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.