Lundqvist, who faced 21 shots in his ninth consecutive start and will all but certainly be in nets tomorrow. “I just need to approach each game the same way I would in two weeks when the playoffs start, no matter what the standings are.

“The reason I’ve been playing more isn’t because we need to win more, it’s because I need to get into a good rhythm going into the playoffs. That doesn’t change whether we won this game or not or whether we clinched first place or not.”

Stuck in neutral most of the match, the Rangers outshot the Bruins 19-3 in the third, but couldn’t beat Tim “Shades” Thomas, who had complained about the Garden lighting after dropping a 4-3 game March 4 that left him a career 3-5-1 on Broadway and 4-9-3 overall against the Rangers.

Last night, though, Thomas was beaten only by a Marian Gaborik breakaway at 4:33 of the first after a Zdeno Chara point shot caromed off Boston winger Jordan Caron in front into the neutral zone, where No. 10 was able to corral it to score his 40th goal of the year.

Thomas was able to withstand the Rangers’ third-period push and protect the 2-1 lead the Bruins earned with a pair of goals in the second, the first a Dennis Seidenberg 50-footer at 4:00, the winner a Patrice Bergeron power-play wraparound following an error down low by Dan Girardi.

Chara was a towering presence by any measure, matched against Gaborik throughout. Indeed, Rangers coach John Tortorella broke up the Richards-Gaborik combination for a few shifts in the third in order to get either center away from No. 33.

“I wanted to try and force [Boston coach Claude Julien] to make a decision,” Tortorella said. “I wanted to try and get Richie somewhere else and maybe he could make a play against another defensive pair.”

But not on this night throughout, which Carl Hagelin, who has one point (an assist) in his last seven games, rarely had the puck and seemed a step off the pace.

“I thought we played all right but would have liked to have the puck more the first two periods,” Brian Boyle said. “As far as not clinching, it’s disappointing not to have done it here, but we’ll go right after it next time.”

Tomorrow, tomorrow, the Rangers will try again tomorrow.

larry.brooks@nypost.com

Rangers, Carl Hagelin, Carl Hagelin, Eastern Conference, the Bruins, the Bruins, Madison Square Garden, Philadelphia, Tim “Shades” Thomas, Marian Gaborik, Brad Richards

Nypost.com

Ohio State coach Urban Meyer sounds like he thinks the Jets should give new quarterback Tim Tebow — who broke his 18-day Twitter silence last night — more than 20 snaps a game.

Meyer, who coached Tebow at Florida, told ESPN that the spread offense Tebow used in college would “absolutely” work in the NFL. He suggested the Jets entrust the offense to Tebow.

UPDATES FROM OUR JETS BLOG

“Let him play,” Meyer said, according to Pro Football Talk. “Just let him play.”

Meyer sounded like he did not think the Broncos used Tebow properly. He said Denver was at its best when Tebow was permitted to hurt teams with his feet then make big plays with his arm when defenses focused on the run.

“When you started seeing him throw against those easy coverages,” Meyer said, “it was because they had to stop the run.”

As for Tebow, he tweeted four times about how pumped up he was to be a Jet.

“I’ve already said it 44 times so here goes number 45: I’m really excited to be a Jet! Haha! All joking aside it’s truly an honor to be a Jet and I’m anxiously looking forward to going to work with all of my new teammates and coaches,” Tebow tweeted. “Fireman Ed and the rest of Jets nation, I’m gonna play my heart out for you. J-E-T-S

JETS! JETS! JETS!”

Tim Tebow, Tebow, the Jets, Pro Football Talk, Ohio State coach Urban Meyer

Nypost.com

TAMPA — While Andy Pettitte took a break from throwing Yankees batting practice Tuesday, Billy Connors and Nick Swisher discussed what the veteran lefty looked like on the mound.

“Looks like he never missed a beat,’’ said Connors, a VP of personnel and former big league pitching coach.

To which Swisher, who with Chris Dickerson, faced Pettitte, replied, “It’s crazy but when you got it, you got it.’’

Pettitte, who sat out the 2011 season, hasn’t pitched since October 2010 and is shooting for a May 1 return to the big leagues. He said he was pleased with the exercise.

“Just another step in the process,’’ the 39-year-old pitcher said of the 35-pitch workout that included the first 20 thrown behind a screen and the final 15 unprotected. “I got a little tired, but I got comfortable. I feel like I am seeing the ball off the bat better. I didn’t feel quite as sharp out of the stretch as I did the wind up.’’

When Pettitte started the comeback, he was more concerned about his legs than arm.

“I’d be lying if I didn’t say [the legs] are a little fatigued,’’ said Pettitte, who likely will throw another batting practice session Friday. “But I am trying to get the drive and explode to throw 100 pitches. I am a long way from there.’’

If Pettitte gets into a spring training game, figure it to be the final one against the Mets next Wednesday at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Nevertheless, if he doesn’t work with the Yankees before the exhibition season expires, Pettitte won’t be disappointed.

“It’s not important to me, it’s not a big issue,’’ Pettitte said. “But I am excited to get into a game.’’

Pettitte knew his command was good and was bolstered by Swisher’s reinforcement.

“When Swish says [the change-up] was moving good, it makes you feel good,’’ Pettitte said.

***

Curtis Granderson was a late scratch from the lineup Tuesday night night because of a sore right elbow.

“As a precautionary we will do an MRI [exam today] to make sure it’s not something,’’ general manager Brian Cashman said. “Right now on a scale of 1 to 10 [of concern], I would say 2 or less.’’

“He threw [Tuesday] and felt fine,’’ said Joe Girardi, who explained Granderson felt something working out prior to throwing.

***

CC Sabathia has one more start before working Opening Day against the Rays on April 6.

“If the season started [Wednesday] I would be ready,’’ said Sabathia, who gave up three runs and six hits in six innings last night in a 4-3 loss to the Blue Jays at GMS Field. “I have two bullpens left and a start in Miami.’’

***

David Robertson worked a scoreless inning, walking one and fanning another. Robertson hasn’t experienced any problems with the right foot he injured falling down stairs at the start of the exhibition season.

Robertson was carrying empty boxes down the stairs when he bruised the foot in a fall and has learned from the experience.

“I threw the boxes down the stairs [on Monday],’’ Robertson said.

***

Girardi’s plan is for Swisher to play Friday. Swisher has been nursing a right groin problem and has played once since March 14 when he suffered a left groin injury.

If yesterday’s batting practice session doesn’t leave Swisher sore, he will get at-bats in a minor league game today while the Yankees are in Orlando. Swisher won’t play the field.

Girardi expressed some concern about not having Swisher for Opening Day on April 6 but said he believes the switch-hitting right fielder will be in the lineup against the Rays.

“A little bit [of concern], but my sense is that he will be ready,’’ Girardi said.

***

Mariano Rivera and Boone Logan worked an inning each in minor league games. Rivera recorded a perfect frame. He will work Friday against the Phillies, Sunday in Miami against the Marlins and Wednesday against the Mets.

***

Girardi said Hiroki Kuroda is slated to start the second game of the season April 7. With Opening Day starter Sabathia’s regular turn April 11 in Baltimore, that sets Kuroda up for the home opener on April 13 against the Angels in The Bronx.

***

The Astros and Orioles have an interest in right-handed hitting outfielder Justin Maxwell who is out of options. but the teams haven’t contacted Cashman about a deal.

george.king@nypost.com

Andy Pettitte, Pettitte, Nick Swisher, Swisher, Billy Connors, Connors, Joe Girardi, Yankees, George M. Steinbrenner Field

Nypost.com

Revel, the $2.4 billion Atlantic City casino resort that almost didn’t get built, cleared its final major hurdle yesterday.

The New Jersey Casino Control Commission approved a casino license for the resort, which will become the city’s 12th casino when it opens April 2.

Gambling is only part of the resort; it also has a luxurious spa, 14 restaurants, 10 pools, and a theater with 5,050 seats that will host Beyoncé on Memorial Day weekend.

New Jersey Casino Control Commission, Atlantic City casino, casino license, the resort

Nypost.com

All Horses appear in post position order

FIRST-1m&70y; $23,000; cl($7,500); 4up

PN Horse, Wt.

Jockey

Last 3

Trainer

Odds

1 What Now(L),118

S Elliott

7-5-1

Miller

3-1

2 Punta Sal(L),120

JCaraballo

1-5-2

Velazqez

5-2

3 Marching Tune(L),118

JHmpshrJr

3-2-1

Farro

9-5

4 Irish Majesty(L),122

G Wales

1-6-7

Alexnder

6-1

5 Notadream(L),120

W Corujo

9-1-7

Ashton

15-1

6 Flagged(L),120

PHrnndzO

1-10-5

Vega

5-1

SECOND-5 1/2f; $23,000; cl($7,500); 4up; (f&m)

PN Horse, Wt.

Jockey

Last 3

Trainer

Odds

1 My MamaGator(L),111

J Ortiz

9-3-2

Betancrt

5-1

2 Cuvee Madame(L),120

A Castillo

5-6-1

Aristone

7-2

3 Can't Catch Kaz(L),120

JHmpshrJr

5-5-1

Dandy

5-2

4 Mega Heir(L),118

SBermudz

6-5-9

Pessanh

12-1

5 Imagine Now(L),118

S Uske

7-4-8

Riviezzo

15-1

6 Wow Me(L),108

LVillanuev

2-2-3

Guerrero

8-5

7 Devilofanrgmnt(L),111

ABowman

7-10-2

Nichol

15-1

THIRD-6f; $25,000; cl($12,500); 4up

PN Horse, Wt.

Jockey

Last 3

Trainer

Odds

1 BenevolentNate(L),120

J Bisono

6-1-4

Fortebn

10-1

2 Beaureal(L),118

J Flores

2-2-3

GPreciad

2-1

3 Wild Memories(L),118

J Burke

5-3-7

Orseno

9-2

4 HammerngBcky(L),113

C Esquilin

8-1-11

Nunez

10-1

5 Town Squared(L),120

S Elliott

1-3-8

Beattie

3-1

6 Wildcat Lake(L),118

A Black

2-2-6

Vega

7-2

FOURTH-5 1/2f; $25,000; str alw; 3up

PN Horse, Wt.

Jockey

Last 3

Trainer

Odds

1 Frappe La Rue(L),118

KMcMngll

3-6-3

Farro

9-2

2 Rumbletown(L),120

J Bisono

4-1-5

Guerrero

3-1

3 Catch Me Kaz(L),122

A Castillo

1-2-2

LeBarron

2-1

4 My Nonno(L),112

RMontanz

5-1-2

Ryerson

10-1

5 Waterfall(L),118

L Hiraldo

7-7-7

Vasquez

10-1

6 Distinctly(L),118

A Arroyo

5-4-6

Linder

5-1

7 Kelly's Ridge(L),114

S Elliott

1-x-x

Montoya

6-1

FIFTH-6 1/2f; $28,000; cl($25,000); 3up

PN Horse, Wt.

Jockey

Last 3

Trainer

Odds

1 Pleasant Earth(L),118

J Flores

7-2-3

Reese

8-5

2 Country Risk(L),112

RMontanz

7-5-1

GPreciad

6-1

3 OWhentheSnts(L),118

V Molina

6-6-6

Le Vine

20-1

4 Jersey Jazz(L),111

ABowman

9-1-3

Nichol

20-1

5 Great Thor(L),114

G Wales

2-7-6

White

4-1

6 Party Night(L),122

J Bisono

1-3-3

Servis

5-2

7 In Free(L),118

R Moya

5-6-1

Sleeter

10-1

SIXTH-5 1/2f; $26,000; cl($16,000); 3up

PN Horse, Wt.

Jockey

Last 3

Trainer

Odds

1 Liams Legend(L),118

F Garcia

2-8-7

Auwarter

8-1

2 Beer Is Good(L),112

VSantiago

1-3-2

Bailes

9-2

3 Sunshineinthrn(L),108

A Angulo

6-6-8

Whylie

30-1

4 Fine Cognac(L),118

J Nguyen

3-1-6

Aristone

7-5

5 Shoe ShineMan(L),118

J Bisono

6-2-7

Sleeter

6-1

6 H O's Birthday(L),118

R Bracho

7-5-5

Whylie

20-1

7 Lil' Dante(L),112

O Castillo

6-3-6

Griffin

12-1

8 Sure Got It(L),118

J Burke

3-2-1

Auwarter

5-2

SEVENTH-6f; $45,000; mdn spcl wt; 3up

PN Horse, Wt.

Jockey

Last 3

Trainer

Odds

1 Came Back(L),116

S Elliott

5-x-x

Gldberg

10-1

2 Elegant Lord ,122

NMangale

x-x-x

McBrney

8-1

3 Big Proud Man ,122

A Arroyo

x-x-x

GPreciad

8-1

4 Native Wave(L),116

FPnnngtn

x-x-x

A Dutrow

9-2

5 Rovin Man(L),116

RAlvardJr

4-6-x

GPreciad

9-2

6 Joey Whispers(L),122

JHmpshrJr

3-2-3

McBrney

7-2

7 Jake N Elwood(L),116

K Frey

2-2-x

Petro

5-2

8 Young Stanley ,122

F Garcia

x-x-x

Farro

15-1

9 License toCary(M),116

E Rivera

7-x-x

Pollara

20-1

EIGHTH-6 1/2f; $47,000; alw; 3YO

PN Horse, Wt.

Jockey

Last 3

Trainer

Odds

1 Co Pilot(L),116

R Moya

1-x-x

Sleeter

12-1

2 TheCamdnCmt(L),118

R Chiappe

1-7-1

Iannotti

7-2

3 Bristol Dancer(L),116

S Elliott

1-5-5

Farro

4-1

4 More Reubens(L),116

K Frey

5-5-1

Reid

5-1

5 Slammin' Slew(L),116

NMangale

5-1-x

McBrney

8-1

6 Karen's Saint(L),116

J Bisono

1-1-2

Guerrero

9-2

7 Romp City(L),118

O Castillo

4-1-3

Lynch

5-2

NINTH-6 1/2f; $75,000; 4up; (f&m)

Langhorne Stakes

PN Horse, Wt.

Jockey

Last 3

Trainer

Odds

1 Lightshaft(L),118

J Bisono

1-1-2

Servis

9-2

2 Oh So Bella(L),116

K Frey

3-4-3

Reid

10-1

3 Winning Image(L),116

JCaraballo

7-2-1

Aro

3-1

4 Island Bound(L),116

R Allen, Jr

1-2-1

Wilkes

8-1

5 Pilot Point Lady(L),116

FPnnngtn

3-1-1

Reid

4-1

6 Grand Kisses(L),116

KCarmoch

4-3-4

Albright

20-1

7 High Quality(L),120

S Elliott

1-6-9

A Dutrow

5-2

8 Sleepless Dixie(L),116

R Curatolo

5-1-4

Breen

8-1

TENTH-5 1/2f; $20,000; cl($5,000); 4up

PN Horse, Wt.

Jockey

Last 3

Trainer

Odds

2 Dan's Ginger(L),115

ABowman

4-2-7

Riviezzo

7-2

1 a-LightSentenc(L),122

A Castillo

5-5-7

Aristone

8-5

1A a-BlametheJcky(L),115

C Esquilin

3-3-5

Aristone

8-5

3 DancetoMyBeat(L),115

J Ortiz

8-8-6

Reid

12-1

4 Forest Meadow(L),122

E Rivera

6-10-9

Lake

8-1

5 Waking Up(L),122

M Rosario

7-10-8

Abrams

8-1

6 Mestic(L),122

K Frey

2-4-6

Cardone

5-1

7 Marco Be Good(L),115

A Suarez

7-1-11

Cannon

20-1

8 Candy Heart(L),122

M Chaves

4-7-4

Patterson

9-2

4upPN Horse, PN Horse, cl, cl, 3upPN Horse, Horse, Horse

Nypost.com

Post Time: 1:05 p.m.

FIRST-1 mile; $43,875; clm($35,000); 3YO

COSMIC CROWN stretches out after second in last two starts. ANNELLE drew rail after finishing third and being claimed. DADDYS JEWEL tired to second in slop.

PN Horse, Wt.

Jockey

Last 3

Odds

1 Annelle(L),118

JLezcn

3-1-5

6-1

2 HighlandSara(L)118

KDsrm

5-5-1

3-1

3 Shebop(L),118

M Cruz

9-3-2

5-2

4 CosmicCrown(L118

L Saez

2-2-8

6-1

5 Sara's Virtue(L),118

RMrgh

8-1-3

8-1

6 DaddysJewel(L),118

F Jara

2-1-4

2-1

SECOND-5 fur(T); $34,500; clm($30,00); 3up

TOO CLEVER BY HALF drew rail after winning last out. REDFOXEY DOROTHY finished fourth in most recent. SMOKIN GOLD third in slop going longer.

PN Horse, Wt.

Jockey

Last 3

Odds

1 TooClevrbyHlfL121

JCstlln

1-2-2

5-2

2 Smokin Gold(L),115

J Bravo

3-7-2

6-1

3 RedfoxeyDrthyL117

JLezcn

4-2-3

4-1

4 SweetandVicios108

I Cruz

6-9-7

20-1

5 Pat's Kitten(L),117

JRoccJr

5-5-9

10-1

6 Ms Diller(L),117

RMrgh

2-8-7

5-1

7 ManyCrowns(L)111

K Coa

5-11-3

6-1

8 Cachetone(L),107

Y Ortiz

8-6-4

10-1

9 CountessEmmL119

JSantn

1-9-9

8-1

10 DontgetmadlxsL115

JLezcn

2-1-4

3-1

THIRD-5 fur(T); $66,100; alw; 4up

WESTERN PROSPECTOR second in last two starts on turf. SPEIGHT THE HALO steps up in class seeking third consecutive victory. DREAM OF ATLANTIS won first start off claim.

PN Horse, Wt.

Jockey

Last 3

Odds

1 Shintoh(M),119

J Bravo

5-7-2

6-1

2 WestrnPrspctrL119

M Cruz

4-2-2

5-2

3 DreamofAtlntsL114

EJurad

1-6-1

15-1

4 Foralltheglory(L119

SMdrd

5-1-8

12-1

5 AssetExchangeL119

ETrujill

7-2-7

6-1

6 SpeighttheHalL119

KDsrm

1-1-7

3-1

7 GoldenMoka(L),119

JCstlln

6-2-8

8-1

8 Awakino Cat(L),119

JRoccJr

3-5-3

4-1

9 ItsNevertoLateL112

ABattul

5-5-3

4-1

FOURTH-7 fur; $62,750; alw; 3YO(f)

AWESOME FIRE cuts back in distance for seasonal debut. FIVE STAR MOMMA makes first start since June for new barn. MISS QUISQUEYA won going shorter most recent.

PN Horse, Wt.

Jockey

Last 3

Odds

1 Sinister Tale(L),120

E Prado

4-1-7

5-1

2 FiveStarMommL118

A Solis

2-1-x

9-5

3 Crespano(L),122

JLezcn

1-4-2

3-1

4 MissQuisqueyaL122

J Bravo

1-2-2

5-2

5 AwesomeFire(L)118

EWilsn

3-1-2

6-1

6 BrownEyedNncL118

ETrujill

6-5-1

12-1

FIFTH-1m(T); $34,500; clm($30,000); 3up

FLEET ALLAIRE broke maiden at this distance for new barn. TRULY DEVOTED was a gate to wire maiden winner. RUNNING IN CHOOS tired going longer and was claimed.

PN Horse, Wt.

Jockey

Last 3

Odds

1 Sin Freno(L),117

JAlvarz

6-9-9

20-1

2 GreensHardTnL121

JSnchz

10-9-12

20-1

3 PegasusSong(L)117

ENunez

4-12-5

15-1

4 TrulyDevoted(L)117

M Cruz

1-3-2

3-1

5 CorysDelight(L),111

JCaldrn

9-8-6

30-1

6 NightBrigade(L)117

E Prado

2-2-6

5-2

7 Bala Roja(L),121

J Bravo

7-6-7

8-1

8 RunninginChosL121

CLndrs

6-2-1

4-1

9 Fleet Allaire(L),123

ETrujill

1-12-10

12-1

10 Cindy's Joy(L),117

RMrgh

10-9-1

10-1

11 ShesCopaceticL115

JRoccJr

7-5-5

10-1

Next >

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Nypost.com

ATLANTA — They have the guy projected to be the No. 1 overall pick in the NBA draft and as many as six players who figure to be drafted, perhaps five in the first round.

But the Kentucky Wildcats can be beaten in the NCAA South Regional ... if the Miami Heat were here.

“I’ve had some really talented teams,” said coach John Calipari, whose ultra-talented Kentucky bunch is the prohibitive favorite today against Baylor with a trip to the Final Four at stake in the South final. “This is a pretty good team. It’s not just talent because talent alone does not win. We’re the most efficient team in the country, both on offense and defense.

Reuters

BUNCH OF REJECTS: Kentucky’s Anthony Davis, above stuffing Cody Zeller of Indiana during Friday night’s South Region semifinal win, is the new kid on the “block,” one of the title-favorite Wildcats’ sensational freshmen.

“This team is unique.”

Yep, efficient, unique and bloody talented, making the Wildcats the logical choice over Baylor, which has gotten used to underdog status.

“Pretty much throughout this tournament, we’ve been picked to lose,” said Baylor senior forward Quincy Acy, who scored 20 points and had 15 rebounds Friday when the Bears (30-7) toppled Xavier in a South semifinal for the right to try to stop the Georgia Dome from becoming the Cal Palace today. “Definitely, we have to be better for the full 40 minutes. They’re a great team, well-rounded and so are we.”

The Wildcats (35-2) ran up and down and scored 102 points on Indiana in a 12-point victory in the other South semi. Freshman forward Anthony Davis, the “hands down No. 1 pick” in the NBA draft, according to one Western Conference NBA exec, was only average with foul trouble. So five others scored in double figures, and Kentucky sprinted to its date with Baylor by committing only six turnovers. Score another for One and Done U.

“We are a young team,” said Davis, one of six freshmen on the Kentucky roster. “The way we’ve been playing, people consider us veterans because we’ve been playing so great.”

People also consider them loaded with can’t-miss draft picks. All of which leads to a sense of calm and confidence around the Wildcats, who shot a stunning 35-of-37 from the foul line against Indiana, avenging one of their two regular-season defeats.

“We’re very confident because we know how hard we work,” guard Marquis Teague said.

“We really bought in defensively,” said guard Darius Miller, a senior who tells the young ’uns what life in the nation was like in those long ago times before the Obama Administration. “We really take pride in our defense.”

Perhaps no one has more pride on defense than Davis, the nation’s leading shot-blocker in the regular season with 4.62 per game.

“Before, I went up to block a shot when the driver still had the ball in his hands,” explained Davis, a student of shot-blocking Thunder forward Serge Ibaka. “Kentucky coaches told me to go up and block the shot when it left his hands and was at the rim. You won’t pick up fouls that way.”

Despite Kentucky’s status as 7 1/2-point favorites, Calipari cautioned about the threat the Bears present. He expects to see a lot of the Baylor length in a zone defense.

“That’s one of the reasons they’ll play zone,” Calipari said. “They’re looking at, ‘OK, you’re not going to get to the rim.’ If you do, there’s going to be length there.”

Quincy Miller, Baylor’s freshman forward who made five visits to Kentucky before opting for Baylor and more playing time — and he is very close with Davis — acknowledged how tough and talented the Wildcats are. But he cautioned against selling Baylor short.

“We match up pretty well with all of Kentucky’s starters,” Miller said. “We are just as talented as Kentucky. They are a great team and we are a great team. We are ready. We are very prepared.”

But still the underdogs.

fred.kerber@nypost.com

Kentucky Wildcats, Kentucky, Wildcats, Kentucky, Anthony Davis, Baylor, Baylor, Wildcats, John Calipari, Indiana, NBA, NBA draft, Darius Miller

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Scoring runs doesn’t figure to be an issue for Regis, not with Julien Machuca, Sam Hauser and Mike Woods in the lineup. Unlike many other teams in the CHSAA, the Raiders’ question mark comes on the mound.

“Overall, we’ll very likely have a better offensive team than we’ve had the last couple of years,” coach Mike Skrapits said. “As long as we throw strikes, we’ll catch the ball and we’ll hit.”

Machuca, a senior shortstop, has a sweet swing and interest from low Division I schools like Binghamton. He’ll be right in the thick of things in the middle of the lineup.

Denis Gostev

Regis' players (from l.) Tommy Gorman, Julien Machuca, Mike Glasser and Mike Woods are looking for a big season.

“He has one of the nicest swings I’ve seen at Regis in awhile,” Skrapits said. “He’s gonna hit.”

Hauser figures to do the same. The junior, who also plays basketball, will see time on the mound, designated hitter and first base. He has power, while Woods, a sure-handed third baseman, is more of a patient, opposite-field hitter near the top of the order. Mike Glasser, who will pitch, play first and the outfield, is another potential masher. All of those guys will have to make up for the production of graduated catcher Jake Kinsley, who is now at Furman.

The cornerstone of Regis’ defense comes from Tommy Gorman, a speedy center fielder who Skrapits calls one of the top fielding outfielders in the city. Hauser is the team’s ace, but after him Skrapits says there is a “mix.” Matt Dieffenbach, a control pitcher, falls in behind him and Simon Thomas is a hard thrower with potential.

“There will be quite a few senior pitchers competing for spots as well,” the coach said.

It’ll be all about keeping the ball over the plate for the Regis staff. Though the Raiders, who play nationally top-ranked Tampa Jesuit in the team’s host tournament early next month, plays in loaded CHSAA Bronx/Manhattan ‘AA’ with teams like All Hallows and Xavier, they have the potential to be near the top.

“I think we have talent to compete for a division championship,” Skrapits said. “That’s our first goal. Once we get to that, then we’ll talk about more than that.”

St. Raymond coach Marc DeLuca also feels like his team has a shot in one of the league’s toughest divisions. He wasn’t pleased with how the Ravens performed in 2011, his first season taking over for legendary coach Ron Patnosh.

“We need to step it up,” he said. “We had a down year. We were all collectively upset. We were average. We don’t want to be average.”

Leading the way will be lefthander Anthony Colon, a three-year starter who has interest from Division II schools Pace and Dominican. Brian Paulino will fall in line as the team’s No. 2 starter and they will throw to Dominican-bound catcher Leo Bravo.

Transfer student Orlando Collado will step right in at shortstop, forming a solid double-play combination with Jordanis Nunez. First baseman David Sanchez is up from the JV and will provide power in the middle of the order.

DeLuca thinks pitching will be the strength. He has four lefties on the roster, which could be a nightmare for lefthanded-heavy lineups. Most of all, though, this is a veteran group, one that wasn’t satisfied with an uncharacteristically down 2011 season.

“The guys are very determined,” DeLuca said.

Cardinal Hayes, under coach Curtis Schiebe, will also compete. The Cardinals defeated PSAL powerhouse Monroe in a scrimmage this week and could be a sleeper in the division. LaSalle dropped down to the 'A' this year.

mraimondi@nypost.com

Mike Woods, Julien Machuca, Mike Glasser, Mike Skrapits, Tommy Gorman, CHSAA, Sam Hauser, Regis

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Convicted fraudster Bernie Madoff was "desperately disappointed" that the owners of the Mets chose to settle the fraud lawsuit brought on behalf of victims of Madoff's Ponzi scheme, CBS News reported Wednesday.

"He wrote me last weekend that he was so looking forward to that trial," said Diane Henriques, author of the book "Wizard of Lies" which detailed Madoff's fraud.

"He was hoping that the Mets' defense would make the case he was making to me that they had no reason to doubt Madoff."

The lawsuit was settled Monday for $162 million shortly before jury selection was to begin, though the team will ultimately surrender far less and will not have to make any payments for three years.

AP

Madoff leaves Federal Court in New York in 2009.

The trustee for Madoff's victims, Irving Picard, was set to argue at trial that Mets owner Fred Wilpon, once a friend of Madoff and a longtime investor, was willfully blind and chose to ignore signs that Madoff was producing fraudulent returns.

Henriques told CBS that in recent emails from prison Madoff blasted Picard, who was seeking more than $300 million at trial.

"He calls Picard a fool, an amateur, says he doesn't understand the market, says he never understood the market, that he's just lost on Wall Street," Henriques said.

Wilpon and his business partner, Saul Katz, maintained they had no idea Madoff was operating a Ponzi scheme and were defrauded out of money like other victims.

The settlement is viewed as a victory for Wilpon, with many believing a larger lump sum judgment against him would have forced him to sell the team.

As part of Monday's agreement with Picard, the Mets can seek money from the bankruptcy estate as former Madoff investors and can use those funds to pay the settlement obligations.

Bernie Madoff, Madoff, Diane Henriques, Fred Wilpon, Irving Picard, the Mets, Ponzi scheme, Mets, fraud lawsuit, Henriques, victims

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Moore Catholic is still smarting from how last year ended. The Mavericks are bent on getting past the best-of-three qualifying round that saw them win the first game and drop the next two in 2011.

St. Francis Prep stunned Moore in Game 2 last season, coming back from an 8-1 deficit to force Game 3. Mavs coach Nick Doscher called it the worst loss he’s seen in 21 years of coaching at the time.

This year, getting past that step is the goal, something the current seniors want badly.

“We’ve never got over that hump,” Moore pitcher Shea Spitzbarth said of his tenure. “This year we think we got a really good shot. We want to get past the round we always mess up on.”

Denis Gostev

Moore Catholic's Shea Spitzbarth will take over as staff ace after an injury to Matt Kostalos.

The easiest way to do that, Doscher says, is to win the Staten Island division and earn a bye into the double-elimination final eight. That task would have been much easier with ace Matt Kostalos on the mound. But Moore lost the righthander for the season when he tore his ACL three weeks ago in a CYO basketball game.

“He was the one guy when he was on the mound he could shut anybody down on a given day,” Doscher said. “That hurt, but the one thing I do have is some pitching.”

That begins with Spitzbarth and John Baggs, who slumped as a junior. Behind them, Moore still has lefty Anthony LoBello, Chris Wolf and Charlie Rollo. It’s a deep staff, one that could carry the Mavs deep into the playoffs.

“I have no doubt,” Spitzbarth said. “We’re definitely gonna make it this year. We have the pitching. We know we do. We just need timely hitting.”

Matt DiOrio, who recently committed to Central Florida, will move behind the plate from the outfield and will be the team’s top hitter, though Doscher has noticed him pressing early with that responsibility. He should get help from fellow slugger and DH Joe Todaro. A lot is also expected out of Baggs and shortstop Chris Goetz.

Twins Rob and Dave Murray will be in the lineup at right field and somewhere in the infield, respectively. Athletic football player Justin Ortiz will man center field and be a terror on the basepaths.

“We’re gonna pitch and play defense with anybody,” Doscher said. “We just gotta hit a little bit.”

The coach said he and his assistants still feel the agony over that loss to St. Francis Prep. The players, though, are resilient.

“We moved on from it,” Spitzbarth said. “We knew maybe we should have won it last year. We had the game in hand. We just let it slip.”

Moore doesn’t want history to repeat itself – with or without Kostalos.

“I know the seniors really want to go out on top,” Doscher said. “I know people had us near the top with Matt, but I feel like we can still be there. It’s time for other guys to step up.”

mraimondi@nypost.com

Nick Doscher, Shea Spitzbarth, Moore Catholic, Moore, Francis Prep, Doscher, The Mavericks, Matt Kostalos, Spitzbarth, St. Francis Prep, Mavs

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