News & notes

The annual Eddy Memorial track meet, the biggest track event in the 518, is among the victims of the cancellation of this year's spring sports schedule due to the COVID-19 pandemic. I think we won't be hearing much about track & field until indoor season begins in December.
===============================
Mekeel Christian Academy's boys' basketball team left the Western Athletic Conference and went independent three years ago. All they've done is win, and after coming up short in Class B last year, the Lions moved up to A and won the Section II title back in March.

Emma Willard left the Central Hudson Valley League right before the 2018-9 season for an independent schedule, which netted them back-to-back berths in the Class A women's sectionals the last two seasons, losing in the first round to neighboring Troy High both times.

Mekeel's women's basketball team is following suit, and leaving the WAC to go independent for the coming season, and will test their mettle against bigger schools such as Schenectady and Shaker, after dominating the WAC last season, per the Daily Gazette. The exit agreement with the WAC stipulates a minimum two year period before the school would reconsider and apply for reinstatement in the league.

In this space, I've advocated Emma Willard, if they tire of the independent schedule, move into a bigger league like the Suburban Council, home to Shaker, Troy, & Schenectady. The league has one fewer women's team than men's teams, more glaring after Mohonasen defected to the Colonial Council in 2018. Moving into a league like the Suburban or Colonial would also raise Mekeel's profile.

Something to think about.
=================================
Reports, again from the Daily Gazette, suggest NYRA is opening up the Oklahoma training track at Saratoga, but only after backstretch workers are tested for COVID-19 as a precaution. As of now, NYRA is hoping to re-open Belmont Park for a short meet before the annual Saratoga meet in mid-July, all without fans, but as of last check, Governor Andrew Cuomo doesn't share NYRA's enthusiasm. Stay tuned.