Friday, June 28, 2024

News & notes

 Chris Envy's Dynasty Pro Wrestling, or, The Dynasty, returns to Empire Live in Albany Saturday night, with a potential future WWE star on the card.

Zilla Fatu, son of the late Eddie Fatu (aka Umaga), will make his Albany debut on the card, which kicks off at 6:45 pm. Some alleged know-it-alls on Reddit are under the impression that Fatu will move on to WWE before the year is out, adding to the expanding Bloodline.

Tickets are $20 at the door. According to a front page article in today's Albany Times-Union, and also online, it would appear that the Dynasty has found a home at Empire Live after years of working different venues in the 518 and beyond.
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Another night, another loss for the Tri-City Valleycats, as they dropped an 8-5 decision to Trois-Rivieres Thursday in Canada. The 'Cats return to our side of the border tonight to open a series at Sussex County before returning home Tuesday night.
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On the eve of the school's annual commencement exercises, set to take place tonight at Hudson Valley Community College, Troy High announced on Thursday that Jamil Hood, Sr., who led Green Tech to their first state basketball title 10 years ago, will be the new men's varsity basketball coach.



Rodger Wyland (WNYT/WTMM) broke the story on X on Thursday night, and Hood confirmed it on his Facebook page, shown above. Hood replaces Josh Pelletier, who resigned after one underachieving season at Troy. Hood's son, Jamil, Jr., until recently, played for the Albany Patroons.

Thursday, June 27, 2024

News & notes

 The Tri-City Valleycats will play the rubber game of their series with Trois-Rivieres tonight after losing to the Eagles (not Angels, as WROW's Ben Patten keeps insisting), 10-8, on Wednesday night.


After a weekend rematch with the Sussex County Miners, the 'Cats will return home to Bruno Stadium on Tuesday.
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The 2024 Arena Football League season took another twist on Wednesday.

The league has ended regular season play, as all week 10 games have been cancelled. The Albany Firebirds will be the #2 seed, gain a 1st round bye, and will host a semi-final at MVP Arena July 13 at 2:30 pm. Billings, which beat Albany last weekend, has the #1 seed.

Playoff action begins July 5 with Nashville at Orlando and Southwest Kansas at Salina. However, the league has not revealed the exact brackets for the playoffs.

This soap opera is far from over.

Wednesday, June 26, 2024

News & notes

 The Arena Football League has made some adjustments to its postseason schedule.

Six teams will advance to the playoffs, with the top two teams getting 1st round byes. The Albany Firebirds need to win Saturday at Orlando in the rubber match vs. the Predators to retake 1st place, take the regular season title, and a bye. A loss, and they'll host 1 playoff game before going on the road, likely as a #3 seed.

Something tells me this might be the AFL's last gasp, kind of like the crazy quilt way the Continental Basketball Association died a few years back.
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Former Albany Empire owner Antonio Brown has filed for bankruptcy. Too many bad decisions and creditors have gotten Brown so deep in trouble that he might not escape.
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The Tri-City Valleycats opened a 6 game road trip with a 6-1 win over Trois Rivieres on Tuesday. The teams continue their series tonight at 7 pm, but getting people to pick up the livestream might be a wee bit difficult because between the NBA draft and Yankees-Mets on the cable, folks will have other options.
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A month ago, Hudson Valley Community College president Roger Ramsammy finished his 7th season at the school with commencement exercises.

This morning, he's out of a job.



The HVCC board of trustees, after a month long investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct, have dismissed Ramsammy after 7 seasons. Louis Coplin, who had retired as VP-Student Affairs, was brought back as officer-in-charge, and will remain so until a new president is found.

Ramsammy's departure opens the door for the possible reopening of Robert Conway Arena for public skating and LaSalle hockey, although in the latter case, coach Tim Flanigan is open to moving the team across town to the Knickerbacker Ice Arena once it reopens this fall. The Cadets are committed to Frear Park for this season at the least.

Ramsammy took some bad advice, closing the Conway Arena 2 years ago, which made him a villain in local sports circles.
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Niskayuna High, citing the fact that Suburban Council rival Shenendehowa kept their long running team nickname, the Plainsmen, has backtracked on an earlier decision to drop Silver Warriors as their team name, in defiance of a state edict issued a year ago.

Superintendent Carl Mummenthey, citing the fact that Nisky dumped its Native American imagery in favor of a red capital N logo in 1997, recommended to the Nisky board of education to pause efforts to change the team name. The only option remaining, then, is litigation against the state. Not a good idea. However, removing the Native American imagery isn't enough to satisfy the state board.

Back to the drawing board for Mummenthey and Niskayuna.

Sunday, June 23, 2024

News & notes

 It should surprise absolutely no one that Virginia bound Kennedy Swedick was named female athlete of the year by the Albany Times-Union in today's edition. Being a 3-time state champ in golf will do that. Let's hope we get to see her on the ACC Network in ACC golf meets with the Cavaliers.
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Abraham Nova lost via unanimous decision on Friday in a bout for the WBO's North American Featherweight title. ESPN's Joe Tessitore (CBA) acted like Nova was ripped off by the judges. I didn't see the fight, but I've a feeling this was more of a case of the judges deciding that Nova didn't do enough damage to Andres Cortes, his opponent, to warrant any positive result. Nova drops to 23-3 overall.
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The Tri-City Valleycats snapped a 6 game losing streak in beating Sussex County, 6-1, Saturday at Bruno Stadium.


Arlo Marynczak (Siena/Bethlehem) closed the game with 2 innings of scoreless relief. The rubber game of the series is this afternoon at 5 pm. Bring your sunscreen.
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The Albany Firebirds had a chance to clinch the Arena Football League regular season title Saturday, but fell short against the Billings Outlaws. Albany drops its 2nd straight, 36-35, and now must travel to Orlando for a rubber match with the Predators next Saturday night.
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518 Alumni Watch:  Courtesy of the Times-Union, here's a quick overview of how some of our local talents are faring in major & minor league baseball:

Luke Gold (Ballston Spa/Boston College): Since we last checked, Luke is hitting .254 for West Michigan in the Detroit Tigers chain. He has 10 HRs and 35 RBI.

Brian O'Keefe (Colonie): Currently at Omaha (Kansas City's top farm team), O'Keefe is hitting .252 with 7 HRs and 27 RBI.

Zach Remillard (LaSalle): The Chicago White Sox sent Zach to their top farm club in Charlotte, where he's currently hitting .135, with 1 homer and 6 RBI in 30 minor league games.

Kevin Smith (Columbia): Batting .230 for Scranton/Wilkes Barre (Yankees), with 2 HRs & 14 RBI in 39 games. We shan't be surprised if Smith is recalled to the Bronx before the season is over.

Adam Zebrowski (CBA): Catching for Rome in the South Atlantic League (Atlanta farm team), Adam is hitting .225 in 55 games with 5 HRs & 30 RBI.

Speaking of the Braves, Ian Anderson (Shen) is nearing a rehab assignment.

Ben Anderson (Shen): Pitching for Frisco in the Texas League (Rangers), Ben is 4-4 with a 4.30 ERA in 12 games, 52 1/3 innings, with 35 strikeouts. Based on that, he might be a year or two away from the bigs.

Matt Gage (Broadalbin-Perth): At Oklahoma City (Dodgers), Matt is 1-2 with a 3.52 ERA in 15 games, 15 1/3 innings, with 20 strikeouts.

Jeff Hoffman (Shaker): Did not appear in Philadelphia's 12-1 pounding of Arizona on Saturday. Hoffman, for the season, is 3-0 in 32 games with a 0.86 ERA and 41 strikeouts in 31 1/3 innings.

Tommy Kahnle (Shaker) has appeared in 12 games for the Yankees since coming off the injured list, with a 3.86 ERA in 9 1/3 innings with 11 strikeouts.

Michael Kennedy (Troy): Pitching for Bradenton, Kennedy is 1-5 with a 4.70 ERA. Despite the inflated ERA, the Pirates prospect has 60 strikeouts in 53 2/3 innings.

John Rooney (Hoosic Valley): Rooney has appeared in 28 games for Oklahoma City, with a 2-2 record, a 4.31 ERA, and 35 strikeouts in 31 1/3 innings. Rooney could, along with Gage, be in LA come September.

Dale Stanavich (Amsterdam): Stanovich has pitched in 7 games for Pensacola (Marlins) to a 4.35 ERA in 10 1/3 innings with 14 strikouts.

Danny Watson (Columbia): Also in the Yankee chain at Somerset, Watson has pitched in 8 games with a 1-2 record, and a 5.87 ERA through 7 2/3 innings and 6 strikouts in 8 games.
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Troy High got the Rodney Dangerfield treatment as the Times-Union announced its softball & baseball all-stars this weekend. Senior Katie Pryor was the lone Troy player named, and made the first team in softball, a clear indicator of how badly and how quickly Troy softball had fallen this season.

Thursday, June 20, 2024

News & notes

 Kennedy Swedick has qualified for the US Girls' Junior Amateur golf tournament after shooting a 3 under par 69 Wednesday at Seven Oaks Country Club in Hamilton.

The Junior Amateur tournament will be run July 15-20 at El Caballero Country Club in Tarzana, California. Best of luck to Kennedy.
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Albany boxer Abraham Nova will be fighting for a WBO/NABO super featherweight title Friday vs. Andres Cortes in Las Vegas. The fight will stream on ESPN+, beginning at approximately 10:30 pm.


As you can see, Nova now has a costumed mascot that accompanies him for his fights. Nova came up with this idea 3 years ago, and while it will have been four months since his last fight, he's making a concerted effort to make it memorable.

With a gimmick like that, he could turn to wrestling when his boxing career ends......
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The Tri-City Valleycats have lost 4 in a row after losing to Quebec, 14-7, on Wednesday night at Bruno Stadium. The 'Cats have fallen back below .500 at 16-19 heading into the series finale, tonight at 6:30, weather permitting, at The Joe.
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There is an Albany team playing in the Perfect Game Collegiate League after all. 

The Albany Baseball Club was created to replace the Dutchmen, who chose not to field a team this year after a dispute with the town of Guilderland. The new team is playing at Dutchman Field at Keenholts Park, same as the Dutchmen. Still don't like the politics involved in evicting the Dutchmen, though......
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Christian Brothers Academy will be looking for a new baseball coach for next season and beyond.

Head coach Casey O'Connor lost his battle with cancer on June 15. The disease had returned during the last couple of years, but O'Connor worked through the issues. CBA has said they will dedicate their baseball field in honor of O'Connor prior to the 2025 season.

Monday, June 17, 2024

Troy High 2024-5 bowling & basketball schedules revealed

 Courtesy of the Colonial Council website, we have Troy High's bowling & basketball schedules for the 2024-5 season.


Bowling: Ichabod Crane does not field a bowling team, and, apparently, neither do the Albany Academies.

Home matches are at Uncle Sam Lanes, which Troy shares with LaSalle, Lansingburgh, and Catholic Central.

November:

25: Home opener vs. Schalmont.

26: LaSalle.

December:

5: Lansingburgh.

9: Catholic Central.

10: Mohonasen.

12: @ Cohoes.

16: @ Voorheesville.

17: @ Ravena.

January:

6: @ Schalmont.

7: LaSalle.

13: Catholic Central.

14: @ Mohonasen.

16: Cohoes.

28: Voorheesville.

30: Senior day vs. Ravena.

Basketball:

Unless otherwise indicated, men's games will be listed, with the women at the opposite site, just like in soccer.

December:

10: Women @ Academy of Holy Names.

13: Men's opener @ Schalmont (women's home opener).

17: Men's home opener vs. Catholic Central. The Crusaders make their first visit to Zotto Gym in 10 years.

The women's game vs. Catholic Central will be at the Old Mechanicville School.

20: @ Ravena.

January:

7: LaSalle. The women's teams will meet for the first time at McCormick Hall.

10: @ Cohoes.

14: Lansingburgh.

17: @ Mohonasen.

24: @ Ichabod Crane.

30: Men @ Albany Academy.

31: Women @ Albany Academy.

February:

4: @ Voorheesville.

7: Cohoes.

10: @ Lansingburgh.

14: Senior night vs. Mohonasen. Troy & Mohon have not met in the regular season since the 2017-18 season, when both were in the Suburban Council.

Schedule subject to change due to weather. 

Sunday, June 16, 2024

News & notes

 It's going to feel like old home week for UAlbany's women's basketball coaching staff next season, with two former Lady Danes joining coach Colleen Mullen's staff.

First Tiana-Jo Carter, class of 2018, was hired as an assistant in mid-week. Next, Val Klopfer, a Bishop Maginn product who played her college ball at Wake Forest, will begin her 2nd tour of duty as an assistant, after serving 1 season under Trina Patterson some 20 years ago. Regardless, the familiarity with the program will boost the current Lady Danes as America East title contenders.
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Arlo Marynczak (Bethlehem/Siena) won his first professional game Friday, as the Tri-City Valleycats defeated Three Rivers, 11-6. Awarding the decision to Marynczak was strictly at the discretion of the official scorer, since Marynczak came just short of the 5 innings required of major league starters, and, I'd presumed also, minor league starters, too.

However, the Eagles evened the series Saturday with a 7-5 verdict. The teams close the series this afternoon at 1 pm, before the 'Cats return to what will be a steamy Bruno Stadium on Tuesday night. Bring your sunscreen!!
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The Albany Firebirds will not run the table in the Arena Football League.

The Orlando Predators collected a receipt Saturday, defeating Albany, 56-49, at MVP Arena. The scene shifts to Orlando on June 29 for the season finale.
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Could there be a Section II alumnus on the Olympic team? Maybe.

Sam Brown, a recent grad from Scotia-Glenville, is taking part in the Olympic Trials in swimming. The trials take place this week in Indianapolis. USA Swimming has installed a 50 meter pool at Lucas Oil Stadium, home of the NFL's Colts. Brown will swim on Wednesday.
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Schalmont's Dannah Smith will graduate on June 27. On Saturday, Smith won the Schenectady Women's Golf Classic after shooting a round of 73, 1 over par. No one broke par, and Smith bested the field by 5 strokes over the runner-up, defending champion Karen Feldman (Columbia). Smith will be attending Monmouth in the fall. The New Jersey school is getting a good one.

Friday, June 14, 2024

News & notes

 Bethlehem grad Matt Quatraro is in his 2nd season as manager of the Kansas City Royals. In contention in the AL Central, the Royals were bludgeoned by the Yankees Tuesday & Wednesday, and were looking to salvage the final game of the series on Thursday.

A pivotal moment came in the 6th inning, when the Royals' Bobby Witt, Jr. was thrown out trying to steal. Quatraro thought that the Yanks' Anthony Volpe illegally blocked the base, but, as the video from Close Call Sports shows, that was not the case, and Quatraro was ejected.


Kansas City would walk off the Yanks, 3-2, so maybe Quatraro may have inspired his team.....
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Jhon Vargas has been the Tri-City Valleycats' best pitcher this season, but even the best have bad nights.

The Evansville Otters plated 11 runs in the 5th inning, and routed the 'Cats, 15-4. Ex-'Cat Pavin Parks went 2-6 with an RBI & a run scored. Tri-City returns to Canada tonight to open a set against the Trois-Rivieres Aigles (Three Rivers Eagles).
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The Arena Football League has announced that this year's title game is set Friday, July 19, at a site to be determined. The Albany Firebirds, at 7-0, have already clinched a playoff spot, and, as noted, can clinch the regular season title by beating Orlando tomorrow at MVP Arena.
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A final vote of the Averill Park Board of Education will take place on Monday, but it's looking more & more like Averill Park's new team nickname will be the Golden Knights. I can see that as a way of honoring the College of St. Rose, which recently completed its final season.
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Speaking of St. Rose, the Albany Times-Union is reporting this morning that a number of basketball players have found their next destinations.

For example, LaSalle grad Adam Myers is returning to Troy, as he'll play for Russell Sage, a Division III program.

On the women's side, Harmony Philo (Gloversville) & Kaleigh Hunt will be moving to SUNY-Brockport. Syrita Faraj (Tamarac) will move to St. Thomas Aquinas. Maddisyn Mahoney (Shaker) is transferring to Le Moyne, and Payton Graber (Schalmont) will transfer to Nova Southeastern.

Best of luck to all.

Thursday, June 13, 2024

News & notes

 The Tri-City Valleycats thought that there would be no issues with the Evansville Otters this week.

That is, until the Otters signed ex-Valleycat Pavin Parks.


Parks started the season with Chicago of the American Association, but he wasn't hitting, and was released a week ago. Evansville signed Parks just in time for the trip to Troy.

Parks hit a 2-run homer, and, as he frequently did with Tri-City, pitched in relief, for one inning, as the Otters defeated the 'Cats, 6-1. The two teams will close the series tonight at 6:30 at Bruno Stadium.
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When the Albany Firebirds began the pre-season, Malik Henry was meant to be the starting quarterback. However, Henry bolted for the CFL, and was one of the last pre-season cuts of the Edmonton Eskimos before returning to Albany. Now, he's the backup behind Jake Medlock, and coach Damon Ware is not committed to activating Henry for Saturday's game vs. Orlando at MVP Arena. Seeing as how the 'Birds will be in Orlando in 2 weeks to close the regular season, and assuming Albany clinches the regular season title before then, they'll probably save Henry for the finale.
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To the surprise of, well, no one, Albany Academy senior Kennedy Swedick earned her final Female Athlete of The Week honor from the Albany Times-Union after winning her 3rd straight state title last week.

While Swedick will enroll at Virginia in the fall, we shan't be surprised if she returns home to take part in a Epson Futures tour event down the road.

Albany Academy will be just fine, as they still have a core of players who will step up this coming season.

Wednesday, June 12, 2024

Troy High & LaSalle football schedules 2024

Let's take a look at Troy High & LaSalle's football schedules for 2024. You won't find these on their respective team pages on the Colonial Council website just yet. 

We'll start with Troy:


September:

6: Home opener vs. Johnstown.

13: @ Mohonasen.

20: @ Bethlehem.

27: Columbia.

October:

4: Collar City Cup @ LaSalle. 

11: Homecoming vs. South Glens Falls.

18: Amsterdam.

25: Senior Night vs. Averill Park.

LaSalle:

September:

6: Home opener vs. Our Lady of Lourdes.

13: @ Queensbury.

20: Columbia.

27: @ Amsterdam.

October:

4: Homecoming/Collar City Cup vs. Troy.

11: Senior Night vs. Ballston Spa.

18: @ Averill Park.

25: @ Bethlehem.

Your eyes do not deceive you. Troy gets 5 home dates this year, and just 3 road dates, while LaSalle has an even split, 4 at home, 4 away. Schedules are subject to change.

LaSalle's fall sports schedule, excluding football, revealed

LaSalle has released its fall sports schedule, not including football, which will be announced another time.


Women's golf home matches will be at Pheasant Valley Country Club. Women's swimming & diving moves to the Troy Boys & Girls Club on 7th Avenue this season.

We'll start with golf:

September:

3: Men's home opener vs. Albany Academy.
4: Men vs. Schalmont.
5: Women @ Albany Academy.
10: Women vs. Catholic Central. Men vs. Ichabod Crane.
11: Men vs. Ravena.
12: Women vs. Voorheesville.
16: Men vs. Troy.
17: Women @ Mohonasen.
18: Men vs. Voorheesville.
19: Men vs. Catholic Central. Women vs. Academy of Holy Names.
23: Men vs. Mohonasen.
24: Women vs. Albany Academy.
25: Men @ Albany Academy.
26: Women @ Catholic Central. Men @ Schalmont.
30: Men @ Ichabod Crane.

October:

1: Women @ Voorheesville.
2: Men @ Ravena.
8: Women vs. Mohonasen. Men vs. Troy. As noted before, since Troy, Catholic Central, & LaSalle share Frear Park, we're not sure who the home teams will be when these teams meet.

10: Men vs. Catholic Central. Women @ Academy of Holy Names.

Women's swimming:

September 13: @ Emma Willard (non-league).
September 20: Home opener vs. Albany Academy.
September 27: @ Mohonasen.
October 4: vs. Academy of Holy Names.
October 11 vs. Ravena.

More dates will likely be added.

Soccer: Men's games will be listed, with the women at the opposite site.

September:

5: Home opener vs. Ravena.
10: @ Lansingburgh.
12: @ Mohonasen.
17: Voorheesville.
19: @ Troy.
24: Women vs. Catholic Central.
26: Women @ Academy of Holy Names.
30: Albany Academy.

October:

2: @ Cohoes.
4: Ichabod Crane.
5: Women @ Ichabod Crane.
8: Women @ Catholic Central.
10: Women vs. Academy of Holy Names.
15: @ Albany Academy.
17: Men's senior day vs. Schalmont.

Women's volleyball:

September:

5: @ Ravena.
10: Lansingburgh.
17: @ Voorheesville.
26: @ Academy of Holy Names.

October:

1: @ Albany Academy.
8: @ Schalmont.
10: Cohoes.
13: @ Ichabod Crane.
18: @ Schuylerville (non-league).

More dates will be added for some sports down the line. Schedule subject to change due to weather concerns.

Tuesday, June 11, 2024

News & notes

 The Tri-City Valleycats return to action tonight at Bruno Stadium, opening a 3 game series vs. Evansville at 6:30 pm. Two goals come to mind. First, improving weeknight attendance would be nice, and, more importantly, snapping a 2 game losing streak after dropping the final two games of their series with the NY Boulders, getting blown out of the building, 11-3, on Sunday.


We bring up the attendance because, after only about 1300 or so took in Sunday's game, the 518 Futures Game and Home Run Derby on Monday had only around 1100 or so fans in attendance.

Columbia's Andrew Gabriel drove in 3 runs, and was named the game MVP as the Navy unit defeated the White, 10-5.

Personally, I think the fan apathy toward high school games at the Joe, and this also applies to the stadium's other tenant, Hudson Valley Community College, may have something to do with a general lack of interest away from the campuses. HVCC's teams get the Rodney Dangerfield treatment from the press. That is to say, there's very little coverage of any HVCC sports unless it's something significant. With the 'Cats throwing their promotional weight behind the Futures game, you'd think more people would be interested. 

Maybe a TV deal is in order. Are you listening, Spectrum?
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The Albany Patroons' season is over after being eliminated by Raleigh, 97-94, on Sunday at the Armory.

However, it does appear as though the Pats will have other issues heading into next season. The Albany Times-Union is reporting that the ownership of the team has reverted back to Albany Patroons, Inc., after the Cliffords, who ran the team this year, decided to back out.

In addition, Ed Dyson didn't see much action on Sunday, and it would suggest some discontent with coach Derrick Rowland, Sr., and possibly leading to Dyson playing elsewhere next year. Stay tuned.
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The NBA draft is set to take place in about 2 weeks, on June 26-27, but one prominent Section II alumnus isn't so sure he'll be drafted.

Joe Girard III (Glens Falls/Syracuse/Clemson) is looking at hooking on with a summer league team, and doesn't believe he'll be drafted, even after working out for Miami, Utah, Toronto, and the Knicks recently. Don't kid yourself, Joe. You might be surprised by the time the draft is over.

Sunday, June 9, 2024

News & notes

 Saratoga Race Course is known as the "Graveyard of Favorites", where upsets are as common as anything.

This proved to be true Saturday night as Dornoch surprised everyone by winning the Belmont Stakes.

Now, the question is raised as to whether or not Dornoch will return to the Old Spa in August for the Travers and a likely rematch with Seize The Grey & Mystik Dan, the winners of the Preakness & Kentucky Derby, respectively.
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The Tri-City Valleycats saw their 4 game win streak snapped as the NY Boulders defeated the 'Cats, 10-8, in a slugfest Saturday at Bruno Stadium. Ex-Valleycat Chris Kwitzer homered in the first inning, setting the tone for the night.

The two teams will conclude their series today at 5.
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There will be a 3rd game between the Raleigh Firebirds and Albany Patroons in the TBL playoffs after the Firebirds defeated the Pats, 122-115, at the Washington Avenue Armory. 

Tip time for the finale is 3 pm this afternoon.
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The Albany Firebirds needed overtime to complete a season sweep of the West Texas Desert Hawks in Texas on Saturday, 73-70. 



Albany returns to MVP Arena next Saturday for a rematch with Orlando at 7 pm.
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Softball season is officially over in Section 2 with the conclusion of state regional play on Saturday. Four teams entered play seeking championships, but only 2 went home with the trophies:

Class AA: Burnt Hills 8, Clarence 4.

Class B: Wellsville 7, Schuylerville 1.

Class C: Berne-Knox-Westerlo 1, Bloomfield 0.

Class D: Deposit-Hancock 13, Salem 0 (5 innings).

In baseball, Section 2 had 3 teams vying for titles, with 2 champions coming home:

Class AA: Bethlehem 11, Hauppage 5.

Class B: Spackenkill 6, Taconic Hills 2.

Class C: Chatham 11, Burke Catholic 5. The Panthers three-peat as state champs.

Congratulations to all the teams.

Saturday, June 8, 2024

News & notes

 Saratoga Race Course is back up & running for Day 3 of the Belmont Racing Festival after Friday's card was cut short due to a power outage.

The Belmont Stakes itself will air on WXXA tonight, with post time approximately 6:41 pm. OTB-TV (Spectrum channel 1250) will also carry the race.
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The Tri-City Valleycats have become one of the hottest teams in the Frontier League after rallying to beat the NY Boulders on Friday night. Tri-City has won 4 straight and 6 of their last 7. Ex-Valleycat Chris Kwitzer, in his 3rd season with the Boulders, and a 'Cat killer each of the last two years, was held in check going 0-4 with an RBI.

Game 2 is tonight at 6:30 at Bruno Stadium.
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We can confirm that Salem's 14-1 bludgeoning of Chateaugay on Friday was called after 5 innings due to the mercy rule.

Finishing Friday's results:

Tennis:

Division 1 semi-finals:

Syosset 7, Bethlehem 0.

Softball:

Class B semi-finals:

Schuylerville 4, Albertus Magnus 1. The Black Horses will play Wellsville this afternoon.

Class C:

Berne-Knox Westerlo 11, Union Springs 7. BKW will play for the state title vs. Bloomfield this afternoon.

The rest of today's lineup:

Class AA: Burnt Hills vs. Clarence, 1 pm.

Class D: Salem vs. Deposit-Hancock, already underway.


Baseball:

Class AAA semi-finals:

Ketcham 4, Shenendehowa 3 (10 innings).

Class AA: Bethlehem 3, Eastchester 2. The Eagles play Hauppage this afternoon at 4 at Mirabito Stadium.

Also today:

Class B: Taconic Hills vs. Spackenkill, 1 pm.

Class C: Chatham vs. Burke Catholic, already underway.

Friday, June 7, 2024

High School Fridays: Section 2 started with 11 teams in today's action, and...........

 The numbers are dwindling as today's action progresses. 5 baseball teams. 6 softball teams. All vying for state titles. Let's take a quick peek at what's happened so far today:


Softball:

Class AAA semi-finals:

Corning-Painted Post 6, Saratoga 4.

Class AA semi-finals:

Burnt Hills 3, Vestal 1. The Spartans will play Clarence tomorrow at 1 pm.

Class A semi-finals:

Marlboro 2, Ichabod Crane 0.

Class D semi-finals:

Salem 14, Chateaugay 1. Have to believe this was a mercy rule game. Salem advances to play Deposit-Hancock tomorrow morning at 10:30 am.

The Class B game between Schuylerville & Albertus Magnus is underway as we write. In Class C, Berne-Knox-Westerlo will play Union Springs at approximately 6 pm.

Baseball:

Class B semi-finals:

Taconic Hills 9, Little Falls 6. 

Class C semi-finals:

Chatham 9, Pulaski 0. The Panthers will play Burke Catholic of Section 9 tomorrow at 10 am.

Class D:

Oriskany 9, Hadley-Luzerne 3.

The Class A, AA, & AAA games are underway as we write.
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Other stuff:

Shaker graduate Jeff Hoffman is in England this weekend with the Philadelphia Phillies as they prep for a 2 game weekend series vs. the Mets in London Saturday & Sunday. Hoffman has found his niche as a reliever with the Phils, who sit in 1st place in the NL East. The Mets are coming off a sweep of the Washington Nationals.
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Speaking of sweeps, the Tri-City Valleycats made sure they got the brooms out against the New Jersey Jackals, even if Thursday's game was cut short by rain. 

The game was called after 6 innings, with the 'Cats blowing away the Jackals, 10-2. With the rain having subsided, the 'Cats open a weekend series vs. the NY Boulders tonight at 6:30 pm.
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The Albany Patroons return home tomorrow, looking to close out the Raleigh Firebirds after beating Raleigh on the road, 105-92, Thursday night. Shadell Millinghaus (Troy/Schenectady) had 23 points to lead 6 Pats in double figures.

Thursday, June 6, 2024

News & notes

 Fans expecting to attend tonight's 518 Futures Game at Bruno Stadium will have to wait 4 days at the minimum.

Section II officials, on the advice of meteorologist Chicken Little, postponed the game until Monday in anticipation of late afternoon storms. Tickets purchased for tonight will be honored on Monday.


Meanwhile, the 'Cats will be looking to bring the brooms out against the New Jersey Jackals tonight, weather permitting, of course, after beating the Jackals, 6-3, on Wednesday afternoon. Tri-City returns home tomorrow for a weekend series vs. the NY Boulders.
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The Albany Firebirds have gotten another change in their schedule.

The unbeaten 'Birds, who will face West Texas on the road on Saturday, were to host the Salina Liberty June 15. However, it'll instead be a rematch vs. the Orlando Predators, whom Albany beat opening night, and will visit on July 29 in the season finale. Game time remains 7 pm, and the game will stream on YouTube.

Tuesday, June 4, 2024

News & notes

The revolving door has spun again at Troy High.

Word is going out that men's basketball coach Josh Pelletier has decided not to return next season, leaving after 1 season at Troy, which badly underachieved.


What might've done Pelletier in may have been the decision to bench the Merritt cousins, Legend & Stetson, during the regular season finale vs. Guilderland. The Merritts quit the team soon after, and Troy, understandably, was 1-&-done in the sectionals.

Now, Athletic Director Paul Reinisch has to work with the school board to find a new coach. Again.

In other coaching news, as Rodger Wyland reported on WNYT last week, Jeremy Friel is leaving UAlbany and Dwayne Killings' staff to become the women's basketball coach at Guilderland. The Dutchmen are also welcoming Mike Beadnell as their new men's varsity hoops coach.
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Earlier this year, Saratoga senior Carly Wise broke the 1,000 point barrier in basketball. In Saturday's state regional lacrosse loss, Wise reached another milestone with her 300th career goal. Belated congratulations to Carly.
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Section II's loss is the ACC's gain.

Albany Academy senior Kennedy Swedick capped her high school career by winning her 3rd straight state golfing title Monday at Edison Country Club in Rexford. Swedick, who moves on to Virginia this fall, trailed by a stroke going into Monday's round, and ended up carding a 66, winning by five strokes. Dannah Smith (Schalmont) finished 3rd, Hayden Knapp the 8th grader from South Glens Falls, finished 4th, Zorah Williams (Emma Willard) finished 8th, and Sienna Wheeler (Colonie) fell to 9th after carding a 6 over par 78.

We'll just have to watch the ACC Network listings to see if they carry college golf this fall.

Monday, June 3, 2024

News & notes

 Arlo Marynczak (Bethlehem/Siena) got the ball to start Sunday's Tri-City Valleycats game vs. the New England Knockouts. That was the good news. The bad? Ex-Saint teammate Ben Seiler (Albany Academy) didn't see the field at all in the series.

Ex-Mets farmhand Richard Brito copied Jhon Vargus' complete game gem on Saturday with one of his own, as he outdueled Marynczak, who went 5 innings himself, as the Knockouts salvaged the final game of the series with a 6-2 win. Marynczak was charged with 4 runs in the 5 innings.

Tri-City heads to New Jersey tomorrow for a short road trip vs. the Jackals before returning home Friday to play the NY Boulders.
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The NYSPHSAA golf championships wrap today at Edison Country Club in Rexford. To the surprise of no one, Kennedy Swedick, playing her final tournament for Albany Academy, sits in 2nd place, 1 shot off the lead. 8th grader Hayden Knapp (South Glens Falls) and Colonie junior Sienna Wheeler are tied for 4th, 3 shots behind Swedick, and 4 off the lead. The final round begin this morning at 9 am.
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The Albany Patroons are headed to Raleigh, NC, for the next round of the TBL playoffs, as they open vs. the Raleigh Firebirds on Thursday. The series moves to the Washington Avenue Armory on Saturday, with the finale, if needed, on Sunday. The Pats, though, could be without one of their leading scorers, as Trevis Wyche came out of game 1 of the Frederick series with an ankle injury, and is questionable for Thursday.

Sunday, June 2, 2024

News & notes

 The series between the Tri-City Valleycats & New England Knockouts wraps later today at Bruno Stadium, with first pitch around 5 pm. The Albany Times-Union is reporting that the series doubles as a reunion of old college teammates.

Ben Seiler, son of T-U editor Casey Seiler, is in his first season with the Knockouts, and, back home for the weekend, had a chance to reconnect with 'Cats pitcher and former Siena teammate Arlo Marynczak.

Neither man got into Saturday's game. Jhon Vargas pitched a complete game shutout as the 'Cats blew away New England, 10-0, in a game that went a speedy 2 hours and 20 minutes, which would be the norm in today's baseball, but for the fact that Tri-City has already had two games go 3 hours or better at home at least.

Tri-City goes for the sweep today. We're not privy to the pitching matchup, but let's hope both Marynczak & Seiler see some action.
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The Albany Patroons are moving on in the TBL playoffs after sweeping the Frederick Flying Cows, 95-91, on Saturday in Maryland. The odd thing is, the TBL website's scoreboard for the game froze with the score tied, 3-3, as of this morning. The Cows' page on X gave fans the actual result.
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The Albany Firebirds are 6-0 after beating Nashville for the 2nd time in a month, but it got a little too close for comfort late.


Albany has a rematch with West Texas next week.
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Saturday's state regional scoreboard:

Flag football:

Plainview-Old Bethpage 14, Columbia 0. P-OB is playing for the state title as we write vs. Scarsdale.

Women's lacrosse:

Class A:

Suffern 10, Saratoga 8.

Class B:

Greeley 7, Bethlehem 6.

Class C:

Rye 11, Queensbury 8.

Class D:

Bronxville 17, Voorheesville 4.

Men's lacrosse:

Class A:

Mamaroneck 7, Shenendehowa 5.

Class B:

Yorktown 12, Niskayuna 5.

Class C:

Rye 16, Queensbury 3.

Class D:

Pleasantville 13, Schuylerville 6.

Softball:

Class AAA:

Saratoga 7, Liverpool 0. The Blue Streaks will play Corning-Painted Post Friday at noon.

Class AA:

Burnt Hills 10, Whitesboro 2. Next for the Spartans is Vestal on Friday at 3 pm.

Class A:

Ichabod Crane 6, Camden 4. The Riders will play Marlboro on Friday at 9 am.

Class B:

Schuylerville 6, Saranac 0. The Black Horses will meet Albertus Magnus Friday at 4:30.

Class C:

Berne-Knox-Westerlo 14, St. Lawrence 0. Next will be Union Springs Friday at 6.

Class D:

Salem 15, Crown Point 3. Next up is Chateaugay Friday at 10:30 am.

Baseball:

Class AAA:

Shenendehowa 11, CBA-Syracuse 10. Next up for the Plainsmen will be Ketchum, Friday at 4 in Binghamton (all the remaining games are in Binghamton at Mirabito Stadium).

Class AA:

Bethlehem 5, West Genesee 3. Next for the Eagles will be Eastchester at Binghamton University Friday at 4.

Class A:

Jamesville-DeWitt 3, Albany Academy 2.

Class B:

Taconic Hills 9, Canton 0. Next up is Little Falls at Union-Endicott High Friday at 10 am.

Class C:

Chatham 13, Ticonderoga 2. The Panthers move on to play Pulaski Friday at 10 am at Binghamton University.

Class D:

Hadley-Luzerne 13, Parishville-Hopkinton 2. H-L will play Oriskany at Mirabito Stadium Friday at 10 am.
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Jake Reinisch will spend week of the MLB draft waiting to hear his name called, drafted by one of 30 teams.

Reinisch & Wake Forest were eliminated in the NCAA baseball tournament on Saturday, losing to East Carolina, 7-6. Reinisch was 0-2 with a walk and a run scored for the Demon Deacons.

Saturday, June 1, 2024

News & notes

 Call them the Kardiac Kats.

The Tri-City Valleycats fell into an early 4-0 hole vs. the New England Knockouts on Friday at Bruno Stadium. However, after the bullpen slammed the door shut, Tri-City's offense came to life late. Down 3 runs in the bottom of the 9th, the 'Cats scored 4 times in the final frame to walk off the Knockouts, 9-8.

The series continues tonight at 6:30.
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Ana Gold's college career is over.

The senior 3rd baseman for Duke homered, giving the Blue Devils their only run Friday, but Alabama eliminated Duke from the Women's College World Series, 2-1.
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Meanwhile, Shenendehowa grad Jake Reinisch may be following Gold out of town if Wake Forest doesn't find a way to reach the College World Series.

Wake Forest dropped a 1-0 decision to Virginia Commonwealth on Friday, and are scheduled to play East Carolina this morning. Apparently, if they are not in a rain delay, the game is only on ESPN+.

News & notes

 We all know the 518 is largely Yankee country. Kansas City Royals manager Matt Quatraro grew up a Yankee fan, and, today, leads the Royals ...