News & notes

 It's opening night for the Albany Patroons, as they begin the 2024 TBL season at home vs. the Jamestown Jackals tonight at 7 at the Washington Avenue Armory.

Fans will have something else to look forward to this season. The Pats' Trevis Wyche is also a rapper under the stage name TrevDaReal, and his released a single, "Dreaming", which could be playing on the soundtrack at the Armory, provided it doesn't get swallowed up by the ancient arena's acoustics......! 

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Down the hill at MVP Arena, Siena will try to stop the slide when they host Manhattan tonight (WNYA, WJMZ-FM, 7 pm). I will not be surprised if some frustrated fans decide to head up to the Armory to check out the Pats.

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Goodbye, Garnet Raiders, hello, Wolfpack.

Inspired by the Wolf Road section of Colonie, the South Colonie School District has chosen the Wolfpack as the new team name for their sports teams. What isn't clear in the Albany Times-Union article by Kathleen Moore is when exactly the name change is taking place, whether it's effective immediately, or if it takes effect in the fall. I guess we'll know soon enough.

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Thursday's sectional scoreboard:

Women's basketball:

Class AAA:

Colonie 60, Shenendehowa 55. This would have to be considered a major upset, considering the Plainswomen were at the top of the T-U's weekly rankings, with Colonie in 3rd.

Shaker 65, Albany 55. Sofia Lanni had 18 points, leading 4 Lady Bison in double figures, in the night's other upset. Albany was ranked 2nd by the T-U.

Shaker & Colonie will meet for bragging rights to the Town of Colonie (Shaker is otherwise the North Colonie School District) and the initial Class AAA title Monday at 8 pm.

Men's basketball:

Class AAA:

Green Tech 66, Shaker 52. 

Colonie 85, CBA 66. 

Colonie could be looking at sweeping Class AAA. They'll play Green Tech Saturday at 4:15 at Cool Insuring Arena. Greg Davis' club is looking to complete a perfect season in Section 2, which would bring Davis his 2nd sectional title, and his first since guiding Troy to the A title in 2019.

Class AA: 

LaSalle 61, Mekeel Christian 58. The Cadets will play Niskayuna for the title Saturday at 2:30.

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Colleges:

UAlbany swept their games with New Hampshire on Thursday. The men blew away the Wildcats, 91-67, at Broadview Center. Amar'e Marshall led 4 Great Danes in double figures with 26 points. Aaron Reddish added 20, Sebastian Thomas had 19, and Tyler Bertram finished with 12, all on 3 pointers. UAlbany closes the home schedule tomorrow vs. Maine before finishing up at Bryant on Tuesday.

As for the women, Helene Haegerstrand had 14 points, and Meghan Huerter (Shen/Providence) added 12 to lead Albany past New Hampshire, 45-40. Lilly Phillips (Cambridge) added 7, and Abby Ray (Saratoga) chipped in with 2 points. The Lady Danes close at Maine Saturday afternoon before preparing for the America East tournament, where they'll certainly get a home game or two, starting next Friday. 

Meanwhile, Ahniysha Jackson (Albany) had 19 points to lead three Siena players in double figures as the Saints defeated Marist, 73-62. They'll close the home portion of their schedule with their Senior Night vs. Mount St. Mary's Saturday at 5.