News & notes

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.