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.

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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).