News & notes

 UAlbany is on the verge of possibly losing another player.

Antonio Rizzuto, who had an outstanding season for the Great Danes, has entered the transfer portal, but is leaving his options open, meaning he might come back after all next season. Interim coach and former player Jon Iati is Rizzuto's cousin, and the uncertainty of whether or not Iati would get a full promotion to head coach for next season may be what's fueling Rizzuto's moves at present. Just sayin'.

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While Siena's women's team is playing its first round game in the MAAC tournament in Atlantic City as I write, men's basketball stars Jalen Pickett & Manny Camper were named to the league's 1st team for men on Monday. Despite losing its regular season finale to Canisius on Friday, the Saints are still considered to be a popular pick to advance to the NCAA tournament, which starts next week. Siena was halfway there when last year's tournament was halted due to COVID.

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As noted yesterday, Troy High's women's basketball team will play its first consolation tournament game tomorrow, and, at present, it's set for Zotto Memorial Gym with a 6 pm start. The opponent has yet to be determined, but if you took a closer look at the standings in the Suburban Council, you'd make an argument that Ryan Meikle's club (6-5 overall, 6-4 in league play) got screwed out of the main tournament. Apparently, the league is using winning percentage in correlation with the number of games played to determine the field. 

Keep in mind that Troy had a game vs. Saratoga cancelled on February 27 due to a COVID outbreak on Robin Chudy's team, and that could've changed everything had the game been played. Had that game been played, and Troy lost, then you'd have justification for their placement in the consolation tournament.

Ya know what, pilgrims? I think that's what the league's eggheads were thinking.

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Monday's basketball scoreboard:

Suburban Council men's 1st round:

Niskayuna 47, CBA 45. So much for an upset.

Saratoga 49, Bethlehem 44.

Troy 73, Schenectady 46. Josh Rodriguez led three Troy players in double figures with 20 points, including a ridiculous 3 pointer from near mid-court at the end of the 1st quarter. Shamdo Caldwell added 16, while Marquis Hamby contributed 13, most of it in the 1st quarter.

Shenendehowa 67, Colonie 52.

Suburban Council women's 1st round:

Shen 64, Bethlehem 33. The Eagles suffer a 2nd loss in as many days. Erin Carey led Shen with 14 points, while the Huerter sisters, Meghan & Jillian, were held to a combined 20 points (12 & 8, respectively).

Saratoga 51, Guilderland 49. Natasha Chudy led Saratoga with 21 points. Valencia Fontanelle-Posson had a game high 27 points for the Lady Dutch.

Albany 58, Niskayuna 43. Neveah House had a game high 24 points for the Falcons, who shut down Nisky's Olivia Olsen, holding her to a season low 8 points. Albany will need another standout performance if they want to upset Shen tomorrow night.

Averill Park 57, Shaker 46. After being held to 7 points on Saturday, Amelia Wood had 16 to complement Anna Jankovic (20 points) in leading the Warriors to a payback win over the Bison.

Wednesday's semi-finals:

Men: 

Troy @ Saratoga.

Nisky @ Shen.

Women: 

Saratoga @ Averill Park.

Albany @ Shen.

Shenendehowa will host a double-header again tomorrow.

Suburban Council men's consolation tournament, 1st round:

Averill Park 44, Guilderland 41 (OT).

Columbia 63, Ballston Spa 52.

Women's consolation tournament, 1st round:

Colonie 57, Schenectady 36.