News & notes

 With 4 days before this year's Turkey Trot in Troy, event director George Regan appeared on Albany Broadcasting's Albany Street this morning to discuss the race and its history in a pre-recorded telephone interview with host Bill Williams.

We learned that the race dates all the way back to the latter stages of World War I, and that this year's event is the 77th renewal, as there've been skip years along the way, including a "virtual" race in 2020-1.

See you do learn something on the radio.

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Speaking of radio, former Albany Mayor Tom Whalen was a recurring guest on the late Bob Mason's morning show on WPYX in the 80's, and his tag line at the end of every appearance was, "It's a great day for Albany!".

Welp, on Saturday, that line could've been amended to, "it's a great day for UAlbany".

First, on Senior Day at Casey Stadium, Greg Gattusso's Great Danes, who went from the penthouse to the outhouse in the CAA this year, won their finale, coming back from a 28-7 halftime deficit to defeat Hampton, 41-34, holding the guests to a late 4th quarter touchdown. Albany finishes 3-7.

On the hardwood, Dwayne Killings' men's basketball team ran their win streak to 5 in a row, beating Kansas City, 67-65. The Lady Danes of Colleen Mullen remained unbeaten, taking down Cornell, 53-47. As usual, Kayla Cooper led the way for Albany with 24 points. Meghan Huerter (Shenendehowa) came off the bench to score 9, and Lily Phillips, Wednesday's hero at Syracuse, was held to 2. Albany hosts RPI for a Thanksgiving Eve matinee Wednesday at 2.

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Siena welcomed back Teresa Seppala Saturday night, but were missing some other players.

All told, coach Terry Primm was down to 7 healthy players, and, as a result, the winless Lady Saints (0-5) were blown out of the gym by Fordham, 90-51, in front of just 321 paying customers. Seppala led the undermanned Siena team with 15 points, followed by Ahniysha Jackson with 13.

The lack of available players could be a problem with Albany & Siena meet next month at UHY Center.

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The rest of Saturday's college action:

Men's basketball:

John Jay 73, Russell Sage 70.

RPI 63, Cobleskill 60.

Women's basketball:

RPI 75, Castleton 70.

Skidmore 53, Williams College 48.

Middlebury 72, Union 47.

St. Mary's 83, Russell Sage 79.

Women's hockey:

RPI 2, Merrimack 1.

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Volleyball season is over in Section II.

Shenendehowa was thwarted in state play, as the women fell, 3-1, to Fairport, while the men were shut out in consecutive matches by Ward-Melville & Penfield.

That leaves Burnt Hills as the last hope for a state title returning to the 518, as they'd reached the women's Class A finals, the result of which had not been reported as of press time.

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The semi-finals in football are set, with 4 Section II teams heading to Middletown starting on Black Friday.

CBA defeated North Rockland, 28-7, giving Bob Burns a win in his homecoming at Lansingburgh. Tom Tohre ran for 2 touchdowns, and passed for a 3rd to Amare Coffill.

In Class D, Greenwich dominated Moriah, 34-6.

Coming this weekend:

Class AA:

CBA vs. Corning-Painted Post, 8 pm Saturday.

Class B: 

Glens Falls vs. Port Jervis, 3 pm. Saturday.

Class C:

Schuylerville vs. Valhalla, 12 noon Saturday.

Class D:

Greenwich vs. Vestal or Cornwall, 6 pm Friday.