News & notes

 We've talked at length about how Troy High's women's basketball team was undermanned last season.

That pales in comparison to Northville High in the Western Athletic Conference.

Northville's women's team (2-0) is dressing only 6 players presently due to injuries and players dropping out, similar to what Troy went through last year. The difference? A Hall of Fame coach who was running an AAU program earlier this year joined the Northville program this season, but is better known for working with men's teams.

Jim Zullo hadn't coached varsity basketball in 13 years since ending a 4 year run at Indian Lake. His resume also includes stops at Little Falls, Broadalbin-Perth, and, most famously, Shenendehowa. At 80, Zullo is the oldest active coach in Section II, having signed with Northville after their coach resigned at the end of last season. It would not be a stretch to think Northville & Zullo being at Hudson Valley Community College for the sectional finals come March.

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

Amsterdam's annual Holiday College Showcase is set for Deecmber 27-29, with plenty of Section II representation.

The Rams will be joined by Albany, Bethlehem, Colonie, Shen, Columbia, & Shaker, plus state Class AA champ Webster Schroeder and Class A state runner-up Canandaigua Academy. Now, if only the press paid more attention, but there are tournaments all over Section II that week, including at Troy. Shen is set to make a 2nd trip to Troy December 30, after the tournament.

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

It's official. The Belmont Stakes is coming to Saratoga.

It won't be the first Belmont event to be relocated to the Old Spa, but for at least two years, due to continuing renovations at Belmont, the 3rd jewel of the Triple Crown will move upstate.

Governor Kathy Hochul made the announcement Wednesday, along with NYRA officials, who announced that there would be a 4 day mini-meet at Saratoga, June 6-9, prior to the annual July-September meet. Businesses in the city will be spoiled silly by the additional revenue.

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

Duanesburg's Allison O'Hanlon scored a game high 28 points to lead the Eagles past OESJ, 58-36, in Western Athletic Conference play on Wednesday. O'Hanlon, a senior, is committed to Siena for next season.

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

Speaking of Siena, the Saints' men's team dropped its 7th in the last 8 games, 67-51, to Bryant on Wednesday. Gio Emejuru led Siena (2-7) with 18 points. Michael Eley was inactive again with a sprained ankle, and his absence has had a psychological effect on the Saints, who have lost all 7 games that Eley has missed.

Next up for the Saints is a road trip to St. Bonaventure for the Franciscan Cup on Saturday.

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

The rest of Wednesday's action:

Colleges:

Women's basketball:

Union 63, Bard 40.

Vassar 64, Skidmore 51.

Cobleskill 84, Oneonta 51.

UAlbany 56, Central Connecticut State 37. Kayla Cooper & Helene Haegerstrand led Albany with 14 points each. Meaghan Huerter (Shen) added 10.

Hockey:

Maine 3, Union 1.

High schools:

Women's basketball:

Non-league:

Burnt Hills 65, Schalmont 31.

Saratoga Catholic 43, North Warren 31.

Western Athletic Conference:

Northville 53, Fonda-Fultonville 40. Jim Zullo's club is now 3-0 (1-0 league).

Men's basketball:

Western Athletic Conference:

Canajoharie 43, Fort Plain 36.

Swimming:

Fonda-Fultonville-Johnstown 84, Canajoharie-Fort Plain 82.

Wrestling:

Suburban Council:

Burnt Hills 45, Bethlehem 30.

Men's bowling:

Suburban Council:

Saratoga 28, Columbia 4.

Women's bowling:

Columbia 30, Saratoga 2.