Troy High sports update, 1/30

 .....And down the stretch they come!

Troy High's winter sports teams are nearing the end of their regular seasons, save for the unified men's swimming & diving team (with CBA), which may be the last to finish its season.

We'll start with basketball.

Men's basketball:

Current record: 8-6 overall after beating Bishop Ludden, 56-53, on Sunday in Syracuse. A good bounce back for John Killian's club after a heartbreaking last second loss to Shenendehowa on Friday. The Flying Horses went 2-3 on the just concluded 5 game road trip, and have 5 games left:

Tuesday: Columbia.

Friday, February 3: @ Niskayuna.

Tuesday, February 7: @ CBA.

Friday, February 10: Senior Night vs. Bethlehem.

Saturday, February 11: @ Goshen (regular season finale).

Potential trap: Bethlehem has gotten hot at the right time, trying to keep pace with their counterparts on the women's side, who are leading the Blue division of the Suburban Council.

Projected finish: All 5 games are winnable, so we see Troy finishing 13-6.

Women's basketball:

Current record: 1-16. Coach Steve Lombard didn't know what he was walking into when he took the job, for all intents & purposes, last minute in November. One must assume that assistant coach Sarah Fullmer was passed over for the head coaching position after Ryan Meikle was kicked upstairs last summer to the principal's office, and because of that, some players chose to leave the team, leaving an almost bare cupboard for coach Lombard to work with. He can't bring anyone up from JV, because the JV's are just as bad, if not worse off.

3 games remain:

Tuesday: @ Columbia.

Friday: Senior Night vs. Niskayuna.

February 10: @ Bethlehem.

Projected finish: 1-19. No sense in going to sectionals.

Bowling:

Current record: 5-7-1. Two league matches remain, tomorrow at Niskayuna, and Wednesday at Averill Park. A "tournament" has been scheduled for today. The Suburban Council championships are set for February 8 at Boulevard Bowl, Nisky's home turf.

Projected finish: 7-7-1.

Of course, I could be wrong.

News & notes

 With one season of high school eligibility left, Albany Academy's Kennedy Swedick has made a commitment to play for the Virginia Cavaliers in golf after she graduates in 2024. The leader of the powerhouse Bears in the Colonial Council, we shan't be surprised if Swedick takes her game national and tries out for the LPGA at some point while at Virginia.

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Union clinched their season series with RPI in men's hockey by winning the Mayor's Cup, 6-0, on Saturday at MVP Arena. The Dutchmen won by the same score on October 29. Connor Murphy (Hudson Falls) was in goal for both games, and seems to have the Engineers' number.

Meanwhile, the RPI women won the opener, 3-1.

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Time to update some stats from some of Friday's key games.

Bella Franchi had 15 points to lead all scorers in Colonie's 51-41 loss to Bethlehem. Caroline Davis led the Eagles with 13 points, while Ellie Cerf & Kaitlyn Robbins added 7 points apiece.

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Troy High's men's team, still without Daniel Covington, was led by 8th grader Stetson Merritt with 21 points, and Damarion Tucker with 20, in a losing effort against Shenendehowa. Andrew Massaroni, who hit the game winner for the Plainsmen, also had 21.

On the women's side, Scoring was at a premium at Zotto Gym, as Brianna Carey led the Plainswomen with 11 points. Kate Gilooly led all scorers with 15 for Troy, as Shen's defense keyed on Ava Mamone, and held her to 7 points on the night.

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Not a good day or night on the hardwood for most of the local college basketball squads......

Men:

LeMoyne 74, College of St. Rose 71. 

Ithaca 63, RPI 62.

Utica 95, Russell Sage 60.

SUNY-Delhi 71, SUNY-Cobleskill 56.

Skidmore 74, Union 67.

Hudson Valley 80, Cayuga 67. Trevor Green (Lansingburgh) had a big game with 36 points for the Vikings (11-6).

Maine 72, UAlbany 68.

Women:

Maine 50, UAlbany 49.

Quinnipiac 68, Siena 63.

LeMoyne 63, St. Rose 58.

Ithaca 59, RPI 39.

Skidmore 61, Union 52.

Russell Sage 90, Utica 69.

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LaSalle's Chase Rose dedicated his goal in the Cadets' 3-1 win over the Guilderville Storm to Evan Franz, the Tamarac senior who passed away earlier this week. Frank Ramos and Jake Lamb (no relation to the baseball player of the same name---we think) had the other goals for LaSalle (5-5, 8-7-1).

LaSalle's remaining schedule:

Wednesday: Queensbury. 4 pm puck drop.

Saturday: @ CBA.

February 10: Senior Night at Frear Park vs. Albany Academy.

February 11: Season finale at Bethlehem.

News & notes

 While the rivalry between Shenendehowa & Troy High has been slightly one sided in favor of the Plainsmen in recent years, the differences between the two schools' men's & women's squads are like night and day.

Everyone expected the Plainswomen to enter Clem Zotto Memorial Gym Friday and blow out the undermanned Lady Horses. Not quite. Since most of the Troy staff took a vacation due to mid-term week, the YouTube channel has been left dark all week, so we have no video of the game. As it was, Shen won by 19, 54-35, to keep pace with Blue division leader Bethlehem, which took down Colonie, 51-41. Troy has now dropped four in a row with three games left, falling to 1-16 overall.

Meanwhile, in Clifton Park, the Plainsmen, for the 2nd straight year, needed a late basket with less than five seconds left. This time, the game winner came with 1/2 a second left, and Stetson Merritt's 3-point bid was partially deflected and just hit the backboard as time expired. Shen escaped with a 62-61 win, snapping Troy's 2 game winning streak. The last four meetings between these two teams have seen Shen escape by a combined 9 points. John Killian's club now heads to western NY to play Bishop Ludden tomorrow before resuming league play Tuesday at home vs. Columbia.

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Troy's bowling team snapped a 4-match winless string (0-3-1) Thursday in beating Bethlehem, 24 1/2-7 1/2 on Senior Day at Uncle Sam Lanes. Olivia DeCitise led all scorers with a season and career best 768 triple. What is being billed as a tournament match is taking place Monday at Uncle Sam, then Dennis Poutre's squad hits the road to play Niskayuna on Tuesday and Averill Park on Wednesday, needing to win both matches to ensure a .500 record for the season.

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Tamarac High and Siena College both honored Siena commit Evan Franz, who passed away earlier this week after a battle with brain cancer, the best way they knew how, by winning.

Siena's 70-53 win over Rider, surprisingly, didn't air on WNYA, even though the school had said all of their remaining home games would be shown locally. No explanation for the late switch. On Thursday, Tamarac defeated Stillwater, 81-61. Joey Poulin led the Bengals with 24 points.

Time is running out for LaSalle's hockey team to improve their position heading into the playoffs next month. Tim Flanigan's club dropped its second straight, 4-1, to red hot Saratoga, at Frear Park on Friday. The Blue Streaks have now won six in a row to close within 2 1/2 points of league co-leaders Bethlehem & Adirondack. The Eagles defeated Burnt Hills-Ballston Spa, 3-0. The Rivermen, the defending champions, have a chance to move back into first by themselves as they play Albany Academy today. That game is ongoing as this is being written. Academy (0-7-2 league, 2-10-3 overall) played a 1-1 draw Friday vs.the Mohawks, and looking for their first league win of the season.

LaSalle travels to play the Guilderville Storm tonight before returning home Wednesday for a makeup game with Queensbury. The Cadets (4-5, 7-7-1) would be the #7 seed in the playoffs, pending the play-in tournament, which I think is something Flanigan wants to avoid.

News & notes

 For the 2nd time in 3 days, the complete Section II schedule was wiped out by weather. Some events will be rescheduled within the next week or two if possible before sectionals begin mid-February.

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UAlbany basketball has a bit of an image problem, and it's not just the legal issues plaguing men's coach Dwayne Killings.

You see, of late, men's scores are being read on some radio stations, such as WROW (Magic 590 AM), but the women are being ignored. That tells me the Sports Information Department puts more priority on the men's team, despite the women being undefeated in America East play.

Wednesday night was a prime example.

The men dropped their 4th straight, 84-65, to New Hampshire, to fall to 1-6 in league play. Marcus Jackson (Albany Academy) led the Great Danes with 15 points in a losing effort.

It would seem that the men are distracted by the legal drama surrounding Killings, and it's something the University needs to look into, preferably yesterday.

Meanwhile, at Hudson Valley Community College, the Lady Danes won again, downing the Lady Wildcats, 65-52 to go to 8-0 in league play. Helene Haegerstrand led Albany with 19 points. Grace Heeps (Columbia/UMass) added 12 points, all on 3-point shots. Lilly Phillips (Cambridge) had just 2 points in 13 minutes. Abby Ray (Saratoga) didn't play. 

However, there wasn't a peep on the radio about this game, which would've brightened school morale.

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We read all the time about how college programs are placed on probation in certain sports, due to overzealous boosters in many cases.

In high schools, it's a different story.

Christian Brothers Academy has had the luxury of playing a 9 game schedule the last two seasons under Bob "The Builder" Burns, but that won't be the case this year.

According to local media reports, CBA has been placed on 3 years probation, and will have just scrimmages during Week 0 in early September after it was learned that a JV football coach had reached out via social media to a friend who had a son, currently in 8th grade to see if the youth was interested in going to CBA. Things changed when the admissions director followed up and said that this was not about recruitment for football specifically, but for education.

Burns wasn't aware of the incident until recently, and was interviewed by local media. 

Athletic Director Blaine Drescher, who gave up coaching hockey, might want to reconsider that decision, giving how badly the Skating Brothers have played this season. If anything, it could lift the black cloud off the CBA campus in Colonie. Just sayin'.

Troy High's baseball/lacrosse/men's tennis schedules for 2023

 I meant to have this done a week or two ago, and decided to wait. Which turned out to be the right thing.

The men's tennis & baseball schedules basically mirror the softball for the women. However, there are no non-league games on the docket, and, of course, the schedule is subject to change due to the traditional spring weather patterns in the 518.

Baseball/Men's tennis:

April 3: Home opener vs. Colonie.

April 5: @ Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake.

April 12: Shaker.

April 14: @ Averill Park.

April 17: Saratoga.

April 19: Ballston Spa.

April 24: Albany.

April 26: @ Schenectady.

April 28: @ Guilderland.

May 1: @ Shenendehowa.

May 3: Columbia.

May 5: @ Niskayuna.

May 8: @ CBA.

May 10: Senior Day vs. Bethlehem.

Lacrosse: It appears that Troy is using the same strategy as they did for soccer in the fall, and that's taking on a lighter schedule. However, as of press time, there are just 8 games, including two home & home series, as of now:

April 4: Home opener vs. Colonie.

April 6: @ Albany.

April 10: Hudson Falls.

April 12: @ Averill Park.

April 25: Albany.

May 2: @ Shenendehowa.

May 6: Senior Day vs. Columbia.

May 9: @ Hudson Falls.

If more games are added, we'll add them to this schedule.

News & notes

 New York's recently enacted Adult Survivors Act, which was signed into law late last year, has netted its 2nd high profile defendant.

Former boxing champion Mike Tyson, who trained in Catskill after relocating from Brooklyn in the 80's, is facing a lawsuit from an anonymous woman who says Tyson raped her in the early 90's after meeting him at September's (now the Red Envelope), a local nightspot. The fact that the alleged victim prefers to keep her identity a secret makes this worlds different than the ongoing litigation involving former president Donald Trump and journalist and former cable personality E. Jean Carroll, who was one of the first to use the new law to her advantage.

Tyson spent three years in prison for the rape of Desiree Washington, and it's believed this newly revealed incident was around the same time frame. A good number of Tyson's early fights were in Albany at the Empire State Plaza Convention Center, and at the RPI-Houston Field House in Troy in the 80's.

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Troy High welcomed back junior Terrence Clark prior to last night's game at Averill Park. Clark scored 20 points to lead all scorers, as Troy won its 2nd straight, 55-43. 8th grade phenom Stetson Merritt added 12 for Troy (7-5 overall), which moves on to Shenendehowa on Friday.

However, the Averill Park women's mastery of Troy continued in a 67-33 blowout win. Sean Organ's Warriors are chasing Albany for the Suburban Council Grey division title. AP led, 37-7, at the break, as the full court pressure gave Steve Lombard's club nothing but problems again as they lost their 3rd straight. Ava Mamone led Troy with 17 points, and led all scorers. Averill Park had 3 players in double figures, led by Kayleigh Ahern with 13 points. Troy's YouTube channel was dark again last night.

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Tamarac senior Evan Franz, who had committed to Siena, and was named an honorary member of the men's basketball team at Siena, lost his battle with brain cancer on Tuesday at 18. With heavy hearts, Tamarac dedicated Tuesday's non-league game against Notre Dame-Bishop Gibbons to Franz's memory, then went out and routed the visitors, 87-65.

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The rest of Tuesday's scoreboard:

Men's bowling:

Colonial Council:

Voorheesville 24, Cobleskill-Richmondville 8.

Cohoes 29, LaSalle 3.

Ravena 25, Schalmont 7.

Patroon Conference:

Maple Hill 5, Chatham 0.

Suburban Council:

Columbia 18 1/2, Guilderland 13 1/2.

Troy & CBA battled to a 16-16 draw. Olivia DeCitise led all scorers with a 691 triple.

Averill Park 19, Colonie 13.

Saratoga 23, Burnt Hills 9.

Wasaren League:

Mechanicville 5, Berlin-New Lebanon 0.

Women's bowling:

Schalmont 28, Ravena 4.

Men's basketball:

Adirondack League:

Granville 64, North Warren 54.

Foothills Council:

Broadalbin-Perth 59, Scotia-Glenville 53.

Patroon Conference:

Hudson 62, Greenville 54.

Suburban Council:

Shaker 57, Albany 54.

Schenectady 62, Guilderland 41.

Wasaren League:

Hoosic Valley 63, Hoosick Falls 57.

Non-league:

Bethlehem 67, Schalmont 46.

Schronn Lake 58, Fort Ann 35.

Glens Falls 64, Cohoes 49.

Schuylerville 57, Ticonderoga 22.

Whitehall 57, Poultney (Vt.) 37.

Hudson Falls 74, Niskayuna 63.

Northville 50, Middleburgh 22

Maple Hill 61, Berne-Knox-Westerlo 60.

Galway 56, Cairo-Durham 40.

Fonda-Fultonville 69, Johnstown 23.

Mechanicville 55, Voorheesville 48.

Women's basketball:

Adirondack League:

Granville 51, North Warren 29.

Salem 51, Lake George 40.

Corinth 49, Northville 24.

Colonial Council:

Albany Academy 69, Cohoes 23.

Foothills Council:

South Glens Falls 77, Gloversville 14.

Suburban Council:

Bethlehem 51, Shaker 41.

Albany 63, Shenendehowa 54.

Non-league:

Cherry Valley 54, Middleburgh 10.

Niskayuna 56, Duanesburg 43.

Burnt Hills 60, Fonda-Fultonville 33.

Saratoga 56, Queensbury 40.

Swimming:

Niskayuna 92, Mohonasen-Schalmont 70.

Saratoga 105, CBA-Troy 75.

Albany 93, Shaker 75.

Shenendehowa 109, Burnt Hills-Scotia 74.

News & notes

 Siena's women's basketball team welcomed back not only coach Jim Jabir, but also a handful of players who been out on Thursday due to illness or injury.

Unfortunately, Iona proved to be a rude guest, spoiling Jabir's return in beating Siena, 68-66. Ahniysha Jackson (Albany) was among the returning starters, and had 11 points. Valencia Fontanelle-Posson (Guilderland) added 6. The Lady Saints will be back at home on Thursday.

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UAlbany men's basketball coach Dwayne Killings pleaded not guilty to assault charges in Kentucky, apparently via Zoom, this morning. Further information as it becomes available.

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Sunday night's storm has wiped out today's slate of Section II sporting events. While some schools are still listing after school events as still on, don't be too surprised if that changes in the next hour or so.

Bearing this in mind, Troy High's bowling match vs. Averill Park has been postponed for the 2nd time this season, and has been rescheduled as the regular season finale for the two schools on February 1. The Suburban Council championships will be the following week at Boulevard Bowl.

Saturday's high school scoreboard, 1/21

 Men's basketball:

Foothills Council:

Amsterdam 71, Queensbury 63.

Non-league:

Bethlehem 56, Utica Academy of Science 48.

Ravena 43, Johnstown 38.

Albany Academy 59, Glens Falls 53.

Hoosic Valley 87, Berne-Knox-Westerlo 55.

Women's basketball:

Colonial Council:

Ichabod Crane 68, Mohonasen 42.

Non-league:

Averill Park 58, Tappan Zee 38.

South Glens Falls 51, Academy of Holy Names 42.

Kingston 50, Troy 39. Addie Borowsky & Kate Gilooly had 10 points each for Troy (1-14). Check the video:

Simsbury (CT) 53, Shenendehowa 52 (OT). Simsbury collects another Section II pelt, as they are the only team to have beaten Bethlehem this season.

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According to Kyle Adams of The Record/Saratogian, Troy High's men's basketball team has been playing shorthanded of late.

Juniors Daniel Covington & Terrence Clark have missed the last 7 games due to "off the court" issues, which suggests either academic and/or disciplinary difficulties. Troy has gone 2-5 over that stretch, and expects to get Clark back sometime this week. There is, however, no timetable for Covington's return.

News & notes

 Just when UAlbany thought it had everything settled with men's basketball coach Dwayne Killings, it hasn't.

Killings is set to be arraigned Monday in a Kentucky on assault charges stemming from an incident involving now-ex-Great Dane Luke Fizulich in November 2021 during a tournament at Eastern Kentucky. Fizulich and his attorney were not satisfied in the least with UAlbany suspending Killings for 5 games, not including the Albany Cup vs. Siena, at the start of the season, so the case is apparently to go to trial.

The Danes are idle until Wednesday at New Hampshire.

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When the baseball Danes begin play next month, they will be without one of last year's pitchers.

Anthony Germinerio (Averill Park) has transferred to George Washington of the Atlantic 10 Conference. He won't be alone, as Brett Young has transferred from Siena to GWU as a redshirt junior. The Colonials open play next month at East Carolina.

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Some stats from last night's Troy-Guilderland women's game.

Ava Mamone led Troy with 18 points in a losing effort, while Kate Gilooly, back after missing most of the 2nd half Tuesday, added 13. The Lady Horses are at Kingston today, then return home to play Averill Park on Tuesday, and Shenendehowa next Friday. Yikes!

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The Bethlehem women's basketball team is on, as the Blues Brothers would say, "a mission from God".

How else to explain the Lady Eagles sitting atop the Blue Division standings in the Suburban Council, undefeated in league play (12-1 overall) after destroying Ballston Spa, 92-31, turning the Lady Scotties into so much puppy chow. Caroline Davis & Kaitlyn Robbins led the way with 18 points each, while Ellie Cerf added 12. And they still have to play Shen.

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The Troy High men's basketball team snapped a 3 game losing streak in beating Guilderland, 66-63. Unfortunately, no stats were available as of press time. We should have that tomorrow. Troy (6-5 overall) continues the road trip at Averill Park, Shenendehowa, & Bishop Ludden next week before returning home to host old friend Curt Sankey and Columbia on January 31.

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RPI's ECAC men's hockey team snapped a 3 game losing streak as well, needing overtime to beat Clarkson, 3-2. Max Smolinski had the game winner at 2:44 of the extra session. The Engineers host St. Lawrence tonight at 7. The game can be heard on WRPI (91.5 FM) or on the website.

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Mt. St. Mary's is in the MAAC for the first year, and thus made their first appearance in the regular season at MVP Arena to play Siena on Friday. The Saints sent them packing with some not so friendly parting gifts in a 72-57 win. Michael Eley led Siena with 20 points, while Javian McCollum added 17. The Saints continue their 3 game homestand tomorrow vs. Fairfield (WNYA, 2 pm.).

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Ballston Spa's men's basketball team fell from the ranks of the undefeated on Friday, losing to Bethlehem, 62.54. After a narrow escape at Troy last week, this was bound to happen. Stats tomorrow.

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The rest of Friday's high school action:

Men's volleyball:

Catskill 3, Taconic Hills 0.

Men's bowling:

Foothills Council: 

Glens Falls 3, Scotia-Glenville 1.

Men's basketball:

Adirondack League:

Warrensburg 58, Fort Edward 39.

Argyle 90, Hadley-Luzerne 88.

Granville 59, Fort Ann 38.

Whitehall 73, Corinth 39.

North Warren 74, Hartford 35.

Colonial Council:

LaSalle 81, Cobleskill-Richmondville 38. Adam Myers led 5 Cadets in double figures with 20 points.

Lansingburgh 65, Cohoes 40.

Mohonasen 57, Ichabod Crane 51.

Catholic Central 85, Schalmont 58.

Foothills Council:

Hudson Falls 74, Broadalbin-Perth 47.

Glens Falls 63, Scotia-Glenville 40.

Queensbury 74, Schuylerville 63.

Amsterdam 101, Johnstown 45.

Patroon Conference:

Maple Hill 52, Coxsackie-Athens 38.

Cairo-Durham 49, Taconic Hills 43.

Suburban Council:

Schenectady 86, Burnt Hills 62. 

Colonie 52, Niskayuna 51.

Wasaren League:

Stillwater 80, Saratoga Catholic 42.

Hoosic Valley 109, Cambridge 48.

Western Athletic Conference:

Notre Dame-Bishop Gibbons 80, Canajoharie 34.

Schoharie 75, OESJ 61.

Non-league:

Fonda-Fultonville 53, Watervliet 46.

Women's basketball:

Adirondack League:

Hartford 75, North Warren 42.

Lake George 35, Argyle 34.

Corinth 49, Whitehall 38.

Hadley-Luzerne 55, Salem 43.

Colonial Council:

Albany Academy 63, Voorheesville 29.

Catholic Central 57, Schalmont 30.

Academy of Holy Names 42, Cobleskill-Richmondville 37.

Foothills Council:

Queensbury 49, Schuylerville 33.

Patroon Conference:

Watervliet 79, Albany Leadership 33.

Catskill 79, Germantown 12.

Greenville 33, Hudson 23.

Suburban Council:

Burnt Hills 57, Schenectady 33.

Colonie 51, Niskayuna 49.

Wasaren League:

Stillwater 61, Saratoga Catholic 23.

Western Athletic Conference:

Berne-Knox-Westerlo 62, Canajoharie 42.

OESJ 52, Middleburgh 20.

Schoharie 42, Galway 35.

Fonda-Fultonville 60, Fort Plain 16.

Mayfield 46, Northville 27.

Duanesburg 59, Notre Dame-Bishop Gibbons 25.

High School Fridays: Guilderland @ Troy (women's basketball), 1/20/23

 It was a bad omen for Troy High when their long time PA announcer missed tonight's women's varsity game vs. Guilderland, and they didn't have a fill-in available. Steve Lombard's team had just come off its 1st win of the season three nights earlier, and hungered for revenge against a similarly undermanned Guilderland club that beat them three weeks ago in a tournament.

As short-handed as Troy has been all season, Guilderland was in a similar jam, dressing just 8 players. The difference was in the varsity experience of the Lady Dutch, who pulled out a 50-46 win, similar to their 4 point victory in Halfmoon three weeks ago.

Check the video:

Just to show how cruel the schedule makers were to Troy, the Lady Horses (1-13 overall) head to Kingston tomorrow, then return home to start a killer final three weeks of the season vs. Averill Park & Shenendehowa at home, then on the road at Columbia before returning to Zotto Gym for Senior Night February 3 vs. Niskayuna, finishing a week later at Bethlehem.

Stats tomorrow. We hope.

News & notes

 Siena has reinstated women's basketball coach Jim Jabir after an in-house investigation into some inappropriate comments made toward members of the team, comments that were made months before the allegations became public.

Photo courtesy WNYT.

Siena went 6-1 under assistant coach Terry Primm in Jabir's absence, the last one being an overtime win over Fairfield on Thursday night to complete a season sweep. With about half the team, including Ahniysha Jackson (Albany) and Valencia Fontanelle-Posson (Guilderland) out with injuries or illness, only six players were available for coach Primm, as the Saints downed the Lady Stags, 55-51.

The Lady Saints return home tomorrow for a matinee at the UHY Arena vs. Iona.

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Although the weather isn't as bad as it was at this time yesterday, some schools weren't taking any chances, especially when more snow and/or rain is in the forecast later this afternoon.

To that end, both Averill Park & Columbia are closed today, and their basketball games have been postponed. The men's game has been rescheduled for Monday, February 13, in what would be the season finale for both clubs. As of press time, everyone else is still on schedule, including LaSalle, which is still planning to travel to Glens Falls to play Adirondack this afternoon, despite the school being closed today.

Things can change, of course, over the next couple of hours, so check with your schools before making travel plans.

News & notes

 Troy High's winter sports teams are trending in different directions these days.

As seen last night, the women's basketball team picked up its first win for 1st year coach Steve Lombard, downing Schenectady, 38-30. Ava Mamone led the way with 22 points. There was a scare when Kate Gilooly went down going for the ball in the 3rd quarter, and never returned, as Lombard held her out in case of a concussion. Status is questionable for games Friday vs. Guilderland and Saturday at Kingston.

The bowling team has dropped three straight after losing to Columbia, 26-6. Olivia DeCitise led Troy with a 681 triple. Troy falls to 4-6 on the season.

The men's basketball team is also trending in the wrong direction, having dropped five of six after losing to Schenectady at the Pat Riley Center, 65-58. to fall to .500 at 5-5. Not a good way to start the road trip, which continues at Guilderland on Friday.

Going forward, the basketball teams will have some degrees of difficulty leading into the sectionals:

Men's remaining schedule:

Friday: @ Guilderland.

1/24: @ Averill Park.

1/27: @ Shenendehowa.

1/29: @ Bishop Ludden.

1/31: Columbia.

2/3: @ Niskayuna.

2/7: @ CBA.

2/10: Senior Night vs. Bethlehem.

2/11: @ Goshen.

Women's remaining schedule:

Friday: Guilderland.

Saturday: @ Kingston.

1/24: Averill Park.

1/27: Shen.

1/31: @ Columbia.

2/3: Senior Night vs. Niskayuna.

2/10: @ Bethlehem.

Projections: The women need to sustain the momentum from last night, but it doesn't look good. The best they can do is 1-6 in the final 7. For the men, there are a couple of cupcakes ahead in Averill Park and Columbia, and everything else seems winnable. Looking at Troy finishing over .500 by winning six, maybe seven of their final nine.

Fortunately, the unified CBA-Troy men's swimming & diving team picked up a win Tuesday, disposing of Guilderville, 54-40.

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The rest of Tuesday's action:

Men's basketball:

Adirondack League:

Granville 64, Hartford 55.

Colonial Council:

Catholic Central 94, Cobleskill-Richmondville 36.

LaSalle 69, Voorheesville 43.

Foothills Council:

Gloversville 64, Broadalbin-Perth 55.

Schuylerville 68, South Glens Falls 38.

Amsterdam 71, Glens Falls 54.

Queensbury 68, Scotia-Glenville 58.

Patroon Conference:

Watervliet 86, Taconic Hills 32.

Greenville 56, Coxsackie-Athens 47.

Chatham 72, Hudson 54.

Maple Hill 61, Catskill 46.

Suburban Council:

Columbia 48, Averill Park 37.

Colonie 52, Burnt Hills 48.

CBA 65, Saratoga 50.

Albany 63, Guilderland 44.

Bethlehem 66, Niskayuna 52.

Shaker 59, Shenendehowa 51.

Wasaren League:

Hoosick Falls 62, Berlin-New Lebanon 45.

Hoosic Valley 79, Greenwich 55.

Mechanicville 55, Waterford 50.

Non-league:

Notre Dame-Bishop Gibbons 79, Ravena 57.

Tamarac 68, Green Tech 65.

Loudonville Christian 80, Doane Stuart 60.

Women's basketball:

Adirondack League:

Lake George 35, Fort Ann 28.

Hartford 45, Granville 40.

Argyle 57, North Warren 37.

Colonial Council:

Academy of Holy Names 59, Voorheesville 38.

Ichabod Crane 90, Cohoes 51.

Schalmont 52, Lansingburgh 9. The Lady Knights trailed, 37-4, at halftime, and didn't score at all in the 4th quarter.

Albany Academy 65, Ravena 24.

Catholic Central 59, Cobleskill-Richmondville 30.

Foothills Council:

Amsterdam 65, Glens Falls 52.

Patroon Conference:

Albany Leadership 36, Cairo-Durham 30.

Watervliet 47, Taconic Hills 34.

Hudson 38, Chatham 27.

Greenville 52, Coxsackie-Athens 47.

Catskill 58, Maple Hill 37.

Suburban Council:

Averill Park 57, Columbia 38. Career win #300 for Sean Organ.

Colonie 56, Burnt Hills 46.

Albany 87, Guilderland 31.

Shenendehowa 74, Shaker 32.

Bethlehem 71, Niskayuna 49.

Non-league:

Ballston Spa 63, Schuylerville 45.

Wasaren League:

Stillwater 56, Berlin-New Lebanon 21.

Swimming:

Shenendehowa 103, Albany 77.

Saratoga 99, Ballston Spa 74.

Burnt Hills-Scotia 104 1/2, Bethlehem 75 1/2.

Albany Academy 119, Mohonasen-Schalmont 64.

Niskayuna 86, Schenectady-Colonie 79.

Men's bowling:

Colonial Council:

Cohoes 30, Voorheesville 2.

Mohonasen 27, Ravena 5.

Patroon Conference:

Maple Hill 5, Rensselaer 0.

Chatham 5, Taconic Hills 0.

Suburban Council:

CBA 24, Albany 8.

Niskayuna 28, Schenectady 4.

Burnt Hills 26, Ballston Spa 6.

Saratoga 25, Colonie 7.

Guilderland 18, Shaker 14.

Women's bowling:

Averill Park 25, Niskayuna 7.

Jimmy Breslin would've loved this game (Schenectady @ Troy, women's basketball, 1/17/23)

 "One is the loneliest number...."--Three Dog Night, 1969.

"The waiting is the hardest part."-Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, 1981.

"Can anyone here play this game?"--Casey Stengel, 1962, regarding the then-expansion Mets.

It had been 11 months since Troy High's women's basketball team had last won a game. You'd have to go back to the 1st round of the Class A sectionals last year vs. Lansingburgh for the Lady Horses' last win. Fortunately for coach Steve Lombard and his squad, the Lady Patriots of Schenectady have been just as futile, if not worse, and Schenectady was in town for tonight's game.

Both teams have had issues trying to put opponents away. Troy had come close three times in recent weeks, in losses to Guilderland, Ballston Spa, and the Academy of Holy Names, losing by 5, 4, & 4 points respectively. Schenectady went to double-teaming any Troy player that had the ball, and got a ton of turnovers as a result. They also out-rebounded Troy by a comfortable margin because they would have at least three players around the basket for every shot. 

However, their one weakness, their, ah, kryptonite, if you will, was shooting. The scorebooks will, I believe, show that Schenectady took more shots, adding to their offensive rebounds as a result. We should have the box score as early as tomorrow, but Troy snaps a 13 game losing streak dating back to February 2022, in downing Schenectady, 38-30.

I believe coach Lombard can send the Lady Patriots home with copies of Jimmy Breslin's The Gang That Couldn't Shoot Straight. It's really a crime novel, but given the shooting woes of both teams, well, it'd be a fitting change of context. I believe if he can't get enough copies for the players tonight, a FedEx from Metropolis will be sent to Schenectady in the morning.

Check the video:

No truth to the rumor that Superman will escort the FedEx truck.....!

It was not entirely a good day for Troy, though, as the bowling team fell to Columbia, 26-6, for their 3rd straight loss. Aidan Goodwin led the Blue Devils with a perfect game and a 735 triple.

Back to the Lady Horses, who will welcome Guilderland on Friday with a shot at redemption and revenge after losing last month at the Shenendehowa-Impact Holiday Classic. Then, they'll visit Kingston on Saturday before returning home to play Averill Park & Shenendehowa next week. By the way, Lady Warriors coach Sean Organ won his 300th career game tonight, as AP downed Columbia, 57-38.

Full stats, we hope, tomorrow.

One for the Vets (CD Jets @ LaSalle, 1/14/23)

 It's taken a couple of years and a change of venues, but Cadets For Vets IV took place tonight at Frear Park Ice Arena in front of a packed house, as LaSalle hosted the Capital District Jets.

One quick glance tells you everything you need to know about Frear Park's arena. The room is smaller, with about 1/2 the bleachers of Conway Arena at Hudson Valley Community College, which was shuttered at the beginning of the school year, with the ice removed. The more intimate setting will put your ears at risk if you've got people, especially kids, shouting behind you.

Pre-game ceremonies were delayed about half an hour due to the LaSalle alumni game going to overtime, and, in turn, the puck drop was delayed 20 minutes to 7:05 pm.

That having been said, the Jets drew first blood, as Colin Wilson put the biscuit in the basket behind Carter Irving to give the visitors the early lead. Late in the period, Braxton Shields brought LaSalle even off an assist from Chase Rose, and it was 1-1 at the first intermission.

However, the Jets regained the lead in the 2nd period, with Cole Davidson and Wilson lighting the lamp. Nick Kraz then beat Nick Mirabile to draw the Cadets within 1 at 3-2 entering the 2nd intermission.

Through two periods, and for a good part of the 3rd, the Cadets seemed to be a few steps behind the Jets, who had the numbers advantage on both sides of the ice, offense and defense. Things changed late in the 3rd after a Jets timeout. That timeout turned out to be to LaSalle's benefit, as their senior leaders came to the fore in the final 88 seconds. First, it was Shaun Branon, who beat Mirabile to tie the game just five seconds after the timeout. Branon saluted the fans afterward. With under a minute to go, Nathan Harriman tallied the game winner, as Irving shut down the Jets, aided by a defense that woke up just in time. LaSalle rebounds from last night's loss to Shenendehowa with the 4-3 win.

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LaSalle's basketball team, however, fell to Colonie in a non-league clash this afternoon, 58-50. In other hoops action:

Men's basketball:

Ballston Spa 77, Auburn 67.

Mayfield 42, Fort Plain 41.

Berne-Knox-Westerlo 84, Schoharie 54.

OESJ 42, Richfield Springs 36.

Stillwater 79, Mount Anthony Union 75.

Germantown 58, Coxsackie-Athens 51.

Albany Academy 52, Shaker 46.

Kingston 45, Niskayuna 38.

Women's basketball:

Cherry Valley 66, Fort Plain 10.

Academy of Holy Names 54, Troy 50.

Niskayuna 44, Schalmont 42.

Greenwich 66, Schenectady 38.

Hudson Falls 50, Cambridge 33.

Shenendehowa 72, Fairpoint 68.

Ausable Valley 48, Whitehall 35.

Friday's high school & college scoreboard, 1/13

 Siena's men's basketball team sits atop the MAAC standings at 6-0 (12-5 overall) after dispatching Niagara, 70-64, Friday night. Javion McCollum led the Saints with 27 points. Siena travels to Buffalo to play Canisius on Sunday.

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Other college scores:

Men's basketball:

Maine-Farmington 79, SUNY-Cobleskill 73.

Women's basketball:

SUNY-Cobleskill 62, Maine-Farmington 42.

Union 61, RIT 47.

RPI 59, Clarkson 43.

Skidmore 60, Vassar 52.

Russell Sage 86, Medalle 64.

Women's hockey:

Clarkson 2, RPI 1 (OT).

St. Lawrence 3, Union 0.

Men's hockey:

Yale 4, RPI 1.

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High schools:

Men's basketball:

Adirondack League:

Warrensburg 66, Hartford 50.

Granville 93, Salem 49.

Whitehall 78, Argyle 48.

Hadley-Luzerne 54, Fort Ann 34.

Lake George 64, Fort Edward 17.

Colonial Council:

Lansingburgh 79, Cobleskill-Richmondville 57.

Cohoes 60, Mohonasen 54.

LaSalle 74, Ravena 45.

Schalmont 81, Ichabod Crane 79.

Catholic Central 72, Voorheesville 57.

Patroon Conference:

Chatham 68, Cairo-Durham 40.

Watervliet 100, Greenville 44.

Maple Hill 46, Hudson 41.

Taconic Hills 50, Rensselaer 42.

Foothills Council:

Queensbury 69, Broadalbin-Perth 41.

Gloversville 67, Glens Falls 66.

Schuylerville 45, Scotia-Glenville 43.

Amsterdam 53, Hudson Falls 50.

South Glens Falls 46, Johnstown 44.

Suburban Council:

Colonie 81, Schenectady 55.

Shaker 48, Averill Park 38.

Bethlehem 69, Burnt Hills 54.
Albany 81, Troy 74. The Flying Horses have now dropped four of five, and begin a four game road trip at Schenectady on Tuesday.

Ballston Spa 62, CBA 51.

Saratoga 54, Columbia 47.

Shenendehowa 57, Guilderland 40.

Wasaren League:

Tamarac 70, Hoosick Valley 50.

Greenwich 66, Waterford 38.

Hoosick Falls 68, Cambridge 15.

Stillwater 78, Berlin-New Lebanon 45.

Western Athletic Conference:

Canajoharie 60, OESJ 57.

Duanesburg 68, Northville 22.

Fonda-Fultonville 50, Galway 21.

Notre Dame-Bishop Gibbons 85, Middleburgh 47.

Women's basketball:

Adirondack League:

Whitehall 72, Salem 34.

Warrensburg 48, Hartford 42.

Hadley-Luzerne 50, Fort Ann 24.

Colonial Council:

Academy of Holy Names 65, Ravena 51. Sophia Bologna had 35 points for the winners, who host winless Troy today.

Cobleskill-Richmondville 59, Lansingburgh 18.

Schalmont 53, Ichabod Crane 48.

Patroon Conference:

Maple Hill 57, Hudson 32.

Chatham 36, Cairo-Durham 30.

Greenville 43, Watervliet 33.

Coxsackie-Athens 52, Germantown 16.

Suburban Council:

Albany 77, Troy 27. The Falcons took out some frustration on Troy after losing to Bethlehem on Tuesday. Speaking of the Eagles.....

Bethlehem 62, Burnt Hills 30.

Averill Park 57, Shaker 33.

Saratoga 65, Columbia 52.

Colonie 65, Schenectady 24.

Shenendehowa 77, Guilderland 57.

Wasaren League:

Tamarac 48, Hoosic Valley 18.

Cambridge 48, Hoosick Falls 23.

Non-league:

Berne-Knox-Westerlo 60, Mekeel Christian 27.

Northville 51, Gloversville 44.

Swimming:

Glens Falls 95, Fonda-Fultonville-Johnstown 77.

Burnt Hills-Scotia 86, Queensbury 77.

Mohonasen-Schalmont 72, Canajoharie-Fort Plain 67.

Hockey:

Shenendehowa 4, LaSalle 1. Chase Rose had the only goal for the Cadets (3-3 league, 6-5-1 overall).

Saratoga 5, CBA 0.

Bethlehem 3, CD Jets 1.

Guilderville 3, Mohawks 2.

News & notes

 Siena College's women's basketball team saw their 4 game winning streak end at Manhattan Thursday afternoon, falling to the Lady Jaspers, 78-53. Local talents Valencia Fontanelle-Posson (Guilderland) & Ahniysha Jackson (Albany) combined for 9 points in the loss, as both were shut down by the Jasper defense (7 & 2 points, respectively).

============================================

We shan't be surprised if the flag at Spare Time Latham (formerly Latham Bowl) is at half-staff this morning after the passing of pro shop owner Ken Hall at 65.

Hall spent some time competing in PBA regional events, and appeared locally on TV Tournament Time, before becoming color analyst on Capital Region Bowling during its runs on WXXA & WNYA. 

In his memory, we serve up an episode of the latter series from April 2017. Executive producer Art Hunsinger stands in for John Craig on play-by-play.

Rest in peace, Ken.

=========================================

Thursday's high school scoreboard:

Wrestling:

Colonial Council:

Ravena 51, Ichabod Crane 9.

Men's basketball:

Wasaren League:

Tamarac 70, Hoosick Falls 50.

Women's basketball:

Foothills Council:

Schuylerville 76, Scotia-Glenville 41.

Swimming:

Gloversville-Mayfield 93, Hudson Falls-South Glens Falls 59.

Albany Academy 93, Albany 92.

Men's bowling:

Colonial Council:

Cohoes 30, Cobleskill-Richmondville 2.

Ravena vs. Catholic Central has an incorrect final score per the Albany Times-Union. Ravena won in total pinnage. We're going to assume the correct score is Ravena 16 1/2, Catholic Central 15 1/2.

Foothills Council:

Scotia-Glenville 4, Schuylerville 0.

Patroon Conference:

Maple Hill 3, Hudson 2.

Chatham 3, Coxsackie-Athens 2.

Suburban Council:

Saratoga 26, Shaker 6.

Columbia 30, Ballston Spa 2.

Colonie 19 1/2, Bethlehem 12 1/2.

Shenendehowa def. Troy. Again, the score listed in the paper is incorrect due to an editing error. We're going to guess it was actually 23-9 in favor of Shen, dropping Troy to 4-5.

News & notes

 Listener requests at WROW (Magic 590 AM) have prompted morning host Ben Patten to read at least men's college basketball scores for our local teams. The ladies, on the other hand, have been given the Rodney Dangerfield treatment. That is, no respect.

While UAlbany's men lost to Bryant, it went the other way at Hudson Valley Community College, where the Lady Danes continued to roll through the America East after dispatching the Lady Bulldogs, 63-50. Helene Haegerstrand led Albany with 23 points. Kayla Cooper added 22. Grace Heeps (Columbia/UMass) had just 3 points, while Abby Ray (Saratoga) and Lilly Phillips (Cambridge) were held scoreless in limited minutes.

The Lady Danes return to HVCC Saturday to host the New Jersey Institute of Technology on Alumni Day.

Meanwhile, as noted, the men lost, 86-69, to Bryant. Jonathan Beagle led Albany with 21 points. Marcus Jackson (Albany Academy) added 15. UAlbany will be in New Jersey Saturday to play NJIT before returning home next Thursday at HVCC to play in-state rival Binghamton.

======================================================

LaSalle Institute will have their annual Cadets For Vets night Saturday at Frear Park, as the Cadets host the Capital District Jets, with a scheduled puck drop at 6:45 pm. This could wind up giving LaSalle their first sellout of the year at Frear.

======================================================

Wednesday's high school scoreboard:

Hockey:

Queensbury 10, CBA 1. Aiden Melrose's Brothers are struggling at 2-6-2 overall (2-4-1 league).

Saratoga 2, Bethlehem 0.

Adirondack 4, CD Jets 3.

Men's bowling:

Suburban Council:

Albany 28, Schenectady 4.

Women's bowling:

Suburban Council:

Columbia 29, Averill Park 3.

Niskayuna 20, Ballston Spa 12.

Non-league:

Mohonasen def. Mechanicville.

Wrestling:

Suburban Council:

Colonie 48, Guilderland 30.

Men's basketball:

Adirondack League:

Argyle 58, Warrensburg 46.

Western Athletic Conference:

Duanesburg 78, Canajoharie 28.

Notre Dame-Bishop Gibbons 65, Northville 45.

Galway 46, Middleburgh 38.

Non-league:

Hoosic Valley 91, Mount Anthony Union 53.

Women's basketball:

Patroon Conference:

Watervliet 66, Cairo-Durham 36.

Western Athletic Conference:

Notre Dame-Bishop Gibbons 48, Northville 37.

OESJ 48, Fort Plain 19.

Mayfield 80, Schoharie 22.

Wasaren League:

Mechanicville 50, Hoosick Falls 29.

Tuesday's high school scoreboard, 1/10

 Men's bowling:

Patroon Conference:

Chatham 4, Cairo-Durham 1.

Suburban Council:

Guilderland 23, Troy 9. Olivia DeCitise led Troy with a 641 triple. Troy falls back to .500 at 4-4.

Shenendehowa 19 1/2, Columbia 12 1/2.

Burnt Hills 25, Schenectady 7.

Niskayuna 22, Colonie 10.

Shaker 22, Albany 10.

Averill Park 25, CBA 7.

Albany 24, Ballston Spa 8.

Non-league:

Lansingburgh 27, Mechanicville 5.

Women's bowling:

Monday:

Colonial Council:

Schalmont 23, Cohoes 9.

Swimming:

Albany 100, Schenectady-Colonie 70.

Burnt Hills-Scotia 89, Ballston Spa 73.

Niskayuna 94, Shaker 72.

Shenendehowa 99, Guilderville 84.

Saratoga 105, Bethlehem 81.

Men's basketball:

Adirondack League:

Granville 59, Whitehall 43.

Colonial Council:

Ichabod Crane 57, Cobleskill-Richmondville 54.

Patroon Conference:

Watervliet 72, Hudson 55.

Maple Hill 51, Greenville 24.

Suburban Council:

Averill Park 50, Burnt Hills 46.

Bethlehem 57, Albany 52.

Saratoga 56, Niskayuna 55.

Ballston Spa 67, Schenectady 42.

Wasaren League:

Hoosick Falls 48, Mechanicville 41.

Non-league:

Mekeel Christian 75, Bishop Ludden 56.

Women's basketball:

Adirondack League:

Warrensburg 54, Salem 51.

Argyle 40, Fort Ann 15.

Hadley-Luzerne 84, North Warren 25.

Whitehall 35, Granville 30.

Hartford 58, Lake George 37.

Colonial Council:

Albany Academy 66, Academy of Holy Names 32.

Schalmont 48, Mohonasen 45.

Suburban Council:

Bethlehem 65, Albany 48. The Eagles handed the Falcons their first loss of the season.

Photo courtesy Bethlehem High Twitter.

Shaker 47, Columbia 44.

Shenendehowa 68, Colonie 51.

Wasaren League:

Stillwater 66, Greenwich 62.

Non-league:

Cohoes 45, Mekeel Christian 26.

Troy High 2023 softball schedule

 It may be the 2nd week in January, but Troy High has its 2023 softball schedule out, along with partials for lacrosse & baseball.

The 2022 Class A champions are taking on a good sized chunk of non-league games as well against opponents from the Colonial & Foothills Councils this season. Some games may be postponed or cancelled due to weather.

March 24: Home opener vs. Catholic Central.

March 30: Glens Falls.

April 1: @ Chatham (Patroon Conference).

April 3: Suburban Council opener vs. Colonie.

April 5 @ Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake.

April 8: Whitesboro, a school from Western NY, visits.

April 10: Chatham. Game time is 12 noon to start Easter break.

April 12: Shaker. Game time 11 am.

April 14: @ Averill Park. Game time 11 am.

April 17: Saratoga.

April 19: Ballston Spa.

April 22: Cohoes. Game time 12 noon.

April 24: Albany.

April 26: @ Schenectady.

April 28: @ Guilderland.

May 1: @ Shenendehowa.

May 3: Columbia.

May 5: @ Niskayuna.

May 8: @ Schuylerville.

May 10: Bethlehem.

May 12: Senior Day vs. Guilderland.

The men's schedule, absent the non-league games and league games vs. Shaker & Albany, is virtually the same. We'll have the lacrosse schedule up later this week.