News & notes

 One week ago, Catholic Central's men's basketball team came up short of a Class A title in losing to Glens Falls.

Now, as coach Guy DiBacco begins preparations for next season, comes word that leading scorer Darien Moore is leaving the program. Moore, a sophomore, is transferring to Brewster Academy in New Hampshire next fall. The idea behind the transfer, as often happens in high school basketball, is that it gives players a better chance of being recruited by Division 1 colleges.

For example, former Troy High star Daniel Buie left Troy for Gould Academy in Maine, and parlayed that into playing for Northwestern of the Big 10. Given that so many of today's high school stars also play on travel teams in the "off-season", chances are that their coaches are meeting with college scouts, and getting advice.

With Troy moving to the Colonial Council next season, the Crusaders just lost a player who arguably would be a gate attraction when Catholic Central visits Troy's Zotto Gym for the first time in 10 years.

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UAlbany's women's basketball team has earned another home game in the America East tournament after beating NJIT, 57-42, on Friday at Broadview Center.

Kayla Cooper led Albany with 14 points, and Meghan Huerter (Shenendehowa/Providence) added 10. Albany will host Vermont on Monday. Albany & Vermont's men's teams play today at 3 pm.

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After winning 7 in a row, George Washington University is trending in the opposite direction.

The Revolutionaries dropped their 2nd straight on Friday, this time to Canisius, 5-2. The Golden Griffs scored 3 times in the 8th inning to break a 2-2 tie. Brett Young (Albany Academy/Siena/VCU) went 1-3 with a walk, extending his hitting streak to 6 games. The teams meet again today at 1 pm (ESPN+).

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The rest of Friday's college action:

Baseball:

Adelphi 12, College of St. Rose 4.

Stony Brook split a doubleheader with Siena. The Seawolves won the first game, 3-2, but the Saints took the nightcap, 9-8.

Dominican 2, Russell Sage 1.

Union 21 Cobleskill 2.

Softball:

Siena 2, Stonehill 1 (8 innings).

Siena 2, Sacred Heart 1 (8 innings).

St. Rose 2, Glenville State 1.

St. Rose 8, Salem 0.

UAlbany split a doubleheader with Fairleigh Dickinson. Albany lost the opener, 3-2, then won the nightcap, 9-1 in 6 innings. However, due to likely a weather forecast calling for heavy rain, today's doubleheader with FDU, along with Sunday games vs. Mt. St. Mary's & Niagara, have been cancelled. Albany & Niagara will play Friday as part of the UMBC tournament, before the home opener March 20 vs. Army.

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The Albany Firewolves defeated Vancouver, 13-8, on Friday at MVP Arena. In a rare scheduling quirk, the 'Wolves are playing back-to-back games this weekend, as they'll be in Rochester tonight (7 pm, WNYA).

College notes

 Someone should give Bill Arsenault of the Albany Times-Union a heads-up on George Washington infielder Brett Young.

The senior, currently playing 1st base for the Revolutionaries, is on a 5 game hitting streak that has seen his average jump to .394 in the last week. Young (Albany Academy/Siena/VCU) was 3-3 with 3 RBIs, a walk and 3 runs scored before being lifted Wednesday as GW saw its 7 game winning streak end at the hands of Virginia, 26-12. GW opens a series with Canisius later today.

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Thursday's college scoreboard:

Women's basketball:

Siena 77, Rider 40. Ahniysha Jackson (Albany) led 4 Saints in double figures with 18 points. Siena held the Lady Broncs to just 13 points total in the 2nd & 3rd quarters as they pulled away, building momentum for the MAAC tournament in Atlantic City next week.

Men's basketball:

But, alas, the Siena men could not hold up their end of the bargain, as Niagara spoiled Senior Night, 66-59. Brendan Coyle led Siena with 19 points in 30 minutes coming off the bench. The Purple Eagles held Mason Courtney (Shenendehowa) off the scoreboard in 24 minutes.

Baseball:

Russell Sage 18, Waynesburg 4 (7 innings).

Women's lacrosse:

Westfield State 17, Skidmore 13.

Softball:

Allegheny 8, Russell Sage 0 (5 innings).

Upper Iowa 7, College of St. Rose 2.

Grand Valley State 9, St. Rose 0 (5 innings).

Russell Sage 3, Penn State-Behrend 1.

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Ahead of this weekend's America East tournament, the league named its men's all-stars. As an indicator of UAlbany's freefall, the Great Danes did not have anyone make the 1st team.

Player of The Year: Clarence Daniels, New Hampshire.

Defensive Player of The Year: Kellen Tynes, Maine.

Newcomer of The Year: Shamir Bogues, Vermont.

6th Man of The Year: Quinton Mincey, UMass-Lowell.

Rookie of The Year: Tariq Francis, NJIT.

Coach of The Year: John Becker, Vermont.

1st team:

Shamir Bogues.

Max Brooks, UMass-Lowell.

Dion Brown, UMBC.

Clarence Daniels.

Sharif Gross-Bullock, Bryant.

Earl Timberlake, Bryant.

2nd team:

Sebastian Thomas, Albany.

Aaron Delaney, Vermont.

Peter Filipovity, Maine.

Ayinde Hikim, UMass-Lowell.

Quinton Mincey.

3rd team:

Amar'e Marshall, Albany.

Marcus Banks, UMBC.

T. J. Long, Vermont.

Ahmad Robinson, New Hampshire.

Kellen Tynes.

All-defensive team:

Shamir Bogues.

Max Brooks.

Armon Harried, Binghamton.

Kellen Tynes.

Ileri Ayo-Faleye, Vermont.

All-Rookie team:

Franck Emmou, UMBC.

Levi Lawal, NJIT. 

Ace Valentine, UMBC.

Tariq Francis, NJIT.

Gavin Walsh, Binghamton.

All-Academic team:

Kjell de Graaf, NJIT.

Peter Filipovity.

Armon Harried.

Dan Petcash, Binghamton.

Matt Vienetta, Vermont.

News & notes

 Wednesday's state regional results:

Women's basketball:

Class A:

Catholic Central 50, Indian River 43. The Lady Crusaders move on to play Beekmantown Saturday at Saranac High. Game time has not been finalized. All we know is that it'll be either 5 or 6 pm.

Class B:

Albany Academy 48, Saranac 30. The Bears will play Governeur at SUNY Potsdam Saturday at 1

The Suburban Council named its women's basketball all-star team Wednesday morning. Taylor Holohan of Averill Park was named Player of The Year. As for the teams:

1st team:

Carly Wise (Saratoga).

Alivia Landy (Columbia).

Kaitlyn Robbins (Bethlehem).

Azera Gates (Albany).

Gabby Stuart (Shenendehowa).

2nd team:

Arianna Verardi (Averill Park).

Iyanna Weeden (Albany).

Brooke Lilly (Guilderland).

Sophia Lee (Ballston Spa).

Abby Stuart (Shen).

3rd team:

Olivia O'Mealey (Niskayuna).

Kate Milham (Shen).

Caroline Davis (Bethlehem).

Peyton Hoblock (Shaker).

Kendyl Ouimette (Columbia).

Senior all-stars:

1st team:

Taylor Holohan.

Carly Wise.

Gabby & Abby Stuart.

Iyanna Weeden.

2nd team:

Caroline Davis.

Olivia O'Meally.

Sierra Carter (Shaker).

Lexi Carrington (Shaker).

Jordan Johnson (Albany).

Colleges:

Baseball:

Russell Sage 11, Thomas College (Maine) 5.

Men's lacrosse:

RPI 14, Middlebury 12.

Skidmore 15, Trinity 14.

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Siena closes its schedule at MVP Arena tonight vs. Niagara (7 pm, WNYA, WJMZ-FM). It's Senior Night, but the Saints have just 1 senior. Bench player Steven Lazar will be honored before the game.

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UAlbany's Kayla Cooper was named to the America East All-Star 1st team, during an awards ceremony Wednesday night. As for the rest of the awards and all-stars.....

Player of The Year & Defensive Player of The Year: Anne Simon, Maine.

Newcomer of The Year: Anna Blount, UMBC.

6th Player of The Year: Keira Hanson, Vermont.

Rookie of The Year: Mia Mancini, Bryant.

Coach of The Year: Amy Vachon of Maine gets the nod over Albany's Colleen Mullen.

1st team:

Kayla Cooper, Albany.

Mariona Planes-Fortune, Bryant.

Anne Simon, Maine.

Adrianna Smith, Maine.

Emma Utterback, Vermont.

2nd team:

Anna Blount, UMBC.

Denai Bowman, Binghamton.

Anna Olson, Vermont.

Jadyn Weitz, Binghamton.

Alejandra Zuniga, NJIT.

3rd team:

Mili Carrera, UMass-Lowell.

Genevieve Coleman, Binghamton.

Deja Evans, Albany.

Helene Haegerstrand, Albany.

Keira Hanson, Vermont.

Mia Mancini, Bryant.

All Defensive team:

Denai Bowman.

Deja Evans.

Anna Olson.

Anne Simon.

Sydney Watkins, UMass-Lowell.

All Rookie team:

Rayne Durant, Binghamton.

Deja Evans.

Abbey Lindsey, UMass-Lowell.

Mia Mancini, Bryant.

Nia Scott, Bryant.

All Academic team:

Kayla Cooper.

Anne Simon.

Delaney Richason, Vermont.

Anna Olson.

Adrianna Smith, Vermont.

Troy High 2024 flag football schedule finalized

 Troy High's 2024 flag football schedule for the women has been finalized. The Lady Horses will play 10 games---6 at home, 4 on the road, as part of the spring season's final go-round vs. the Suburban Council.

Games will be on Wednesdays & Fridays, except for the game vs. Columbia.

April 10: Home opener vs. Colonie, 6:30 pm.

April 12: @ Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake, 6 pm.

April 17: Bethlehem, 7 pm.

April 19: Shenendehowa, 6:30 pm.

April 24: @ Schenectady, 4:30 pm.

April 26: Niskayuna, 6:30 pm.

April 29: @ Columbia, 6 pm. This game was originally scheduled for May 1, but was moved up 2 days due to a likely Columbia scheduling conflict.

May 3: @ Albany Leadership, 5 pm.

May 8: Albany, 6:30 pm.

May 10: Saratoga, 6:30 pm.

May 15: @ Shaker, 6:30 pm.

Tuesday's high school & college scoreboard, 3/5

 Colleges:

Baseball:

Gordon College 7, Russell Sage 4.

George Washington 9, Maryland-Eastern Shore 5. 7 straight wins for the Revolutionaries, while MES remains winless. Brett Young went 2-5 with 3 RBI and 2 runs scored to lead GW, which hosts Virginia in an in-state rivalry game today (2:30 pm, ESPN+).

Softball:

Fontbonne 4, Russell Sage 0.

Penn St.-New Kensington 10, Russell Sage 5.

College of St. Rose 6, Winona State 5.

Men's lacrosse:

Roberts Wesleyan 16, College of St. Rose 13.

Men's basketball:

Bryant 83, UAlbany 79. Muneer Newton led Albany with 20 points, one of 4 Great Danes in double figures, as Albany's free-fall continues, and likely will end in the 1st round of the America East tournament, as they will face Vermont again on Saturday at 3 (WTMM 104.5 FM).

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High school state regional basketball:

Men:

Class A 1st round:

Glens Falls 92, Beekmantown 42. The Black Bears await the winner of tonight's game between Massena & Westhill.

Class B 1st round:

Stillwater 71, Northeastern Clinton 34. Jaxon Mueller had 17 points to lead 4 Stillwater players in double figures. They'll play Canton in the quarterfinals on Saturday at 2:45 at SUNY Potsdam.

Class C 1st round:

Maple Hill 57, Tupper Lake 45. The Wildcats will next play Moriah at Clinton Community College, Saturday at 2 pm.

Women:

Class C 1st round:

Duanesburg 69, Heuvelton Central 50. Duanesburg will play Moriah on Saturday at Clinton Community College at noon.

Class AAA champ Colonie will play Liverpool at the SRC Arena on Saturday at noon.

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

 Colleges:

Softball:

Johnson & Wales 11, Russell Sage 2 (5 innings).

Rivier, 14, Russell Sage 12.

College of St. Rose 6, Mercyhurst 2.

St. Rose 5, Queens College 2.

Section II women's basketball results:

Class D:

Northville 53, Notre Dame-Bishop Gibbons 33. The Falcons & Golden Knights split the two regular season meetings, so this final round game was the rubber match. For Northville, it was their first title since 1997.

Class AA:

Averill Park 62, Bethlehem 39. AP forced 5 consecutive Eagles turnovers early in the game, setting the tone. Caroline Davis led Bethlehem with 13 points, as AP held Kaitlyn Robbins to 5 points, and completely shut down Paige Davenport. Sean Organ wins his 10th straight sectional title, 1st in Class AA after winning 9 in a row in Class A (2014-20, 2022-23).

Class AAA:

Colonie 66, Shaker 49.

What's ahead?

Class AA: Averill Park returns to HVCC, hosting Central Square, Saturday at 12 noon.

Class A: Catholic Central travels to Liverpool to play Indian River, Wednesday at 6 pm.

Class B: Albany Academy hosts Saranac at Averill Park. Wednesday at 6.

Class C: Duanesburg will play Heuvelton Central at SUNY Potsdam today at 5.

Class D: Northville will play Boquet Valley at Clinton Community College, Saturday at 4:30.

The men's state regionals have been finalized:

Class AAA: Green Tech vs. Liverpool @ HVCC, Saturday at 3:30.

Class AA: Niskayuna vs. West Genesee @ HVCC, Saturday at 1:45.

Class A: Glens Falls vs. Beekmantown @ Shen, tonight at 6:45.

Class B: Stillwater vs. Northeastern Clinton @ Shen, today at 5.

Class C: Maple Hill vs. Tupper Lake at SUNY  Potsdam, today at 6:45.

Class D: North Warren vs. Schroon Lake at Clinton Community College, Saturday at 6:30.

News & notes

 Less than 48 hours after their men's team saw their season end in defeat, the College of St. Rose's women's basketball team was upset by Southern Connecticut State, 58-53. Now, the Golden Knights are hoping for an NCAA bid of some kind.to keep their season alive.

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Siena's men's basketball team made history on Sunday afternoon. Just not the kind they'd be proud of.

Siena fell to Quinnipiac, 71-57, on Sunday, the Saints' 25th loss of the season, a school record, and one that almost certainly will prompt administration to rescind the recent vote of confidence given to head coach Carmen Maciariello, unless the Saints can make a miracle run in the MAAC tournament, which starts March 14 in Atlantic City.

The losing has extended to Siena baseball, which, like UAlbany, is looking for its 1st win of the season after getting swept by North Carolina-Asheville, 12-5, on Sunday. Asheville outscored Siena, 35-16, in the three game series. Tyler Figueroa (Colonie) went 4-4 in Sunday's loss.

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Speaking of UAlbany, Jon Mueller's club is now 0-6 after getting swept by George Washington, 5-3. Brett Young (Albany Academy/Siena/VCU) went 1-3 with a sacrifice fly and an RBI to help the Revolutionaries (not the Colonials anymore) win their 6th straight after a 0-4 start. The Danes visit Central Connecticut State tomorrow before heading to Indiana to play Purdue (Big 10) this weekend.

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Fellow blogger Chuck Miller has a steady gig with the Albany Patroons this season. 

Chuck shared that he is operating the 24 second shot clock at Pats home games. Recovering from recent surgery, Chuck has been like a lucky charm, as the Pats are 2-0 after beating Connecticut on Saturday night. I can remember when Chuck was writing articles in the Pats' game books back in the day.......

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State regional play begins this week. Three of the six Section II men's champions already know who they'll play, and will host their first regional games.

Class AAA: Green Tech hosts Liverpool Saturday at Hudson Valley Community College. Game time approximately 3:30 pm, as the Eagles have a bye directly into the semi-finals. The winner plays for the state title at Cool Insuring Arena a week later, on March 16.

Class AA: Niskayuna will also be at HVCC, hosting West Genesee at approximately 1:45 pm. The winner advances to the finals in Glens Falls on March 15.

Class A: Unlike Nisky & Green Tech, Glens Falls will hit the road early, as they'll play Beekmantown tomorrow night at Shenendehowa, with a tip time of 7:15 pm. The winner will move on to the quarter-finals either Friday or Saturday, depending on who wins tomorrow.

Classes B-D have not completed the pairings as of press time. We should have that in the next 24 hours, during which time we'll also have the women's state regional pairings finalized.