One of the lures of sports is nothing is predetermined and an individual or team considered an underdog can, on any given day, pull off the unexpected.

The Irvington boys basketball team went into its Class B semifinal sectional game against top-seeded Woodlands, a talented squad it had lost to twice in the regular season by a combined 37 points, a decisive underdog.

However, somebody forgot to tell the fourth-seeded Bulldogs that. Irvington came out at the Westchester County Center in White Plains with something to prove and had the Falcons in a heap of trouble as they raced out to a 20-0 advantage in the first quarter. By the end of the quarter, Irvington led 25-6.

But Woodlands quickly regrouped in the second quarter by applying pressure in the backcourt and forcing Irvington into a slew of turnovers. Irvington also never found the net in the quarter, were outscored 16-0 and only led at halftime 25-22.

Woodlands (17-2) dominated again in the third quarter, outscoring Irvington 23-14 and hung on for a hard fought 57-51 victory and a spot in the championship game against Pleasantville.

Irvington, which finished the season 13-8, was led by Peter Crisara with 14 points and Chris Recine with 13. Chris Brennan chipped in nine points.

Brennan, a junior, was the high scorer for Irvington with 17 points in a 46-37 quarterfinal victory over Dobbs Ferry. Crisara and Recine each had eight points.

Meanwhile, the top-seeded Irvington girls basketball squad has had its road to another special season derailed by inclement weather.

Irvington, which finished the regular season with an eye-opening 16-1 record, showed fourth-seeded Woodlands it meant business in the Class B quarterfinals with an historic victory for longtime coach Gina Maher.

The 67-53 win was Maher’s 500th, making her the first girls basketball coach in Section 1 to achieve that milestone. The team showered her with flowers and balloons and wore specially made shirts to mark the occasion.

“I’ve just been very lucky to last this long,” said Maher, now in her 34th season. “Each year you coach a team and hope they’ll be successful. I’ve really been very fortunate to have had this experience for the last 34 years in my life.”

Senior captain Tara Gabelman led the way for the Bulldogs with 24 points. Sophomore Marley Giddins poured in 20 points.

Next up for Irvington was fourth-seeded John F. Kennedy (17-3), the Conference 1 League 3 champions. The semifinal matchup at the County Center was postponed by snow twice last week and was rescheduled for Sunday afternoon (February 28).

Besides the 10-day layoff between playoff games, Maher said Kennedy’s experience and size will present a challenge to the Lady Bulldogs.

“They have four seniors, they’re strong and they have very good size,” she said. “We certainly have to be on our A-game. It is a very long wait but every team is in the same position.”

After losing to Nanuet in the sectional finals last year, Maher said her team would relish the opportunity of a rematch but they must guard against losing focus.

“It’s a mistake if you look ahead,” she said. “I think we’re a good team and we play very hard. I think this team, when they play up to their capabilities with poise and discipline, they can play with anybody. My expectations are that we just play our best.”