News & notes

 The Albany Times-Union's men's swimming & diving all-star teams have been announced, and the Flying Devil Brothers of CBA/Troy/Columbia are well represented.

CBA senior Quinn Nelson not only made the 1st team in the 100 meter backstroke, but he's all over the 2nd team in the following:

100 & 500 meter freestyle.

200 meter individual medley.

200 meter medley relay (with teammates Liam Witting, Andrew Orcutt, and Rocco Jabour).

Witting, also a senior, made the 2nd team in the 50 meter freestyle, and the relay team was on the 1st team for the 400 meter freestyle relay. Jabour, the lone Troy swimmer, should be these teams again next year, as he's only a sophomore.

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

It's opening day in major league baseball for everyone except the Dodgers & Cubs, who opened last week in Tokyo.

For local fans, they'll get to see the Yankees and Mets this afternoon:

Milwaukee at the Yankees, 3 pm, ESPN, WTMM.

Mets @ Houston, 4 pm, SNY.

The Yankees have already made it clear that they will expand their usual pre-game coverage to cover the pomp & circumstance of their home opener, as they do every year. The Mets still don't have a radio home since they dissolved their syndicated network 6 years ago, but you can access the radio broadcast on Audacy.

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

Lacrosse season has officially begun in Section II.

In a battle of the Spartans in women's action, Queensbury blew away Burnt Hills, 18-6. The men's game between LaSalle and Guilderland was, as I had suspected, a scrimmage, not an actual game.

Today, Voorheesville hosts the Academy of Holy Names at 4:30 pm, to start the Colonial Council season, while two men's non-league games are on tap, with Hoosick Falls-Tamarac playing at Mohonasen-Schenectady at 4:30, and Greenwich-Cambridge at Ichabod Crane at 5 pm.

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

Wednesday's college scoreboard:

Baseball:

UMass 6, UAlbany 3.

Siena 13, Fairleigh Dickinson 1 (7 innings).

RPI 29, MCLA 1. The Engineers racked up 20 runs in the 4th through 6th innings, and they didn't bother with a mercy rule.

Oneonta 13, Cobleskill 9 (6 innings).

Men's lacrosse:

Siena 16, Merrimack 8.

St. Joseph's-Long Island 14, Cobleskill 10.

Women's lacrosse:

Plattsburgh 14, Russell Sage 13.

Clemson 21, UAlbany 8.

Union 18, Bard 3.

Vassar 12, Skidmore 11 (OT).

Softball:

UAlbany 8, Columbia 3. 

Men's tennis:

Union 4, Oberlin 3.

Women's tennis:

Carleton 7, Union 0.

Union 7, Augustana 0.

News & notes

 It's that time of year again, when basketball players enter the transfer portal, looking for new opportunities and a change of scenery.

To follow up on a report from last week, Albany Academy grad Riley Mulvey is transferring from Iowa to Siena. That was made official on Tuesday. The Rotterdam native will be reunited former Cadet teammate Marcus Jackson, unless Jackson enters the portal.

Meanwhile, on the women's side at Siena, leading scorer Teresa Seppala is entering the portal, as is Allison O'Hanlon (Duanesburg), who missed all of this past season due to a foot injury. With Albany grad Ahniysha Jackson graduating, you'd think O'Hanlon would've stepped right in to fill the void, but, as of now, nope.

Over at UAlbany, Amar'e Marshall is re-entering the portal for the 3rd straight year, and taking Justin Neely, Aaron Reddish, Zane Adnan, & Kani Topuz with him. 

UAlbany will lose Byron Joshua, DeMarr Langford, Jr., & Kacper Klaczek, who've used up their eligibility and will graduate, while Wilkin Paulino, an incoming freshman, and junior college transfer Jaden Kempson will join the Great Danes.

Looks like Dwayne Killings is back in rebuilding mode.

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

LaSalle is looking for a new football coach.

John Audino is leaving after 7 seasons to take an assistant's job at Marist. The new coach, whomever it is, will be tasked to defend the Collar City Cup when LaSalle plays Troy in October. Audino went 29-31 in 7 seasons at LaSalle, 4-3 in the Cup games. He'll be a special team coordinator & running backs coach at Marist.

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

Tuesday's college scoreboard:

Baseball:

Union 10, Elmhurst 5.

Union 6, Williams College 3.

Long Island University 14, Siena 3.

Skidmore 9, Cobleskill 3.

Men's lacrosse:

Tufts 20, Union 10.

Softball:

Siena & Quinnipiac split a doubleheader, each team winning by a score of 8-4.

Middlebury swept Skidmore, 2-1 & 10-2. The 2nd game ended in 6 innings.

Cobleskill split with Hartwick, losing the opener, 8-7, while salvaging the nightca, 11-3 in 6 innings.

Men's tennis:

Colby 5, Union 1.

Women's tennis:

Union 5, George Fox 1.

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You'll see a pair of lacrosse games listed for high schools for today. Not sure if the season is officially starting, as everyone else begins play next week. LaSalle will host Guilderland at Sutton Field at 6 pm, while, in women's action, Burnt Hills visits Queensbury at 4:30 pm.

News & notes

The Albany Times-Union announced its hockey all-star team for 2024-5 in today's editions, and, well, I'd not be surprised if LaSalle fans would be up in arms over the perception of injustice done to their team.

Goaltender Carter Irving was the lone Cadet named to the first team, joining Player of the Year Liam Chartrand (Saratoga), Ollie Coughlan & Brodie LaNoir (Queensbury), George Angelopoulos (Hawks), and Daniel Klochaney (Saratoga). LaSalle's leading scorer, Michael Nocera, was named to the 2nd team. Shenendehowa's Juan de la Rocha was named Coach of the Year.

LaSalle loyalists will argue that their team was screwed. Then again, the T-U didn't publish game results with any consistency, which would fuel the argument.

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

Columbia grad Kevin Smith has decided to retire at 28 after spending parts of last season with the Yankees. Smith was never really able to stick in the majors, be it with Toronto, Oakland, or the Yanks. However, he tells the T-U he's satisfied that he lived his dream.

Something tells me we'll hear from him again as a coach, somewhere down the road.

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

They are mourning at Saratoga Catholic and Greenwich the passing of veteran coach Harry Lomasney, who passed away March 20 at 84 after a lengthy illness.

Lomasney was the head coach at Greenwich for 24 seasons (1972-95), and served as the pitching coach under Phonsey Lambert at Saratoga Catholic for 9 seasons.

When the two Wasaren League teams meet, expect black armbands on both teams.

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

Ousted Northville women's basketball coach Jim Zullo was issued an appearance ticket on Monday on allegations of harassment toward his senior star, Hailey Monroe, during Friday's loss to LaFargeville. Zullo has apologized for the incident, which reportedly began with Monroe using expletives after fouling out with under a minute left in the game.

Zullo will be at Troy City Court at a later date. He'd stated before the season that this would, in fact, be his final season. Not the way he wanted to go out, to be sure, but his Hall of Fame career has been tarnished by one mistake borne of frustration.

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

Monday's college scoreboard:

Baseball:

Wisconsin-LaCrosse 7, Union 0.

Softball:

Union 9, Oberlin 3.

Willamette 11, Union 1 (6 innings).

Men's tennis:

Freed-Hardeman (TN) 6, Union 1.

Hamilton 6, Union 1.

News & notes

 While it has not officially been announced on the team's website, the Tri-City Valleycats have traded for Shenendehowa grad Jake Reinisch, the son of Troy High athletic director Paul Reinisch. So far, the Daily Gazette is the only media outlet to report the trade, but it is not known who will be sent over to the NY Boulders in exchange for Reinisch, a 2024 graduate of Wake Forest.

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

Meanwhile, another Shen alum is also on the move.

The Atlanta Braves traded Ian Anderson to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim on Sunday in exchange for lefthander Jose Suarez. Anderson pitched to a 2.25 ERA in Grapefruit League play, mostly as a reliever, but the 20 walks in as many innings convinced Braves management that Anderson's control issues, which prompted his demotion to AAA Gwinnett in 2023, had not been solved.

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

When the weekend started, 10 Section II basketball teams were playing for state titles.

As of the end of business Sunday, three state titles had been won.

Glens Falls repeated as Class A state champion, thumping Mt. Sinai, 77-57, on Sunday morning, joining Shaker & Berne-Knox-Westerlo in winning state titles.

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

Sunday's college scoreboard:

Baseball:

Bryant 9, UAlbany 8.

Fairfield 10, Siena 0 (8 innings).

Wooster 12, Union 6.

Softball:

Hamline 15, Union 5 (6 innings).

Union 7, Knox 0.

Men's tennis:

Luther 5, Union 2.

Mount St. Mary's 4, Siena 3.

NY University 4, Skidmore 2.

Women's tennis:

Brandeis 7, Skidmore 0.

Siena 4, Mount St. Mary's 3.

Union 5, Luther 2.

Union 5, Hendrix 2.

News & notes

 As we're writing, Glens Falls is in action at Visions Veterans Center in Binghamton in the Class A men's finals vs. Mt. Sinai after disposing of Wayne, 75-55, on Saturday afternoon. 

Meanwhile, Berne-Knox-Westerlo captured the Class C title, taking down Honeoye, 63-47, in Saturday's nightcap. Now, it's up to the Black Bears to bring home another state title.

Unfortunately, the women couldn't fulfill their end, as Catholic Central was denied their bid to repeat, losing to Baldwin, 62-55, Saturday morning at Hudson Valley Community College. Tanavia Turpin, fighting through an injury, finished with 15 points for the Crusaders.

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

The Albany FireWolves have won 3 straight after defeating defending NLL champion Buffalo in overtime, 11-10, Saturday at MVP Arena. Next home game is in 2 weeks on April 4.

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

Saturday's college scoreboard:

Baseball:

RPI swept Bard, 13-0 & 15-5. The 2nd game ended after 8 innings.

Skidmore swept Vassar, 16-5 (7 innings) and 6-4.

Union 6, St. John's (MN) 5.

UAlbany 13, Bryant 9 (14 innings).

Fairfield 7, Siena 2.

Men's lacrosse:

Husson 17, Cobleskill 9.

UMBC 13, UAlbany 12 (OT).

RIT 13, RPI 10.

Union 14, Clarkson 10.

Skidmore 9, St. Lawrence 8.

Alfred 14, Russell Sage 5.

Siena 18, Iona 12.

Women's lacrosse:

Fairfield 16, Siena 6.

Alfred 15, Russell Sage 6.

William Smith 16, RPI 9.

RIT 15, Union 12.

Skidmore 11, Rochester 10 (OT).

Softball:

Siena swept Colgate, 7-0 & 6-2.

RPI swept Harford, 1-0 & 4-1.

Vermont-Castleton swept Skidmore, 11-0 (6 innings) & 10-5.

Binghamton swept UAlbany, 12-4 & 14-2. Both games ended in 5 innings.

Machester 7, Union 2.

Lawrence 5, Union 1.

Water polo:

Mount St. Mary's 15, Siena 11.

Iona 17, Siena 15.

News & notes

 With a truncated 8 game schedule due to 6 teams leaving AF1, the Albany Firebirds may have had a path to the title made easier.

On Friday, in a game airing on VICE TV (Spectrum channel 133), Sam Castrunovo and the 'Birds put on a show of dominance vs. Southwest Kansas, which had won their two previous games. Albany spotted the Storm an early lead, then just ran amok. Castrunovo threw 7 touchdown passes, 4 of them to Duane Brown, who was with Billings last year, and ran one in himself. The defense added 2 pick-6's, and Albany cruised, 78-20.

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

Black Friday is traditionally the biggest shopping day during the Christmas season.

For basketball in the 518 on Friday, it was a Black Friday of a different kind.

The day started with 10 Section II teams vying for state titles, either in semi-finals or finals. By the time the last horn sounded in Binghamton, just before 10 pm, Section II had claimed 1 state title on the men's side, with a chance for 2 more coming.

Friday didn't start so promising, however. as Loudonville Christian, the Class D champion, fell to Bridgehampton, 63-53. Later, Class C champ Berne-Knox-Westerlo routed Tuckahoe, 70-46, to advance to tonight's title game.

Homestanding Binghamton went to double overtime before ending Niskayuna's season, 75-61. That it went to double OT meant that Class AAA champ Shaker's game vs. Port Washington was delayed to about 8 pm. Didn't matter, as the Blue Bison won their first state title, 55-50.

Today's schedule at Binghamton:

Class A:

Wayne vs. Glens Falls, 3:15 pm.

Class C final:

Berne-Knox-Westerlo vs. Honeoye, 7:45 pm.

Meanwhile, back in Troy, Hudson Valley Community College turned into a house of horrors for the ladies of Section II, as 4 of the 5 teams representing the 518 were all eliminated.

The day started with Cold Spring Harbor, a Long Island town made famous by Billy Joel (it was the title of one of his albums) taking down Class B champ Voorheesville, 62-32. Long Island then made it 2 in a row over upstate, as Wantagh rallied to upset A champion Albany Academy, 58-51.

Class D champion Northville was denied a state title for the 2nd straight year, as they lost to LaFargeville, 43-37. However, it was what took place after the game that got the headlines.

Northville coach Jim Zullo, perhaps out of frustration, pulled the hair of his senior star, Hailey Monroe, during a post-game huddle. The worse news for Zullo is that it was with district officials present. By the end of the night, Zullo was fired after 2 seasons for his poor judgment.

Update, 3/22/25, 6:43 am: We have a quick video report from WTEN. Seems Monroe was crying over the loss before the medal ceremony.

In the nightcap, Class C champion Stillwater went down as well, losing to Frewsburg, 59-44. That leaves Class AA champion Catholic Central the lone Section II team left on the women's side, and they'll take the court at 10 am vs. Baldwin, hoping to salvage a lost weekend for the women.

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

Siena's basketball season is over as well, as the Lady Saints went 1-&-done in the women's NIT, losing to Howard, 72-62. Ahniysha Jackson, in her final college game, and Teresa Seppala, led Siena with 17 points each. Siena finishes 17-14.

Thursday's high school & college scoreboard, 3/20

 UAlbany's basketball season is over after the women went 1-&-done in the WBIT on Thursday night, dropping a 69-40 decision to St. Joseph's. Kayla Cooper led Albany with 22 points. 

The Lady Danes finish 26-7 on the season, and will reload next season with Cooper, Lilly Phillips, and the other seniors graduating.

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

State regional play resumed for high schools on Thursday, and Section II went 4-0 on the day.

Women @ Hudson Valley Community College:

Class C:

Stillwater 59, Cooperstown 37.

Class D:

Northville 54, Elba 36.

Today:

Class B: Voorheesville vs. Cold Spring Harbor, 10 am.

Class A: Albany Academy vs. Wantagh, 1:30 pm.

Class D: Northville vs. LaFargeville, 6 pm.

Class C: Stillwater vs. Frewsburg, 7:45 pm.

Men @ Binghamton:

Class AAA:

Shaker 65, Newburgh Free Academy 56.

Class AA:

Niskayuna 48, Greece-Athena 47.

Today:

Class D:

Loudonville Christian vs. Bridgehampton, 10 am.

Class C:

Berne-Knox-Westerlo vs. Tuckahoe, 1:30 pm.

Class AA:

Niskayuna vs. Binghamton, 6 pm.

Class AAA:

Shaker vs. Port Washington, 7:45 pm.

Troy High & LaSalle football 2025 schedules released

 It's only mid-March, but Section II has released the football schedules for 2025. As usual, we will focus on the teams we cover, LaSalle & Troy High.

Bear in mind that no games for Weeks 0-1 have been announced. These are Class A games.

Troy High:

Week 2: Mohonasen.

Week 3: @ South Glens Falls.

Week 4: @ Columbia.

Week 5: Niskayuna.

Week 6: Homecoming vs. Bethlehem.

Week 7: Senior night vs. LaSalle (Collar City Cup).

Week 8: @ Amsterdam.

LaSalle:

Week 2: @ South Glens Falls.

Week 3: @ Queensbury.

Week 4: Amsterdam.

Week 5: Columbia.

Week 6: Senior night vs. Niskayuna.

Week 7: @ Troy.

Week 8: @ Bethlehem.

Final dates will be announced when the complete schedule is released this summer.

News & notes

 The WBIT (Women's Basketball Invitational Tournament) tips off tonight, along with the NCAA's main tournaments for men & women after the now-annual play-in games the last two nights. UAlbany travels to Phiadelphia to play St. Joseph's (ESPN+, 7 pm).

Meanwhile, Siena will begin its quest to win the WNIT tomorrow at Howard University, outside of Washington, DC (WVCR, 7 pm). A win vs. Howard will send Siena to the College of Charleston for a 2nd round game, date & opponent to be determined.

Best of luck to both teams from the 518.

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

The CrossFit Games won't hit town until August, but a preliminary event a week ago attracted an NFL quarterback who knows a little something about CrossFit.

Tyson Bagent of the Chicago Bears was in town last week for Open Announcement 25.3. Unfortunately, Bagent finished last in a field of 4. By the time the Games take place at MVP Arena in August, Bagent likely will be in training camp with the Bears.

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

Wednesday's college scoreboard:

Baseball:

Cobleskill swept Maine-Presque Isle, 10-1 & 4-0.

Men's lacrosse:

Castleton 17, Russell Sage 7.

Softball:

UAlbany split with Army, winning the opener, 1-0, then losing the nightcap, 4-3.

RPI swept Russell Sage by identical 5-1 scores in both games.

Westfield State swept Skidmore, 8-0 & 14-2. Both games went 5 innings.

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

A quick reminder of the schedule for state regional high school basketball:

Today:

Women's Class D: Northville vs. Elba, 4:15 pm.

Women's Class C: Stillwater vs. Cooperstown, 6 pm.

Men's Class AA: Niskayuna vs. Greece-Athena, 4:15 pm.

Men's Class AAA: Shaker vs. Newburgh Free Academy, 6 pm.

Friday:

Women's Class B: Voorheesville vs. Cold Spring Harbor, 10 am.

Women's Class A: Albany Academy vs. Wantagh, 1:30 pm.

Men's Class D: Loudonville Christian vs. Bridgehampton, 10 am.

Men's Class C: Berne-Knox-Westerlo vs. Tuckahoe, 1:30 pm.

Saturday:

Men's Class A: Glens Falls vs. Wayne, 3:15 pm.

Women's Class AA: Catholic Central vs. Baldwin, 10 am.

Men's games are at Visions Veterans Center, Binghamton. Women's games at Hudson Valley Community College.

News & notes

 Myles Wilmoth was one of Gerry McNamara's first recruits after McNamara was hired to be the men's basketball coach at Siena a year ago.

Now, Wilmoth, with one year of eligibility remaining, has decided to enter the transfer portal. A reserve forward, Wilmoth averaged just under 3 points a game this season.

However, help may be on the way if Wilmoth decides not to return.

Riley Mulvey (Albany Academy) is also entering the transfer portal after leaving Iowa in the wake of ex-Saints coach Fran McCaffrey's dismissal last week. Mulvey told the Albany Times-Union he has his eyes on Siena, and reuniting with former Academy teammate Marcus Jackson.

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

The Albany Firebirds will launch their 2025 season Friday vs. Southwest Kansas at MVP Arena, and now, the game will air on Vice TV instead of streaming on EvergreenNow as originally scheduled. After Arena Football 1 was announced with 14 teams, the league is down to 8 due to expulsions & withdrawls, including veteran franchises in Arizona & Orlando.

Seems to me that part of the arena problem is competition from the UFL, which will begin its 2nd season later this month on Fox.

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Tuesday's college scoreboard:

Baseball:

Binghamton 11, Siena 6.

Men's lacrosse:

Virginia 12, UAlbany 9.

Women's lacrosse:

Colgate 14, Siena 11.

News & notes

 Rodger Wyland, in today's Albany Times-Union, was touting the prospects of UAlbany's women's basketball team in the WNIT, which, like the NCAA tournaments, starts Thursday.

However, the Lady Danes will play in the WBIT vs. St. Joseph's, Thursday night. The WNIT screwed Albany by giving Bryant the automatic qualifier.

Siena, meanwhile, has qualified, and will play an opponent to be named when the seeds are finalized later today.

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

Sunday's college scoreboard:

Baseball:

RPI split with Vermont State Castle, winning the opener, 4-1, then losing the nightcap in 10 innings, 15-9. VCC erupted for 6 runs in the 10th.

Union swept Russell Sage, 14-0 & 3-2.

Leigh 6, UAlbany 4.

St. Norbert 6, Cobleskill 3.

Women's lacrosse:

Russell Sage 17, Vermont State-Lyndon 3.

News & notes

 An era in college hockey ended Saturday night at Union College.

In the final game at Messa (formerly Achilles) Rink, the Garnet Chargers were eliminated from the ECAC playoffs in a 7-2 loss to Dartmouth. The Big Green take the series, 2-0.

Next season, Union's men's & women's hockey teams, and the CDHSHL's Hawks, will move to Mohawk Harbor Center, as Messa Rink is closing after 50 seasons (actually 49, since there was no hockey in 2020-1).

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

We now know Albany Academy's women's basketball team will "host" Wantagh Friday at HVCC after Wantagh defeated Mt. Sinai late Saturday night. Game time is scheduled for 4:30 pm.

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

The rest of Saturday's college action:

Baseball:

Skidmore split a doubleheader with Alfred State, winning the opener 9-5, then dropping the nightcap, 12-11.

Leigh swept UAlbany, 3-2 & 7-6.

RPI split a doubleheader with Keane, winning the 1st game, 17-11, then losing the nightcap, 6-5.

Delaware 12, Siena 2.

Calvin College 4, Russell Sage 1.

Men's lacrosse:

Skidmore 17, Hartford 8.

Sacred Heart 11, Siena 10 (OT).

Union 17, Stevens 11.

Russell Sage 24, St. Joseph's 5.

Women's lacrosse:

RPI 8, St. Lawrence 4.

Skidmore 25, Bard 7.

UAlbany 16, Vermont 13.

Union 12, MIT 8.

Norwich 13, Russell Sage 6.

Softball:

UAlbany 9, Mount St. Mary's 0.

Army 5, UAlbany 2.

RPI split with Williams College, losing the opener, 7-0, then taking the 2nd game, 1-0.

Siena swept Holy Cross, 9-4 & 3-1.

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

The Albany Firewolves defeated Georgia, 11-10, at MVP Arena on Marvel Superhero Night. Like, how 'bout giving DC some love, yo'!

News & notes

 We started today with 14 teams vying for state titles. That number has been reduced as play has ended for today.

Section 2 is still looking for its first state champion in hockey since 2013 after both Queensbury & Shenendehowa were eliminated today in Buffalo. Let's get to the results:

Hockey:

Division 1 semi-finals:

Suffern 4, Shenendehowa 1.

Division 2 semi-finals:

Ogdensburg Free Academy 4, Queensbury 0.

Women's basketball:

Class AAA quarter-finals:

Liverpool 73, Colonie 65.

Class AA quarter-finals:

Catholic Central 66, Nottingham 37.

Class A quarter-finals:

Albany Academy 63, Franklin Academy 39.

Class B quarter-finals:

Voorheesville 53, Bishop Grimes 45.

Class C quarter-finals:

Stillwater 49, Lisbon 45.

Class D quarter-finals:

Northville 74, Eldred 21.

Semi-final schedule:

Class AA:

Catholic Central vs. Baldwin, next Saturday at 10 am at HVCC.

Class A:

Albany Academy awaits the winner of Mt. Sinai vs. Wantagh, currently underway at SUNY-Farmingdale. The semi-final is Friday at 1:30 at HVCC.

Class B:

Voorheesville vs. Cold Spring Harbor, Friday at 10 am at HVCC.

Class C:

Stillwater vs. Cooperstown, Thursday at 6 pm at HVCC.

Class D:

Northville vs. Elba, Thursday at 4:15 at HVCC.

Men's basketball:

Class AAA:

Shaker 68, Bishop Ludden 53.

Class AA:

Niskayuna 52, West Genesee 43.

Class A:

Glens Falls 66, Westhill 49.

Class B:

Marcellus 79, Mechanicville 55.

Class C:

Berne-Knox-Westerlo 79, Moriah 58.

Class D:

Loudonville Christian 38, Harrisville 36.

Semi-final schedule:

Class AAA:

Shaker vs. Newburgh Free Academy, Thursday at 6 pm at Visions Veterans Memorial Center.

Class AA:

Niskayuna vs. Grace Athena, Thursday at 4:15 at Visions Veterans Center.

Class A:

Glens Falls vs. Wayne, next Saturday at 3:15 pm.

Class C:

Berne-Knox-Westerlo vs. Tuckahoe, Friday at 1:30 pm.

Class D:

Loudonville Christian vs. Bridgehampton, Friday at 10 am.

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

It isn't often that the dismissal of a major college basketball coach outside the 518 gets a headline locally, but in this case, it's because of the coach's past including a stint in the 518.

Former Siena coach Fran McCaffrey was dismissed by Iowa on Friday after 15 seasons, a victim of diminishing returns, and a 2nd round exit in this year's Big 10 tournament. McCaffrey's bound to land somewhere before next season. Son Connor made headlines last year as the armpiece of women's superstar Caitlin Clark when she was in town.

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

Tonight's Albany FireWolves game vs. Georgia is underway as we write, marking the return of of the Thompson brothers, formerly of UAlbany, to the 518, as members of the Georgia squad. CDTA finally replaced their 'Wolves billboard to promote tonight's game, but that should've been done a while ago. We'll have the result in our next report.

News & notes

 College basketball season is officially over in the 518.

Earlier tonight, UAlbany, on their home court, lost the America East Women's championship to Vermont, 62-55. Kayla Cooper led Albany with 18 points, but what did the Lady Danes in was Vermont's defense holding them to 4 points in the 3rd quarter

There's still a chance Albany could land a post-season berth in, say, the Women's NIT, but we'll see in a few days.

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

With 12 Section II basketball teams, and 2 hockey teams vying for state titles this weekend, Troy High would like to remind that spring sports season is right around the corner. The Flying Horses released this video, to the beat of "Swing" by Trace Adkins.

Weather permitting, the spring season starts April 1.

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

If Thursday's game was any indication, the NY Phoenix and Albany Patroons will both be playoff contenders this season in The Basketball League.

The Phoenix drew first blood, 129-113, Thursday at Armory Studios. The two teams will return there in April before the Phoenix come to the Washington Avenue Armory later in the season.

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

As previously documented, Hudson Valley Community College will host some state regional basketball games this weekend. Saturday's lineup at HVCC:

Men's Class A: Westhill vs. Glens Falls, approximately 2:30 pm.

Men's Class B: Mechanicville vs. Marcellus, approximately 12:45 pm.

Men's Class D: Loudonville Christian vs. Harrisville, 11 am.

Women's Class A: Albany Academy vs. Franklin Academy, approximately 4:25 pm.

Women's Class B: Voorheesville vs. Bishop Grimes, approximately 6 pm.

We recommend getting there early to get a good parking spot. 

Wednesday's high school & college scoreboard, 3/12

 High schools:

Women's basketball:

Class A sub-regional:

Albany Academy 70, Peru 39. The Bears will host Franklin Academy at HVCC, Saturday at 4:15 pm (time approximate).

Class B sub-regional:

Voorheesville 43, Saranac 31. Up next for the Blackbirds will be Bishop Grimes at HVCC, Saturday at 6 pm (approximate).

Class D sub-regional:

Northville 54, Smithtown Christian 23. The Falcons will next play Eldred at Kingston High on Saturday at 11 am.

Colleges:

Baseball:

Army 14, UAlbany 4.

Union 5, Vermont-Castleton 3.

Cobleskill 6, Penn St.-Brandywine 4.

RPI 6, Williams College 2.

Men's lacrosse:

Russell Sage 16, Greensboro 5.

Washington College (MD) 8, Skidmore 6.

Women's lacrosse:

Skidmore 13, Marymount (VA) 12.

Boston College 20, UAlbany 4.

Siena 9, LeMoyne 8.

Softball:

Bethany 8, Cobleskill 1.

Skidmore 9, New England College 1.

Cobleskill 11, RIT 9.

Ursina 8, Skidmore 4.

News & notes

 The Albany FireWolves, desperate for some offense, acquired Johnathan Peshko from Vancouver as part of a 4-team trade Monday. Peshko, a rookie forward out of Johns Hopkins, will debut on Saturday vs. Georgia at MVP Arena (WNYA, 7 pm). Albany sends forward Travis Longboat and draft picks to Ottawa. The draft picks are 2026 1st & 4th rounders. 

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

Former Troy High star Jenalyse Alarcon, a senior at Staten Island, was named East Coast Conference Player of The Year Tuesday. Alarcon leads the Dolphins in scoring, rebounding, steals, & blocked shots. Staten Island's season ended with a loss to Daemen on March 8 in the league title game.

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

Tuesday's high school & college scoreboard:

High schools:

Men's basketball state sub-regionals:

Class A: 

Glens Falls 100, Beekmantown 51. The Black Bears await the winner of today's game between Franklin Academy & Westhill at Liverpool. The quarterfinal round game will be at Hudson Valley Community College on Saturday at 2:30 pm (time approximate).

Class B:

Mechanicville 70, Saranac Lake 42. Mechanicville will also be at HVCC on Saturday, as they'll play the winner of today's game between Potsdam & Marcellus at Fayetteville-Manilus. Saturday's game is scheduled for 12:45 pm.

Class D champ Loudonville Christian will lead things off at HVCC on Saturday at 11 am vs. the winner of today's Bolton-Harrisville game at SUNY-Potsdam.

Colleges:

Men's basketball:

America East semi-finals:

Bryant 91, UAlbany 78. The Great Danes trailed by 6 at halftime, but never caught up. The game was shown on ESPN2 in a last minute change.

MAAC first round:

Rider 78, Siena 76. Justice Shoats led 3 Saints in double figures with 19 points, but the Broncs won it on the last shot of the game.

Baseball:

Skidmore & Haverford split a doubleheader. Skidmore won the opener, 17-12, but dropped the nightcap, 11-8.

Russell Sage 11, St. Joseph (CT) 9.

Men's lacrosse:

Middlebury 12, Union 11 (OT).

Women's lacrosse:

Union 16, Brockport 10.

Middlebury 17, RPI 5.

Softball:

St. Catherine 12, Russell Sage 0 (5 innings).

Geneva 9, Cobleskill 1.

Meredith 8, Russell Sage 0 (6 innings).

Cobleskill 9, St. Joseph (CT) 1.

News & notes

 UAlbany's women's basketball team will have home court for the America East championship game after beating Maine, 49-41, on Monday at Broadview Center. Kayla Cooper led Albany with 16 points in a low-scoring affair. 

The Lady Danes will host Vermont, Friday at 5 pm, and the game will air on ESPNU (Spectrum channel 370).

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RPI is parting company with hockey coach Dave Smith after 7 seasons. The Engineers finished a woeful 12-21-2 this season, and 87-152-19 under Smith during his tenure. Smith was actually at RPI for 8 years, but there were no games in 2020-1 due to COVID.

A national search is already underway to find the next coach.

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After winning their first round game on Saturday, the UAlbany men will take the court tonight to play Bryant in the America East semi-finals (9 pm, ESPN2, WTMM).

Meanwhile, Siena opens MAAC tournament play on the men's side tonight vs. Rider (6 pm, JAMZ 96.3). The women open with a quarter-final vs. Merrimack on Thursday at 2:30 (WVCR 88.3 FM). Both the men's & women's tournaments are in Atlantic City once again.

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Monday's high school scores:

Women's basketball:

Class AAA:

Colonie 68, Shaker 58.

Class AA:

Catholic Central 64, Columbia 63.

State regional schedule:

Class AAA: 

Colonie vs. Liverpool, Saturday at 1 at Onondaga Community College.

Class AA:

Catholic Central vs. Nottingham, Saturday at 5 at OCC.

Class A:

Albany Academy vs. Peru, Wednesday at 7:30 pm at Averill Park.

Class B:

Voorheesville vs. Saranac, Wednesday at 6 pm at Averill Park.

Class C:

Stillwater vs. either Moriah or Lisbon, time & location TBA Saturday.

Class D:

Northville vs. Northville vs. Smithtown Christian, Wednesday at 4:30 pm at Averill Park.

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The rest of Monday's college action:

Men's lacrosse:

Russell Sage 15, Curry 7.

Women's lacrosse:

Swarthmore 14, Skidmore 13.

Softball:

Skidmore 15, Russell Sage 3.

Sectional results, 3/8-9, and where they go from here

 The women's basketball sectionals conclude tonight with a doubleheader at Hudson Valley Community College, beginning at 6 pm. Meanwhile, let's take a look at the events of the last two days.

Men's basketball:

Saturday:

Class A:

Glens Falls 93, Catholic Central 59.

Class B:

Mechanicville 64, Greenville 61.

Sunday:

Class AAA:

Shaker 58, Green Tech 54.

Class AA:

Niskayuna 57, Troy 46. Stetson Merritt led Troy with 18 points, but Nisky's Daniel Smalls had a game high 21 points.

Class C:

Berne-Knox-Westerlo 54, Duanesburg 51.

Class D:

Loudonville Christian 54, Germantown 36.

Women's basketball:

Saturday:

Class A: 

Albany Academy 65, Broadalbin-Perth 43.

Class B:

Voorheesville 62, Mechanicville 51.

Class C:

Stillwater 49, Greenwich 42.

Class D:

Northville 68, Saratoga Catholic 38.

So.........what's next?

Men's Class AAA: Shaker vs. Bishop Ludden, Saturday at Onondaga Community College.

Men's Class AA: Niskayuna vs. West Genesee, Saturday at OCC.

Men's Class A: Glens Falls vs. Beekmantown, Tuesday at Shenendehowa.

Men's Class B: Mechanicville vs. Schroon Lake, Tuesday at Shen.

Men's Class C: Berne-Knox-Westerlo awaits the winner of Tuesday's game between Lisbon & Moriah, and will play on Saturday at OCC.

Men's Class D: Loudonville Christian returns to HVCC on Saturday vs. the winner of Wednesday's game between Bolton & Harrisville.

Hockey:

Saturday:

Shenendehowa 3, Canton 1. Shen advances to face Suffern on Friday.

We should have the women's state pairings tomorrow.

News & notes

 Queensbury has taken its first step toward a state title in hockey after shutting out Saranac, 7-0, on Friday. The Spartans now await the winner of today's game between Rye & Ogdensburg Free Academy, with Queensbury returning to action next Saturday.

Shenendehowa will play Canton later this afternoon.

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

RPI's hockey season is over, as the Engineers were eliminated by Harvard in the 1st round of the ECAC playoffs, 5-2. RPI's women were dismissed two weeks ago in similar fashion.

There's always next year, of course.

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

The last of the Section II basketball finals are now set after Friday's women's semi-finals in Class AAA.

Colonie defeated Albany 56-41, and will play Shaker, which needed overtime to dismiss Shenendehowa, 59-56.

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

Now, on to the finals. 12 games over 3 days. Hudson Valley Community College will be rocking. Ladies first, then the men.

Women's Class D: Northville vs. Saratoga Catholic, 11 am.

Jim Zullo may be building another dynasty, after he'd developed one at Shen for so many years. Saratoga Catholic was one of the top teams in the Wasaren League this year, but Northville, at 19-2, may be too much to overcome.

Pick: Northville.

Women's Class A: Albany Academy vs. Broadalbin-Perth, 12:45 pm (approximate).

Broadalbin-Perth emerged as a surprise contender in the Foothills Council this season, but that 20-1 record is nothing to sneeze at. Academy (18-4) plays in the Colonial Council, and was jockeying for position with Holy Names & Catholic Central all season. That could help or hinder the Bears, depending on how the game starts.

Pick: Albany Academy.

Women's Class C: Stillwater vs. Greenwich, 2:30 pm (approximate).

Two Wasaren League rivals collide, as the Witches look to complete an undefeated season. Greenwich swept the season series between these two teams, who last met on January 23. The outcome will be the same today.

Pick: Greenwich.

Women's Class B: Voorheesville vs. Mechanicville, 4:15 pm (approximate).

Colonial Council vs. Wasaren League. 

The Blackbirds landed the #1 seed in this bracket, despite the fact that they had lost to a couple of AA teams in Catholic Central and Troy, for starters. If there was ever a need for an upset today, this is it.

Pick: Mechanicville.

Women's Class AA: Columbia vs. Catholic Central, Monday at 6 pm.

The Lady Devils did everyone a favor and ended the Organ Dynasty at Averill Park on Thursday night. Catholic Central, which won the A title last year, looks to follow AP's lead, and win the AA title. This could go down to the wire, unless the Crusaders race out to a big lead early, forcing Columbia to change strategy. CCHS not only has to keep an eye on Alivia Landy, but Sarah Rainville as well. Shut them both down, and their goal is accomplished.

Pick: Catholic Central.

Women's Class AAA: Shaker vs. Colonie, Monday at 7:45 pm (approximate).

Rematch of last year's final. Section II really needs to bolster Class AAA, which has just 7 teams, all in the Suburban Council (Schenectady declined to participate), otherwise this will get boring in a hurry.

Pick: Colonie.

Men's Class B: Greenville vs. Mechanicville, 6:30 pm (approximate).

Wasaren League vs. Patroon Conference. They would be dancing all night in Greene County if Greeenville pulls it off, and upsets second seeded Mechanicville. It ain't happening.

Pick: Mechanicville.

Men's Class A: Glens Falls vs. Catholic Central, 8:15 pm (approximate).

After dropping 100+ on Hudson earlier this week, the Black Bears are looking hungry to dethrone the Crusaders. Kellen Driscoll could be the next Joe Girard III in the eyes of North Country fans, but he could also end up another Jimmer Fredette. The Roberson brothers power the offense for Guy DiBacco and the Crusaders, but it won't be enough this time.

Pick: Glens Falls.

Men's Class D: Germantown vs. Loudonville Christian, Sunday at 11 am.

The Eagles are the defending Class D champions, and an independent, not tied to any league, which works for them immensely. Until this season, Germantown had largely been a doormat in the Patroon Conference. The difference is clear.

Pick: Loudonville Christian.

Men's Class C: Duanesburg vs. Berne-Knox-Westerlo, Sunday at 12:45 pm (approximate).

Jeff Mulhern is the only superstar player left at Duanesburg, and he'll need to have his supporting cast ready to fend off an upset bid from BKW. 

Pick: Duanesburg.

Men's Class AA: Troy vs. Niskayuna, Sunday at 2:30 pm (approximate).

Consider this. Over the last 13 years, Troy has won 4 sectional titles. Class AA in 2013 and 2016 under Rich Hurley, Class A in 2019 (Greg Davis) and 2023 (John Killian). To give Jamil Hood the title, Troy has to neutralize Nisky's Daniel Smalls. Easier said than done, but, then again, consider, too, Troy's record vs. the Suburban Council this year. Troy swept Columbia & Schenectady while losing in turn to Bethlehem & Shen, the latter twice. If Nisky can't contain Stetson Merritt, they're in trouble, and this being a de facto home game for Troy, with the Purple Army in the house, loud & boisterous, it's going to be a long day for Nisky.

Pick: Troy.

Men's Class AAA: Green Tech vs. Shaker, Sunday at 4:15 (approximate).

The Soaring Eagles are the defending champions, looking for their 4th straight title, 2nd in AAA. With their original mentor, Hood, in atttendance, that may be extra motivation. Like Loudonville Christian, Green Tech is an independent. We won't be surprised if at least a couple of their alumni, particularly Jamil Hood, Jr. and Derrick Rowland, Jr., may be on hand, too. GT in AAA keeps this from being the Suburban Invitational, like it is on the women's side, and we need more teams in the division here, too.

Pick: Green Tech.

Of course, I could be wrong.

Thursday's college & high school scoreboard, 3/6

 There will be a new champion in women's Class AA this year in basketball.

Columbia saw to that in ending Averill Park's string of sectional titles Thursday at Hudson Valley Community College by beating Sean Organ's club, 65-43. The future Golden Knights (AP will adopt the nickname officially in September) had proven to be vulnerable this season, and injuries to key players during the regular season proved costly at the end. Pretty sure we're going to be reading about the AP ladies crying after the loss, but they have nothing to be ashamed of.

The Lady Devils won't get a rematch of last year's semi-final vs. Bethlehem, however, after Colonial Council champion Catholic Central took down the Eagles, 62-47. Audra DiBacco's squad moved up from Class A, where they were the champions last year, and Monday's final at HVCC should be a good one.

On the men's side, it will also be Colonial Council vs. Suburban Council in Class AA, after Troy avenged a January loss to LaSalle by eliminating the Cadets, 62-60. Following are post-game comments from Troy stars Stetson Merritt and Kayne Behan.....

It will be a de-facto home game for Troy on Sunday, as they'll play Niskayuna for the title. HVCC will be rocking again, you can count on it.

Also Thursday:

Class AAA semi-finals:

Green Tech 53, CBA 52. 

Shaker 55, Colonie 36.

The Eagles & Bison will meet Sunday at 4:15 pm at HVCC, but they may have a tough act to follow if Troy-Nisky (2:30 pm) is as we think it'll be.

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

Colleges:

Women's basketball:

America East quarter-finals:

UAlbany 66, New Hampshire 44. Lilly Phillips led 4 Lady Danes in double figures with 15 points. Meghan Huerter added 14, AE Player of The Year Kayla Cooper contributed 12, and Kaci Donovan had 11. Albany is idle until the semi-finals on Monday vs. Maine.

Fairfield 62, Siena 49. Ahniysha Jackson led Siena with 20 points in the loss. The Lady Saints will celebrate Senior Day Saturday vs. Manhattan (2 pm WVCR).

Men's basketball:

Meanwhile, the Siena men had Senior Night at MVP Arena, and celebrated at Fairfield's expense, 68-64. Siena visits Manhattan tomorrow (2 pm, JAMZ 96.3).

News & notes

 Colonie High is mourning the passing of junior John Verbo, 16, who was on the Wolfpack's men's volleyball team.

Verbo was in Boston with a travel team, the Capital Sliders, based in Clifton Park, for a tournament last month when he suffered a cardiac arrest. Four days later, Verbo passed away at Tufts Medical Center.

A GoFundMe page has been set up by a parent of one of Verbo's Capital Sliders teammates to help defray funeral costs. The funeral is set for Saturday in Colonie.

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

Wednesday's college scoreboard:

Baseball:

Mississippi University for Women 5, RPI 4.

Men's lacrosse:

Siena 10, Binghamton 6.

RPI 8, Middlebury 7.

Eastern Connecticut State 15, Russell Sage 0.

Georgetown 12, UAlbany 7.

Women's lacrosse:

Siena 11, Vermont 7.

Oswego 20, Russell Sage 2.

Softball:

RPI 12, North Central 3 (5 innings).

RPI 5, Simmons 3.

South Florida 7, Siena 1.

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

Wednesday's sectional scoreboard:

Women's basketball:

Class B semi-finals:

Voorheesville 58, Coxsackie-Athens 43.

Mechanicville 39, Tamarac 28.

Voorheesville vs. Mechanicville, Saturday at 4:15 pm at HVCC.

Men's basketball:

Class AA semi-final:

Niskayuna 50, Bethlehem 44.

Class A semi-finals:

Catholic Central 70, Hudson Falls 66.

Glens Falls 104, Hudson 55.

The Black Bears & Crusaders meet Sunday at 8:15 pm at HVCC.

Tuesday's high school & college scoreboard, 3/4

 High schools:

Women's basketball:

Class C semi-finals:

Greenwich 64, Maple Hill 26.

Stillwater 57, Berne-Knox-Westerlo 30.

It's an all-Wasaren League final, Saturday at 2:30 pm at HVCC.

Men's basketball:

Class D semi-finals:

Loudonville Christian 67, Hartford 37.

Germantown 49, Hartford 44.

Germantown gets another crack at the defending champion Eagles, who beat them in January, Sunday at 11 am at HVCC.

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

Section II's two remaining hockey teams now know where they're headed in state regional play.

Queensbury (division 2) will play Saranac on Friday night.

Shenendehowa, the division 1 champions, will travel to Canton on Saturday.  Best of luck to both teams.

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

Colleges:

Men's basketball:

Vermont 79, UAlbany 71. Despite the loss, the Great Danes will still host a 1st round game in the America East tournament.

Baseball:

Oneonta 8, Union 3.

Yale 6, Siena 3.

Women's lacrosse:

Christopher Newport 10, RPI 5.

Softball:

RPI 2, Adrian 0.

Moravian 7, RPI 0.