Tuesday hoops roundup

We're in the homestretch in high school basketball. Some teams will be finishing their regular season this weekend, others next Tuesday. We'll start in the Suburban Council.

Boys: Bethlehem clinched a tie for the Blue division title Tuesday night after beating Shaker, 65-44, and this was despite the fact they played without Jakob LeClair, who was suspended not for one game, but four for his part in a skirmish vs. Averill Park a week and a half ago. LeClair will also miss Friday's road game at Troy, and return for Senior Night vs. CBA. Michael Ortale, as he's done all season, led the way for the Eagles with a game high 23 points.

Saratoga kept pace by thumping Colonie, 60-28, paced by Aidan Holmes' 14 points. Sophomore star Michael Rogan was held to just five points. If Bethlehem beats Troy on Friday, they'll clinch the division outright.

Speaking of the Gray division champions, they took care of business at Albany on Tuesday, completing a season sweep of the Falcons, 75-68. Nazaire Merritt had a season high 29 points, and Latyce Faison added 21. Troy trailed, 17-14, after the first quarter, but then took a nine point lead at halftime, and took it from there. Michael Alamo-Benitez matched Merritt's 29 points to lead Albany.

Girls: In the Gray division, Albany & Averill Park are tied for the lead, with two games left each, and should they finish tied, Albany would have the tie-breaker in hand to clinch their third division title in four years. The Lady Falcons routed Troy, 58-36, Tuesday, spoiling Senior Night at Zotto Gym. They never trailed, and held Troy to 17 points in the second half. Alaina Holmes led Troy with 13 points, and Jenalyse Alarcon was held to a season low 4. Ahniysha Jackson led Albany with 13. Albany will have their Senior Night next week vs. Burnt Hills, but will finish the road portion of their schedule Friday at Shaker.

Over in the Blue division, Shenendehowa has already clinched, and has one game remaining after beating Nisky, 62-42. The Lady Plainsmen get a week off before their season finale vs. Colonie.

Moving on to the Colonial Council:

Boys: Schalmont sealed up the Liberty division with a 79-63 win over Lansingburgh. Shane O'Dell had a game high 27 points, while L. J. Randle tallied 19 for the second straight game. Knights senior Trevor Green had 20 for the hosts in a losing effort. LaSalle is locked into fourth place after losing, 52-41, to Mohonasen. The Cadets were held to just six points in the fourth quarter, which sealed the game for the Mighty Warriors. Pending make-up games from last week's postponements, it looks like Mohonasen, in its first season in the Colonial Council, will finish 3rd in the division. Watervliet has, for all intents & purposes, clinched the Patriot division after routing Voorheesville.

Girls: The Academy of Holy Names won the Liberty Division, and are unbeaten in league play (17-1 overall). They'll close the regular season at Lansingburgh on Friday. Voorheesville is the Patriot Division champ, as they're 5 1/2 games clear of Cobleskill-Richmondville as of press time.

Troy's fifth high school team, Emma Willard, is playing an independent schedule this season after leaving the Central Hudson Valley League. The Jesters are the city's best kept secret, sporting a 16-1 record, and they will be a tough out in the sectionals when they begin next week. A quick check of their schedule shows that they beat Voorheesville to start the season, but saw their 14 game winning streak end at the hands of Tamarac on February 2. School officials need to look into the prospect of playing Lansingburgh, Troy, and/or Catholic Central, not only to raise their profile, but for bragging rights. Of the four women's high school teams in the city, they have the best record by plenty, and yet the press sleeps on them every year.

We'll have the sectional pairings next week.