News & notes

When the NCAA men's tournament began last week, there were two players with local ties in the mix. However, as of today, the season for them is over.

Scotia graduate Joe Cremo's college career ended last weekend, as Villanova was eliminated in the 2nd round. Former UAlbany teammate David Nichols watched from the bench as Florida State fell Thursday night to Gonzaga, 72-58. Nichols missed the Seminoles' last two tournament games due to a leg injury, and wasn't ready to play last night.

Now, it's just a question of whether or not the NBA is actually interested in either one.

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I had noted before that I thought there might be an avenue for Mets fans to hear the team's games on their new flagship station, WCBS-AM (880 AM). It turns out not to be the case.

WCBS can't stream the games live. Instead, you get the station's 24 hour news feed online while the game airs on the radio.

Welp, you can't fault a guy for trying.

Minor league season begins April 4, and www.milb.com is the place to go to find a means of listening to online broadcasts of minor league affiliates of your favorite teams, including Syracuse (the Mets' new AAA farm team), and Scranton-Wilkes-Barre (Yankees).

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While it isn't on the venue's schedule just yet, a schedule of forthcoming WWE events posted online shows that they will, presumably, have NXT move down the hill from the acoustically challenged Washington Avenue Armory to the Albany Capital Center for a live event on Thursday, August 8. I took in NXT's Albany debut at the Armory in 2015, and it was audibly horrible. After four years, WWE finally got the hint.

Here's to hoping they don't jack up the prices like they have for Monday Night Raw, which hits Times Union Center May 20. Prices for the lower bowl at the TUC have gone to almost $35, partially to defray renovation costs on the venue.

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Speaking of the TUC, if you can't afford tickets (assuming there's any left) for tonight's NCAA women's double-dip, ESPN has both games scheduled to air:

7 pm (ET): UCLA vs. Connecticut.

9:30 (ET): Oregon State vs. Louisville.

The regional final is set for Sunday at noon.

News & notes

Well, that didn't take long.

Last Thursday, Jamion Christian accepted an offer from George Washington University to be their next head basketball coach, leaving Siena after one season, which saw the Saints reach the MAAC semi-finals.

The next day, Siena assistant Carmen Maciariello was named interim coach of the Saints.

Just three days later, the interim tag was removed, and Maciariello, a 2001 graduate of Siena, who played his high school ball at Shenendehowa in the 90's, was formally named the new head coach, becoming the first home grown coach for Siena since the late Bill Kirsch led the then-Indians (1972-82). It took 19 days for Siena administration to select Christian to replace Jimmy Patsos last year.

In the wake of the departures of Shen grad Thomas Huerter, Jr., as well as Khalil Richard, last week, Maciariello will now be tasked with trying to recruit more home grown talent.
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If you thought navigating traffic in downtown Albany on event nights at Times Union Center was crazy before, especially for basketball, just wait until Friday, when the NCAA women's tournament comes to town.

Top seeded Louisville will play Oregon State, while #2 Connecticut, which will be the de facto home team, will take on another Pac-12 school in UCLA in the opener. Both games are scheduled to air on ESPN. While UConn's fans travel well, most folks in the home district will likely be watching either at home or at sports bars, saving on ticket prices.
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Speaking of tickets and Times Union Center, the WWE's Monday Night Raw rolls into town on May 20. Matches will also be taped for the WWE Network exclusive Main Event before the live USA Network broadcast begins at 8 pm (ET).

However, it's going to cost you more for tickets this time. In the past, the lowest price was $15. For whatever reason, be it to defray renovation costs on the arena itself, of plain, old fashioned greed on the part of WWE Chairman/CEO/head lunatic Vince McMahon, the lowest price on the board this time is roughly around $35.

I haven't gone to a WWE main roster event in years, and there are reasons for that. The inflated ticket price adds one more reason.
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As long as we're on the Siena tip, Siena alumnus Edwin Ubiles has left the Albany Patroons to resume his pro career in Puerto Rico. Seems the league there has more money to spend. Ubiles played four seasons on the island before returning stateside to play for Albany last year. The Pats are in 4th place in The Basketball League, and now have to scramble to reset their offense for the rest of the season....

Hail to the champions

High school basketball season is officially over in Section II, and two champions emerged from the Federation Tournament of Champions over the weekend at Cool Insuring Arena in Glens Falls.

On Sunday afternoon, homestanding Glens Falls got a combined 69 points from the Girard cousins (Joseph III, Trent, & Connor), and needed Trent's late game heroics, not cousin Joe's, for a change to overcome Cardinal O'Hara, 88-79. Trent finished with 21 points, Connor cracked the scoring column for a change with 5, and, well, for Syracuse-bound Joseph, it was business as usual, 43 points to lead all scorers. Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim was in attendance, and, as he heads back to Syracuse, he's looking for a way to fit Joseph Girard III into his system.

Justin Hemphill led Cardinal O'Hara with 26 points in a losing effort.

Earlier Sunday, Albany Academy captured its fourth Class A Federation title in the last five years, blowing out Frederick Douglass for the 2nd time this season, 75-49. August Mahoney led the Cadets with a game high 24 points. Rob Brown added 16, and Andre Jackson had 13.

Derek Mejia led Frederick Douglass with 14 points. The Cadets led, 44-13, at halftime, and you probably couldn't blame anybody that came for this game if they left for the exits at that point. The two teams played at SUNY-Cobleskill earlier this year, with a similar result, a Cadet blowout.

Siena needs a new coach. Again.

Less than a year after replacing Jimmy Patsos as men's head basketball coach, Jamion Christian has left Siena College for George Washington University of the Atlantic 10.

The Colonials dismissed Maurice Joseph earlier this month after an 9-24 record this season. If this scenario sounds familiar, it should. Patsos was dismissed one year ago after posting an 8-24 ledger in his final season at Siena. Christian has developed a reputation of turning around troubled programs. Mount St. Mary's was in a similar fix when he was hired a few years back, and after a couple of NCAA tournament appearances, Christian took his "Mayhem" offense to Loudonville.

After a slow start counter-balanced the efforts of MAAC Rookie of The Year Jalen Pickett, the Saints turned the corner as the calendar changed to 2019. Siena reached the semi-finals of the MAAC tournament two weeks ago before losing to eventual champion Iona.

Moving on to George Washington allows Christian to return home. A native of Richmond, Virginia, Christian will also be close to his brother, Jarell, who coaches the NBA D-League team for the Washington Wizards.

Siena Athletic Director John D'Argenio is hoping this next coaching search doesn't take too long, but considering the fact that UAlbany men's basketball coach Will Brown has resisted every offer that has come along to leave Albany, D'Argenio should hope to find someone with the same kind of commitment to the program that Brown has made to the Great Danes.

Siena & Shenendehowa graduate Carmen Maciariello will be the interim coach until the search is completed.

One wonders, though, if this is tied to the decision by a pair of players earlier this week to transfer, perhaps knowing Christian wasn't coming back. Stay tuned.

News & notes

As play begins in the round of 64 in the NCAA men's basketball tournament this afternoon, two former UAlbany players, one with local ties, will see action.

Scotia graduate Joe Cremo, now with Villanova, will see action this evening against St. Mary's. David Nichols and Florida State are playing at this writing against America East champion Vermont, and, at last check, the Catamounts had an early 7-4 lead.

It does make one wonder why UAlbany didn't do enough to convince either player to stay, as the Great Danes' season ended earlier this month in the America East tournament.
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Meanwhile, down the road at Siena, Thomas Huerter, Jr. won't duplicate his father's full run at the Loudonville school.

Huerter is one of two players to transfer out of Siena this week, hoping that, like Nichols & Cremo, a different school will increase his chances, with one year of eligibility left, to reach the NCAA tournament, if not also the pros. Brother Kevin, of course, is getting quality points and minutes with Atlanta in the NBA, and sisters Meghan & Jillian had an outstanding season for Shenendehowa's women's basketball team.

Huerter's problem is that he wasn't getting enough minutes playing for first year coach Jamion Christian. Could the Saints have done better with Huerter getting more minutes? Hard to say.
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A prodigal son is coming back to the NBA.

That would be Glens Falls native Jimmer Fredette, who has signed a contract with Phoenix, one of the worst teams in the league this season, for the rest of this year, and carrying a player option for next season. As soon as Fredette gets clearance from his Chinese league team, he'll be ready to return to the NBA after a three year absence.

For whatever reason, the skill set he displayed at Glens Falls and Brigham Young didn't translate in the NBA, and some people still don't think it does.

Joseph Girard III should pay close attention as he finishes his high school career this weekend in the Federation Tournament of Champions in Glens Falls, then plays his college ball at Syracuse. If he isn't careful, the same thing could happen to him a few years down the road.

Roughly translated, the NBA doesn't respect the 518. Considering how so few have reached that level, I'd say they never have.

News & notes

Section II will have to settle for two state champions in basketball.

Class D men's champion Oppenheim-Ephratah-St. Johnsville was denied on Sunday, dropping a 67-54 decision to Harrisville.

For the teams in Classes C & D, the season is officially over. The Federation Tournament of Champions begins Saturday in Glens Falls at Cool Insuring Arena. Two Section II teams are entered.

Albany Academy, which doesn't represent the New York Public High School Athletic Association (NYPHSAA), but another governing body altogether, will get another game against Park School, which denied the Cadets the Federation title last year. Academy got their revenge earlier this season at the Washington Avenue Armory, so now it's Park seeking revenge.

Class B champion Glens Falls gets the home cooking for their semifinal match vs. South Bronx Prep. They won't officially be the home team, but it will be a de facto home game for Joseph Girard III and friends.
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College hockey season in this region is over.

Union College was eliminated in the ECAC quarterfinals, 2 games to 1, after Cornell won the deciding game, 4-2, Sunday night in Ithaca.

Now, if only RPI could figure out how to win some big games of their own.......
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Pre-season scrimmages for lacrosse, softball, & baseball begin today in Section II. Regular season action begins in two weeks.Weather permitting, of course.

The only drawback is that not all teams make their rosters available online, and no programs are printed on game days. As ye scribe found out last year, that makes covering the games a daunting task.

Troy High, for example, hasn't updated its softball page in years. That oversight needs to be corrected, preferably yesterday, but that isn't the only problem plaguing Troy this time of year.

There are no lights for the softball & baseball diamonds. The lacrosse team plays their games at Picken Memorial Field, and have the benefit of the scoreboard. However, the lack of a program keeps visitors in the dark about who's on the team. The school board can't afford to pay for lighting on the other side of the complex, or a scoreboard for the diamonds.

Across town, Lansingburgh has a scoreboard and lights for their diamond, but no programs. Catholic Central, which plays their home games at Knickerbocker Park, virtually next door to Lansingburgh High, can't get volunteers to operate the scoreboard there. I know times have been tough at CCHS in recent years, but come on!

LaSalle plays most of their home games at Geer Field, which is difficult for visitors to get to, and play only one home game a year at Joe Bruno Stadium, that being during the Friday Night Lights Coaches Against Cancer series. They'll play Cohoes at The Joe on May 10, but if something can be worked out between LaSalle, Hudson Valley Community College (from whom LaSalle rents the hockey rink), and the Tri-City Valleycats, maybe the Cadets can play all of their home games at The Joe, as HVCC does. Even if the games have to be played at night, it would be easier for fans, especially those who commute via public transportation.
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Speaking of the Friday Night Lights series, the only other game confirmed so far is Shenendehowa vs. Niskayuna, scheduled for April 26. The rest of the schedule will be made public three days before the game.

Two state champions crowned

On Saturday night, Cambridge captured the women's Class C state title at Hudson Valley Community College, defeating Watkins Glen, 57-43. Sophie Phillips had a game high 24 points for the winners, as Cambridge wins its first state title in women's basketball.

Earlier in the day, Joseph Girard III and Glens Falls won the men's Class B state title in a 75-74 overtime thriller over Lowville. Girard was the difference maker yet again with 50 points.

However, Section II Class C champion Lake George saw its 56 game winning streak come to a crashing end at the hands of Middle Early College out of Buffalo, 80-63.

Today, Oppenheim-Ephratah-St. Johnsville has a chance to give Section II a 3rd state title, as they'll play for the Class D title vs. Harrisville in Binghamton. To get there, OESJ downed Panama, 61-57, in the semifinals.

The Federation Tournament of Champions takes place next weekend for men & women, and we'll have more information on that as early as tomorrow.

High School Fridays: State regional semi-final roundup, 3/15/19

State semifinal action began today at Hudson Valley Community College (women) and in Binghamton (men). Four Section II teams were in action.

At HVCC, Class C champion Cambridge moved a step closer to a state championship, as they won in a romp, 75-43, over Maple Grove, the same school whose football team fell to Cambridge in 2016-17. However, Class D champ Notre Dame-Bishop Gibbons' Cinderella run came to an end with a shattering 56-26 loss to Franklinville. Abby Kienzle led the Golden Knights with 10 points as the Knights couldn't get anything going against a smothering defense.

In Binghamton, it was business as usual for Joseph Girard III and Glens Falls. Girard had a game high 39 points, cousin Trent added 12, and the Indians eliminated Olean, 83-63.

Unfortunately for Troy High's supporters, the Class A champions, the last hope of the Suburban Council to bring home a state title, fell short against Pittsford-Mendon, 92-67. Troy finishes at 21-5, and has offered a peek into the future, having called up three players from the junior varsity in the season's final weeks. Zaveon Little was promoted after Hunter Redden graduated early, and when the rosters expanded for sectional play, Deondre Butler and Marquis Hanby were promoted.

Semi-final action continues tomorrow, and there will also be some championships decided in the same two venues.

News & notes

For nearly two decades, Section II has tried and failed to win a state championship in hockey. LaSalle was the last team to bring a state title home, back in 2000.

Queensbury keeps trying, but they keep coming up short. The Spartans dropped the state title game, 6-1, to Skaneteles on Sunday.
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Meanwhile, the city of Troy gets to celebrate another state title.

Lansingburgh High's bowling team took home the state title over the weekend. The efforts of the Colonial Council and Section II champions have flown under the radar, due to local press showing a preference toward basketball this time of year.

Considering certain local papers won't cover the reincarnated Albany Patroons, either.......
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Speaking of the Patroons, the wheels have fallen off of late. Headed into last Friday's road game at Mesquite, Texas, the Patroons had dropped down to fourth place in The Basketball League. Still time left, though, to make a run back to the post-season.
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Maybe Iona men's basketball coach Tim (Count The) Cluess wasn't joking when he asked if the Long Island school could schedule their home games at Times-Union Center, sharing the arena with Siena.

The Gaels won the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) tournament on Monday night, and are seemingly invincible on the Saints' home floor. Quinnipiac won the women's tournament, beating Marist.

Problem is, those will be the only schools representing the MAAC in the NCAA tournament, beginning next week, due to the NCAA's bias against mid-major schools, preferring to load the bloated field with as many teams from "Power 5" conferences (i.e. SEC, ACC) for the benefit of television ratings. They're not going to change their business model for anybody, not Joe & Jane Public especially.

And it doesn't help that those "Power 5" teams routinely pad their stats by fattening up on schools that are only on the schedule so their presidents can pick up fat checks for agreeing to the sacrifice of their teams at the altars of Duke, Gonzaga, Syracuse, et al.

And you wonder why some folks want college athletes to be paid, since they're using the colleges as a way station toward the pros.

State regional roundup, 3/9

Before we forget, Queensbury, the lone Section II hockey team still playing, is one step closer to another title, representing Division II. The Spartans shut out John Jay, 4-0, on Saturday, and will play Skaneteles today for the regional title.
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We now have six teams left representing Section II in basketball, as a result of Saturday's action:

Women:

West Genesee bounced Class AA champ Shenendehowa, 57-50.

Class B titlist Mechanicville is gone, losing to Canton, 58-57.

Class C champ Cambridge rolls on, beating Moriah, 60-47.

In Class D, Notre Dame-Bishop Gibbons beat Westport, 49-24.

Men:

West Genesee beat Saratoga, 70-55, so Section II loses both of its Class AA champions.

Class A champ Troy, meanwhile, rolls on, beating Jamesville-DeWitt, 78-56.

Class B champion Glens Falls downed Ogdensburg Free Academy, 84-76.

Class C titlist Lake George beat Moriah, 54-46.

Class D champion Oppenheim-Ephratah-St. Johnsville eliminated Wells, 57-40.

State titles will be decided in Binghamton starting on Friday.

News & notes

State regional play resumes in high school basketball today, as all 9 Section II teams still in the hunt will be in action. Two of the games will be played at Hudson Valley Community College, while the rest are further out.

The lineup:

Women:

Class AA: Shenendehowa vs. West Genesee at SRC Arena, Syracuse, approximately 5:30 pm. I say approximately because there are two boys' games ahead of this one.

Class B: Mechanicville vs. Canton at SUNY Potsdam, 2:45 pm. This is the opening act for a certain Class B men's champion.

Class C: Cambridge vs. Moriah at Beekmantown, noon.

Class D: Notre Dame-Bishop Gibbons vs. Westport Central at HVCC, 1 pm.

Men:

Class AA: Saratoga vs. West Genesee at SRC Arena, 3:45.

Class A: Troy vs. Jamesville-DeWitt at SRC Arena, 1:45.

Class B: Glens Falls vs. Ogdensburg Free Academy at SUNY Potsdam, 4:30.

Class C: Lake George vs. Moriah at Beekmantown, 1:45.

Class D: Oppenheim-Ephratah-St. Johnsville vs. Wells at HVCC.
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To the surprise of absolutely no one, El Cheapo Media was late to the party in its reporting on UAlbany lacrosse coach Scott Marr's bashing of the NCAA, and the subsequent rebuke by UAlbany AD Mark Benson. A piece credited to the "sports staff" in today's editions should've appeared when the story was covered in the other papers in the market earlier in the week.
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Siena freshman Jalen Pickett was named Rookie of The Year by the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference. Considering how often Pickett was selected as the Freshman of The Week this season, this should've been no surprise, either. The Saints begin their quest for the MAAC title tonight when they play Rider in the nightcap of the Saturday card at the Times-Union Center. Siena's women's team was eliminated on Thursday by Iona.
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RPI needs to beat Yale tonight to force a third & deciding game in their first round ECAC hockey playoff. The Engineers dropped a 4-1 decision on Friday night. In contrast, Union, which beat Colgate by the same 4-1 count last night, can close out the Red Raiders with a win tonight. If you can't make the games or are nowhere near a radio, don't despair. Each school streams their radio broadcasts on the internet.
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And that reminds me. To update an earlier story, the New York Mets' new flagship radio station, WCBS-AM (880 AM), like most stations, does stream online, so you'll be able to listen to games on your computer or other devices if the team doesn't pick up a local affiliate.

State regional roundup, 3/6

Four Section II teams, three men's, one women's, took the court at two different venues Wednesday night.

In Plattsburgh, men's Class B champ Glens Falls dismissed homestanding Plattsburgh, 77-57, while women's Class B champ Mechanicville downed Northeastern Clinton, 41-35. Unfortunately, individual game stats were not made available at press time.

Meanwhile, in Saratoga, Troy High placed five players in double figures, led by Suburban Council 1st team All-Star Nazaire Merritt with 21, as the Flying Horses crushed Franklin Academy, 94-52. All 13 players on the active roster got into the game and scored. Coach Greg Davis, with a huge lead, rested his starters in the fourth quarter, and emptied his bench. Troy now will move on to Syracuse to play Jamesville-DeWitt on Saturday.

In the opener at Saratoga, men's Class C champ Lake George defeated Madrid-Waddington, 66-58.

State regional basketball roundup, 3/5

Once Section II play ends, the true test of the champions begins when state regional play begins. Section II is hosting some games this week, including Tuesday's women's double-dip at Shenendehowa.

Class C champion Cambridge blew away Madrid-Waddington, 58-31, behind 19 points from Sophie Phillips. Madrid-Waddington's boys team will be in action tonight against Lake George in the first half of a double-dip at Saratoga.

It just isn't enough anymore for Averill Park to win the sectional Class A title. Every year, Sean Organ's club runs into the same roadblock, Jamesville-DeWitt, out of the Syracuse area.

Tuesday night at Shen, the Red Rams had the Lady Warriors' number again, surviving a fourth quarter comeback by Averill Park to force overtime, and eliminated Averill Park for the 6th consecutive year, 65-60, outscoring the Warriors, 12-7, in the extra frame. For Coach Organ, it's back to the drawing board, but the upside is that he has played mostly underclassmen this season, sophomores and freshmen who will make up the nucleus for the Warriors for the next couple of years.
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Update, 5:53 pm: Congratulations to Troy High's Nazaire Merritt & Latyce Faison, who were named to the first team Suburban Council All-Star Team. Lateef Johnson was named to the second team. All three are on the Gray division all star team. Also, Jenalyse Alarcon, who missed the final five games of the season with an undisclosed injury, was named to the league's third team women's All-Star team.

News & notes

They say you never let the facts get in the way of telling a good story, but El Cheapo Media's Stan Hudy (& The Blowfish) blew it big time in today's editions.

In reporting on Troy High's 69-55 win over Gloversville to capture the Class A title, Hudy completely forgot that the Flying Horses had won the A title in 2016. Their Class AA title win came in 2013 over Green Tech, which came back and won in 2014.

That being said, Troy has now won three sectional titles in the space of seven years, but notice the pattern. It's every three years. Which means we'll be discussing this again in 2022......
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Lost amidst all the hoopla on the hardwood, two Section II teams were playing in state hockey competition.

Two-time Delvecchio Cup champion Bethlehem, back for the second straight year as Section II champion out of the CDHSHL, goes one-&-done in state play again, falling to Suffern (Long Island), 4-3, in overtime. Remember how the Long Island schools came to Union College and swept the Mohawks tournament in December? More of the same, it would seem.

Meanwhile, Queensbury, playing in the Division 2 tournament, drilled Plattsburgh, 6-1, to move to the next round. They'll play another NYC school, John Jay, next week.

The problem that exists for Section II teams in the state tournament, unless you're Queensbury, is that you're playing bigger, more aggressive teams that make teams like Bethlehem, LaSalle, & CBA look like Pee Wee teams by physical comparison. That physical disparity is no different than it is in other sports, which is why it's so difficult for Section II to win more state titles than they have.

That's just reality.

Championship Saturday: All the drama

Hudson Valley Community College's McDonough Field House was bursting with energy today with a women's sectional championship tripleheader.

The opener was the Class B title game between Fonda-Fultonville (Western Athletic Conference) and Mechnicville (Wasaren League). The bleachers on the left side of the gym as you enter were a sea of red in support of the Lady Red Raiders, but don't discount the support of Fonda, a much smaller town, and it felt like the entire town came together for the game. The Lady Braves led, 11-7, after the first quarter, but then, Mechanicville came to life. Amy DiSiena scored 14 points, all in the second half. Charli Goverski, daughter of coach Blaine Goverski, added 13, and Jada Brown tossed in 11, most of it in the second half as well. Abby Lombardoni led the Braves with 13, but it was not enough, as Mechanicville snaps a 30 year title drought, their last championship being the combined Class C-CC title in 1989, 56-43.

In the Class A title game, the Suburban Council's "other" dynasty, Averill Park, sought its 6th straight sectional crown against Queensbury, representing the Foothills Council. Oh, this was a dandy of a game. To Warriors coach Sean Organ, the team is like an extended family. In fact, each player has "Family" stitched on the back of their warmup shirts. Cue Sister Sledge, circa 1979.



Unfortunately, the DJ at HVCC didn't have "We Are Family" on the playlist today. The program, in effect since yesterday, included music by Chicago, the Blues Brothers, and anything but Sister Sledge.

Digression over. Tournament MVP Kelsey Wood had 14 points. Anna Jankovic added 9. Hailey Ballard had 10 points, and Hope Sullivan 13, to lead Queensbury before fouling out in the 4th quarter. Averill Park rules Class A again for the 6th straight year, 50-41.

Shenendehowa sought their fourth Class AA title in six years as they took the court against Saratoga for the 3rd time this season.

At first, it was the Dolly Cairns Show. The Saratoga junior poured in the first 12 points for the Blue Streaks, but aside from Kerry Flaherty (18 points, despite fourth quarter foul trouble), Saratoga couldn't muster enough offense. Cairns, who finished with a game high 27 points, ran into foul trouble of her own in the fourth quarter after coming back to life offensively, going ice cold in the second & third quarters.

Shen had more offensive balance. Anna Milham had 15 points before going out with a leg injury in the fourth quarter. Cat Almeida had 10 before fouling out in the final frame, and the Huerter sisters, Jillian & Meghan, combined for 14 points, as Shen wins another title, 62-54.
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A pending winter storm forced Section II to move up the men's tripleheader at Cool Insuring Arena, to ensure everyone made it home before the storm hits tonight.

As expected, Oppenheim-Ephratah-St. Johnsville copped the Class D title, beating Germantown, 47-25.

Troy High duplicated its daily double from 2016, adding a sectional title to the Suburban Council Gray division title they copped that season, dispatching Gloversville, 69-55. Latyce Faison led Troy with 26 points, while Nazaire Merritt added 16. Troy moves on to play Franklin Academy in a state regional game at Saratoga on Wednesday night.

Speaking of Saratoga, the Blue Streaks upset top-seeded Bethlehem, the Suburban Council Blue division champion, to claim the Class AA title, salvaging what otherwise was a disappointing day for the school, and thwarting the Eagles' bid for their 2nd title in 3 years, 69-58. Game stats for this game and the OESJ-Germantown game are not available as of press time.

High School Fridays: Sectional championship weekend begins

Ed McDonough Field House might not have been packed like it was a week ago, but the partisans for the participants in the women's Class D & C finals were loud just the same tonight.

In the Class D final, the Lady Cougars of North Warren High were looking for their second title in three years in taking on the challenge of Notre Dame-Bishop Gibbons. Unfortunately, tournament MVP Abigail Kienzle and the Golden Knights had something to say about that. Kienzle was huge in the second half, leading Notre Dame-Bishop Gibbons to the title. Kienzle led all scorers with 19 points as the Knights won a low scoring, defensive battle, 39-36. Jodi Bartlett led North Warren with 12 points. The Lady Cougars managed only a single free throw in the fourth quarter, and that sealed their fate.

In Class C, defending champion Cambridge came from behind to repeat as champions, getting 25 points from Sophie Phillips, in beating Hoosick Falls, 55-49. Logan Thayne led Hoosick Falls with 18 points, while Lillian Hickey added 14, but only 2 in the second half.

On the men's side, the Class D title game was moved to tomorrow due to the semifinals having been played last night. Lake George won the C title, downing Hoosick Falls in a low scoring affair, 48-45. However, most of the crowd in Glens Falls came to see their hometown team and superstar Joseph Girard III, who poured in 52 points as the Indians defeated Schalmont, 77-56. Trent Girard was the only other Glens Falls player in double figures with 11.

Tomorrow's games have tough acts to follow.

Sectional roundup, 2/28

Tonight & tomorrow, Section II will crown champions in both men's & women's basketball in all five classes. 

Having learned a lesson from last week's double-dip at Hudson Valley Community College, Section II has rescheduled the Class B men's title game between Schalmont and Glens Falls as tonight's headliner at Cool Insuring Arena, and although Schalmont will be the home team, they're going to feel like visitors, with the majority of the crowd firmly behind the hometown hero, Joseph Girard III, and the Indians.

Last year's B champs, Mekeel Christian Academy, were eliminated in the A semis last night, falling to Troy High, 74-61. Latyce Faison & Nazaire Merritt (who else?) led Troy with 19 points apiece. Zaveon Little added 14, but was misidentified as newly graduated Hunter Redden. Little is wearing Redden's #33, the same number Little wore in JV play. Unfortunately, Little was listed as Redden in the box score and some media accounts of the game, and that, quite possibly, could spell trouble for Troy. Remember, Columbia was assessed a technical foul for administrative reasons last Saturday because one of their players had a different number on his uniform than listed on the roster.

Defending A champ Mohonasen's bid to repeat was foiled by Gloversville (Foothills Council), 50-41, so the Dragons will face Troy in the second game of Saturday's tripleheader at Cool Insuring Arena.

Leading off tonight's doubleheader in Glens Falls will be the Class D title game, as Oppenheim/Ephratah/St. Johnsville will face Germantown. OESJ ended North Warren's Cinderella run, 50-32, while Germantown beat Fort Ann, 44-31.

At HVCC, the Class AA women's semifinals, delayed from Wednesday, saw #3 Saratoga upset #2 Albany, 69-42. Top ranked Shenendehowa downed #4 Colonie, 62-50. Shen & Saratoga will meet for the 3rd time this season in the finale of Saturday's tripleheader at HVCC.

"High School Fridays" will be at HVCC tonight for the Class C & D title games.