News & notes

Thanks in part to the Berkshire Eagle, we finally have the result of Friday's women's basketball game between Troy & Pittsfield. The Lady Horses blew away the Lady Generals, 88-57. Jenalyse Alarcon scored 22 points, as Troy placed five players in double figures. Unfortunately, the game result still hasn't been submitted to local outlets such as the Albany Times-Union. Being on vacation is no excuse for dereliction of duty.

However, last night, Troy fell to Hanover, 53-51. No box score on this one, either. Game result was provided by the NYS Public High School Athletic Association's website. Troy is now 3-4 overall on the young season, and will return to action with a rematch vs. Schenectady at Zotto Gym Friday afternoon at 1 pm.
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Similarly, the result of Saturday's game between Saranac & LaSalle in the Mohawks tournament was late in being reported. For the 2nd straight season, the Cadets go 0-2 in the event, dropping a 4-2 decision to Saranac. Tim Flanigan's club is now idle until Friday, when they visit Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake-Ballston Spa, hoping to snap another two game losing streak. Forest Ward & Hunter Caola scored for Lasalle in the loss.
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Looking back at the Uncle Sam Holiday Classic, there's something to be said about Notre Dame-Bishop Gibbons, which now represents the Western Athletic Conference, going 0-2 in their first visit to Troy in a year. Both losses were to Colonial Council teams (Lansingburgh, LaSalle), which suggests that the level of play in the WAC, comprised mostly of Class B & C schools, isn't up to par with the Colonial, where LaSalle is one of two teams above Class B (Class AA in basketball, Class A in almost everything else). Last year, the Golden Knights spoiled Catholic Central's Rich Gilooly Memorial by beating the Crusaders. This year? Different story.

And as for host Troy High, losing to Lansingburgh, a B school? We've seen this scenario before, as Troy lost to Schalmont back in February, and that was with a better squad than the one they currently have. In the field of play, classifications don't really matter.

Troy had good attendance both nights for the tournament, although the bleachers weren't exactly full, unlike the old Uncle Sam tournaments from 1976-81, which packed the gym every year. It was that sardine can, standing room only scenario that prompted Troy to move Homecoming to football season in 1982.

Looking ahead for Troy, they have a revenge game at Guilderland on January 7 before coming home to play Albany. They'll play a rare Monday game on Martin Luther King Day (January 20) as part of a boys-girls doubleheader vs. Kingston, which needs better promotion when you think about it, because if they don't promote the doubleheader outside of campus, the attendance will be sparse. Just sayin'.