The Frontier League has released its 2022 schedule, and the Tri-City Valleycats, as of now, will be doing some extra traveling.
The team opens on the road at Florence, Kentucky, on May 12 for a 3 game series against the Y'alls (??) before coming home to Bruno Stadium May 17 for series vs. Lake Erie and Windy City (yes, a Chicago area minor league team). After playing the same five teams in 2021 due to COVID, the 'Cats are happy to have some variety. For example, they'll only play arch-nemesis Sussex County 9 times in 2022, with 6 of the 9 in Troy. Tri-City will have 53 home dates, 43 on the road, in 2022.
Coming off a 4-4 women's campaign for Troy High/Tamarac/Averill Park, coach Jeff Maxwell will look for similar or better results for CBA & Troy's men's team, as it begins its season next week.
The schedule:
December 7: @ Schenectady.
December 14: Home opener vs. Albany.
December 21: @ Ballston Spa.
January 13: Niskayuna.
January 20: @ Guilderland-Voorheesville.
January 25: Saratoga.
February 1: @ Shaker. February 8: Senior day vs. Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake-Scotia.
You'll notice all the meets are on Tuesdays, except for the January 13 & 20 meets (Thursdays). I'm guessing the gap between the Ballston Spa & Niskayuna meets might be to allow for make-up dates for any possible postponements during the first three weeks of the season.
RPI & Northeastern completed their two game home & home series on Sunday, and, it appears that coach Dave Smith's club hadn't figured things out from Friday's loss because the result was the same, as the Huskies completed a two game sweep, 2-1.
The Engineers return home Friday.
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UAlbany's women's basketball team had an old friend waiting for them on Sunday at Boston College.
Former coach Joanna Bernabe-McNamee now coaches the Lady Eagles, who are now 5-1 after a 4th quarter rally lifted them past the Lady Danes (1-3), 77-65.
Grace Heeps (Columbia) led Albany with 17 points. Lilly Phillips (Cambridge) added 7. Abby Ray (Saratoga) didn't play (coach's decision). UAlbany returns home Wednesday night to SEFCU Arena to play Bryant.
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New season, same problems for LaSalle's hockey team.
The skating Cadets dropped a 5-1 decision to the Guilderville Storm on Saturday night, a game in which the Cadets were outshot by a more than 5-1 ratio (32-6). In a Sunday e-mail exchange, coach Tim Flanigan said that his team needs to work on its defense. The Cadets will make their usual pilgrimage to Plattsburgh to play Beekmantown on Saturday, and Plattsburgh on Sunday.
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After picking up their first win of the season over Harvard, Siena's men's basketball team couldn't sustain the momentum in an overtime loss to Bucknell on Sunday afternoon. Siena was outscored, 15-6, in the extra session to fall to 1-5 on the season. Anthony Gaines led Siena with 20 points, a career high. Jackson Stormo added 10, and Andrew Platek (Guilderland) had 11.
That's where the RPI football Engineers will be next weekend as they move on to the quarter-finals of the NCAA Division III tournament with a 21-14 win over SUNY Cortland.
RPI has now won 5 in a row, and reaches the quarters for the 2nd time in 4 years, losing to Johns Hopkins in 2018. This year, they'll face North Central College, which beat Wisconsin-LaCrosse on Saturday.
Unfortunately, what emotional momentum there was didn't get back to Troy in time for the women's hockey game vs. St. Cloud State. The Lady Engineers were swept by St. Cloud, 4-2 The men will wrap up their series with Northeastern later today.
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Kevin Huerter scored 8 points off the bench in support of Trae Young's game high 33 points, but it wasn't enough as the Atlanta Hawks saw their 7 game winning streak end at home with a 99-90 loss to the Knicks.
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Section II is down to one team heading to Syracuse.
Schuylerville earned a berth in the Class C state championship Saturday, blowing out Dobbs Ferry, 52-14. Luke Sherman ran for 3 touchdowns to lead the Black Horses, who will play Chenango Forks for the title on Friday.
Class B champion Ravena was eliminated by Pleasantville, 15-7.
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The rest of Saturday's high school & college scores:
High school basketball:
Men:
Suburban Council:
Shaker 53, Columbia 45. Henry Heeps (Grace's brother) scored 14 in his varsity debut for the Blue Devils. (Friday)
Baldwinsville 60, Shaker 56 (Saturday).
Non-league:
Duanesburg 59, Taconic Hills 33.
Schenectady 76, Mohonasen 43.
Waterford Tip-off tournament:
Waterford 77, Salem 31.
Fort Edward 66, Heatly 65.
Beson tournament:
Saratoga Catholic 60, Galway 34.
Consolation game was not reported.
Women:
Rusty Grestini tournament:
Cohoes 43, Lansingburgh 30.
Bishop Maginn vs. Mekeel Christian was not reported.
Local colleges:
Basketball:
Men:
Daemen 83, College of St. Rose 71. Andrew Sischo (Guilderland) had a game high 37 points for Daemen. Shane O'Dell (Schalmont) led St. Rose with 24 points in a losing effort.
Union 66, Mt. St. Vincent 59.
Women:
Duquesne 59, Siena 49. Jim Jabir's Saints are now 0-5.
The balance of power could be shifting in the Suburban Council's Grey division in women's basketball.
Per the Daily Gazette, Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake has tapped women's volleyball coach Gary Bynon, fresh off a state title, to take over the varsity women's basketball team. The Lady Spartans will open the season Friday vs. Troy High in Averill Park's season-opening tournament, so a message could be sent to Sean Organ and the Lady Warriors right away.
As for Troy, Burnt Hills has beaten the Lady Horses just once since Troy entered the Suburban Council in 2015, that win coming during the 2019-20 season.
Suddenly, pegging Averill Park & Albany to go 1-2 in the Grey division isn't so easy.
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As play began today, Section II was down to two teams in the state football playoffs.
Greenwich squandered a 6-0 halftime lead as Moriah dominated the Witches in the second half to punch their ticket to Syracuse, 28-14, on Friday.
Later this afternoon, Class B champ Ravena faces Pleasantville. Any footage on television tonight will be in full color, not in black & white like that movie a few years back. Class C champion Schuylerville led Dobbs Ferry, 38-7, at halftime as we went to press.
While all the hype surrounded the return of the Turkey Trot in Troy on Thanksgiving, there were four other races run.
We'll start, of course, in the hometown. Winners only:
Women's 10K: Cara Sherman (Clifton Park) covered the distance in 35 minutes, 10 seconds, good for 17th overall, since the men & women ran together.
Men's 10K: Troy native James Anderson, now running out of Rochester placed first, nearly 4 full minutes ahead of Sherman.
Women's 5K: Visiting runner Danielle Jordan of Seattle finished in just under 17 minutes to win.
Men's 5K: Alex Hislop (Clifton Park) crossed the finish line at 15:29.
Grade school race: Joey Degnan (Troy) won the boys' division. A O. Macutek (The O for Olivia, maybe?) won the girls' division.
In Schenectady's Central Park, the Cardiac Classic was held. Lianne Farber of Boston won the women's division, while former Niskayuna trackman Louis Serafini, now running out of Cambridge, Massachusetts, won the men's division, scorching the 5K distance in just 14:27, easily the best time of the day.
In Saratoga:
Women's 5K: Hannah Belleville (Clifton Park) held off Nathalie Chateaunault of Ballston Spa by a full second.
Men's 5K: Shea Weilbaker finished at 15:17.
In Delmar (Bethlehem):
Women's 5K: Isao Knox crossed the line at 20:15.
Men's 5K: Keith Machabee posted a time of 16:28.
In Cohoes:
Women's 5K: Lianna Matala (Schenectady) finished 1st at 22:09, good for 6th overall.
Men's 5K: Gavin Vlainich (Glenville) crossed the wire at 20:02.
All this needed was some real television coverage.
UAlbany earned its first win of the season in men's basketball Wednesday afternoon, getting a last second basket to beat Eastern Illinois, 64-62. The Great Danes had squandered a 10 point first half lead, then had to rally to win.
Former Siena star Sammy Friday, now a graduate transfer at Eastern Illinois, finished with 9 points in his first game vs. Albany since his Siena days. Matt Cerutti led Albany with 14 points.
The women, on the other hand, fell in the final minute to Cornell, 47-46. Lilly Phillips (Cambridge) had 5 points. Abby Ray (Saratoga) played briefly without scoring. Grace Heeps (Columbia) logged in 30 minutes, but didn't score.
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You could've seen this coming, but after a Federation title last weekend, LaSalle's Gitch Hayes repeated as the Albany Times-Union's Male Athlete of The Week, winning the honor for the 5th time this season. Between Hayes and football QB Eddie Yamin, LaSalle has collected 7 of these weekly honors in the first three months of the school year.
It wouldn't surprise us one bit if Hayes is running in today's Turkey Trot in downtown Troy, which does have divisions for high school athletes. We'll have the results tomorrow.
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Pre-season high school basketball tournaments will tip off starting tomorrow night. We'll be keeping an eye out. We do know, of course, that Troy High's winter season starts next week with bowling and women's basketball.
Bowling season has started in Section II, as there were openers in the Colonial Council & Patroon Conference on Tuesday afternoon. The scoring system varies from one league to another, much like in golf.
Colonial Council:
Lansingburgh 31, Cobleskill-Richmondville 1.
Patroon Conference:
Maple Hill 5, Taconic Hills 0.
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UAlbany announced Tuesday that football coach Greg Gattuso will return in 2022 to work the final year of his contract. The Great Danes had a poor season this year, winning just 2 games, but the school is hoping things will turn around next year.
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Siena is still looking for its first win in women's basketball.
Coach Jim Jabir's Saints are 0-4 after dropping a Tuesday matinee to New Hampshire, 59-45. Freshman Valencia Fontanelle-Posson (Guilderland) saw limited action and didn't score.
The rest of Tuesday's local college action:
Men:
Russell Sage 73, St. Mary 67 (OT). Noah Girard (Glens Falls) had 7 points coming off the bench.
Two local college basketball teams, in search of their first wins of the season, separated by thousands of miles, at least for one night. A collective 0-8 headed into Monday's play.
UAlbany was on the road, as Dwayne Killings is still looking for his first win as a head coach. The occasion was a reunion of a sort, as the Great Danes visited John Calipari & Kentucky. Killings was a ball boy when Calipari and associate head coach James "Bruiser" Flint were at Massachusetts in the 90's. The big question, of course, was whether or not UAlbany could keep up with one of the SEC's top teams.
In the end, they could not, as the Wildcats defeated UAlbany, 86-61, dropping the Great Danes to 0-5 on the season. UAlbany has a matinee Wednesday morning, hoping to end the drought.
Meanwhile, closer to home, Guilderland alumnus Andrew Platek made his home debut for Siena as the Saints entertained Harvard at what will soon be MVP Arena. Platek played 17 minutes, scored 9 points in support of Nick Hopkins' team-high 16 points, as the Saints picked up their first win of the year, defeating the Crimson, 72-69. It was Harvard's 2nd visit to Albany in a week, having beaten UAlbany on November 17 at SEFCU Arena.
Siena coach Carmen Maciariello had to have seen enough in the game films from that particular game to prepare his club.
Now, if only the two schools could play each other, as the women will soon enough......
LaSalle track star Getachew "Gitch" Hayes added to his ridiculous senior year resume Saturday in winning the Federation meet at Bowdoin Park in Wappingers Falls.
Hayes, headed for North Carolina next season, was one of three Section II runners in the top 10, the others being Ryan Bush (Saratoga, 5th) and Julian Franjieh (Niskayuna, 10th).
In team competition, Burnt Hills finished first in the men's division, while Saratoga won the women's title.
At Cool Insuring Arena in Glens Falls, speaking of Burnt Hills, the Lady Spartans captured another state championship in volleyball by sweeping Walter Panas, 3-0. Section II Class D champion Galway, however, came up short in a 3-1 loss to Mount Academy, the Section IX champion.
The Albany Times-Union's James Allen clarified the starting times for Saturday's state semi-finals, since the chart is in error, and has not been updated as of press time.
The Class C game between Schuylerville & Dobbs Ferry will start at noon, with the Class B match between Ravena and Pleasantville set for a 3 pm kickoff. Class D titlist Greenwich will play Moriah Friday at 3 pm. All three games are at Middletown High, just outside of Poughkeepsie. Winners advance to the Carrier Dome the following weekend.
As the 2021 high school football season nears its end, three Section II teams remain. The biggest surprise is the team a lot of observers expected to still play ends up going home instead.
In his two Class AA seasons at Troy (2016-17), Bob Burns' teams ran roughshod through the division, going 26-0, including state play. CBA had momentum on their side headed into a twilight game against Carmel in Mahopac on Saturday afternoon.
On the same field where Class A champion Burnt Hills saw its season end less than 24 hours earlier, the Brothers were bludgeoned, 52-7, by Carmel. CBA was down, 23-7, at the break, their lone score coming when Jaylen Riggins went 51 yards for a score off a pass from Donald Jones. Carmel shut out the Brothers in the second half to advance.
Meanwhile, Schuylerville advanced to the semi-finals by blowing away Ogdensburg Free Academy, 52-0. The Black Horses will advance to Middletown, where they'll play Dobbs Ferry next Saturday, while Class B champion Ravena will face Pleasantville. Ravena & Schuylerville join Class D champ Greenwich in the state semi-finals.
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Closer to home, Section II's chances of a state title in men's volleyball went by the wayside, as Columbia was eliminated in pool play. On the women's side, Burnt Hills (A) and Galway (D) were to play for state titles today in Glens Falls. Shenendehowa, Broadalbin-Perth, & Fonda-Fultonville were all eliminated on Saturday.
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UAlbany's putrid football season ended Saturday with a 36-14 loss to state rival Stony Brook, their two game winning streak coming to an end. The Great Danes are still looking for their first win in men's basketball, losing to Eastern Kentucky, 77-64.
===================================== RPI discovered that working out at Gillette Stadium was, in fact, a good luck charm.
In front of 2500 fans, RPI got two touchdown catches from Vinnie McDonald to down Endicott, 20-14. The Engineers return to New York next week to play SUNY-Cortland.
RPI hockey played to a 2-2 overtime tie with Long Island University at Northwell Health Arena, where LIU somehow got their hands on the NY Islanders' Stanley Cup banners from the 80's, as you could plainly see on the live stream.
Former Guilderland star Andrew Platek, a graduate transfer from North Carolina, made his season debut with Siena Friday night, but while Platek scored 12 points behind Jackson Stormo's game-high 25 points, Siena fell to 0-4 in losing to Georgetown, 83-65 at Capital One Arena. Platek didn't start the season until Friday as he was awaiting---and finally receiving----waivers from the NCAA. If that sounds familiar, Siena went through the same thing with Elijah Burns two years ago, and their baseball team had the same issue this past spring when Brett Young transferred from Virginia Commonwealth, and also needed waivers.
Former Saint Don Carey haunted his former team, scoring 20 for the Hoyas.
The Saints return home Monday to play Harvard, which beat UAlbany on Wednesday night.
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RPI's men's hockey team opened a weekend home & home series by routing Long Island University, 7-2, at the Houston Field House.
The scene shifts to Long Island for tonight's game.
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Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake's Class A regional vs. Somers was moved up a day to Friday. The Spartans got good news earlier in the week after Section II officials rescinded coach Matt Shell's ejection from the Super Bowl a week ago, allowing him to be on the sidelines vs. Somers.
Unfortunately, that was the only good news for the Spartans.
Somers, which ended Burnt Hills' runs in 2017-18, has proven to be the Spartans' kryptonite, shutting down Burnt Hills in the first half, and only allowing two 4th quarter touchdowns, one each on offense and defense, in eliminating the Spartans for the 3rd time in 5 seasons, 48-14.
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To the uninitiated, the city of Tuckahoe usually means the 70's TV series, Maude, which was set in the city. Tuckahoe High is hoping to change that perception.
However, Greenwich High had something to say about that. The Witches cast a collective spell on Tuckahoe at Mechanicville on Friday, leading to a 41-20 win and a trip to the semi-finals next week at Middletown vs. Moriah.
Meanwhile, Class B champion Ravena dominated Peru at CBA, 39-21.
The Class AA & C games take place today.
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Other action:
Men's college basketball:
Skidmore 85, Plattsburgh State 44.
Women's basketball:
SUNY-Cobleskill 65. Baruch 62.
Men's hockey:
Southern Maine 3, Skidmore 2.
Women's volleyball:
MAAC quarter-finals:
Fairfield 3, Siena 1.
America East semi-final:
UAlbany 3, New Hampshire 0.
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As RPI prepares for a football playoff today vs. Endicott in suburban Massachusetts, the Engineers practiced at Gillette Stadium, home of the NFL Patriots. We'll see if that's a good luck charm by the end of the day.
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For the 4th time this season, LaSalle track star Gitch Hayes was named Male Athlete of The Week by the Albany Times-Union. At this rate, he'll be Male Athlete of The Year.
Coming off the Tournament of Heroes last weekend in Long Island, where they won 2 games in blowout fashion, the College of St. Rose was ready to roll on Wednesday night, but their game at Georgian Court in New Jersey was cancelled at the last minute due to behavioral issues with the host team. The game will not be made up.
Mike Perno's Golden Knights will begin league play in their next game against Adelphi.
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Former Shenendehowa star Kevin Huerter contributed 19 points off the bench as the Atlanta Hawks downed the Boston Celtics, 110-99, on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, along the 518 alumni trail, UConn's Andre Jackson (Albany Academy) scored 14 points to help the Huskies blow away Long Island University, 93-40.
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At this point, UAlbany would like to just win a game.
Dwayne Killings' Great Danes fell to 0-3 after losing to Harvard, 60-53, at SEFCU Arena. At this rate, a game with the similarly luckless Siena would be a good catharsis.
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Russell Sage College's basketball teams were up & down on Wednesday.
The men defeated SUNY-Castleton, 72-68, to go to 3-1 on the young season. Noah Girard (Glens Falls), cousin of Joseph Girard III (Syracuse), saw some time on the court, but didn't score.
Meanwhile, the Lady Gators fell to Skidmore, 68-61. Sage's women's team is now 2-2, while Skidmore remains undefeated at 3-0.
And to think they don't get enough attention from the press!
Just two months ago, a Texas con artist targeted Shenendehowa, sending apparel and other items he claimed the school's cheerleading coach had ordered. She didn't.
While there's been no follow-up on the case since, another Suburban Council school has found themselves targeted by another scammer.
The Albany Times-Union reports today that residents in Guilderland have been targeted by a phone scammer using the name "Media All Stars", with the intent of collecting donations for the school's athletic program.
Guilderland, of course, does not solicit donations through an outside agency.
Phone scams happen all the time around these parts, usually targeting senior citizens. The brazen approach here suggests whomever is behind this thinks the Shen scam actually succeeded.
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RPI's women's hockey team snapped a 6 game losing streak Tuesday night, beating Post University, 4-1. Post, it seems, is worse, and only managed a garbage time goal late in the 3rd period to avoid the shutout.
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Another night, another loss for Siena's men's basketball team.
The Saints are now 0-2 at Times-Union Center (soon to be MVP Arena) after dropping a 82-54 decision to Yale, whose ancient Ivy League rival, Harvard, visits SEFCU Arena tonight to face UAlbany. Siena goes back on the road Friday night to face Big East power Georgetown.
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The rest of Tuesday's local college hoops:
Men:
RPI 89, SUNY-Delhi 63.
Skidmore 90, SUNY-Potsdam 77.
Bryant & Stratton 84, SUNY-Cobleskill 77.
Women:
Merrimack 65, UAlbany 52.
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There's another local pro wrestler to watch for.
Troy's Mike Parrow is one half of the tag team known as The End, and they're now in position to challenge for the NWA tag team titles. NWA Powerrr is no longer on YouTube, but rather is on Fite.TV. We're waiting for Parrow to come home to work a local indy card. Dude's slipped under the radar the last few years.
The first weekend of state regional football action is now set, per the Albany Times-Union:
Section II will host two games on Friday's schedule:
Class B: Peru vs. Ravena at CBA, 7 pm.
Class D: Tuckahoe vs. Greenwich at Mechanicville, 7 pm.
Saturday's card:
Class AA: CBA vs. Carmel at Mahopac, 3 pm.
Class A: Burnt Hills vs. Somers, also at Mahopac, 7 pm. Somers ended Burnt Hills' state runs in 2017-18.
Class C: Schuylerville vs. OFA at Massena, 2 pm.
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State championship tournaments in volleyball will also be hosted by Section II schools.
The women's tournaments are at Cool Insuring Arena in Glens Falls. Shenendehowa (AA), Burnt Hills (A), Broadalbin-Perth (B), Fonda-Fultonville (C), & Galway (D), are all scheduled to play on Saturday. Cool Insuring Arena has enough space for multiple matches to take place concurrently.
On the men's side, Columbia (A) will represent Section II at the Albany Capital Center, also on Saturday.
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Good-bye, Times-Union Center. Hello, MVP Arena.
MVP Health Care has won naming rights to the Albany arena, which would take full effect at the end of the year. MVP's logo will be splashed all over the arena on the inside, while the current TUC logo remains outside until a new exterior logo can be prepared and installed. The deal is for 5 years, and would expire at the end of 2026.
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Once upon a time, Troy had five high schools, counting the all-women's Emma Willard School. There've been private Christian schools in town, too, but both are gone now. Redemption Christian Academy is now located in Watervliet, though the church itself remains in Troy, and Capital Christian Academy closed its doors all the way back in 1983 or so, Their building has long since been torn down.
Come this time next year, there will only be four.
Catholic Central High, whose current building is a former textile plant, is merging with St. Ambrose School in Latham, which will get a major upgrade in 2022.
Geographically, Catholic Central, which will lose the "High" from its name to become Catholic Central School, would be closer to Shaker, also based in Latham, but will for now remain in the Colonial Council.
The Albany Roman Catholic Diocesean School Board made the decision Monday to move CCHS to Latham. The school's student body has expanded over the years to add grades 6-8 to the high school grades 9-12. St. Ambrose serves grades K-5. The plan is to close the current CCHS building, and sell it. Monsignor Burns Gym likely will be part of the deal if the renovations on St. Ambrose include upgrading the gym for basketball & volleyball.
The last Section II football championship was decided Sunday in a twilight game between Ravena and Gloversville. Ravena hadn't won a sectional title since 2004, and an opportunity opened up when defending champion Schuylerville was dropped down to Class C, where the Black Horses won a sectional title on Friday night.
Ravena built a big first half lead, and the defense made it stand up for a 33-14 win. WTEN has the highlights:
Ravena now moves on to state play, and will return to CBA on Friday for a regional semi-final.
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The College of St. Rose won the Northeast 10 women's soccer championship on Sunday, downing Central Connecticut State, 1-0. The Lady Knights advance to the NCAA's for the 16th time in the last 19 seasons, not including 2020, of course.
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Other high school scores:
Field hockey:
Class A final: Northport 1, Shenendehowa 0.
Class B final: Burnt Hills 2, Garden City 1.
Class C final: Whitney Point 6, Hoosick Falls 1.
Men's soccer:
Class C final: Alexander Hamilton 1, Maple Hill 0.
Only one Section II football title remains undecided, and fans will return to Christian Brothers Academy today for the Class B championship game, postponed Saturday due to heavy rain & lightning. Kickoff is now set for 4 pm for the Ravena-Gloversville game.
Meanwhile, Burnt Hills reclaimed its perch atop Class A after three years away, defeating Queensbury, 21-0. The result, however, came with a price.
A rarely invoked Section II rule resulted in Burnt Hills coach Matt Shell being ejected after his Spartans were accessed two unsportsmanlike conduct penalties late in the game. In high school football, the coach is held more responsible for the conduct of his players, since he's also part of the school faculty in most cases. That means Shell could miss the Spartans' state regional game on Friday. That hasn't been confirmed as of press time.
In recent years, Burnt Hills has had problems getting to Syracuse and the state title game, usually losing in the semi-final round. We'll see what happens this time.
Over in Class D, Greenwich downed Stillwater, 31-7.
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Field hockey:
Class A semi-finals:
Shenendehowa 1, Mamaroneck 0.
Class B semi-finals:
Burnt Hills 1, Rondout Valley 0. The Spartans advanced via shootout strokes.
Class C semi-finals:
Hoosick Falls 2, North Salem 0.
The three Section II teams will play for state titles today at Centereach, Long Island.
Men's soccer:
Class C semi-finals:
Maple Hill 5, Maple Grove 2. The game was moved from Middletown to Goshen due to rain & lightning, delayed until early evening. The Wildcats will play Hamilton (Section 1) later today.
Women's soccer:
Class AA semi-finals:
Shen 2, Arlington 0. The Plainswomen will face Massapequa this afternoon at SUNY-Cortland.
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Colleges:
Football:
RPI reclaimed the Dutchmen's Shoes, scoring 9 points in the final 2 minutes to beat Union, 19-17.
On Senior Day at UAlbany, the Great Danes made it two in a row, blowing away Morgan State, 41-14.
Men's basketball:
College of St. Rose 112, Rhode Island 54.
Skidmore 56, Stevens 51.
RPI 61, Nazareth 60.
Oneonta 101, Russell Sage 68.
Worcester State 104, SUNY-Cobleskill 66.
Delaware 83, Siena 63.
LaSalle 67, UAlbany 64.
Lasell 78, Union 66.
Women's basketball:
Goldey-Beacom 68, St. Rose 64.
Moravian 65, Russell Sage 60.
SUNY-Potsdam 61, SUNY-Cobleskill 55.
Skidmore 46, Williams 42.
Men's hockey:
Skidmore 4, New England College 1.
Cornell 11, RPI 3.
Union 2, Colgate 0.
Women's hockey:
Cornell 3, RPI 2. The Lady Engineers have now lost 6 in a row.
Two weeks ago, Christian Brothers Academy came from behind to defeat Shenendehowa, and lock down the #3 seed in Class AA. After CBA collected a receipt from Guilderland last week, the Brothers came to Shaker High knowing that Shen had the same thing on their collective minds.
But, there were some underlying factors to consider.
1. CBA has not won a sectional title since 2013.
2. Shen coach Brian Clawson is 0-3 lifetime vs. CBA coach Bob Burns, the first two losses coming when Burns was at Troy in 2016-17. The Flying Horses have been in Class A since 2018.
3. Tonight's Super Bowl was the 6th for Burns in his 7 seasons as a head coach, missing only the Class A Super Bowl in 2018 (Troy was eliminated by Burnt Hills that year).
In short, there might be another changing of the guard in Class AA.
Shen won the coin toss, and deferred to the 2nd half, so CBA took the opening kickoff. They were well on their way, it seemed, to their first score of the night when an attempt at a trick play went badly awry. Fullback Jaylen Riggins, on an option, lost the handle on the football, and the Plainsmen recovered. Keep in mind that there is no replay in high school football, unlike in college or the NFL, as James Allen & Kelly O'Donnell stressed on commentary. Otherwise, this could've been ruled an incomplete pass.
Shenendehowa cashed in on the turnover, as Michael McElrath raced down the sideline for the game's first score, less than five minutes into the game. McElrath went 24 yards for the score.
On the ensuing CBA possession, QB Donald Jones did most of the running himself, and ultimately took it in from 8 yards with just over a minute left in the frame. We were tied at 7 after the quarter.
Shen was driving to start the 2nd quarter, and just a minute in, McElrath struck again, this time for 27 yards. The Plainsmen went back on top, but not for long. CBA quickly responded, as Burns went to the bullpen for a relief Pitcher. Jahmir Pitcher, that is, who scampered 31 yards to paydirt for the tying score. We were all even at 14 at halftime.
If there was anything that plagued CBA during the game, it was the turnovers and ill-timed penalties. McElrath's first score was set up by a late hit by Jones, for example. The usually sure handed Brendan Simek lost a fumble in the 2nd quarter, recovered by McElrath, but CBA couldn't cash this one in.
After a scoreless 3rd quarter, CBA took control, just as they did late in last week's win over Guilderland. A lengthy, time consuming drive culminated in David Clement fighting off a Shen defender to secure a 9 yard catch from Jones. Four and a half minutes later, Jones slammed the door shut with his second rushing touchdown of the night, matching McElrath's output. Jones had a touchdown taken away earlier by penalty, but there was no denying him this time.
With just over a minute left, Shen's Mason Courtney's desperation heave was intercepted by Jack Goebel, and CBA had wrapped up its first sectional title in 8 years, 28-14. The Brothers will move on to state play, starting November 20, with the championship moved back a week to December 4 at the Carrier Dome in Syracuse.
Each of Bob Burns' Class AA titles ultimately led to state championships. The next three weeks will tell us if he has another special team.
In other action:
Schuylerville captured the Class C title, ending Fonda Fultonville's Cinderella run, 26-16.
Last season aside, it has been a November tradition in Section II. Sectional titles in all 5 football classifications (Classes AA-D) will be decided the next two nights, setting up the state tournaments that start November 19.
Class AA: Shenendehowa vs. CBA (Shaker High, Friday at 7 pm).
This will be the season finale (we think) of Spectrum News 1's Friday Night Matchup, and a rematch from October 29. Shen blew a big halftime lead, as the Brothers rallied.
Key facts: While CBA's Bob Burns logged a 1-2 record in Class A Super Bowls at Troy, he's 2-0 in AA, having swept through the 2016-17 seasons at Troy, Including the regular season finale 2 weeks ago, Burns is 3-0 vs. Shen's Brian Clawson. In his 7th season as a head coach, Burns has missed the Super Bowl just once, as Troy was eliminated in the semi-finals by Burnt Hills in 2018.
The pick: CBA gives Burns the rare distinction of winning 2 Super Bowls in the same calendar year.
Class A: Burnt Hills vs. Queensbury (Shen, Saturday at 7 pm).
It will be the 2nd post-season Battle of The Spartans in 4 years, the last coming in 2018. Burnt Hills avenged their loss in the title game 6 1/2 months ago by beating Troy back in September. Queensbury beat Troy to win the A title in 2019, only for Troy & Burns to collect a receipt in the semi-finals back in April.
Key facts: After losing the season opener to Shaker, Matt Shell's Spartans have won 8 in a row. Enough said.
The pick: Burnt Hills wins again, and will make another attempt at a state title in their first trip to the states in 3 years.
Class B: Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk vs. Gloversville (CBA, Saturday at 3 pm).
Key facts: Gloversville upset pre-season favorite Schalmont to reach the title game. Ravena collected a quick receipt from Glens Falls.
The pick: Gloversville goes to overtime to beat Ravena.
Class C: Fonda-Fultonville vs. Schuylerville (Lansingburgh High, Friday at 7 pm).
Key facts: Fonda has gotten hot at the right time, upsetting Hoosick Falls-Tamarac in the semi-finals after destroying Watervliet in the quarters. Schuylerville's been here before, but there's something to be said about Cinderella and sports.
The pick: Fonda, which hasn't been a relevant team since the 90's, may just follow baseball's Atlanta Braves to the promised land.
Class D: Stillwater vs. Greenwich (Schuylerville High, Saturday at 1 pm).
Key facts: These two teams are more accustomed to being in Class C, the biggest of the 5 classifications in terms of teams. Perennial D contender Cambridge-Salem was eliminated in the semi-finals.
CBA's multi-purpose sophomore, Donald Jones, was named Male Athlete of The Week by the Albany Times-Union after leading the Brothers past Guilderland last Friday. Stillwater track star Gianna Locci was named Female Athlete of The Week after winning three events at the Armory Trials in New York. Section II's indoor track season starts next month, but Locci got a head start.
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Entering play on Wednesday, UAlbany's women's basketball team hadn't beaten Hofstra in six tries, the last loss coming 11 months ago.
That was then, this is now.
Senior guard Ellen Hahne had 17 points to lead the Lady Danes, while Lilly Phillips (Cambridge) added 7 points, and Grace Heeps (Columbia) finished with 6, as UAlbany blew out the Pride, 70-41, at SEFCU Arena.
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In other local basketball action:
RPI's women are still looking for their first win after falling to John Jay, 70-61. RPI is 0-2, while the Lady Statesmen had played their first game.
Russell Sage's women matched the dominating performance of the men's team the night before by blowing out Cazenovia, 82-43, in their season opener. Cazenovia, like RPI, is 0-2.
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Soccer season isn't over yet in the 518.
The College of St. Rose's women's soccer team has reached the Northeast 10 semi-finals, and will play St. Anselm this afternoon, 24 hours after the men's team was eliminated by American International, 1-0, also in the semi-finals.
At the high school level, Section 2 has two teams still vying for state titles.
Maple Hill (Class C) will play Maple Grove, from Section 6, at Middletown on Saturday. On the women's side, Shenendehowa (Class AA) meets the top seed in the state tournament, Arlington, Saturday morning at Tompkins-Cortland Community College.
Less than a week after Troy High finished its season with a 37-6 loss to Colonie, the school decided that former Holy Trinity coach John Barber wasn't the answer they hoped for after Bob Burns left in June for CBA.
Barber was notified at a post-season meeting with AD Paul Reinisch that, because the Flying Horses did not meet the lofty expectations expected of them, finishing 1-7 on the season (not 1-6 as WTEN was mistakenly told, as apparently they weren't told of the Colonie game, like the rest of the press), Barber would not be brought back.
In his defense, Barber had to play with the hand he was dealt after Burns left, and took fullback-linebacker Jaylen Riggins and a couple of key assistants with him to CBA, which will be playing for the Class AA title on Friday. With a roster short on senior leadership, Barber was in a virtual no-win situation from the start, and Troy ended the season on a 4 game losing streak.
Now, the search begins anew for a new football coach and some assistants. Barber's departure marks the first time a Troy football coach has failed to survive his first season since Michael Hurteau, a former Troy player himself in the 90's, was relieved of his duties after the 2014 season.
Tuesday was the official start of the 2021-2 college basketball season. For our local teams, though, getting out of the blocks proved troublesome.
For example, Siena squandered a 10 point first half lead, and were outscored, 41-15, in the second half in losing to St. Bonaventure, 75-47. For some reason, the Saints' offense disappeared after halftime.
At Binghamton, the Siena women's team also lost their opener, but it was a more competitive game, as they fell to the Lady Bearcats, 59-55. Ahnyisha Jackson (Albany High) contributed 3 points for the Lady Saints, who head out to Olean to play St. Bonaventure tomorrow night.
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UAlbany might be regretting letting Antonio Rizzuto walk.
Rizzuto was a big factor in Towson's 77-56 win at SEFCU Arena on Tuesday, finishing with 11 points, and spoiling the debut of new Great Danes coach Dwayne Killings. UAlbany's women's team opens their season tonight, also at SEFCU Arena, vs. Hofstra, which will mark the debut of former Cambridge star Lily Phillips with the Lady Danes.
Hofstra is 6-0 lifetime vs. Albany, including a win last season.
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You'd have to go below Division 1 to get any local winners.
Russell Sage College's men's team opened with a 94-56 win over Elms. What ye scribe is not sure of is where Sage plays their home games, either at their Troy or Albany campus. I've been to the gym at their Troy campus, seeing a high school game involving Redemption Christian Academy 2 years ago, and, with bleachers on only one side of the gym, it's not accomodating, so figure they might be at the Albany campus.
Also, Castleton downed SUNY-Cobleskill in the latter's opener, 109-78.
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St. Bonaventure's men's team, oh, by the way, is ranked in the top 25 at #23, but given the politics of college hoops that won't last.
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Glens Falls' Joseph Girard III had 20 points to lead Syracuse past Louisana-Lafayette, 97-63. Coach Jim Boeheim now has eldest son Jim, Jr. joining brother Buddy, last season's leading scorer, on the Orange. The brothers combined 36 points (18 each) in the win.
Albany Academy's Andre Jackson contributed 9 points as Connecticut spanked Central Connecticut, 99-48. For the bigger teams, it's tomato can season, and, unfortunately, it seems like Albany & Siena were treated as such.
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Fans looking to attend the Section II Class B football title game between Ravena and Gloversville now know where to go. The game will be played at CBA's field in Colonie. The game will be played Saturday afternoon at 3 pm.
Siena College opens its 2021-2 men's basketball calendar tonight with a road game at St. Bonaventure. The official home opener comes Saturday night vs. Delaware at what for now is still Times-Union Center. Next Tuesday's home game vs. Yale will air on one of the ESPN networks, but they haven't finalized that as of press time.
Radio broadcasts are on WGDJ-AM (1300 AM), and can be accessed on the school's web site.
The Lady Saints are also on the road, visiting Binghamton today, and will travel to St. Bonaventure on Thursday night. Their first home game won't be until after Thanksgiving. Radio coverage is on 98.3 FM (The Saint), with Tri-City Valleycats voice Joe Mixie at the mic.
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We can confirm the end of Troy High's football season came just after 9 pm Thursday, after Colonie thrashed the Flying Horses, 37-6. John Barber's club finishes 1-7 for the season, but you wonder, if you're a Troy supporter, if Barber will return next season, or if Troy eats the remainder of his contract.
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Former UAlbany star Antonio Rizzuto returns to SEFCU Arena tonight as a member of Towson's men's basketball team. Rizzuto transferred after last season so he could be closer to his family. The game can be heard on WTMM-FM (104.5).
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As of press time, Section II still hasn't figured out who will host the Class AA & A football championship games, set for Friday & Saturday, respectively. We know Lansingburgh will host the C title game on Friday, and Schuylerville hosts the D title game on Saturday.
The AA title game (CBA vs. Shenendehowa) will likely air on Spectrum News 1
RPI's women's hockey team has played in streaks this season. They started the season losing four in a row, then won four in a row. After last night's lost to Quinnipiac, 1-0, the Lady Engineers have dropped four straight again to fall to 4-8 on the season.
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Union's women's team can feel the pain. They're 0-6 in ECAC play after losing to Princeton, 4-2. Union falls to 2-10-1 over all with the defeat. Union's men aren't that much better. The Dutchmen went to a shootout before losing to St. Lawrence, 3-2.
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In fact, it wasn't a good day for Union at all.
The Dutchmen football team picked the worst time to see their winning streak end Saturday, falling to Ithaca, 26-7, perhaps looking too far ahead toward the home finale vs. RPI with the Dutchmen's Shoes on the line next Saturday.
RPI, on the other hand, went to overtime before beating St. Lawrence, 22-20. The Engineers & Union are tied atop the Liberty League standings at 4-1 in league play (8-1 overall), so the league title's on the line next Saturday at Bailey Field.
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In celebration of the Atlanta Braves winning the World Series, Shenendehowa alumnus Ian Anderson's ball from Game 3 has been sent to the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown as another momento of the 518. That might not be the last item the Hall gets from Anderson.
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After losing to St. Lawrence Friday, RPI's hockey team bounced right back and beat Clarkson, 3-1, on Saturday:
A quick check of the ECAC standings shows RPI tied with Harvard with 9 points apiece. Harvard sits atop the standings, undefeated, despite having played 5 fewer games than the Engineers.
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Saturday's high school scoreboard:
Football:
Class B semi-finals:
Ravena 35, Glens Falls 28. It'll be Ravena vs. Gloversville next Saturday at CBA for the title.
Class D semi-finals:
Greenwich 48, Chatham 20.
Stillwater 31, Warrensburg-North Warren 12.
Greenwich & Stillwater will meet at Schuylerville next Saturday.
As of press time, Section II has not decided who will host the Class AA title game on Friday or next Saturday's Class A game. Spectrum will broadcast the Class AA title game, a rematch between CBA & Shenendehowa, and could also cover the A title game the next night (Queensbury vs. Burnt Hills).
Women's volleyball:
Class A finals:
Burnt Hills 3, Queensbury 0. Burnt Hills has won 19 straight sectional titles.
Class C finals:
Fonda-Fultonville 3, Mayfield 1.
Class D finals:
Galway 3, Lake George 1.
Men's soccer:
Class AA state regionals:
Fayetteville-Manilus 2, Shenendehowa 1.
Class B:
Beekmantown & Greenville played to a 1-1 tie. Beekmantown advances via penalty kicks.
Class C:
Maple Hill 2, Madrid-Waddington 0.
Class D:
Mount Academy & OESJ played to a 1-1 tie. Mount Academy advances on penalty kicks.
Two weeks ago, Guilderland needed a late 2nd half rally to defeat CBA. However, the Brothers beat Shenendehowa last week to secure the #3 seed in Class AA, setting up a rematch, right back at Guilderland, as the defending champions sought to return to the Super Bowl.
After a scoreless 1st quarter, CBA drew first blood on the first play of the 2nd quarter, as Donald Jones picked up a Goebel Peace Prize, hitting Jesse Goebel with a 35 yard touchdown toss to put the Brothers up, 7-0, at the break. This scenario was set up after Guilderland QB Ty Santabarbara was chased so far out of the pocket, he might as well have been running for office. CBA's Jaylen Riggins tracked him down for a huge sack, and the Dutchmen drive ended on a road to nowhere.
Dutchmen coach Dan Penna thought things would be different in terms of scoring, thinking Santabarbara & Jones would light up the sky. Unfortunately, there were more dropped passes than at a picnic, and both clubs opted to keep it on the ground. Both teams also had punting issues. A CBA punt was blocked on the first play of the 4th quarter, and, two plays later, Devon McClaine cashed it in from a yard out. After a Dillon Blanchard PAT, we were tied at 7.
Ok, you're thinking. Could Guilderland do it again? Nope, not this time. CBA's defense kept Santabarbara on the run so much, he could've auditioned for a remake of the old Ben Gazzara drama, Run For Your Life. CBA's running game, which was bottled up for a good chunk of the first half, asserted itself in the final frame. First, Brendan Simek scored from 9 yards out to put CBA up for good. Four minutes later, Jones slammed the door shut with a 4 yard keeper, but the PAT failed, leaving the score at 20-7 with just over 2 minutes left, and time for the Dutchmen to mount a comeback.
However, Santabarbara was called for intentional grounding for the 2nd time in the game. Guilderland then turned it over on downs, and all CBA needed were three kneel downs to lock down a berth in the Super Bowl.
For CBA coach Bob Burns, this is his 1st AA Super Bowl since winning at Troy in 2017.
Up next for the Brothers is a rematch with Shenendehowa, which upset top seeded Shaker, 21-14.
Other scores:
Class A:
Burnt Hills 21, LaSalle 20 (OT). The Kardiac Kadets couldn't convert a PAT that could've sent the game to double OT.
Queensbury 48, Averill Park 35. The quarter point system favored Averill Park, as the Warriors and Amsterdam each had one loss in the Capital Division, so overall record didn't matter, even though if it did, the Rams should've been in the playoff instead.
Class B:
Gloversville 15, Schalmont 14. The Dragons await the winner of tomorrow's Ravena-Glens Falls game.
Class C:
Fonda-Fultonville 20, Hoosick Falls-Tamarac 14. The Braves continued the theme of the night in avenging earlier losses.
LaSalle's Getachew "Gitch" Hayes has won his 3rd Albany Times-Union Male Athlete of The Week award for the fall season after capturing the individual title in the Colonial Council championships last week. We'd love to see him run in the Troy Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving Day, three weeks from today.
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There was no momentum transferred from one Shenendehowa grad to another.
Less than 24 hours after Ian Anderson & the Atlanta Braves captured the World Series, Kevin Huerter came off the bench to score 16 points in 22+ minutes in a loss to Brooklyn Wednesday. Don't know what the thinking is having him come off the bench when he had some solid performances as a starter last season.
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Wednesday's high school scoreboard:
Football:
Ichabod Crane 33, Hadley-Luzerne 0.
Men's soccer state sub-regionals:
Class A:
East Syracuse-Minoa 2, Averill Park 0.
Men's volleyball:
Class AA semi-finals:
Columbia def. Saratoga. Shenendehowa 3, Bethlehem 0.
Women's volleyball:
Class A semi-finals:
Queensbury def. South Glens Falls.
Burnt Hills 3, Averill Park 0.
Class AA semi-finals:
Shenendehowa 3, Ballston Spa 0.
Columbia 3, Colonie 0.
Class B semi-finals:
Broadalbin-Perth def. Hudson Falls.
Academy of Holy Names 3, Ichabod Crane 1.
Class C semi-finals:
Mayfield 3, Chatham 1.
Fonda-Fultonville def. Saratoga Catholic.
Class D semi-finals:
Lake George def. Argyle.
Galway 3, Hartford 0.
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As of now, Troy High's football season is over, and so is South Glens Falls'. The Bulldogs couldn't find an opponent, or reschedule their twice postponed game vs. Troy, so both teams' seasons are over. Troy's sports calendar is empty after Thanksgiving, when bowling season begins.
Update, 1:08 pm: Schedule Galaxy reports that Troy will play a crossover game tonight at home vs. Colonie. Kickoff is at 7 pm.
LaSalle Institute has finalized its 2021-2 varsity hockey schedule. Coach Tim Flanigan is happy to be back at Hudson Valley Community College's Conway Arena after playing the 2020-1 season at Frear Park, where the Cadets struggled.
The season begins with the return of an annual tradition, as the Cadets travel to Plattsburgh State to play Beekmantown & Plattsburgh on December 4-5, with the two games taking place over a 24 hour period.
Following is the full schedule:
November:
27 vs. Guilderville Storm at Albany County Recreational Facility. The Storm are sharing the venue with CBA & the CD Jets.
December:
4 vs. Beekmantown @ Plattsburgh State.
5 vs. Plattsburgh @ Plattsburgh State.
8 Home opener vs. Bethlehem as high school hockey returns to HVCC.
11 @ CD Jets.
16 CBA. Face-off is set for 5:15. The game was originally set for December 18, but was moved to a Thursday berth. Reason unknown.
22 Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake-Ballston Spa.
27 vs. Brattleboro @ Union College. The Mohawks tournament also returns this season.
CBA football coach Bob Burns just lost his side gig.
Burns, who still lives in Troy, had switched his political affiliation from Democrat to Troy Strong, an independent party, in Tuesday's election for Rensselaer County Legislature. Unfortunately, that decision proved to be very costly, and likely signals the end of Burns' political career, finishing near the bottom of the ballot with just 323 votes. I suspect there's some backlash involved from his leaving Troy High for CBA back in June.
Burns' focus now is on the Class AA playoffs, which begin Friday with a rematch at Guilderland.
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There may not be a ticker tape parade in Clifton Park, but Shenendehowa's Ian Anderson will be in one in Atlanta, after the Braves won the World Series Tuesday night, 4 games to 2, with a 7-0 shutout of Houston. The Green Machine's alumni department now can focus on their other gift to Atlanta, Hawks guard Kevin Huerter, who was rewarded with a 3 year contract extension over the summer.
Congratulations to Ian and the Braves.
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Tuesday's high school sectional scoreboard:
Men's soccer:
Class C:
Maple Hill defeated Mayfield on penalty kicks after the teams played to a 2-2 tie after overtime.
Class D:
OESJ 3, Argyle 0.
Women's soccer:
Class C:
Schoharie 3, Waterford 2.
Women's state playoffs:
Class A sub-regional:
New Hartford 6, Queensbury 0.
Class B sub-regional:
Skaneateles 3, Schalmont 2 (OT).
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Speaking of Kevin Huerter, a word to the wise, as he & the Hawks will play Brooklyn tonight, with the game airing on YES and ESPN. So far this season, Huerter is averaging a little more than 20 minutes a game, has made 28% of his shots, 15% from 3-point range, and is a perfect 2-2 at the free throw line.
