News & notes

 We have noted in the past how high schools keep personnel changes close to the vest. In other words, when it comes to coaches, schools tend to prefer a need-to-know basis, LaSalle's hiring of former Union coach John Audino being one big exception, and thus stay well below the radar.

To that end, Albany Academy quietly changed varsity hockey coaches for their Capital District High School Hockey League team in the offseason. Dave Rider, who returned to revive the program, has given way to Ken Lancto. The fresh voice on the bench has paid dividends already, as the Cadets downed the Capital District Jets, 7-1, on Wednesday night.

In addition, senior defenseman Forest Ward transferred from LaSalle, perhaps thinking he has a better chance of making the postseason with Lancto's Cadets than with Tim Flanigan's. Academy is idle until December 8, when they host CBA.

Speaking of LaSalle, Flanigan has welcomed his first female players to his roster in sophomore forward Isabella Sawyer and freshman defenseman Abby Owens. Given how Flanigan uses virtually everyone in a game situation, the ladies should see some quality playing time this weekend when the team is on the road vs. Beekmantown & Plattsburgh before coming home Wednesday to play Bethlehem.

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Former Troy High football coach Jack Burger retired after the 2013 season, and while Troy could surely use him now after the failed John Barber experiment, Schuylerville is happy to have Burger on their staff as an assistant. The Black Horses will attempt to bring a Class C state title home tonight at the Carrier Dome vs. Chenango Forks. It's a revenge game for Schuylerville, as Chenango Forks defeated them 2 years ago for the B title. Kickoff is at 6 pm. Good luck finding a source for live streaming.

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Troy High's women's basketball team kicks off its season in the first half of a tournament doubleheader at Averill Park. Ryan Meikle's new look Flying Horses will be the first test for new Burnt Hills women's basketball coach Gary Bynon, while host Averill Park plays South Glens Falls in the nightcap. Tip-off for the first game is set for 7 pm.

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An 0-7 start is not what Jim Jabir had in mind when he returned to Siena to coach their women's basketball team. Unfortunately, that's what he's got after losing a tight one to Colgate Thursday night, 56-54.

Given the situation, ye scribe had to hold off on jokes about a certain brand of toothpaste........!

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Thursday's high school & college scoreboard:

High school basketball:

Men:

Western Athletic Conference:

Galway 64, Loudonville Christian 31.

Non-league:

Mayfield 75, Wells 24.

Middleburgh 53, Gilbertville-Mt. Upton 52.

Women:

Foothills Council:

Amsterdam 53, Schuylerville 45.

Broadalbin-Perth 53, Scotia-Glenville 22.

Queensbury 71, Johnstown 41.

Bowling:

Foothills Council:

Amsterdam 4, Scotia-Glenville 0.

Hudson Falls 4, Broadalbin-Perth 0.

Patroon Conference:

Chatham 5, Coxsackie-Athens 0.

Women's bowling:

Non-league:

Mechanicville 20, Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk 12.

Local college basketball:

Russell Sage 62, SUNY-Cobleskill 56.

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The College of St. Rose advances to the NCAA Division II women's soccer quarterfinals after capturing the East Region on Thursday with a 3-0 shutout of Mercy. The Golden Knights got as far as the quarters two years ago before being eliminated.