News & notes

 It was a big night for local minor league teams on Friday.

Here at home, the Tri-City Valleycats turned back a late rally from the Sussex County Miners to win their 4th straight game, 4-3. Ian Walters & Jake Reinisch hit homers for the 'Cats (4-1).

In Albany, the Patroons blew away the Connecticut Crusaders, while the NY Phoenix similarly dominated the Tri-City Tide, as both teams are gearing up for the TBL playofffs.

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Former boxing champ Mike Tyson returned to Catskill to hand out some scholarships at Catskill High School in memory of his late mentor, Cus D'Amato. WNYT has the story:

To think that it was 40 years ago that Tyson exploded on the scene in boxing.

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More Valleycats: The team is negotiating with Hudson Valley Community College and Rensselaer County on extending their lease, which is set to expire after the 2026 season. In addition, the team is, as has been previously reported, seeking to replace the grass at Bruno Stadium with artificial turf, which HVCC's team could appreciate, in this writer's opinion.

The 'Cats have been offered a 5 year deal that would keep them here in town through 2031. Stay tuned.

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For Troy High, the end of lacrosse season can't come soon enough.

While the women are still a year or two away from varsity play, the men have found the Colonial Council to be no different than the Suburban Council. Troy sits at 2-10 after a 17-3 drubbing at the hands of LaSalle on Senior Night on Friday.

The regular season ends Monday at Scotia-Glenville.

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Administration at LaSalle, meanwhile, seems to think someone in Section II doesn' t like them all that much.

For the 7th time since 2014, LaSalle has been found to be in violation of some rules, this time involving baseball practices. 

First year coach Ryan Ruddy, who succeeded the retired Jesse Braverman, has been suspended for the sectionals, which will begin on Thursday after pairings are announced on Tuesday. At issue is the number of practices Ruddy supervised before the Cadets flew to South Carolina for some scrimmages in March. State rules require 10 practices, and that scrimmages don't count as practices. LaSalle only had half that many before leaving for South Carolina.

And, then, it gets worse.

Because of so many violations, the school has been hit with what amounts to a death penalty for one year. No sectionals for any sport during the 2025-26 season. LaSalle administration has indicated they will appeal the ban, which they feel is unfair.

Nearly 300 student-athletes are affected by the ruling, including the basketball & hockey programs, which were successful last season.

Stay tuned.