News & notes

Capital Region Bowling may have been off the air the last few years, but any hope of the show returning with newsman John Craig as play-by-play announcer evaporated the other day with news that Craig was leaving WNYT for parts unknown.

Having watched the show on occasion, I can tell you that listening to Craig and analyst Ken Hall was easier on the ears than hyperactive Fox (and before that, ESPN) announcer Rob Stone's over the top antics.
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Hockey season has started in Section II.

2-time defending sectional champion Bethlehem opened their season by beating Mamaroneck, 4-2.

LaSalle opened with a 3-2 win over Franklin Academy at Hudson Valley Community College.

Adirondack defeated Canton, 3-0.

CBA shut out Clinton, 2-0.
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Pre-season basketball tournaments wrapped up on Saturday in Section II.

In the Lions Armory Tip-Off Classic, to finally use the full title:

Host Mekeel Christian upset Abraham Lincoln, 71-59, sending the Railsplitters home with a 1-1 record.

Lansingburgh defeated Bishop Maginn for the 2nd straight season, 69-59, a closer game than it was a year ago.

Watervliet dominated Catholic Central, 88-53. Jackson Brown, son of UAlbany mens' basketball coach Will Brown, had 22 points, and was the only player in double figures for the Crusaders.

Notre Dame-Bishop Gibbons upset Shaker, 68-63. Then again, the Bison didn't have a great year last year...!

In the Mike Beson Memorial:

Argyle won the boys' tournament, defeating Saratoga Central Catholic, 74-73.

In the girls' tournament, Warrensburg defeated Galway, 67-43, to win the tournament. SCCHS won the consolation game over Loudonville Christian, 42-35.

Schoharie lost their own women's tournament, dropping a 55-38 decision to Notre Dame-Bishop Gibbons.

In non-league boys' action:

Albany Academy blew out Schalmont, 75-46.
Colonie defeated Mohonasen, 46-41.
Schenectady defeated Guilderland, 86-82.

In the Burnt Hills women's tournament, the host Lady Spartans finished third, defeating Ballston Spa, 61-45. Marcellus, out of New York City, defeated Lansingburgh to win the tournament, 54-24.

Other womens' action:

Mekeel Christian Academy 64, Cohoes 23.
Hoosick Falls 63, Lake George 42.
Averill Park 37, Shaker 28.

Scores courtesy of the Daily Gazette.
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Union College's football season came to an end in Salisbury, Maryland on Saturday, losing to Salisbury University in a shootout, 62-41. QB Will Bellamy set a single game school record with 456 yards passing and 5 touchdowns in a losing effort.

Meanwhile, UAlbany, with a rare basketball-football doubleheader on campus, gave the faithful much to celebrate Saturday.

First, the mens' basketball team downed American, 68-64, coming from behind to pick up the win. This would allow coach Will Brown time to head downtown to the Armory to see his son play later in the day (see above). Then, the football team advanced in the FCS playoffs by routing Central Connecticut State, 42-14. Freshman QB Jeff Undercuffler threw 6 touchdown passes for all of the Albany scoring. The Great Danes hit the road next week to play Montana State.
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With Jalen Pickett out of the lineup due to a violation of team rules, Siena lost their 3rd straight basketball game, this one to Colgate, 62-42, on Saturday. Manny Camper led Siena with Siena with 17 points.
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Win or lose, the Black Horses of Schuylerville will have a pre-season winter storm waiting for them upon their return from Syracuse, where they'll play Chenango Forks for the Class B state title this afternoon. Kickoff is set for noon.

The storm hasn't touched down yet as I write, but in anticipation of the storm, schools throughout the area have already decided to extend their Thanksgiving break by an extra day tomorrow. We will know by Tuesday if this affects the sports schedule this week.