With three games left, LaSalle's hockey team has been eliminated from the chase for the CDHSHL regular season title, after dropping a 4-1 decision to defending champion Bethlehem last night. Hunter Caola had the lone goal for the Cadets, who now have a full week of practice before hosting CBA next Wednesday night. At least for a night, they'll be rooting for second place Albany Academy to beat Bethlehem when those two teams meet on Friday. Battle of the Cadets II, winter edition, is February 9, and is also senior night at HVCC.
LaSalle is eight points behind Bethlehem, in 8th place. Three points separate the top three teams in the league, and there is a four way tie for 4th, a logjam that includes CBA, Saratoga, & Shenendehowa. LaSalle will still need to win out to avoid the daunting prospect of a play-in game, although they did win one three years ago over Bethlehem.
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Over in Troy, Latyce Faison either didn't score or didn't play because of injury against Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake. Then again, the Flying Horses did just fine without him, as they clinched the Suburban Council's Blue division with a 50-37 win over the Spartans. Sophomore Zaveon Little, in his second game since being promoted from the junior varsity, led Troy with 11 points, while Nazaire Merritt was held to 10. The two teams combined for just 16 points, 8 for each side, in the fourth quarter. Troy will hopefully get Faison back as they begin a three game road trip tomorrow at CBA, followed by a co-feature in the Sunmark Shootout in Glens Falls vs. Schalmont, then at Albany, before coming home for a two-game homestand with Bethlehem and Schenectady to end the regular season.
Meanwhile, in the Blue division, unbeaten Bethlehem can't shake second place Saratoga, which is two games behind the Eagles with four games left. Saratoga beat Shenendehowa, 48-44, while Bethlehem had their way with Guilderland, 70-38. The Dutchmen are in an uncharacteristic position for them, in last place, without a league victory this season. Shen, which has played one more league game, is 9-4 in the league, putting them on the brink of elimination. If the Eagles hold serve, they'll have clinched by the time they come to Troy High in eight days.
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On the lanes, Troy dropped their seventh in their last eight matches, falling to Saratoga, 27-5, in a match that was supposed to take place one week ago, but was pushed back due to weather. The road finale is today at CBA, and what amounts to Senior Day vs. Burnt Hills has been rescheduled for February 5. Word is that the temperatures will take a radical shift over the weekend, such that it could be as much as 50 degrees on Tuesday. Go figure.
Thursday, January 31, 2019
Wednesday, January 30, 2019
News & notes
Troy High's women's basketball game at Burnt Hills has been rescheduled for tomorrow at 5:30, 90 minutes earlier than it was originally scheduled had the game been played last night. That means Troy will play four games in the space of ten days:
Thursday: @ Burnt Hills.
Tuesday: Albany.
February 8: @ Bethlehem.
February 9: Kingston (home finale).
Factor in the regular season finale at Schenectady on February 12, and Troy could conceivably go into the sectionals with a respectable record.
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It doesn't appear as though yesterday's bowling match between Troy & Burnt Hills will be rescheduled, as nothing has been posted on Schedule Galaxy for either team as of press time. That means for Troy the season could end tomorrow at CBA, regardless.
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Seedings for the men's & women's basketball sectionals will be finalized on February 13, the day after the regular season is scheduled to end. Being in Class A affords Troy a better seeding than they were getting in Class AA the last two seasons. Stay tuned.
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They finally got the Mayor's Cup hockey games in at Times-Union Center Tuesday night, and RPI & Union split the double-header.
The Lady Engineers completed a season sweep of the Lady Dutchmen, 2-1. The men's game went to a shootout before Union finally won. However, unlike the NHL, the result goes into the record books as a scoreless tie. Now, try figuring that one out. Union retains the men's cup for a 3rd year, while RPI holds on to the women's cup for a 2nd year.
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If WNYT sports anchor Rodger Wyland is to be believed, we could see former Shenendehowa pitcher Ian Anderson in Atlanta during the coming baseball season. Anderson has been named one of the top 100 prospects by Baseball America. I'll be most interested if Anderson gets called up to pitch against the Mets, for example.
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Schedule Galaxy has posted Troy High's lacrosse schedule, along with the rest of the spring sports calendar. The Flying Horses will have a pair of Saturday matinees at Picken Field, both in April, one of them being a non-league tilt vs. Queensbury on the 6th, while Shen comes in a week later. The only other matinees on the schedule come when schools are on Easter break the week of April 22.
Interestingly, Troy baseball (and probably softball, too) have home & home games this season scheduled against Burnt Hills, Averill Park, & Ballston Spa. As of now, no non-league games are on the docket for Chris Strack's club, but there's still 2 months and change before the season begins.
Thursday: @ Burnt Hills.
Tuesday: Albany.
February 8: @ Bethlehem.
February 9: Kingston (home finale).
Factor in the regular season finale at Schenectady on February 12, and Troy could conceivably go into the sectionals with a respectable record.
=========================================
It doesn't appear as though yesterday's bowling match between Troy & Burnt Hills will be rescheduled, as nothing has been posted on Schedule Galaxy for either team as of press time. That means for Troy the season could end tomorrow at CBA, regardless.
==========================================
Seedings for the men's & women's basketball sectionals will be finalized on February 13, the day after the regular season is scheduled to end. Being in Class A affords Troy a better seeding than they were getting in Class AA the last two seasons. Stay tuned.
===========================================
They finally got the Mayor's Cup hockey games in at Times-Union Center Tuesday night, and RPI & Union split the double-header.
The Lady Engineers completed a season sweep of the Lady Dutchmen, 2-1. The men's game went to a shootout before Union finally won. However, unlike the NHL, the result goes into the record books as a scoreless tie. Now, try figuring that one out. Union retains the men's cup for a 3rd year, while RPI holds on to the women's cup for a 2nd year.
============================================
If WNYT sports anchor Rodger Wyland is to be believed, we could see former Shenendehowa pitcher Ian Anderson in Atlanta during the coming baseball season. Anderson has been named one of the top 100 prospects by Baseball America. I'll be most interested if Anderson gets called up to pitch against the Mets, for example.
=============================================
Schedule Galaxy has posted Troy High's lacrosse schedule, along with the rest of the spring sports calendar. The Flying Horses will have a pair of Saturday matinees at Picken Field, both in April, one of them being a non-league tilt vs. Queensbury on the 6th, while Shen comes in a week later. The only other matinees on the schedule come when schools are on Easter break the week of April 22.
Interestingly, Troy baseball (and probably softball, too) have home & home games this season scheduled against Burnt Hills, Averill Park, & Ballston Spa. As of now, no non-league games are on the docket for Chris Strack's club, but there's still 2 months and change before the season begins.
Tuesday, January 29, 2019
News & notes
Four days after the fact, we're now learning there was a brawl during Bethlehem's boys' basketball win over Averill Park on Friday. All we know is that one player from each team drew double technical fouls, were ejected, and each will be suspended for one game, per Section II rules. Details, even a fan video posted on Facebook, are sketchy at present. The players have not been identified as of press time.
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With another winter storm headed our way later today, most, if not all, Section II schools have postponed games scheduled for tonight. Catholic Central & Troy High were to share Uncle Sam Lanes for matches (CCHS vs. Ravena, Troy vs. Burnt Hills), but both have been postponed, with no make-up dates set. The Colonial & Suburban Councils will have end-of-season tournaments next week, so the window for rescheduling matches is mighty small. Troy issued their announcement on their Twitter page, and it's also in the public purview on local stations.
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CCHS, however, was, at last check, still scheduled to host Cohoes in boys' basketball tonight, but I doubt that's even going to happen once the snow starts flying this afternoon.
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On the college tip, RPI & Union must be feeling snake-bitten, as the Mayor's Cup game, rescheduled for tonight, could be postponed yet again due to the weather. The two teams were supposed to play 10 days ago, but Albany County Executive Dan McCoy took no chances and called off the game. One wonders if he'll have to act again. Stay tuned.
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With another winter storm headed our way later today, most, if not all, Section II schools have postponed games scheduled for tonight. Catholic Central & Troy High were to share Uncle Sam Lanes for matches (CCHS vs. Ravena, Troy vs. Burnt Hills), but both have been postponed, with no make-up dates set. The Colonial & Suburban Councils will have end-of-season tournaments next week, so the window for rescheduling matches is mighty small. Troy issued their announcement on their Twitter page, and it's also in the public purview on local stations.
============================================
CCHS, however, was, at last check, still scheduled to host Cohoes in boys' basketball tonight, but I doubt that's even going to happen once the snow starts flying this afternoon.
===========================================
On the college tip, RPI & Union must be feeling snake-bitten, as the Mayor's Cup game, rescheduled for tonight, could be postponed yet again due to the weather. The two teams were supposed to play 10 days ago, but Albany County Executive Dan McCoy took no chances and called off the game. One wonders if he'll have to act again. Stay tuned.
Monday, January 28, 2019
Dealt a bad hand
Troy High's co-ed bowling team will return to Uncle Sam Lanes for their home finale on Tuesday vs. Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake, weather permitting. With reports of another winter storm headed our way, there's no guarantee the match will be played.
If in fact the match is postponed, it'll be the second straight for Troy, which had a road match at Saratoga wiped out by weather last Thursday. This was because of the Saratoga district's decision to close their schools, after starting with a 2 hour delay. The two teams will try again on Wednesday before Troy travels to Colonie to play Christian Brothers Academy in what is supposed to be the season finale this Thursday.
It will be the second time in three weeks that Troy has had to have three matches in as many days, but what can you do? Rescheduling matches on weekends is out because of scheduling conflicts with junior leagues, including the Joe Schmidt Pro-Scoring League, a traveling league whose membership includes a number of Section II bowlers. Two weeks ago, Troy had a daunting three day stretch where they lost all three matches that week. There is nothing that can be done, as these matches are at the mercy of Mother Nature. Troy (5-6) would like to close the season with a win or two, but there are no guarantees, and with the Suburban Council tournament looming on the horizon, there's no way to be sure they'll even finish the league schedule. Stay tuned.
If in fact the match is postponed, it'll be the second straight for Troy, which had a road match at Saratoga wiped out by weather last Thursday. This was because of the Saratoga district's decision to close their schools, after starting with a 2 hour delay. The two teams will try again on Wednesday before Troy travels to Colonie to play Christian Brothers Academy in what is supposed to be the season finale this Thursday.
It will be the second time in three weeks that Troy has had to have three matches in as many days, but what can you do? Rescheduling matches on weekends is out because of scheduling conflicts with junior leagues, including the Joe Schmidt Pro-Scoring League, a traveling league whose membership includes a number of Section II bowlers. Two weeks ago, Troy had a daunting three day stretch where they lost all three matches that week. There is nothing that can be done, as these matches are at the mercy of Mother Nature. Troy (5-6) would like to close the season with a win or two, but there are no guarantees, and with the Suburban Council tournament looming on the horizon, there's no way to be sure they'll even finish the league schedule. Stay tuned.
Sunday, January 27, 2019
News & notes
Whatever momentum Christian Brothers Academy's hockey team had built was broken in a 5-1 loss to Bethlehem on Friday night. Hunter Pemrick, he of the four goal explosion four days earlier vs. Burnt Hills-Ballston Spa, had the lone goal for the Brothers. The Eagles visit LaSalle on Wednesday night, looking to lock out the Cadets.
Tim Flanigan's club put down Burnt Hills-Ballston Spa, 3-1, on Saturday night at Hudson Valley Community College. Jack O'Bryan, D. J. Pauley, & Owen Scannell had the goals for LaSalle. With O'Bryan part of this year's senior class, Scannell, a sophomore, may be groomed as the Cadets' next star goal scorer. Time, however, is running out on LaSalle, which sits in 8th place in the CDHSHL, but because Queensbury, in 3rd place, doesn't take part in the Section II tournament with the rest of the league, the Cadets would otherwise be in 7th place. The disciplinary issues that Flanigan worked so hard to correct the last couple of seasons haven't exactly been a part of the problem, but what is could be a slow adjustment to the rules changes in the league this season. As previously noted, minor penalties, which were 90 seconds a year ago, are now 2 minutes, just like in the pros and college, which means major fouls would be worth 5 minutes in the penalty box.
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LaSalle's basketball team, however, defeated Ichabod Crane, 53-45, on Friday night. Jon Desso's Cadets might not catch Schalmont for the Patriot division title, but they may land a decent seeding in the Class A sectionals next month, which also means a possible date with city rival Troy, which figures to be at or near the top once the seedings come out on February 13.
Add Troy. Stan Hudy, covering the Troy-Saratoga game for The Record/Saratogian, used a Spectrum News interview with Troy coach Greg Davis in order to get a quote from the coach following the Flying Horses' 74-61 win. I've said all along that Troy school superintendent John Carmello's petty vendetta against the hometown paper hurts both sides. I think Hudy recognizes that, and is doing what he can to get around the blackout against his paper(s).
The question I have is, does Carmello have any legal right to bar the hometown paper from covering Troy student-athletes & coaches? Maybe, but this is bordering on discriminatory practice. I've never seen Carmello at any Troy sporting events, and if enough parents knew the score in this case, if he did show up at Zotto Gym or at Ed Picken Field during football/soccer season, he'd be booed mercilessly. At this stage, it's on him to end the embargo, preferably yesterday.
Tim Flanigan's club put down Burnt Hills-Ballston Spa, 3-1, on Saturday night at Hudson Valley Community College. Jack O'Bryan, D. J. Pauley, & Owen Scannell had the goals for LaSalle. With O'Bryan part of this year's senior class, Scannell, a sophomore, may be groomed as the Cadets' next star goal scorer. Time, however, is running out on LaSalle, which sits in 8th place in the CDHSHL, but because Queensbury, in 3rd place, doesn't take part in the Section II tournament with the rest of the league, the Cadets would otherwise be in 7th place. The disciplinary issues that Flanigan worked so hard to correct the last couple of seasons haven't exactly been a part of the problem, but what is could be a slow adjustment to the rules changes in the league this season. As previously noted, minor penalties, which were 90 seconds a year ago, are now 2 minutes, just like in the pros and college, which means major fouls would be worth 5 minutes in the penalty box.
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LaSalle's basketball team, however, defeated Ichabod Crane, 53-45, on Friday night. Jon Desso's Cadets might not catch Schalmont for the Patriot division title, but they may land a decent seeding in the Class A sectionals next month, which also means a possible date with city rival Troy, which figures to be at or near the top once the seedings come out on February 13.
Add Troy. Stan Hudy, covering the Troy-Saratoga game for The Record/Saratogian, used a Spectrum News interview with Troy coach Greg Davis in order to get a quote from the coach following the Flying Horses' 74-61 win. I've said all along that Troy school superintendent John Carmello's petty vendetta against the hometown paper hurts both sides. I think Hudy recognizes that, and is doing what he can to get around the blackout against his paper(s).
The question I have is, does Carmello have any legal right to bar the hometown paper from covering Troy student-athletes & coaches? Maybe, but this is bordering on discriminatory practice. I've never seen Carmello at any Troy sporting events, and if enough parents knew the score in this case, if he did show up at Zotto Gym or at Ed Picken Field during football/soccer season, he'd be booed mercilessly. At this stage, it's on him to end the embargo, preferably yesterday.
Saturday, January 26, 2019
High School Fridays: Friday sports roundup
We'll start by posting the updated Suburban Council boys' basketball standings, courtesy of the Albany Times-Union:
Conference: Suburban Council
Conference: Suburban Council
| Conference | Overall | ||||||
| Team | W | L | PCT | W | L | PCT | |
| Blue Division | |||||||
| Bethlehem | 11 | 0 | 1.000 | 15 | 0 | 1.000 | |
| Saratoga Springs | 9 | 2 | 0.818 | 13 | 2 | 0.867 | |
| Shenendehowa | 9 | 3 | 0.750 | 10 | 5 | 0.667 | |
| CBA | 7 | 4 | 0.636 | 8 | 4 | 0.667 | |
| Colonie | 5 | 6 | 0.455 | 6 | 8 | 0.429 | |
| Niskayuna | 4 | 7 | 0.364 | 6 | 8 | 0.429 | |
| Shaker | 1 | 9 | 0.100 | 2 | 12 | 0.143 | |
| Guilderland | 0 | 11 | 0.000 | 0 | 15 | 0.000 | |
| Gray Division | |||||||
| Troy | 11 | 0 | 1.000 | 12 | 2 | 0.857 | |
| Averill Park | 7 | 5 | 0.583 | 11 | 5 | 0.688 | |
| Columbia | 7 | 5 | 0.583 | 8 | 7 | 0.533 | |
| Ballston Spa | 5 | 6 | 0.455 | 6 | 8 | 0.429 | |
| Schenectady | 4 | 7 | 0.364 | 4 | 8 | 0.333 | |
| Albany | 3 | 7 | 0.300 | 4 | 9 | 0.308 | |
| Burnt Hills | 0 | 11 | 0.000 | 2 | 12 | 0.143 | |
Let's take a look first at the Gray Division. All Troy has to do is beat Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake on Tuesday, and they will clinch their second division title in four years. Last night, Latyce Faison led Troy with 22 points, Jay-Quan Moore added 15, and Nazaire Merritt had 13, as the Flying Horses took down Saratoga, 74-61. Zaveon Little was promoted from the JV's, and had 8 points for Troy. Averill Park fell to Blue division leader Bethlehem, but then, the Eagles are only truly unbeaten team in the league, and it all leads to a heavyweight showdown in two weeks at Zotto Gym. By then, it's assumed both Bethlehem and Troy will have clinched the divisions, and all they'll play for, really, will be seeding in their respective sectional tournaments, which will begin on Valentine's Day. Section II would be stupid not to make Troy a top seed in Class A. Bethlehem now leads Saratoga by two games, 2 1/2 over Shenendehowa, which has played one more league game.
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Unfortunately for the Troy women, the script was reversed, as Saratoga blew the Lady Horses out of Zotto Gym, 72-40. Jenalyse Alarcon had 16 points to lead Troy (6-9 overall), with Jakaiya Dewer adding 11 in a losing effort. Troy has five games left, four in league play, and will still have a respectable record headed into the sectionals. Assuming they take care of business and sweep Burnt Hills, Kingston, & Schenectady over the next 2 1/2 weeks, Troy will finish 9-11 overall (5-11 in the Suburban Council).
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As of press time, Thursday's bowling match between Troy & Saratoga had not been reported to local press. El Cheapo Media may be saving it for Sunday's editions.
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Moving to minor league baseball to end this report. The Tri-City Valleycats have a new manager & coaching staff for 2019. Jason Bell is one and done after leading the Valleycats to their 3rd New York-Penn League title since moving to Troy, and has been promoted to a roving fundamentals instructor for the Houston Astros, which means he will return periodically to help his successor, Ozney Guillen, son of former major league ballplayer & manager (White Sox, Marlins) Ozzie Guillen. Ironically, the White Sox's 2005 World Series win came against-----wait for it-----the Astros, who were still in the National League at the time.
Finally, congratulations to the Yankees' Mariano Rivera, who started his career with the then-Albany-Colonie Yankees (now the Trenton Thunder) in the Eastern League in the early 90's, on being inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. Ceremonies take place July 21 in Cooperstown, and Rivera will join a class that also includes Lee Smith (going in as a Cub), Harold Baines (White Sox), Edgar Martinez (Mariners), Mike Mussina (no logo on cap), and the late Roy Halladay (no logo on cap). Baines & Smith were selected by a separate committee.
It may be the first time the Hall rocks out, if they play Metallica's "Enter Sandman" for Rivera.
It may be the first time the Hall rocks out, if they play Metallica's "Enter Sandman" for Rivera.
Thursday, January 24, 2019
News & notes
Troy High snapped its six match losing streak in bowling on Tuesday, defeating Bethlehem, 24-8. Troy (5-6) was led by Parker Reynolds & Ben Abbas, who each rolled a 608 series at Uncle Sam Lanes. The Flying Horses are at Saratoga today before returning home to face Burnt Hills on Tuesday.
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University at Albany running back Elijah Ibitokun-Hanks announced he was leaving the school, transferring to an as yet unnamed school for his senior season. Ibitokun-Hanks has been plagued by injuries and diminished playing time the last two seasons, and apparently overshadowed by the emergence of Troy grad Dev Holmes at wide receiver. UAlbany will recover from this, to be sure.
On the court, however, the Great Danes suffered another loss in America East play Wednesday night, dropping a 67-66 decision to Stony Brook, one of their biggest rivals. UAlbany's men's team has yet to win a league game this season. Meanwhile, the result went the other way on the women's side, as the Lady Danes won their third straight, beating the Lady Seawolves.
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Wednesday was not a good night for LaSalle, either.
The basketball team dropped a tough one to Mekeel Christian Academy on the road, and, in part one of the hockey Battle of the Cadets, Albany Academy sent LaSalle to its fourth loss in their last five games, 6-4. The two teams will meet again on LaSalle's senior night on February 9. To be sure, Conway Arena at Hudson Valley Community College will be packed.
February 9 also sees a CDHSHL double-dip at Times Union Center. CBA will play the Capital District Jets in the opener at 4 pm, followed by Burnt Hills-Ballston Spa vs. "Guilderville" at 6:15. Even though the fans of CBA have been known to travel well, they won't fill the cavernous TU Center. Not by a longshot.
The scheduling for the CDHSHL this season sees their sectional tournament begin on February 16, not long after the men's & women's basketball tournaments begin. Unless LaSalle can make a run in the final 2 1/2 weeks of the season, they won't be hosting a playoff game this season.
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University at Albany running back Elijah Ibitokun-Hanks announced he was leaving the school, transferring to an as yet unnamed school for his senior season. Ibitokun-Hanks has been plagued by injuries and diminished playing time the last two seasons, and apparently overshadowed by the emergence of Troy grad Dev Holmes at wide receiver. UAlbany will recover from this, to be sure.
On the court, however, the Great Danes suffered another loss in America East play Wednesday night, dropping a 67-66 decision to Stony Brook, one of their biggest rivals. UAlbany's men's team has yet to win a league game this season. Meanwhile, the result went the other way on the women's side, as the Lady Danes won their third straight, beating the Lady Seawolves.
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Wednesday was not a good night for LaSalle, either.
The basketball team dropped a tough one to Mekeel Christian Academy on the road, and, in part one of the hockey Battle of the Cadets, Albany Academy sent LaSalle to its fourth loss in their last five games, 6-4. The two teams will meet again on LaSalle's senior night on February 9. To be sure, Conway Arena at Hudson Valley Community College will be packed.
February 9 also sees a CDHSHL double-dip at Times Union Center. CBA will play the Capital District Jets in the opener at 4 pm, followed by Burnt Hills-Ballston Spa vs. "Guilderville" at 6:15. Even though the fans of CBA have been known to travel well, they won't fill the cavernous TU Center. Not by a longshot.
The scheduling for the CDHSHL this season sees their sectional tournament begin on February 16, not long after the men's & women's basketball tournaments begin. Unless LaSalle can make a run in the final 2 1/2 weeks of the season, they won't be hosting a playoff game this season.
Monday, January 21, 2019
News & notes
Time is running out for Troy High's bowling team. After starting the season hot, winning their first four matches, Troy has lost their last six, and have four remaining:
Tuesday: vs. Bethlehem (Uncle Sam Lanes).
Thursday: @ Saratoga.
January 29: vs. Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake (Uncle Sam).
January 31: @ CBA.
Troy's problem is that this month's schedule was loaded, moreso than it was originally drawn up, as the road match at Guilderland, originally booked for last month, was moved to last week due to weather.
Baby steps. That's all it is now.
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Let's update the Capital District High School Hockey League standings after play today:
Tuesday: vs. Bethlehem (Uncle Sam Lanes).
Thursday: @ Saratoga.
January 29: vs. Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake (Uncle Sam).
January 31: @ CBA.
Troy's problem is that this month's schedule was loaded, moreso than it was originally drawn up, as the road match at Guilderland, originally booked for last month, was moved to last week due to weather.
Baby steps. That's all it is now.
=====================================
Let's update the Capital District High School Hockey League standings after play today:
| Team | GP | Record | Pts | GP | Record | GF | GA | Last 6 | Streak | Win % |
| CDHSHL | ||||||||||
| Bethlehem | 10 | 8-2 | 12 | 15 | 13-2 | 88 | 40 | 5-1 | Won 4 | .867 |
| Queensbury (D2) | 8 | 5-3 | 10 | 14 | 9-5 | 51 | 35 | 3-3 | Won 1 | .643 |
| Burnt Hills/Ballston Spa | 9 | 6-3 | 9 | 13 | 9-4 | 69 | 51 | 4-2 | Lost 1 | .692 |
| CBA | 10 | 6-4 | 8 | 14 | 8-6 | 56 | 47 | 4-2 | Won 3 | .571 |
| Albany Academy | 8 | 6-2 | 8 | 11 | 8-3 | 50 | 28 | 4-2 | Lost 2 | .727 |
| Shenendehowa | 7 | 5-2 | 8 | 14 | 9-4-1 | 50 | 41 | 4-1-1 | Won 2 | .679 |
| Saratoga | 9 | 6-3 | 7 | 14 | 10-4 | 53 | 41 | 5-1 | Lost 1 | .714 |
| La Salle | 10 | 4-6 | 6 | 14 | 5-8-1 | 44 | 50 | 2-4 | Won 1 | .393 |
| Niskayuna/Schenectady/Albany | 10 | 4-5-1 | 5.5 | 14 | 5-8-1 | 36 | 51 | 1-5 | Lost 1 | .393 |
| Guild/Mohon/S-G | 10 | 3-6-1 | 4.5 | 15 | 5-8-2 | 50 | 61 | 2-3-1 | Lost 1 | .400 |
| Adirondack | 8 | 1-7 | 2 | 13 | 2-9-2 | 32 | 61 | 2-3-1 | Lost 2 | .231 |
| Shaker/Colonie | 11 | 0-11 | - | 15 | 0-15 | 19 | 94 | 0-6 | Lost 15 | |
CBA is making noise after blowing out Burnt Hills-Ballston Spa, 7-3, earlier today in a game moved back due to the weekend storm. The Spartan Scotties travel to Troy to play LaSalle on Saturday night.
Meanwhile, Albany Academy, as you can see, has lost two in a row after starting the season hot. Their other squad in the New England Prep School Athletic Conference (NEPSAC) has also lost two in a row, the latest coming today in a matinee. The NEPSAC Cadets are 9-8-2 overall, with a non-league win under their belts. Academy's CDHSHL team opens a four game homestand Wednesday vs. LaSalle.
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Declining interest has led to Troy and CBA, surprisingly, merging their men's swimming & diving teams. The last time Troy merged one of their programs with another school, it was with Columbia in hockey in the early 80's (after current LaSalle coach Tim Flanigan graduated), and it didn't last.
So how have the combined forces fared? Uh, I don't think you want to know. Meaning, they haven't won a meet yet that I know of.
Saturday, January 19, 2019
News & notes
The weather has forced postponement of the Mayor's Cup hockey match between RPI & Union at the Times-Union Center. Both the men's & women's games have been rescheduled for Tuesday, January 29, and tickets purchased for today will be honored on that date.
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As I write, it's a fine, misty snow that is hitting the home district. Even so, the Capital District High School Hockey League saw their Saturday schedule cut in half.
CBA's game vs. Burnt Hills-Ballston Spa has been pushed back to Monday afternoon at 2:30 due to the weather. Adirondack @ "Guilderville" was also postponed, but with no makeup date set as of press time.
Two games were played, however. Queensbury's road game at Union College vs. Niskayuna-Schenectady-Albany was moved up to a 1:45 start, and the Spartans took advantage, beating the hapless Mohawks, 3-0.
LaSalle snapped its three game losing streak in pounding the winless Capital District Jets, 8-0. Coach Tim Flanigan saw fit to give all three of his goaltenders equal time in net while the offense vented some recent frustration in abusing the Jets' netminders. However, LaSalle's next game is Wednesday at Albany Academy in the revival of a classic rivalry. After that, the Spartan Scotties hit town next Saturday night.
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Troy High might've looked sluggish early on last night in beating Niskayuna, and ye scribe feared that it would come back to haunt them today at Kingston.
It did, of course. Nazaire Merritt, held to six points last night, sprang back to life with 25 points in a losing effort, as the Tigers made it three in a row over Troy, dating back to last season, 72-64.
There was some minor controversy in the 4th quarter, per the Kingston Daily Freeman. Troy's Lateef Johnson (15 points) appeared to be fouled as he hit a basket halfway through the final frame, but the officials changed it to a pre-shot foul, meaning Johnson had to shoot a 1-&-1 free throw block. He missed the first free throw, and Kingston held on to win. You have to believe the Troy partisans might think the Tigers benefited from some home cooking. Kingston goes to 12-2, while Troy falls to 11-2 overall (10-0 in the Suburban Council).
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Troy's bowling team has now lost six matches in a row after dropping a 27-5 decision to Niskayuna Thursday at Uncle Sam Lanes. Seems they did peak too soon.
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As I write, it's a fine, misty snow that is hitting the home district. Even so, the Capital District High School Hockey League saw their Saturday schedule cut in half.
CBA's game vs. Burnt Hills-Ballston Spa has been pushed back to Monday afternoon at 2:30 due to the weather. Adirondack @ "Guilderville" was also postponed, but with no makeup date set as of press time.
Two games were played, however. Queensbury's road game at Union College vs. Niskayuna-Schenectady-Albany was moved up to a 1:45 start, and the Spartans took advantage, beating the hapless Mohawks, 3-0.
LaSalle snapped its three game losing streak in pounding the winless Capital District Jets, 8-0. Coach Tim Flanigan saw fit to give all three of his goaltenders equal time in net while the offense vented some recent frustration in abusing the Jets' netminders. However, LaSalle's next game is Wednesday at Albany Academy in the revival of a classic rivalry. After that, the Spartan Scotties hit town next Saturday night.
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Troy High might've looked sluggish early on last night in beating Niskayuna, and ye scribe feared that it would come back to haunt them today at Kingston.
It did, of course. Nazaire Merritt, held to six points last night, sprang back to life with 25 points in a losing effort, as the Tigers made it three in a row over Troy, dating back to last season, 72-64.
There was some minor controversy in the 4th quarter, per the Kingston Daily Freeman. Troy's Lateef Johnson (15 points) appeared to be fouled as he hit a basket halfway through the final frame, but the officials changed it to a pre-shot foul, meaning Johnson had to shoot a 1-&-1 free throw block. He missed the first free throw, and Kingston held on to win. You have to believe the Troy partisans might think the Tigers benefited from some home cooking. Kingston goes to 12-2, while Troy falls to 11-2 overall (10-0 in the Suburban Council).
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Troy's bowling team has now lost six matches in a row after dropping a 27-5 decision to Niskayuna Thursday at Uncle Sam Lanes. Seems they did peak too soon.
Friday, January 18, 2019
High School Fridays: Niskayuna @ Troy (boys basketball), 1/18/19
"Those who fail to remember history are doomed to repeat it."--George Santayana.
There are two reasons why I used this oft-quoted phrase, and both apply to Troy High heading into tonight's boys' basketball game vs. Niskayuna at Zotto Memorial Gym.
1. 10 days ago, the Troy women, perhaps overconfident, thinking they had an easy win, came out flat and lost to Columbia.
2. Twice during football season, the Flying Horses got caught looking ahead, and paid for it with losses to Schalmont and Burnt Hills.
Sophomore Alex Wolfe and junior Makai Cruel were both on the football team this fall, and should've remembered those lessons in order to impart them to their basketball teammates.
Unfortunately, with a revenge game looming in less than 24 hours vs. Kingston, Troy got caught looking ahead again, and it nearly cost them this time vs. the Silver Warriors. Niskayuna took a page from Troy's playbook, and used it against the Horses. The Silver Warriors rained three pointers down on the Troy defense. Ethan St. Lucia and Richie Quinn had four of those treys between them. Still, Troy was only down one at the break.
On a night where Nazaire Merritt had been held to a season low six points, Latyce Faison continued his hot shooting, and the Silver Warriors didn't have any answers for him. Faison hit from virtually everywhere, and finished with a game high 23 points. Quinn finished with 11 before fouling out in the fourth quarter. Nick Benton led Nisky with 16 points, most of them in the second half. Troy took control in the third quarter, but had to hold on for a 55-48 win. Lateef Johnson had 13 points to back up Faison.
As noted, Troy has a matinee in Kingston tomorrow, and should be back home before the snow hits town. After that, the Horses will be in Saratoga next Friday. Tomorrow's game starts a stretch where Troy plays five of their last eight games on the road. This includes a newly added non league game with Colonial Council Liberty division leader Schalmont on February 2.
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Unfortunately for the Troy women, their struggles continued, as they dropped a 63-40 decision to Niskayuna. Olivia Olsen had a game high 21 points for the winners. Alaina Holmes led Troy with 16 points, while Jenalyse Alarcon had 11. Troy trailed by three at the break, but were outscored 31-11 in the second half, 17-1 in the fourth quarter. Ouch!
The Lady Horses' rematch vs. Kingston has been moved back a week to February 9, per Schedule Galaxy. No reason for the change, though security scheduling may have something to do with it, seeing as how the boys will be on the road for an early evening game on the 2nd, the original date for the Kingston-Troy rematch.
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The oddity of the day wasn't on the court, but, rather, on your television.
Spectrum News sports director Marisa Jacques is filling in this evening for PM anchor Solomon Syed. Weekend sports anchor Jesse MacWilliam is anchoring Sports Night. Don't know if this is a 1-shot, or an audition for a promotion for the Catholic Central grad. Speaking of Catholic Central, they finally got around to dedicating the basketball court in honor of former CCHS & Troy coach Don Bassett, now an assistant to UAlbany coach Will Brown. The court had been rechristened Coach Bassett Court earlier in the season, but this week, they made it official.
There are two reasons why I used this oft-quoted phrase, and both apply to Troy High heading into tonight's boys' basketball game vs. Niskayuna at Zotto Memorial Gym.
1. 10 days ago, the Troy women, perhaps overconfident, thinking they had an easy win, came out flat and lost to Columbia.
2. Twice during football season, the Flying Horses got caught looking ahead, and paid for it with losses to Schalmont and Burnt Hills.
Sophomore Alex Wolfe and junior Makai Cruel were both on the football team this fall, and should've remembered those lessons in order to impart them to their basketball teammates.
Unfortunately, with a revenge game looming in less than 24 hours vs. Kingston, Troy got caught looking ahead again, and it nearly cost them this time vs. the Silver Warriors. Niskayuna took a page from Troy's playbook, and used it against the Horses. The Silver Warriors rained three pointers down on the Troy defense. Ethan St. Lucia and Richie Quinn had four of those treys between them. Still, Troy was only down one at the break.
On a night where Nazaire Merritt had been held to a season low six points, Latyce Faison continued his hot shooting, and the Silver Warriors didn't have any answers for him. Faison hit from virtually everywhere, and finished with a game high 23 points. Quinn finished with 11 before fouling out in the fourth quarter. Nick Benton led Nisky with 16 points, most of them in the second half. Troy took control in the third quarter, but had to hold on for a 55-48 win. Lateef Johnson had 13 points to back up Faison.
As noted, Troy has a matinee in Kingston tomorrow, and should be back home before the snow hits town. After that, the Horses will be in Saratoga next Friday. Tomorrow's game starts a stretch where Troy plays five of their last eight games on the road. This includes a newly added non league game with Colonial Council Liberty division leader Schalmont on February 2.
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Unfortunately for the Troy women, their struggles continued, as they dropped a 63-40 decision to Niskayuna. Olivia Olsen had a game high 21 points for the winners. Alaina Holmes led Troy with 16 points, while Jenalyse Alarcon had 11. Troy trailed by three at the break, but were outscored 31-11 in the second half, 17-1 in the fourth quarter. Ouch!
The Lady Horses' rematch vs. Kingston has been moved back a week to February 9, per Schedule Galaxy. No reason for the change, though security scheduling may have something to do with it, seeing as how the boys will be on the road for an early evening game on the 2nd, the original date for the Kingston-Troy rematch.
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The oddity of the day wasn't on the court, but, rather, on your television.
Spectrum News sports director Marisa Jacques is filling in this evening for PM anchor Solomon Syed. Weekend sports anchor Jesse MacWilliam is anchoring Sports Night. Don't know if this is a 1-shot, or an audition for a promotion for the Catholic Central grad. Speaking of Catholic Central, they finally got around to dedicating the basketball court in honor of former CCHS & Troy coach Don Bassett, now an assistant to UAlbany coach Will Brown. The court had been rechristened Coach Bassett Court earlier in the season, but this week, they made it official.
A few words to the wise
To follow up from yesterday, the Troy-Kingston boys basketball game, originally scheduled for Sunday, has been moved up to tomorrow due to the pending storm. Varsity tip time is now set for approximately 11:30 am, as the JV game is scheduled for 10 am. The freshman game has been postponed and will be rescheduled at a later date.
However, as of press time, the updated information had not been submitted to Troy's page at Schedule Galaxy, which still has the game booked for Sunday.
Across town, at LaSalle, the hockey game between the Cadets and the Capital District Jets, originally set for 7:15 Saturday night, has been moved up to 1 pm, and the school's annual alumni game, scheduled for 1, has been postponed to a later date to be determined.
Per the Albany Times-Union, the Zero Galaxy North South Basketball showcase will go on as planned in Albany, and they are planning on getting at least four out of the seven games scheduled in before the snow hits. Latest forecast as of this morning says that a winter storm warning will be in effect for the entire area beginning at 4 pm Saturday afternoon. Any games that have to be postponed will be rescheduled for the Armory, but the ticket prices will stay the same.and ticket holders for Saturday who plan on only attending the later games (i.e. Albany Academy vs. Green Tech), can use the tickets on the make-up date.
However, as of press time, the updated information had not been submitted to Troy's page at Schedule Galaxy, which still has the game booked for Sunday.
Across town, at LaSalle, the hockey game between the Cadets and the Capital District Jets, originally set for 7:15 Saturday night, has been moved up to 1 pm, and the school's annual alumni game, scheduled for 1, has been postponed to a later date to be determined.
Per the Albany Times-Union, the Zero Galaxy North South Basketball showcase will go on as planned in Albany, and they are planning on getting at least four out of the seven games scheduled in before the snow hits. Latest forecast as of this morning says that a winter storm warning will be in effect for the entire area beginning at 4 pm Saturday afternoon. Any games that have to be postponed will be rescheduled for the Armory, but the ticket prices will stay the same.and ticket holders for Saturday who plan on only attending the later games (i.e. Albany Academy vs. Green Tech), can use the tickets on the make-up date.
Thursday, January 17, 2019
News & notes
With regard to a major winter snowstorm due to hit New York on Saturday night, Troy High & Kingston have agreed to move their boys' basketball game up a day. Originally scheduled for a 3 pm tip on Sunday, the game now will be played on Saturday, but as of now, the game time has not been set per Troy High's Twitter account, accessible on the school webpage.
This means Troy now will play games on back-to-back days for the 2nd time this season, the last being last month's Gilooly Memorial tournament at Catholic Central.
Meanwhile, Kingston's road game at Schenectady, which was to take place last night, has not been reported to any media outlets as of press time.
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It's starting to feel like 2015 again for LaSalle's hockey team.
Tim Flanigan's skating Cadets dropped their third in a row, and fifth in their last six, counting the Mohawks tournament, absorbing a 5-0 shutout at Shenendehowa last night. The Plainsmen completed the regular season sweep, having won last month at Hudson Valley Community College. Weather permitting, the Cadets will be back home Saturday night to entertain the Capital District Jets.
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It looks as though Saratoga will not repeat as Suburban Council Blue division champions in boys' basketball this season. The Blue Streaks fell to Bethlehem Tuesday night to fall from the ranks of the unbeaten, leaving the Eagles as the only undefeated team left in the league. The momentum must've carried over to the ice, as Bethlehem beat Saratoga in hockey last night, too.
Anyway, Saratoga's men's hoops team will play Schenectady Friday night, then host Troy a week later.
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Troy's bowling team has hit the skids. The Flying Horses have dropped five straight matches, the latest to Guilderland yesterday in a makeup date from last month. Today, Troy hosts Niskayuna at Uncle Sam Lanes.
This means Troy now will play games on back-to-back days for the 2nd time this season, the last being last month's Gilooly Memorial tournament at Catholic Central.
Meanwhile, Kingston's road game at Schenectady, which was to take place last night, has not been reported to any media outlets as of press time.
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It's starting to feel like 2015 again for LaSalle's hockey team.
Tim Flanigan's skating Cadets dropped their third in a row, and fifth in their last six, counting the Mohawks tournament, absorbing a 5-0 shutout at Shenendehowa last night. The Plainsmen completed the regular season sweep, having won last month at Hudson Valley Community College. Weather permitting, the Cadets will be back home Saturday night to entertain the Capital District Jets.
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It looks as though Saratoga will not repeat as Suburban Council Blue division champions in boys' basketball this season. The Blue Streaks fell to Bethlehem Tuesday night to fall from the ranks of the unbeaten, leaving the Eagles as the only undefeated team left in the league. The momentum must've carried over to the ice, as Bethlehem beat Saratoga in hockey last night, too.
Anyway, Saratoga's men's hoops team will play Schenectady Friday night, then host Troy a week later.
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Troy's bowling team has hit the skids. The Flying Horses have dropped five straight matches, the latest to Guilderland yesterday in a makeup date from last month. Today, Troy hosts Niskayuna at Uncle Sam Lanes.
Tuesday, January 15, 2019
Tuesday roundup
The more things change, the more they stay the same between Troy High & Averill Park.
Since entering the Suburban Council in 2015, Troy's boys' basketball team has owned the Warriors in much the same way the Averill Park women have dominated Troy's women.
Tonight was no different. With the games running concurrently for a change due to concerns about weather prompting the boys' game at Zotto Gym to start an hour earlier than normal, the Averill Park women ran their current winning streak over Troy to five in a row, limiting the Lady Horses to just 5 points combined in the 2nd & 3rd quarters en route to a 70-35 rout. Troy (3-7 league, 6-7 overall) saw their two game overall winning streak come to an end, as Jenalyse Alarcon was the lone Trojan in double figures with 10 points. Kelsey Wood led all scorers with 27 points to lead the Lady Warriors (8-3 league).
Meanwhile, in Troy, it was the other way around. Latyce Faison led Troy with 20 points, and Nazaire Merritt added 17, as Troy handed Dave Pugilese's Warriors another loss, 54-44. Troy (9-0, 10-1) sent Averill Park back into a 2nd place tie in the Gray division with Columbia, which snapped a 2 game losing streak in beating Schenectady, 74-73. The Patriots have now lost four in a row, and it's not going to get any easier, not when they have to host Kingston tomorrow, and play Saratoga on Friday. Schenectady is now 5 games behind Troy, and falling fast.
Troy hosts Niskayuna on Friday----weather permitting---before heading to Kingston themselves on Sunday.
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With snow in the forecast for Friday & Saturday, please check with your schools to see if your team is playing as scheduled on those days. The Saturday storm is supposed to hit in the late afternoon, which could impact LaSalle's hockey match at Hudson Valley Community College vs. the Capital District Jets. Other options include checking www.schedulegalaxy.com, and finding your school's link there, or league sites such as the Colonial Council.
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Albany Times-Union columnist James Allen had a feature piece today on Catholic Central junior sharpshooter Jackson Brown. Seems basketball is in the kid's blood for a good reason. His father is UAlbany men's coach Will Brown, whose Great Danes are struggling. Anyone care to guess where Jackson will play his college ball in 2021?
Methinks Coach Brown is a music fan, and named his son after singer-songwriter Jackson Browne.
Since entering the Suburban Council in 2015, Troy's boys' basketball team has owned the Warriors in much the same way the Averill Park women have dominated Troy's women.
Tonight was no different. With the games running concurrently for a change due to concerns about weather prompting the boys' game at Zotto Gym to start an hour earlier than normal, the Averill Park women ran their current winning streak over Troy to five in a row, limiting the Lady Horses to just 5 points combined in the 2nd & 3rd quarters en route to a 70-35 rout. Troy (3-7 league, 6-7 overall) saw their two game overall winning streak come to an end, as Jenalyse Alarcon was the lone Trojan in double figures with 10 points. Kelsey Wood led all scorers with 27 points to lead the Lady Warriors (8-3 league).
Meanwhile, in Troy, it was the other way around. Latyce Faison led Troy with 20 points, and Nazaire Merritt added 17, as Troy handed Dave Pugilese's Warriors another loss, 54-44. Troy (9-0, 10-1) sent Averill Park back into a 2nd place tie in the Gray division with Columbia, which snapped a 2 game losing streak in beating Schenectady, 74-73. The Patriots have now lost four in a row, and it's not going to get any easier, not when they have to host Kingston tomorrow, and play Saratoga on Friday. Schenectady is now 5 games behind Troy, and falling fast.
Troy hosts Niskayuna on Friday----weather permitting---before heading to Kingston themselves on Sunday.
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With snow in the forecast for Friday & Saturday, please check with your schools to see if your team is playing as scheduled on those days. The Saturday storm is supposed to hit in the late afternoon, which could impact LaSalle's hockey match at Hudson Valley Community College vs. the Capital District Jets. Other options include checking www.schedulegalaxy.com, and finding your school's link there, or league sites such as the Colonial Council.
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Albany Times-Union columnist James Allen had a feature piece today on Catholic Central junior sharpshooter Jackson Brown. Seems basketball is in the kid's blood for a good reason. His father is UAlbany men's coach Will Brown, whose Great Danes are struggling. Anyone care to guess where Jackson will play his college ball in 2021?
Methinks Coach Brown is a music fan, and named his son after singer-songwriter Jackson Browne.
Monday, January 14, 2019
News & notes
In anticipation of possible inclement weather late Tuesday, Troy High has moved up the starting times for their men's basketball games vs. Averill Park. The junior varsity match, which normally tips around 5:30, will start an hour earlier at 4:30, and the varsity game, advertised for 7 pm, but rarely starts on time (figure a 15-20 minute delay if the JV game runs long), will tip around 6 or 6:15. Have to imagine the women's games at Averill Park are on the same schedule, and we'll see if other schools in Section II will follow suit, depending on location.
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When Section II has all-day sectional tournament play, tickets are $6 for the whole day. When another sponsor gets involved, the wallets take a hit.
Over the next two weekends, several Section II boys teams will be participating in the Zero Gravity Slam North South Classic. Day 1 will be at the Washington Avenue Armory on Saturday morning, starting at 11 am, leading up to the headline game of the evening, Green Tech vs. Albany Academy, scheduled for an 8 pm tip.
Here's the lineup, courtesy of the Daily Gazette:
Tickets are $6 in advance for students ($8 day of the event) and $10 for adults ($12 day of the event). This is to pay Zero Gravity's sponsorship fee. The organizers are planning a women's showcase next year, but I think that all depends on how well the event draws at each venue.
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When Section II has all-day sectional tournament play, tickets are $6 for the whole day. When another sponsor gets involved, the wallets take a hit.
Over the next two weekends, several Section II boys teams will be participating in the Zero Gravity Slam North South Classic. Day 1 will be at the Washington Avenue Armory on Saturday morning, starting at 11 am, leading up to the headline game of the evening, Green Tech vs. Albany Academy, scheduled for an 8 pm tip.
Here's the lineup, courtesy of the Daily Gazette:
January 19
Washington Avenue Armory, Albany
Schalmont vs. Cobleskill-Richmondville, 11 a.m.
Watervliet vs. Mekeel Christian Academy, 12:30 p.m.
Guilderland vs. Shaker, 2 p.m.
Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake vs. Catholic Central, 3:30 p.m.
Hoosick Falls vs. Maple Hill, 5 p.m.
Glens Falls vs. Gloversville, 6:30 p.m.
Albany Academy at Green Tech, 8 p.m.
January 27
Cool Insuring Arena, Glens Falls
Hoosic Valley vs. Oppenheim-Ephratah-St. Johnsville, 11 a.m.
Stillwater vs. Cohoes, 12:30 p.m.
Green Tech vs. Shenendehowa, 2 p.m.
Albany Academy vs. Park School, 3:30 p.m.
Hoosick Falls vs. Lake George, 5 p.m.
Glens Falls vs. Amsterdam, 6:30 p.m.
I'm sorry, but the organizers have to be beyond stupid to not allow for an intermission between games or account for the prospect of overtime in each game. Section II has had that same problem during sectionals for years, although steps were taken last year to alleviate that issue.
Tickets are $6 in advance for students ($8 day of the event) and $10 for adults ($12 day of the event). This is to pay Zero Gravity's sponsorship fee. The organizers are planning a women's showcase next year, but I think that all depends on how well the event draws at each venue.
Glens Falls' senior superstar, Joseph Girard III, gets the main event slot in front of the home fans, and the co-feature in Albany. Albany Academy will get a rematch against Park School, the team that beat them in the Federation tournament last March, at Glens Falls. As much as ye scribe wants to be in Albany on Saturday, I'll save my energy for hockey later that night.
Saturday, January 12, 2019
This one's for the Vets (Saratoga @ LaSalle, 1/12/19)
LaSalle Institute hosted the 2nd annual Cadets For Vets event at a jam-packed Conway Arena on the Hudson Valley Community College campus tonight, with the skating Cadets seeking to avenge a heart-wrenching overtime loss to Saratoga on Wednesday night.
After a scoreless first period, Saratoga's Michael Montague netted the first goal of the game in the second, jamming it past Leo Paul to give the Blue Streaks a 1-0 lead. Saratoga netminder Brad Blake kept the Cadets off the scoreboard, with plenty of help from his defense. Saratoga carried a 2-0 lead into the third period, and just a couple of minutes into the final frame, Will Detora whistled one past Paul to increase the lead to 3-0.
Back came LaSalle. Sebastian Geiger ended the scoring drought, one-timing a laser past Blake to cut the deficit to 3-1. Less than three minutes later, Nic Pauley banked one past Blake to make it a one goal game. The goal was initially credited to Jack O'Bryan, but the scoring was corrected after the game. Saratoga put the game away with two goals by junior forward Joe Amodio, including an empty netter with a minute left, and completed the regular season sweep of the Cadets, 5-2.
The real winners, however, were the veterans who were in attendance, treated to an entertaining game, regardless of who won.
Revenge is still on LaSalle's agenda, as they'll travel to Clifton Park Wednesday to play Shenendehowa. The Plainsmen are coming off a win over Albany Academy on Thursday night, which ensured there would not be an undefeated team in the CDHSHL this season. Academy fell to third place in terms of points entering play tonight. Burnt Hills-Ballston Spa is now all alone in first after beating Shen, 3-0, earlier tonight. LaSalle returns to Conway Arena next Saturday to play the Capital District Jets.
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Other stuff: Troy High's women's basketball team improved to 3-0 in non-conference play with a 53-45 upset of Kingston earlier today. Jenalyse Alarcon led Troy with 14 points, while Jakaiya Dewer added 12. Troy, now 6-6 overall, continues the road trip Tuesday at arch rival Averill Park, and will welcome Kingston on February 2 for the rematch.
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The Albany Patroons opened play in The Basketball League, formerly the North American Premier Basketball League, Friday with a win over Jamestown. Tonight, they had their home opener at the venerable Washington Avenue Armory, and crushed the New York Court Kings, 154-94.
After a scoreless first period, Saratoga's Michael Montague netted the first goal of the game in the second, jamming it past Leo Paul to give the Blue Streaks a 1-0 lead. Saratoga netminder Brad Blake kept the Cadets off the scoreboard, with plenty of help from his defense. Saratoga carried a 2-0 lead into the third period, and just a couple of minutes into the final frame, Will Detora whistled one past Paul to increase the lead to 3-0.
Back came LaSalle. Sebastian Geiger ended the scoring drought, one-timing a laser past Blake to cut the deficit to 3-1. Less than three minutes later, Nic Pauley banked one past Blake to make it a one goal game. The goal was initially credited to Jack O'Bryan, but the scoring was corrected after the game. Saratoga put the game away with two goals by junior forward Joe Amodio, including an empty netter with a minute left, and completed the regular season sweep of the Cadets, 5-2.
The real winners, however, were the veterans who were in attendance, treated to an entertaining game, regardless of who won.
Revenge is still on LaSalle's agenda, as they'll travel to Clifton Park Wednesday to play Shenendehowa. The Plainsmen are coming off a win over Albany Academy on Thursday night, which ensured there would not be an undefeated team in the CDHSHL this season. Academy fell to third place in terms of points entering play tonight. Burnt Hills-Ballston Spa is now all alone in first after beating Shen, 3-0, earlier tonight. LaSalle returns to Conway Arena next Saturday to play the Capital District Jets.
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Other stuff: Troy High's women's basketball team improved to 3-0 in non-conference play with a 53-45 upset of Kingston earlier today. Jenalyse Alarcon led Troy with 14 points, while Jakaiya Dewer added 12. Troy, now 6-6 overall, continues the road trip Tuesday at arch rival Averill Park, and will welcome Kingston on February 2 for the rematch.
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The Albany Patroons opened play in The Basketball League, formerly the North American Premier Basketball League, Friday with a win over Jamestown. Tonight, they had their home opener at the venerable Washington Avenue Armory, and crushed the New York Court Kings, 154-94.
Friday, January 11, 2019
High School Fridays: Basketball roundup, 1/11/19
The weather was cold enough tonight, such that ye scribe decided to work from home and hearth, awaiting results of tonight's action. We'll be back out on the road tomorrow.
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Perhaps the biggest mismatch of the night came in a non-conference game between Ballston Spa (Suburban Council) and Mekeel Christian Academy, formerly of the Western Athletic Conference, but now, per the Albany Times-Union, seemingly playing a more independent schedule, following the lead of Albany Academy and Green Tech.
The Lions dominated the Scotties in much the same way a Division 1 college team---say, for example, Duke or Syracuse---would with a tomato can opponent from a mid-major or lower conference. Mekeel led by 40 at halftime, and blew away Ballston Spa, 80-28. Ouch!
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Back at home, Troy High's women's basketball team snapped their Suburban Council losing streak, gaining some momentum toward a three game road trip that begins tomorrow in Kingston. Alaina Holmes led all scorers with 20 points. Jenalyse Alarcon had 16, and Jakaiya Dewer had 10, including the only three pointer for Troy on the night, as the Lady Horses beat Schenectady, 55-45.
Of the next five games on the schedule, two look winnable (Niskayuna next Friday, and the rematch with Burnt Hills on January 29), but as we saw with Columbia on Tuesday, nothing is guaranteed with the Troy women.
Meanwhile, the Troy men continued to roll with a 90-73 win over Schenectady. The Patriots drop to 4-4 in the league, four games behind Troy with a rematch looming at Zotto Gym next month. Latyce Faison led all scorers with 22 points. Nazaire Merritt & Lateef Johnson added 19 each. Troy will be home for Averill Park and Nisky next week before a road trip to Kingston & Saratoga, with mid-term exams in between.
The wheels seem to have suddenly fallen off for Columbia, which has now dropped two in a row after losing to Averill Park tonight. The task ahead for Dave Pugilese's Warriors come Tuesday is figuring out how to slow down the Flying Horse Express. Coach Greg Davis has plenty of weapons, perhaps more firepower than Pugilese knows how to handle. We'll see. Columbia has fallen to third place in the Gray division, two games behind Troy.
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Perhaps the biggest mismatch of the night came in a non-conference game between Ballston Spa (Suburban Council) and Mekeel Christian Academy, formerly of the Western Athletic Conference, but now, per the Albany Times-Union, seemingly playing a more independent schedule, following the lead of Albany Academy and Green Tech.
The Lions dominated the Scotties in much the same way a Division 1 college team---say, for example, Duke or Syracuse---would with a tomato can opponent from a mid-major or lower conference. Mekeel led by 40 at halftime, and blew away Ballston Spa, 80-28. Ouch!
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Back at home, Troy High's women's basketball team snapped their Suburban Council losing streak, gaining some momentum toward a three game road trip that begins tomorrow in Kingston. Alaina Holmes led all scorers with 20 points. Jenalyse Alarcon had 16, and Jakaiya Dewer had 10, including the only three pointer for Troy on the night, as the Lady Horses beat Schenectady, 55-45.
Of the next five games on the schedule, two look winnable (Niskayuna next Friday, and the rematch with Burnt Hills on January 29), but as we saw with Columbia on Tuesday, nothing is guaranteed with the Troy women.
Meanwhile, the Troy men continued to roll with a 90-73 win over Schenectady. The Patriots drop to 4-4 in the league, four games behind Troy with a rematch looming at Zotto Gym next month. Latyce Faison led all scorers with 22 points. Nazaire Merritt & Lateef Johnson added 19 each. Troy will be home for Averill Park and Nisky next week before a road trip to Kingston & Saratoga, with mid-term exams in between.
The wheels seem to have suddenly fallen off for Columbia, which has now dropped two in a row after losing to Averill Park tonight. The task ahead for Dave Pugilese's Warriors come Tuesday is figuring out how to slow down the Flying Horse Express. Coach Greg Davis has plenty of weapons, perhaps more firepower than Pugilese knows how to handle. We'll see. Columbia has fallen to third place in the Gray division, two games behind Troy.
Thursday, January 10, 2019
Mid-week roundup
Has Troy High's bowling team already peaked this season?
The Flying Horses dropped their second straight match, this one to Columbia, 30-2, on Tuesday. The schedule is a little more challenging next week, as Troy will have three matches in as many days. Their match vs. Guilderland was, in fact, postponed last month due to weather, and has been rescheduled for January 16.
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Troy's women's basketball team may have taken Columbia too lightly Tuesday, and it cost them. Ryan Meikle's club dropped its 5th straight league game, 47-41. Alexis Van Vorst led all scorers with 20 points to lead the way for Columbia. Juliana Valenti led Troy with 13 points, while Alaina Holmes & Jenalyse Alarcon each had 10.
Meanwhile, the Troy boys continue to roll merrily along, as they beat Columbia, 73-64. Nazaire Merritt led Troy with 24 points, and Latyce Faison added 17. Dylan Ouimette had a game high 26 points for Columbia, while Cooper Zwanka added 20 in the losing effort.
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When LaSalle & Saratoga get together on the ice, you're assured of a low-scoring, defensive battle, and that's what happened Wednesday night, as the Blue Streaks needed overtime to beat the Cadets, 2-1. Jack O'Bryan had the lone goal for LaSalle. The two teams meet again Saturday night in Troy.
LaSalle's basketball team also went to overtime on the road, but the result was a happier one for Jon Desso's Cadets, as they beat in-city rival Catholic Central, 55-54. As of press time, this result had not been submitted to the Albany Times-Union's website.
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The way local television frames Atlanta Hawks highlights around Shen alum Kevin Huerter, you'd think they'd be contending. Nope. The Hawks are likely a lottery team again at the end of the season. Huerter had 14 points and 10 rebounds for his first pro double-double, but it wasn't enough in a loss to Brooklyn.
The Flying Horses dropped their second straight match, this one to Columbia, 30-2, on Tuesday. The schedule is a little more challenging next week, as Troy will have three matches in as many days. Their match vs. Guilderland was, in fact, postponed last month due to weather, and has been rescheduled for January 16.
============================================
Troy's women's basketball team may have taken Columbia too lightly Tuesday, and it cost them. Ryan Meikle's club dropped its 5th straight league game, 47-41. Alexis Van Vorst led all scorers with 20 points to lead the way for Columbia. Juliana Valenti led Troy with 13 points, while Alaina Holmes & Jenalyse Alarcon each had 10.
Meanwhile, the Troy boys continue to roll merrily along, as they beat Columbia, 73-64. Nazaire Merritt led Troy with 24 points, and Latyce Faison added 17. Dylan Ouimette had a game high 26 points for Columbia, while Cooper Zwanka added 20 in the losing effort.
===============================================
When LaSalle & Saratoga get together on the ice, you're assured of a low-scoring, defensive battle, and that's what happened Wednesday night, as the Blue Streaks needed overtime to beat the Cadets, 2-1. Jack O'Bryan had the lone goal for LaSalle. The two teams meet again Saturday night in Troy.
LaSalle's basketball team also went to overtime on the road, but the result was a happier one for Jon Desso's Cadets, as they beat in-city rival Catholic Central, 55-54. As of press time, this result had not been submitted to the Albany Times-Union's website.
==================================================
The way local television frames Atlanta Hawks highlights around Shen alum Kevin Huerter, you'd think they'd be contending. Nope. The Hawks are likely a lottery team again at the end of the season. Huerter had 14 points and 10 rebounds for his first pro double-double, but it wasn't enough in a loss to Brooklyn.
Monday, January 7, 2019
News & notes
LaSalle's hockey team returned to Union College Saturday night, and shut out Niskayuna-Schenectady-Albany, 3-0. The Mohawks haven't beaten LaSalle in quite a while, it seems. The Cadets will play a home & home series with Saratoga this week, as they'll visit the Spa City on Wednesday, and the Blue Streaks will return the favor for the 2nd annual Cadets For Vets event on Saturday night. Conway Arena was packed last year for the inaugural Cadets For Vets, and the house will be rockin' again.
===================================
We have to give Stan Hudy (& The Blowfish) of The Record/Saratogian some points for creativity.
Covering Friday's Troy-Shen men's basketball game, Hudy, realizing he can't talk directly to the Troy players & coaches, decided to wait until well after the game was over, and collected a sound byte of an interview Troy coach Greg Davis gave to WTEN/WXXA, before filing his report, which appeared in Sunday's editions. Have to believe sports editor "Average" Joe Boyle has been hearing it from the Troy faithful about the ongoing standoff between The Record and Troy schools superintendent John Carmello, whose heavy handed, stubborn approach to this conflict reminds us of a certain bloviator in the White House.
Your move, Mr. Carmello.
=====================================
Speaking of Troy High, we know the men's & women's basketball teams have been trending in different directions this season. Nothing new there. With the Troy boys undefeated in Suburban Council play, the question becomes one of whether or not they'll run the table and win their 2nd Gray division title in four years. Well, let's take a look at the schedule:
January 8: @ Columbia.
January 11: @ Schenectady.
January 15: Averill Park.
January 18: Niskayuna.
January 20: @ Kingston.
January 25: @ Saratoga.
January 29: Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake.
February 1: @ Christian Brothers Academy (Colonie).
February 5: @ Albany.
February 8: Bethlehem.
February 12: Schenectady (Senior night/regular season finale).
This much we know. Columbia & Averill Park are much improved from last season. As noted last time, Blue Devils coach Curt Sankey, a former Troy star, is looking for his first win against his alma mater. Kingston swept Troy in a home & home series last season, and won the Lansingburgh Thanksgiving tournament in November. Troy has had CBA's number at Ned McGraw Gym in recent years, so that's not a guaranteed loss anymore. Bethlehem is undefeated, and sits atop the Suburban Council's Blue division along with Saratoga. Schenectady is no pushover, either, and is two years removed from a division title of their own. It will be news if Columbia and/or AP beats Troy.
Projected finish: No, they won't run the table, but they won't lose the division, either. The in-league winning streak will end with Bethlehem, which swept Lansingburgh in a home & home series earlier this season, and have their best player, Michael Ortale, healthy. I see them finishing the league slate 15-1, and will finish 15-3 overall (conceding the Kingston game).
As for the women, they will have a home & home with Kingston starting Saturday afternoon on the road. The Lady Tigers will be in town on February 2. First year coach Ryan Meikle's club has nine league games left, and has already lost to Albany on the road. The remaining schedule:
January 8: Columbia.
January 11: Schenectady.
January 12: @ Kingston.
January 15: @ Averill Park.
January 18: @ Niskayuna.
January 25: Saratoga.
January 28: @ Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake. Troy's already beaten the Lady Spartans this season.
February 2: Kingston.
February 5: Albany (senior night).
February 8: @ Bethlehem.
February 12: @ Schenectady (regular season finale).
The 4-5 (2-5 league) Lady Horses should have a couple of breathers before playing Kingston to get them back on track. The Lady Devils are not what they once were. Troy wouldn't mind finally breaking the hexes AP & Albany have on them, but I don't see it.
Projected finish: 6-10 (league). Figure they will have issues with Kingston, as well, and finish 8-12 overall.
Of course, I could be wrong.
===================================
We have to give Stan Hudy (& The Blowfish) of The Record/Saratogian some points for creativity.
Covering Friday's Troy-Shen men's basketball game, Hudy, realizing he can't talk directly to the Troy players & coaches, decided to wait until well after the game was over, and collected a sound byte of an interview Troy coach Greg Davis gave to WTEN/WXXA, before filing his report, which appeared in Sunday's editions. Have to believe sports editor "Average" Joe Boyle has been hearing it from the Troy faithful about the ongoing standoff between The Record and Troy schools superintendent John Carmello, whose heavy handed, stubborn approach to this conflict reminds us of a certain bloviator in the White House.
Your move, Mr. Carmello.
=====================================
Speaking of Troy High, we know the men's & women's basketball teams have been trending in different directions this season. Nothing new there. With the Troy boys undefeated in Suburban Council play, the question becomes one of whether or not they'll run the table and win their 2nd Gray division title in four years. Well, let's take a look at the schedule:
January 8: @ Columbia.
January 11: @ Schenectady.
January 15: Averill Park.
January 18: Niskayuna.
January 20: @ Kingston.
January 25: @ Saratoga.
January 29: Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake.
February 1: @ Christian Brothers Academy (Colonie).
February 5: @ Albany.
February 8: Bethlehem.
February 12: Schenectady (Senior night/regular season finale).
This much we know. Columbia & Averill Park are much improved from last season. As noted last time, Blue Devils coach Curt Sankey, a former Troy star, is looking for his first win against his alma mater. Kingston swept Troy in a home & home series last season, and won the Lansingburgh Thanksgiving tournament in November. Troy has had CBA's number at Ned McGraw Gym in recent years, so that's not a guaranteed loss anymore. Bethlehem is undefeated, and sits atop the Suburban Council's Blue division along with Saratoga. Schenectady is no pushover, either, and is two years removed from a division title of their own. It will be news if Columbia and/or AP beats Troy.
Projected finish: No, they won't run the table, but they won't lose the division, either. The in-league winning streak will end with Bethlehem, which swept Lansingburgh in a home & home series earlier this season, and have their best player, Michael Ortale, healthy. I see them finishing the league slate 15-1, and will finish 15-3 overall (conceding the Kingston game).
As for the women, they will have a home & home with Kingston starting Saturday afternoon on the road. The Lady Tigers will be in town on February 2. First year coach Ryan Meikle's club has nine league games left, and has already lost to Albany on the road. The remaining schedule:
January 8: Columbia.
January 11: Schenectady.
January 12: @ Kingston.
January 15: @ Averill Park.
January 18: @ Niskayuna.
January 25: Saratoga.
January 28: @ Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake. Troy's already beaten the Lady Spartans this season.
February 2: Kingston.
February 5: Albany (senior night).
February 8: @ Bethlehem.
February 12: @ Schenectady (regular season finale).
The 4-5 (2-5 league) Lady Horses should have a couple of breathers before playing Kingston to get them back on track. The Lady Devils are not what they once were. Troy wouldn't mind finally breaking the hexes AP & Albany have on them, but I don't see it.
Projected finish: 6-10 (league). Figure they will have issues with Kingston, as well, and finish 8-12 overall.
Of course, I could be wrong.
Saturday, January 5, 2019
News & notes
Time to take a look at college hockey for a change.
Union College is playing in the Three Rivers Classic in Pittsburgh, and the Dutchmen, nearly five years removed from a national title, made a big statement Friday night, upsetting top ranked St. Cloud State, 7-2. That will get Union some attention nationally, to be sure.
On the other hand, RPI dropped a 3-2 overtime decision to Harvard in Boston. Changing coaches hasn't changed the Engineers' poor fortunes on the ice the last couple of seasons.
======================================
Turning to boys' hoops, it was a big night for the hometown teams.
In the Colonial Council, Lansingburgh spanked Cobleskill-Richmondville, 86-52, LaSalle likewise blew away Voorheesville, 76-39, and Catholic Central snapped its losing streak in picking up a win over Ichabod Crane, 60-54.
Over in the Suburban Council, the game of the night involved Troy & Shenendehowa. After the Plainsmen escaped with a one point win last season, Greg Davis' Flying Horses came to Clifton Park seeking to snap a three game losing streak to Shen. Jake Reinisch led Shen with 14 points. However, Troy had a two-man offensive scoring machine in seniors Latyce Faison & Nazaire Merritt, who combined for 50 points (Faison with 26, Merritt with 24), including a ridiculous 12 three pointers, as Troy improves to 7-1 overall (6-0 in the Suburban Council) by beating Shen, 60-56.
Up next for Troy will be the much improved Columbia Blue Devils, as coach Curt Sankey is still looking for his first win over his alma mater, on Tuesday, then Schenectady next Friday. Troy will make the trip to Kingston for the 2nd straight year on January 20 for a Sunday matinee. Troy leads Columbia by a 1/2-game in the Gray division standings.
Union College is playing in the Three Rivers Classic in Pittsburgh, and the Dutchmen, nearly five years removed from a national title, made a big statement Friday night, upsetting top ranked St. Cloud State, 7-2. That will get Union some attention nationally, to be sure.
On the other hand, RPI dropped a 3-2 overtime decision to Harvard in Boston. Changing coaches hasn't changed the Engineers' poor fortunes on the ice the last couple of seasons.
======================================
Turning to boys' hoops, it was a big night for the hometown teams.
In the Colonial Council, Lansingburgh spanked Cobleskill-Richmondville, 86-52, LaSalle likewise blew away Voorheesville, 76-39, and Catholic Central snapped its losing streak in picking up a win over Ichabod Crane, 60-54.
Over in the Suburban Council, the game of the night involved Troy & Shenendehowa. After the Plainsmen escaped with a one point win last season, Greg Davis' Flying Horses came to Clifton Park seeking to snap a three game losing streak to Shen. Jake Reinisch led Shen with 14 points. However, Troy had a two-man offensive scoring machine in seniors Latyce Faison & Nazaire Merritt, who combined for 50 points (Faison with 26, Merritt with 24), including a ridiculous 12 three pointers, as Troy improves to 7-1 overall (6-0 in the Suburban Council) by beating Shen, 60-56.
Up next for Troy will be the much improved Columbia Blue Devils, as coach Curt Sankey is still looking for his first win over his alma mater, on Tuesday, then Schenectady next Friday. Troy will make the trip to Kingston for the 2nd straight year on January 20 for a Sunday matinee. Troy leads Columbia by a 1/2-game in the Gray division standings.
Friday, January 4, 2019
High School Fridays: Shenendehowa @ Troy (girls' basketball), 1/4/19
Since entering the Suburban Council three seasons ago, Troy High's women's basketball team has had to overcome a number of hazards. That is to say, there are teams they haven't been able to beat. Albany, for example, has adjusted to the league better than Troy has, and currently leads the Suburban Council's Gray division with an undefeated record at 10-0 overall.
Then, there are established Suburban Council powers such as Bethlehem and Shenendehowa. The Lady Plainsmen came to town tonight leading the Blue division. Nothing new there, and there was a familiar name on the program for the visitors.
Huerter.
Meghan & Jillian Huerter, a sophomore & freshman, respectively, are the sisters of Atlanta rookie Kevin Huerter and Siena's Tom Huerter, Jr.. Proud papa Tom Huerter, Sr. was in attendance, making his first appearance at Zotto Gym since Kevin was a senior just three years ago. You couldn't miss the elder Huerter, not with the white Siena sweatshirt.
However, the Huerter sisters are not the stars of the Lady Plainsmen. Not yet, anyway. Meghan is a starter, while Jillian comes off the bench as a role player. The attention instead has been on seniors Cat Almeida and Anna Milham, but it wasn't offense that was showcased tonight. Instead, it was defense.
Shen's full court pressure smothered Troy from the go, forcing a ton of turnovers. It was so stifling, Shen held Troy to just 11 points at the break.
The partisans, however, had issues with the officials assigned to the game. What appeared to be a pair of offensive fouls, one in each half, went the other way. In the referees' judgement, the Troy defenders weren't set enough to draw the charges. When it appeared that Troy's Jakaiya Dewer appeared to be fouled, but didn't get the call, her father, in the balcony, exploded at the referee, and was subsequently ejected. According to a Troy security monitor, this was the second time this season a parent has been ejected from Zotto Gym.
Milham led all scorers with 18 points. Almeida added 10, and Shen, which led by as much as 21 at one point, sent Troy to its fourth straight league loss, 54-39. Jenalyse Alarcon led Troy with 16 points before fouling out in the fourth quarter, and Dewer added 10. The Huerter sisters combined for 11 points for Shen. Meghan had 8, and Jillian had 3.
Troy continues its current homestand on Tuesday against Columbia, with Schenectady coming in next Friday before a road trip to Kingston.
====================================================
The boys' game at Shen had not been reported as of press time. We should have that result within 24 hours.
==================================================
Shen also ended Troy's undefeated (far as we know) streak in bowling on Wednesday in a 31-1 rout at Spare Time Clifton Park.
=================================================
Former LaSalle star Elijah Burns was hoping for a sweet homecoming after transferring as a graduate student from Notre Dame to Siena last month, with designs on playing for the Saints this season.
The NCAA had other ideas, and denied the Saints' request for a waiver on a rule prohibiting players from competing for two different programs in the same season. Burns had appeared in four games for the Fighting Irish before graduating last month. Siena is appealing the decision, but Burns, per the Albany Times-Union, had an inkling this wasn't going to end well. The T-U website offers this video:
Barring one last appeal, Burns will be eligible to play for the Saints next season, not this season.
Then, there are established Suburban Council powers such as Bethlehem and Shenendehowa. The Lady Plainsmen came to town tonight leading the Blue division. Nothing new there, and there was a familiar name on the program for the visitors.
Huerter.
Meghan & Jillian Huerter, a sophomore & freshman, respectively, are the sisters of Atlanta rookie Kevin Huerter and Siena's Tom Huerter, Jr.. Proud papa Tom Huerter, Sr. was in attendance, making his first appearance at Zotto Gym since Kevin was a senior just three years ago. You couldn't miss the elder Huerter, not with the white Siena sweatshirt.
However, the Huerter sisters are not the stars of the Lady Plainsmen. Not yet, anyway. Meghan is a starter, while Jillian comes off the bench as a role player. The attention instead has been on seniors Cat Almeida and Anna Milham, but it wasn't offense that was showcased tonight. Instead, it was defense.
Shen's full court pressure smothered Troy from the go, forcing a ton of turnovers. It was so stifling, Shen held Troy to just 11 points at the break.
The partisans, however, had issues with the officials assigned to the game. What appeared to be a pair of offensive fouls, one in each half, went the other way. In the referees' judgement, the Troy defenders weren't set enough to draw the charges. When it appeared that Troy's Jakaiya Dewer appeared to be fouled, but didn't get the call, her father, in the balcony, exploded at the referee, and was subsequently ejected. According to a Troy security monitor, this was the second time this season a parent has been ejected from Zotto Gym.
Milham led all scorers with 18 points. Almeida added 10, and Shen, which led by as much as 21 at one point, sent Troy to its fourth straight league loss, 54-39. Jenalyse Alarcon led Troy with 16 points before fouling out in the fourth quarter, and Dewer added 10. The Huerter sisters combined for 11 points for Shen. Meghan had 8, and Jillian had 3.
Troy continues its current homestand on Tuesday against Columbia, with Schenectady coming in next Friday before a road trip to Kingston.
====================================================
The boys' game at Shen had not been reported as of press time. We should have that result within 24 hours.
==================================================
Shen also ended Troy's undefeated (far as we know) streak in bowling on Wednesday in a 31-1 rout at Spare Time Clifton Park.
=================================================
Former LaSalle star Elijah Burns was hoping for a sweet homecoming after transferring as a graduate student from Notre Dame to Siena last month, with designs on playing for the Saints this season.
The NCAA had other ideas, and denied the Saints' request for a waiver on a rule prohibiting players from competing for two different programs in the same season. Burns had appeared in four games for the Fighting Irish before graduating last month. Siena is appealing the decision, but Burns, per the Albany Times-Union, had an inkling this wasn't going to end well. The T-U website offers this video:
Barring one last appeal, Burns will be eligible to play for the Saints next season, not this season.
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