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.