News & notes

 Well, that didn't take long.

After 1 practice with new coach Pete Porcelli, Albany Empire QB Jonathan Bane, according to the Albany Times-Union, reportedly is requesting his release. As of press time, it hasn't been granted, but what might've contributed to Bane's request was the report that Antonio Brown has reached out to veteran NFL QB and yogurt salesman Cam Newton, whose 2nd tour of duty in Carolina didn't pan out.

Newton, the 2010 Heisman Trophy winner out of Auburn, would only be signed as another means of getting more NFL fans into MVP Arena to boost attendance, which has been down this season. Of course, you can pin that on the circus that follows Brown around.

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The Tri-City Valleycats' road trip got off to a bad start Tuesday.

Playing a trio of mid-morning (Central time) matinees vs. the Windy City Thunderbolts, the 'Cats fell into an early 7-0 hole, and almost came all the way back, only to fall short, as the T-Bolts won, 7-6.

The two teams meet again today at 11:35 am (ET).

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Tuesday's softball sectional scoreboard:

Class AA:

Colonie 4, Saratoga 2.

Shenendehowa 9, Guilderland 6 (9 innings).

Class A:

Troy 5, Burnt Hills 0.

South Glens Falls 5, Averill Park 4.

Class B:

Ichabod Crane 10, Mechanicville 2.

Glens Falls 16, Tamarac 4 (6 innings).

Class C:

Chatham 10, Berne-Knox-Westerlo 9.

Greenwich 14, Stillwater 3.

Class D:

Salem 7, Fort Ann 6.

Argyle 12, Germantown 2.

All of the finals, except the Class D title game, are at Luther Forest on Thursday. Salem & Argyle will play at Moreau Recreation.

Tonight's women's lacrosse finals at Schuylerville. Check with your schools, including Schuylerville, to see if the games will be played due to inclement weather forecast for today:

Class A: Saratoga vs. Shaker.

Class B: Niskayuna vs. Bethlehem.

Class D: Schuylerville vs. Cohoes.

The Class D game goes on first---weather permitting----at 5:30, with the others to follow at 7:30 pm. 

Also, despite the confident assurance of a Section II rep I spoke to on Monday, weather does threaten today's doubleheader at Bruno Stadium. The Class B title game vs. Ichabod Crane & Cohoes is scheduled for a 4 pm first pitch, followed by game 1 between Shenendehowa  & Saratoga for the Class AA title. Check with your schools. Going to the Valleycats' website will not be of any help.