News & notes

The New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) has dropped the other shoe on winter sports, cancelling the remaining state regional tournament games in basketball & hockey, but they're holding out hope of getting spring sports going, even with a truncated season, next month.
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Former Albany High & Albany Academy star Dion Lewis won a Super Bowl with the New England Patriots a couple of years back, but was shuffled out the revolving door, and, after two seasons in Tennessee, Lewis will be on local TV screens a little more often this coming season.

Lewis signed Monday with the Giants for a 1 year deal, in which he will complement/back up incumbent starting running back Saquon Barkley. Lewis has also played for Philadelphia & Cleveland during the course of his pro career. Playing for the Giants should allow Lewis the opportunity to return home as a guest speaker at local schools during the season. Stay tuned.
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The first recorded death caused by COVID-19 in the 518 was reported Monday to be Walter Robb, 92, former owner of the Albany River Rats of the American Hockey League. Robb, who parlayed his years of working for General Electric into making an investment in the Rats, had settled into full retirement from public life after selling the Rats a few years ago.

News & notes

El Cheapo Media reports today that Shenendehowa senior Lucas Seyoum has committed to the State University at Stony Brook, which means local fans will see him play against UAlbany once a year, unless they're willing to spend the extra coin to travel to Stony Brook. Congratulations to Lucas, who was named MVP of the Section II men's Class AA tournament a couple of weeks back.
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The XFL cancelled the rest of the 2020 season earlier this week, which frees up RPI grad Andrew Franks (Tampa Bay) to seek out an NFL contract. He had previously played for Miami in the NFL, and, if the Buccaneers are looking for a kicker to go along with incoming QB Tom Brady, maybe Franks should get a look.

In hindsight, former Albany Empire receiver Malachi Jones looks like a genius for signing with a CFL team instead of going to Seattle with the XFL.
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Off Track Betting has closed its walk-in parlors, including the Clubhouse Racebook in Colonie, and traditional parlors in Menands and Lansingburgh, for example, and are now stressing online betting for their customers. As we noted last time, it may be just a matter of time before Governor Andrew Cuomo orders Saratoga Casino & Raceway to be closed, in a continuing effort to head off the COVID-19 pandemic.

Along those same lines, bowling alleys in the area, including those that have OTB kiosks, have been closed for the duration. That went into effect earlier this week.
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The longer the pandemic goes, the less chance there is of spring high school sports actually getting started, and if it goes past May, then you begin to wonder about summer activities, such as Saratoga Flat Track, the Tri-City Valleycats, and Troy Fighting Irish. Stay tuned.

News & notes

Two independent wrestling shows scheduled for March 21 have been postponed due to COVID-19.

Immortal Wrestling was to present a card at Colonie Center, headlined by 80's icons the Rock & Roll Express (Ricky Morton & Robert Gibson). Xtreme Wrestling Alliance was to work the Watervliet Dome at the same time. No makeup dates have been set for either show.
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Like the NHL, the East Coast Hockey League suspended play late last week, then decided they would not finish the season, leaving the Adirondack Thunder to make early golfing plans. Meanwhile, The Basketball League, after announcing a season-ending tournament in Kentucky, decided to cancel the rest of the season, so the Albany Patroons' season is abruptly over after 9 games.
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With the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference tournament having been scrapped, Siena was declared the league champion, which would've given the Saints an automatic bid to the NCAA's had that tournament not also been cancelled.
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One would imagine with social distancing now mandated, Saratoga Casino & Raceway is able to continue with live cards, such as yesterday's matinee, with no fans in attendance. However, in this writer's opinion, it's a matter of time before the track is asked to shut down due to COVID-19. Stay tuned.

Troy High then & now, conclusion

While spring sports have been put on hold until after Easter at the earliest, now's a good time to revisit Troy High's past in baseball, softball, & track.

Notice I didn't mention lacrosse, because the sport wasn't added until sometime in the mid-80's, long after ye scribe graduated, so we have nothing to compare last season's team to.

We'll start with track & field. In 1981, the men's team finished 10-2 in the Big 10, while the women, with a shorter schedule, limped home at 1-5. Today? The Flying Horses haven't won a meet since entering the Suburban Council during the 2015-6 season. Not only that, but despite having superstar talent like football hero Dev Holmes (now with UAlbany) on the men's team, Troy doesn't get enough ink in the sports pages anymore.

The men's tennis team, like the women, haven't been able to buy a win since forever. Per the 1981 yearbook, there was a misprint, as they forgot the Class A league wasn't around anymore, and the Troy men placed second in the Big 10 in '81 with a gaudy 14-3 ledger. The lack of success in recent years can be attributed to diminished talent and the unpredictable weather patterns in Section II, throwing the schedule into disarray. Like the track team, results are spotty in the press.

Troy softball in recent years has had up and down seasons in the Suburban Council, and haven't yet won a division title. Then again, there is that rivalry with Averill Park that doesn't get as much play as it should in the press with territorial bragging rights and all. Current coach Sean Geisel (please don't call him Dr. Seuss) begins his 4th season at the helm after a strong 2019 campaign. Geisel has been more than up to the task of succeeding George Rafferty, whose temper cost him his job (now at Hudson Valley Community College) a few years back. In 1981, under coach Aileen Berberich, Troy posted a 9-5 record in the Big 10, good for 3rd place, which is right about where Troy has finished in the Suburban Council Grey division lately.

Assuming there is a season this spring, Chris Strack will begin his 3rd season as baseball coach at Troy, after replacing Will Whitty (Mohonasen) following the 2017 season. Troy came close to .500 last year, though not all the scores were reported to the press, a recurring trend. In 1981, under Bill Schnellenbacher, Troy finished 9-13, eliminated by Catholic Central in the sectionals. Now, if they can just put an extra public address system on that side of the sports complex........!

While the addition of electronic scoreboards for baseball & softball have been great, it'd be even better to add the PA and programs for fans. While lights for baseball/softball are unlikely, since parents would rather be home to watch the pros or colleges after high school play ends, it wouldn't be a bad idea to improve the product on campus. That also means adding some extra tarp to cover the fields when it rains or snows. Just sayin'.

Spring sports on hold

Well, you knew this was going to happen. Section II made it official:



This means that, assuming they can meet their deadline date of April 19, schools will play a more compact schedule to get every game in that had been scheduled. As noted yesterday, the Friday Night Lights series at Bruno Stadium is in jeopardy, but they don't announce the schedule for that series until the week of the first doubleheader. All we can say is, stay tuned.

Sports takes a holiday

Yesterday, we reported that the 1st & 2nd round NCAA tournament games scheduled for Times Union Center on March 19 & 21 would be played in "empty arenas".

Since then, the NCAA has changed course, and cancelled the tournament outright. No national champion will be crowned this season in either men's or women's basketball. The MAAC & America East tournaments, which had already started, were aborted Thursday. MAAC regular season men's champion Siena would have gone on to the NCAA had the tournament not been cancelled. Conference tournaments across the country have been cancelled, including the ACC, Big 10, SEC, and Atlantic 10, with the latter scheduled for the Barclays Center in Brooklyn.

The NCAA has also pulled the plug on spring sports, and has cancelled the College World Series, scheduled for June in Omaha, Nebraska. That means the season has come to an abrupt end for teams we've been tracking, such as Pittsburgh and VCU, due to players with local ties. Pittsburgh, at least, has updated their schedule page on their website. VCU has not as of press time.

Closer to home, the ECAC hockey tournament has been cancelled, so Houston Field House will be dark this weekend, and RPI's season is over. The New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYPHSAA) has postponed the hockey final four, set for tomorrow in Buffalo, and regional basketball games set for tonight and tomorrow. No makeup dates have been set.

The concerns worldwide over COVID-19, or, coronavirus, have forced a paradigm shift in sports across the globe in an effort to stem the tide of the pandemic.

It is unclear whether the NYPHSAA will allow the start of spring sports, such as baseball and lacrosse, next month. The annual Coaches vs. Cancer Friday Night Lights series at Bruno Stadium is in jeopardy, with no announcement as of press time as to whether or not that will take place as planned this year.

For now, all we can do is wait & pray.

News & notes

Add the first two rounds of the NCAA men's basketball tournament to events being held in empty buildings.

It was reported overnight that the Times-Union Center will still host first & second round games next Thursday & Saturday (March 19 & 21), but only players, coaches, officials, media, and school personnel will be admitted. That means the TUC could take a financial bath over having to refund tickets previously sold for the event months ago. Stay tuned.

Update, 9:03 pm: The tournament as a whole has been cancelled.
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Alumni watch: VCU snapped a 5 game losing streak in baseball Wednesday, beating The Citadel, 8-4. Danny Watson (Columbia) pitched the final two innings in relief, giving up two runs (1 earned) on three hits with a walk and two strikeouts.

The Rams return home to host Iona starting tomorrow night.

Pittsburgh's softball team fell victim to the mercy rule again in a 5 inning, 11-2 loss to Charlotte on Wednesday. Hunter Levesque (Troy High), back in the two hole in the batting order, went 1-2 with a walk and a run scored. The Panthers will play St. Joseph & Campbell in back-to-back doubleheaders as part of the Camel Stampede Friday & Saturday.
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As expected, Siena's Jalen Pickett was named Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Player of The Year Wednesday. Then, Pickett & the Saints went out and beat Manhattan, 63-49, in the first round of the MAAC men's tournament. Manny Camper led Siena with 15 points, as Elijah Burns (LaSalle) was held to 7 points, while Jordan King (CBA) had 5. The Saints will know by the end of the day who they'll play tomorrow in the semi-finals.
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Coronavirus concerns have prompted The Basketball League to cut their season short, ending with a round robin tournament to determine the league champion. The defending champions, the Albany Patroons, sit in 4th place, but the round robin could help them repeat. We'll have to wait & see.
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Two Ivy League schools, Harvard & Yale, have withdrawn from the ECAC hockey tournament, forcing league officials to shuffle the pairings for this weekend. RPI was to play Harvard in an empty Houston Field House, but now will host Colgate instead, while Quinnipiac will play Princeton. The semi-finals are in Lake Placid next week. The New England based Harvard & Yale cited concerns over coronavirus as the reason for withdrawing.

News & notes

State regional basketball action began last night with a boys & girls double dip at Saratoga.

Oddly, the boys' Class B game was the opener. Schalmont's Shane O'Dell went off for 37 points, one of three Sabres in double figures, in a 75-63 win over Ogdensburg Free Academy. Tyler Pepicelli added 12 and Trent Randle had 10 for the winners. Jackson Jones led OFA with 24 points.

Schalmont moves on to Beekmantown to play Saranac on Friday night.

In women's action, Section II Class B champ Mechanicville put down Canton, 58-43. Unfortunately, game stats are not available at press time. The Red Raiders will travel with Schalmont to Beekmantown on Friday, and, this time, they'll be the opening act, as they'll play Northeastern Clinton.
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Moving to Class A for the women, Averill Park shared the wealth in a 73-28 thumping of Franklin Academy. Kelsey Wood led the way with 17 points, and Anna Jankovic had 11. The Warriors had virtually their entire roster hit the scoring column. Averill Park led, 44-17, at halftime, and 66-21 after three quarters. Franklin Academy never reached double digits in any quarter, outscored 22-4 in the third quarter, and if that sounds familiar, that happened to Troy not too long ago.

Apparently, Christian Brothers Academy in Syracuse is a little more progressive than their sister school in Albany, as they do have a women's team, which is up next for Averill Park on Saturday night.
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The Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference tournament began Tuesday in Atlantic City with women's action. Siena downed Canisius in the first round, 58-48. Rayshel Brown led the Lady Saints with 20 points, while Sabrina Piper added 16. Next up is Fairfield tomorrow.

The men begin play tonight vs. Manhattan, and, reportedly, are expected to run the table and win the tournament.

Siena's Jalen Pickett was named to the United States Basketball Writers Association (USBWA)'s District II team, the first Siena player to be so honored since Dwayne Archbold in 2002. Pickett could wind up winning the MAAC Player of the Year award tonight. We'll see.
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Alumni watch: Pittsburgh's softball team downed Furman, 4-3, on Tuesday afternoon. Hunter Levesque (Troy), dropped to third in the batting order, went 1-4 with an RBI. The Lady Panthers are in Charlotte today before they play St. Joseph in the Camel Stampede on Friday.

Virginia Commonwealth's losing streak in baseball has reached 5 in a row with a 8-3 defeat to the College of Charleston on Tuesday. Carter Knapek (Albany Academy) pitched in relief, giving up a hit while striking out two over two innings. After a hitless weekend vs. Jacksonville, Brett Young (Albany Academy) was rested. The Rams are at The Citadel today.

News & notes

Could the state high school hockey finals come down to a pair of Section II teams?

As we reported yesterday, Bethlehem finally got over the hump in beating Suffern, 1-0, on Saturday. That puts the Eagles on a collision course with a very familiar foe in Queensbury, which represents Division 2. The Spartans defeated Saranac Lake, 6-4, also on Saturday, and the two Section II schools will travel to Buffalo on Saturday for the semi-finals, with the finals on Sunday.

Bethlehem will play Massena, while Queensbury faces Whitesboro, on Saturday. You have to believe the rest of the coaches in the CDHSHL are delirious in anticipation.
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RPI graduate Andrew Franks had two field goals in a losing cause Sunday night, as Tampa Bay fell to Los Angeles in the first XFL game of the season to start in primetime. The Vipers are in last place in the XFL's East division, with the other teams--St. Louis, NY, & DC---in a three-way tie for first at 3-2. Tampa Bay (1-4) is 2 games back at the halfway station.
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As sports fans, the last thing you want to see happen to your hometown college team, or an alma mater out of state, for that matter, is for the school to be tagged for NCAA violations.

It's happened at Siena.

Two days before the current Saints prepare to begin play in the MAAC tournament, it was revealed that the school had committed some violations during Jimmy Patsos' tenure as coach (2015-18), including staff giving rides to players, which they're not supposed to do, and the usual "impermissible benefits", attributed to Patsos and his staff.

The following video is from the Albany Times-Union's website:



Patsos had an endorsement deal with a local clothier, as current coach Carmen Maciariello does now, but what possessed him to think that he needed to help his players off the court? I guess we'll never know. All 46 wins over that three year period have been vacated, which, I think, includes the College Basketball Insiders title won in 2016.

There are three players left from the Patsos era--seniors Ben Diamond (Shaker High), Sammy Friday, & Manny Camper, whose career stats will likely be altered going forward as a result of the penalties. Luckily, the Saints are eligible for either the NCAA, NIT, CBI, or any other tournament due to self-reporting the violations. Once Patsos was dumped in 2018, the gravy train went with him. He's currently an analyst, but any school that hires him now would not have him available for 30 days or somesuch, and there's a vetting process before he can be hired.

Coach Patsos, please call your service. Your career is over.

News & notes

For the first time since the 1989 measles outbreak at Siena College, local fans will be barred from attending a post-season collegiate game.

RPI announced over the weekend that there will be no fans at Houston Field House for the ECAC quarterfinal hockey series vs. Harvard, starting Friday, due to reports of positive cases of coronavirus (or COVID-19) in Queensbury and Saratoga County. The school is taking the precautionary step to protect students and fans from possible infection.

The games will still be broadcast, as of now, on WRPI-FM (91.5) and RPI-TV, available on the school website and YouTube.
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Union College's hockey season is over after the Dutchmen were eliminated by Yale over the weekend. The Bulldogs needed double overtime to clinch the series Sunday night in New Haven, 2-1, after Union had won the opener on Friday, 3-0. Yale won game 2 Saturday, 4-1, setting up the finale.
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The Section II jinx is over, at least for now, in state regional hockey.

Bethlehem defeated Suffern, 1-0, on Saturday to advance to the next round. After three consecutive league & sectional titles, the Eagles are looking to finally bring a state title home to the 518. Best of luck as their quest continues.
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Alumni watch: Virginia Commonwealth has hit a rough patch of late, having lost four straight, including a two game sweep at the hands of Jacksonville Saturday & Sunday on the road. After losing to Illinois State on Friday, 8-5, the Rams fell, 4-2 & 2-1, the next two days.

Brett Young (Albany Academy) went 2-3 with 2 runs scored before being lifted for a pinch hitter Friday, but was shut down by Jacksonville, going a combined 0-6 in the two games. Danny Watson (Columbia) went 2 2/3 innings in relief on Saturday, giving up a run on three hits with two strikeouts.

The Rams continue their road trip at College of Charleston on Tuesday and The Citadel on Wednesday before returning home to play Iona on Friday.

Pittsburgh's softball team dropped two of three to Clemson, salvaging the finale, 8-2, on Sunday. Hunter Levesque (Troy) was a collective 3-9 in the series with an RBI and a run scored. The Panthers will continue their road trip at Furman (Tuesday) and Charlotte (Wednesday) before the Camel Stampede on Friday sees them taking on St. Joseph's.

Siena clinched the MAAC regular season title Friday, dispatching Monmouth, 86-72. Elijah Burns (LaSalle) contributed 14 points, one of five Saints in double figures, led by Don Carey with 18. Jordan King (CBA) added 12. Siena will play a 1st round game in the MAAC tournament in Atlantic City on Wednesday night.

Maintaining status quo (Championship Saturday at HVCC, 3/7/20)

If we have learned anything from past sectionals, crowd size is fluid depending on who is playing at a particular time.

That having been said, the largest crowd of the day Saturday at Hudson Valley Community College was in the anticipated main event, the third meeting of the season between Suburban Council Blue division powers Saratoga & Shenendehowa. The game wasn't lacking in drama, but did have some issues with scoring early on.

Natasha Chudy, daughter of Saratoga coach Robin Chudy, scored the first five points for the Blue Streaks, but, then, got into foul trouble, and missed most of the second quarter with four fouls. Undaunted, she played the entire second half, risking an early exit, and finished with 10 points for her efforts. With senior star Catherine "Dolly" Cairns ice cold for most of the night, others had to pick up the scoring slack.

Katie Claeson, a junior, answered the call with a second quarter three pointer, as the Streaks trimmed a 11 point 1st quarter deficit down to 8 at 27-19 at the break. At that point in the evening, Cairns had just one point on a free throw.

Similarly, Shen's Meghan Huerter was searching for her scoring touch. Luckily for her, sister Jillian picked up for her, tallying 16 points before fouling out halfway through the 4th quarter.

In that fourth quarter, Cairns finally showed up. Held to three points through three quarters, Cairns hit a late trey and some key free throws before she, too, fouled out with under a minute remaining, with 11 points.

Shen fans had to be holding their collective breath in the first half when Simone Walker, a senior, went down with a leg injury after a collision with Saratoga's Abby Ray. Walker walked gingerly off the court, and didn't return to the game, finishing with two points.

In the end, Meghan Huerter, the tournament MVP, and her free throws proved to be the difference, as Shen repeated as Class AA women's champion, 60-56. Huerter finished with 11 points, and Kaitlyn Watrobski added 12 to back up Jillian Huerter's game high 16.
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You'd be forgiven if the score in the Class C title game, the opening game of the day, more closely resembled a football game. Defending champion Cambridge ran out to a 24-10 lead after one quarter, and never looked back, routing Maple Hill, 68-44, to repeat as champions. As per normal, the Indians' offense was mostly the Phillips twins, Lily & Sophie, who combined for 41 points (Lily had 18, Sophie 23) to lead the champions. Natasha Strock had 11 to lead the Wildcats.
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The first signs of fan discontent with the officiating had actually come during the Maple Hill-Cambridge game over a ticky-tack foul in the fourth quarter, but it got worse in the Class B title game.

Mekeel Christian Academy, whose boys' team is in Class A (more on that later), as opposed to the girls being in B, never got untracked against defending champion Mechanicville, and it didn't help matters that one of the referees was visibly seen sharing some laughs with Mechanicville coach Blaine Goverski, whose daughters, Chloe & Charli, like the Phillips sisters in the first game, carried the Red Raider offense. Chloe shared game high honors with Anaida (AJ) Joseph, as each had 12 points, while Charli added 11. The Lady Lions made it interesting late, but by then, it was too late. Jillian Ballard shared game high honors with 12 points, but the disparity in fouls, called or not, was disturbing, and some could chalk it up to Section II politics, since this was Mekeel's 1st sectional final. Mechanicville repeats, 56-46.
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Saturday's other spotlight game was in Class A, as Averill Park sought its 7th straight sectional title. The last team to win Class A before the Warriors' run? Troy High, back in 2013, when the Lady Horses won it all, including a state title. Foothills Council champ Queensbury, the top seed in the class, provided the opposition, and hung tough with Averill Park for most of the afternoon. No Spartan player broke double figures, with Meghan O'Connor the high scorer with 9 points. Averill Park sophomore Michelina Lombardi had a sort-of coming out party, finishing with a game high 14 points. The Wood sisters, Amelia (11) & Kelsey (8) combined for 19 points in support of Lombardi, as the Warriors' defense carried them to title #7, pulling away in the 4th quarter to prevail, 52-39.
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While the bleachers were mostly full for the above games, that wasn't the case in the Class D game between Fort Edward and Whitehall. This was the only game where we were assured a new champion, with last year's winner, Notre Dame-Bishop Gibbons, having already been shown the door. Gabby Thomas earned game high honors with 18 points, doing most of her damage in the second half. Kyrie Smith, despite playing with four fouls in the fourth quarter, tried to bring the Railroaders back with some important free throws in the frame to finish with a team high 12 points. However, it wasn't enough, and the Flying Forts captured the D crown, erasing a 9-5 first quarter deficit to prevail, 46-28. Whitehall's offense basically did a disappearing act in the second quarter, and never recovered.
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If there was some solace for Mekeel boosters, it's the fact that their men's team took home the A title, beating Lansingburgh, 75-67. The Knights' leading scorer this season, Isaiah Knight, was held to 8 points, while Vinny Tario led 'Burgh with 15 points. Alex Barnhill led the Lions with 33 points, while Ozzy DeJesus added 27.

North Warren won the men's D title, beating Argyle, 62-51. Anthony Girard, no relation to Joseph Girard III and his family, led North Warren with 27 points. Peyton Lufkin led the Scots with 25.

Shen also won the men's Class AA title, downing Green Tech, which was looking for its first title since 2014, 64-61. Mazziah Thorpe took game high honors in a losing cause for the Eagles with 20 points. Andrew Martin led Shen with 19.
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Back to the women. Shen & Cambridge will return to HVCC next Saturday in state regional finals vs. opponents to be named. Admission next week will be $10. Mechanicville will play the Section 10 champ at Saratoga on Tuesday, while Averill Park has to go all the way to SUNY-Potdam, also on Tuesday. Fort Edward travels to Beekmantown for the D regional final next Saturday.

News & notes

While the Suburban Council has a chance to claim another men's Class AA basketball championship, that's not the case in men's Class A.

That's because Averill Park, the last Suburban team standing in Class A, was bounced in the semi-finals by Lansingburgh, representing the Colonial Council, 55-48, Thursday at Cool Insuring Arena. Isiaiah Knight led Lansingburgh with 14 points. Vinny Tario added 13, and Quashawn McFarlane tallied 12. Jack Long led all scorers with 18 points in a losing effort for the Warriors.

When you look at Lansingburgh's record this season, they went 2-1 in the regular season against Suburban teams, splitting a home & home series with Schenectady while beating Troy to win the Uncle Sam Holiday Classic in December. Four years ago, they reached the finals, and lost to Troy, so they collected a receipt with the win on December 28.

Up next for the Knights will be Mekeel Christian Academy, which dispatched Gloversville, 79-53, in the nightcap on Thursday. Alex Barnhill led all scorers with 23 points, and the Lions placed four players in all in double figures. Dante Bouchard led the Dragons with 17 points.

Lansingburgh-Mekeel will tip at approximately 12:45 pm on Saturday.
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On the women's side, the Class AA finals are now set for Saturday at Hudson Valley Community College. Top seeded Saratoga put down Shaker, 66-48. Catherine "Dolly" Cairns led all scorers with 35 points, while Natasha Chudy, daughter of coach Robin Chudy, added 13. Jules DeBeatham led Shaker with 20 points.

As a result, the Lady Streaks will play Shenendehowa for the 3rd time this season. The Plainswomen routed Albany, 81-58. Meaghan Huerter led the way with 20 points, sister Jillian added 8, and Samantha Lee chipped in with 10. Ahniysha Jackson led the Lady Falcons with 13 points.

Shen-Saratoga III will headline the Saturday card at HVCC.
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After losing to Vermont on Wednesday night, UAlbany's men's basketball team will begin tournament play in the America East conference at another old nemesis, Stony Brook, on Saturday night. Meanwhile, as noted, Siena finishes its regular season on the road at Monmouth tonight. A win gives the Saints the MAAC title outright, and would assure Siena of a bid in the NIT if they fail to win the MAAC tournament, which starts next week in Atlantic City.

News & notes

Troy High's winter sports season is officially over.

The women's basketball team fell yet again to Averill Park Wednesday night at Hudson Valley Community College, 54-32. The Warriors' defense made things tough for Troy this time. Nadia Brown & Jenalyse Alarcon led Troy with 14 points each, but only two other players cracked the scoring column with 2 points each. Troy finishes 12-11 overall.

Up next for Sean Organ's Warriors will be Queensbury, as the Lady Spartans took down Academy of Holy Names, 51-42, in the nightcap. Averill Park will be looking for its 7th straight sectional title on Saturday.

In men's action at Cool Insuring Arena, the Class D finals are now set.

Argyle will meet North Warren for the championship, after the Scots downed Northville, 71-59, while North Warren defeated Germantown, 64-61.
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Alumni watch: Virginia Commonwealth dropped an 8-3 decision to North Carolina on Wednesday afternoon at Chapel Hill. Brett Young (Albany Academy) went 0-1 as a pinch hitter.

Closer to home, Elijah Burns (LaSalle) led Siena with 24 points, as the Saints closed a perfect home schedule at Times-Union Center with a 77-55 win over Niagara. Jordan King (CBA) contributed 5 points to the cause. Siena will be in New Jersey starting with Friday's game vs. Monmouth, leading to the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference tournament next week in Atlantic City.
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Speaking of Siena, talk of the NCAA barring fans from attending tournament games later this month will remind folks around here of a measles outbreak in 1989 that forced Siena to play some games in empty arenas and the Alumni Recreation Center. Remember, this was before the current T-U Center was built. Siena won its first ever NCAA tournament game that year, upsetting Stanford of the then-Pac 10 (now Pac 12). It's funny how no one has thought to bring that up in the local press to accompany the wire service reports of the NCAA rumors.

Troy High lacrosse 2020 schedule

Courtesy of Schedule Galaxy, here is Troy High's varsity lacrosse schedule for 2020. Home games start at 4:15 unless otherwise noted.

March 31: @ Scotia-Glenville.
April 2: Home opener vs. Shenendehowa.
April 4: Saturday brunch vs. South Glens Falls (12 noon start).
April 7: @ Amsterdam.
April 16: @ Colonie (12 noon start).
April 18: @ Guilderland (11 am start).
April 21: Albany.
April 23: @ Ballston Spa.
April 28: Shaker.
April 30: @ Niskayuna.
May 5: @ Columbia.
May 7: Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake.
May 12: Averill Park.
May 14: @ Christian Brothers Academy.
May 19: Saratoga.
May 21: Senior Day vs. Bethlehem.

Even though lacrosse is meant to be played in wet or cold weather, Section II does have the tendency to postpone games due to weather and/or unplayable field conditions. Home games are played at Picken Field, which is field-turf. Schedule is subject to change due to weather conditions, predicated on student and player safety.

Sectional update, 3/3

Bethlehem three-peated as Section II hockey champions Tuesday night, downing Saratoga, 3-2

Now, the hardest part of the journey begins, as the Eagles will try again to bring a state title home. Bethlehem has been eliminated in their first state tournament game each of the last two years. Justin Chenaille was credited with all three Eagles goals. Next up is a rematch vs. Suffern, the same time that eliminated Bethlehem last year, Saturday at Union.
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Turning to basketball, the finals in boys' Classes AA & C were set Tuesday night at Cool Insuring Arena in Glens Falls:

Class C:

Waterford 54, Fort Plain 52. The Fordians now move on to play Lake George in the championship game Friday.

Class AA:

Green Tech 55, Colonie 42. Green Tech is six years removed from their only sectional championship, won at Times-Union Center.

Shenendehowa 66, Niskayuna 49. It'll be the Eagles and the Plainsmen Saturday night in the title game.

Meanwhile, the women will begin playing at Hudson Valley Community College tonight with the Class A semi-finals. On Monday & Tuesday, the semi's were contested in Classes B, C, & D:

Women's Class D (Monday):

Fort Edward 51, Hartford 37.
Whitehall 43, Northville 33.

Class B (Tuesday):

Mechanicville 53, Schalmont 48.
Mekeel Christian Academy 67, Johnstown 57.

Class C:

Cambridge 84, Berne-Knox-Westerlo 36.
Maple Hill 49, Hoosic Valley 45.

All 5 championship games will be played on Saturday at HVCC, starting with the Class C title game at 11 am.

News & notes

Championship Week in boys' basketball began Monday night at Cool Insuring Arena in Glens Falls.

Class B:

Schalmont ended Glens Falls' reign as champion, upending the Indians, 52-43. Shane O'Dell led the Sabres with 22 points, while Trent Randle added 14. Noah Girard, cousin of you-know-who, led Glens Falls with 16.

Up next for the Sabres will be Mechanicville, which downed Hoosick Falls, 66-58. Josh Germain led four Red Raiders in double figures with 21 points. Tristan Williams matched Germain's output in a losing effort for Hoosick Falls. The Wasaren League champions will prove to be a tough challenge for Schalmont, which finished 3rd in the Colonial Council Liberty Division.

Class C:

Lake George, out of the Adirondack League, defeated Rensselaer, representing the Patroon Conference, 62-45. Lake George had four players in double figures as well, led by Luke Pelchar & Juan Garcia with 14 points each. Cole Clarke & Cameron Orr each added 13. Samir Lockhart led all scorers with 22 in a losing effort. Lake George now awaits the winner of tonight's game between Fort Plain & Waterford.
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Alumni watch:

Virginia Commonwealth hasn't started league play yet, but they have gotten hot of late.

Wagner was the Rams' latest victim on Sunday, 9-0. Brett Young (Albany Academy) came off the bench, walked, and scored in a six run 8th inning that iced it, and finished the game in right field. The Rams return to action Wednesday at North Carolina.

Speaking of the Tar Heels, their softball team needed just six innings to beat Pittsburgh in the final game of an ACC weekend series, 9-1, on Sunday. Hunter Levesque (Troy) went 1-3 with a run scored. The Panthers are at Clemson this weekend.

It'll be a while before Tampa Bay Rays outfield prospect Garrett Whitley (Niskayuna) sees the field again.

Whitley was struck in the face by a foul ball while sitting in the dugout during the Rays' pre-season game vs. Baltimore on Monday. He remained conscious, but one imagines he'll spend time on the injured list before the season begins a shade over three weeks from now.
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UAlbany's men's basketball team closes their regular season tonight vs. Vermont, hoping to build momentum toward the America East tournament. Beat the Catamounts, get some help, and the Great Danes could host a quarterfinal game in the tournament on Saturday. No help, or a UAlbany loss, sends the Danes on the road.

News & notes

It's now up to Lansingburgh to bring a sectional basketball title, on the men's side, anyway, back to Troy.

The Colonial Council Liberty Division champions routed Hudson Falls, 83-48, on Sunday at Hudson Valley Community College. Leading scorer Isaiah Knight was held to 11 points, but Scott Teta & Ken Allison picked up the slack with 15 points each, while Vinny Tario added 12. Jonathan Beagle led all scorers with 24 points in a losing effort for Hudson Falls.

If the Knights were thinking of a possible rematch of the 2016 Class A title game vs. Troy, those dreams dissipated as Troy was eliminated by Averill Park, 48-44, losing to the Warriors for the second time in two weeks. Jadon Cummings led all scorers with 19 points for Troy, while Wednesday's hero, Marquis Hamby, was held to 10 points. Matt Lettko led the winners with 11 points in a defensive struggle.

Averill Park & Lansingburgh will meet in a twilight game (5 pm tip) at Cool Insuring Arena on Thursday.

The big shocker of the day came in the opener, as Foothills Council champion Gloversville took down Queensbury, after being swept by the Spartans in the regular season, 59-55. Dante Bouchard had a game high 31 points to lead Gloversville, which only had four players in the scoring column, three of them in double figures. Queensbury had four, with Bryce Bleibtrey leading the Spartans with 14 points.

In the nightcap, Mekeel Christian Academy crushed Amsterdam, 84-49. Alex Barnhill led all scorers with 30 points. Ricky Rollins added 16, and Ozzy DeJesus had 12 for the Lions. Caydren Graveley had 19 points to lead Amsterdam. Mekeel-Gloversville will be the nightcap at Cool Insuring on Thursday.
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RPI's basketball team fell short of the Liberty League title Sunday, as Ithaca, the same team that ended the record tying 18 game winning streak last month, blew out the Engineers in overtime to take the championship, 80-69. An at large bid in the NCAA tournament, Division III, is not out of the question as yet.
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RPI grad Andrew Franks had a pair of field goals as the Tampa Bay Vipers won their first XFL game on Sunday, shutting out the DC Defenders, 25-0. DC is now tied for second place in the East with New York, which beat Los Angeles on Saturday. Both teams are 2-2, a game behind first place St. Louis (3-1), while Tampa is stuck in the basement at 1-3.

News & notes

RPI had a big day on Saturday.

Their men's basketball team moved one step closer to the Liberty League title by thrashing Union, 78-58. They'll host the title game later today vs. Ithaca., which ended the Engineers' 18 game winning streak last month.

RPI men's hockey closed the regular season on an up note, beating Dartmouth, 4-3. Harvard beat Union, 4-1.
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The Section II hockey title game is set for Tuesday at Union. Saratoga defeated CBA, 4-2, while Bethlehem, moving toward a sectional three-peat, downed Adirondack, 5-2. They'll have an awards ceremony before Tuesday's game.
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However, Saratoga & Bethlehem's men's basketball teams saw their seasons end at Hudson Valley Community College on Saturday.

Niskayuna upset Bethlehem, 68-42, while Colonie avenged a regular-season-ending loss to the Blue Streaks, 53-45.

Other scores:

Shenendehowa 69, CBA 49.
Green Tech 70, Columbia 39.

Class C:

Fort Plain 69, Berne-Knox-Westerlo 62.
Waterford 64, Granville 50.

Class D:

Northville 58, Loudonville Christian 28.
Germantown 70, Hartford 50.
Argyle 75, Fort Ann 55.
North Warren 80, OESJ 55.

The quarter-final round ends today with a Class A quadruple-header.
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Alumni Watch:

Virginia Commonwealth routed Georgetown, 20-6. Slumping Brett Young was inserted as a defensive replacement. The Knapek brothers, Carter & Brooks, pitched out of the bullpen. Carter gave up four runs on three hits in 1 1/3 innings, while Brooks slammed the door shut in the 9th.

North Carolina evened their softball series vs. Pittsburgh, 7-2. Hunter Levesque drove in both Panther runs with a 2 run homer.