News & notes

 We are down to 4 teams in the Section 2 division 1 hockey sectionals.

Saratoga defeated the Hawks, 5-0, on Saturday to advance to a semi-final date with Shenendehowa on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, Queensbury was 1-&-done in Division 2, losing to Ithaca, 6-1. Adirondack United's bid for a 3-peat in women's hockey came up short in a 3-2 loss to Potsdam.

Saturday's college scoreboard:

Baseball:

Wake Forest 8, Siena 1.

Texas Tech swept UAlbany, 15-1 & 8-6. The first game ended at 7 innings (mercy rule).

Men's lacrosse:

UAlbany 17, Drexel 9. 

Women's lacrosse:

UAlbany 13, Harvard 12.

Men's basketball:

UMBC 66, UAlbany 62.

Women's basketball:

Fairfield 81, Siena 51. Siena has dropped 4 straight.

UAlbany 69, UMBC 63 (2 OT).

RPI 70, Clarkson 56.

Union 63, St. Lawrence 50.

RIT 58, Skidmore 49.

The Albany Times-Union's James Allen made his picks for the basketball sectionals in today's editions. Now, it's my turn.

Women:

Class AAA: 

Allen's pick: Shaker.

My take: I've seen Shenendehowa, Shaker, & Colonie on TV this season. Colonie is looking to 3-peat, and deserves a little more respect. Their lone loss came against Shaker, suggesting a changing of the guard.

Pick: Shaker.

Class AA:

Allen's pick: Columbia.

My take: The theme this season at Troy High was collecting receipts from losses in Colonial Council play last season. Will Harris' Lady Horses succeeded in collecting all 5. Now, there's one more to get based on what has been a phenomenal season, the likes of which Troy hasn't had in 13 years. We are assured a new champ in Class AA, since Catholic Central sank near the bottom of the Colonial standings. Columbia was denied in losing the semi-finals to Bethlehem 2 years ago, and they could see a rematch of that game in this year's semi-finals. The Lady Devils were bridesmaids last year vs. Catholic Central, but can they get to the title game this time? Maybe, but if they do, the bill collectors of Class AA (Troy) will be waiting for them.

Pick: Troy.

Class A:

Allen's pick: Albany Academy.

My take: No debate here.

Pick: Albany Academy.

Class B:

Allen's pick: Mechanicville.

My take: Coxsackie-Athens, like Troy, is on a 13 game winning streak heading into the tournament. LaSalle got senior star Kate Gilooly back after a hand injury just in time, even though David Crudo's squad has lost 8 of 10. Momentum is on the side of the Riverhawks.

Pick: Coxsackie-Athens.

Class C:

Allen's pick: Stillwater.

My take: Greenwich is looking for payback after splitting their season series with Stillwater, including a TV game on WNYA. Stillwater also beat Greenwich to win the sectional title last year, so the motivation is even stronger this time.

Pick: Greenwich.

Class D: 

Allen's pick: Northville.

My take: I don't think the Falcons are repeating, even though they have put last year's season ending disaster behind them. 

Pick: Saratoga Catholic.

Men:

Class AAA:

Allen's pick: Shaker.

My take: Having seen Shaker & CBA on TV, including an overtime thriller between the two, I'm not so sure the Blue Bison can avenge their earlier loss. Also, I wouldn't bet against Will Brown & Green Tech upsetting the applecart. The Eagles didn't play CBA during the regular season, but they have historically had the Brothers' number (2013 AA semi-finals, anyone?). Shen will be right there, too, but a gut feeling says that it'll be Green Tech vs. CBA, one more time.

Pick: Green Tech.

Class AA:

Allen's pick: Niskayuna.

My take: Allen sees Troy, the #5 seed as a dark horse. That's an understatement. Jamil Hood will have had a week & a half to get Troy right again after they went 5-7 in their final 12 games, and will have a de facto home game @ HVCC vs. Bethlehem on Saturday. A coaching change at Columbia has made them a contender, as Tyler Rose would be a candidate for coach of the year. I've seen Nisky on TV, but they can be taken if they turn into a one man team (Brady Olsen).

Pick: Columbia.

Class A: 

Allen's pick: Lansingburgh.

My take: The Knights split two regular season games with Troy. Ravena, Allen's dark horse pick, got blown out by Troy. Hudson, out of the Patroon Conference, came out of nowhere this season, and needs to prove they're not a flash in the pan. And there's also the matter of Glens Falls still being a factor.

Pick: Glens Falls.

Class B:

Allen's pick: KIPP Capital.

My take: DJ Jones' KIPP Capital team isn't your ordinary 1st year club. Jones brought Indavier Barnes with him from Green Tech. All they have to do is flash the rings from 2024, and that will be the motivation the Trailblazers need.

Pick: KIPP Capital.

Class C:

Allen's pick: Berne-Knox-Westerlo.

My take: The Bulldogs decided to go independent this year, and the strategem paid off. They own a win over Troy, proving they can play with the big boys. I don't see any reason to debate the point.

Pick: Berne-Knox-Westerlo.

Class D:

Allen's pick: North Warren.

My take: The Cougars moved back to Class D after falling short of the Class C title vs. Berne-Knox-Westerlo last year. D seems to be more their speed anyway. They've won 5 in a row, claiming the Adirondack title by beating Corinth. This time, though, they're getting turned away again.

Pick: Northville.

Of course, I could be (and probably will be) wrong.