Records Were Made To Be Broken

It seems like extraordinary numbers have been the norm this winter, and these massive single-game outputs are turning into season and career milestones. A few records & milestones have been reached by people that played in Empire State Takeover's 2015 summer leagues, and it's only Christmas. A list below:

- All-EST boys league 1st team Joseph Girard III (Glens Falls 2019) is already breaking records as a freshman. He started off the season setting Glens Falls' single-game mark for threes made in a game, breaking a record previously held by Jimmer Fredette by hitting 10. He followed it up weeks later by breaking Glens Falls' record for points in a game with 52.

- All-EST boys league 2nd team Ty'Jon Gilmore (Watervliet 2016) joined the 1,000 point club this week with a 21 point outing.

- All-EST boys league honorable mention Kobe Lufkin (Argyle 2017) knocked down 12 threes in a game this month in a 44 point outing. The 12 made threes set not only a school, but also a Section II record for most made in a single game. It was 1 short of the NYSPHSAA record, which is 13.

- Chris Boucher (Fort Edward 2016) started off the season with a 55 point outburst, which broke his own record for most points in a game at Fort Edward. He's also scored 50 points a 2nd time this season.

- All-EST girls league 1st team Saeeda Abdul-Aziz (Mohonasen 2017) set a school single-game scoring mark with a 35 point outing earlier in December.

- Liz Millea (Cooperstown 2016) broke her school career scoring mark this week with a 34 point outing. The previous mark was 1,368 points - Millea is now at 1,379 and counting. She already held the records for points in a single game (46) and season (563).

- Emily Padalino (Albany Academy for Girls 2016) joined the 1,000 point club during a 21 point outing earlier in December.

There are at least a few others (that I know of, and there may be more) that participated last summer getting close to 1,000 points and should be on track, barring injury or unforeseen circumstance. They include:

- All-EST boys league honorable mention Mitchel Wayand (Stillwater 2016), near 900
- Zach Hilton (Berne-Knox-Westerlo 2017), over 920
- All-EST girls league 1st team Saeeda Abdul-Aziz (Mohonasen 2017), 965
- All-EST girls league honorable mention Cassidy Albright (New York Mills 2016), 974
- Olivia Marshall (Stockbridge Valley 2017), 865
- Shiane Irwin (Poland 2017), 847
- Natalie DiSalvo (Canton 2016), approaching 800 - averaging over 20 PPG with 15+ games left in season
- Others are possibilities, including Lexi Tubbs (Madison 2016), sitting at 761 approaching the middle of her regular season - and averaging 22 PPG

Did I miss something? Let me know!

More Friday Night Lights: EST Girls League Players In Action

Big Friday night, as many players who participated in the 1st annual Empire State Takeover Summer Showcase Leagues are in action tonight. All-in-all, 33 girls that participated are on the court tonight. In 4 of those games, you can see girls that participated in EST square off against each other - interestingly enough, all 4 of those games include players on opposite sides who were on the same team in the summer league. Check out the matchups!

- All-EST Honorable Mention Liv Allrich (Ballston Spa '16/All Day) and All-EST Honorable Mention Jordan Hipwell (Ballston Spa '17/Havoc) hit the road to take on Averill Park at 6:00.

- A host of girls who saw EST action hit the court in Saratoga tonight, as the Blue Streaks host Shenendehowa. Saratoga features 2016s Maddie Chudy, Nakaela Elliott, 2019 Kerry Flaherty, and 2020 Dolly Cairns, all who donned the All Day jersey at one point or another. Shen features All-EST Honorable Mention Cameron Tooley (Shenendehowa 2018/Havoc) and Dominican College commit Samira Sangare (Shenendehowa 2016/All Day).

- Emily Erickson (Tamarac 2019/All Day) hits the road to Hoosic Valley for a 7:30 jump.

- Maya Nicholas (Cobleskill-Richmondville 2016/All Day) hits the road to Watervliet for a Colonial Council battle.

- Emily Padalino (Albany Academy for Girls 2016/All Day) hosts Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk at 6:30.

- 2015 EST MVP and St. Bonaventure commit Danielle Migliore (Frankfort-Schuyler 2016/All Day), along with All-EST Honorable Mention Danielle Caivana (Frankfort-Schuyler 2017/Show Stoppers) head to their next-door neighbors at Central Valley Academy for a 7:00 tip.

- Emily Wander (Bethlehem 2017/Havoc) and Rylee von Wedel (Bethlehem 2017/All Day) play host to All-EST 2nd Team Grace Heeps (Columbia 2019/Havoc) at 7:00.

- Olivia Baumann (Guilderland 2017/Havoc) hits the road to take on Colonie at 7:00.

- Shaker hosts Niskayuna for a 7:00 affair - the Blue Bison saw 3 who donned the same color blue jersey at one point or another for the league in Shyla Sanford (Shaker 2018/Havoc), Lyndsay Miller (Shaker 2016/Havoc), and Audrey Martino (Shaker 2016/Havoc).

- EST teammates square off in what may be the small-school game of the night in Section III. All-EST Honorable Mention Cassidy Albright (New York Mills 2016/Lady Knicks) entertains visiting Shiane Irwin (Poland 2017/Lady Knicks) at 7:00.

- Taylor Torchia (New Hartford 2017/Lady Knicks) has a home tilt against Oneida at 7:00.

- All-EST 1st Team Chloe Chaffin (Kingston 2018/Outwork) heads to Pine Bush for a 6:30 start.

- Rebecca Townes (Our Lady of Lourdes 2018/Outwork) heads down to Blind Brook for a 5:00 tipoff.

- Rebekkah Dean (Mekeel Christian Academy 2018/Outwork) hits the road to Duanesburg for a 7:00 game.

- All-EST 2nd Team Megan Flynn (Hoosick Falls 2016/Outwork) and Kelly Pine (Hoosick Falls 2017/Show Stoppers) hit the road to take on Stillwater tonight.

- Reileigh Harvey (Pine Forest (FL) 2016 by way of Vermont/Outwork) takes on Booker T. Washington of Miami at 6:00 tonight.

- All-EST 1st Team Saeeda Abdul-Aziz (Mohonasen 2017/Show Stoppers) hits the road to Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake for a 6:00 tip.

- Ava Fitzmaurice (Greenville 2018/Show Stoppers) is hosted by Chatham in a Patroon League contest tonight.

- Show Stoppers teammates take the court against each other tonight, as Julianna Taylor (Fonda-Fultonville 2017) is on the road against All-EST Honorable Mention Abby Fountain (Troy-Catholic Central 2016).

- Last but not least, Madi Ryan (Hoosac Valley (MA) 2016/Show Stoppers) hosts Auburn at 7:30 in the nightcap of their own tournament. Western MA teams Monument Mountain and South Hadley make up the remaining two teams in the event.

Friday Night Lights: EST Boys League Players in Action

Big Friday night, as many players who participated in the 1st annual Empire State Takeover Summer Showcase Leagues are in action tonight. All-in-all, 50 boys that participated are on the court tonight. In 4 of those games, you can see 4 guys that played in EST on the court at the same time, and there's even 3 options to go to if you want to see EST all-stars square off on opposing sides. Check out the matchups!

- All-EST 1st Team Bryce Allen (The Hill School (PA) '16/Bellevue) has a 3:00 tip at home in the opener of their Mercer Tournament against The Masters School.

- All-EST 1st Team Zac O'Dell (Schalmont '16/Team 518), along with Matt Bird (Schalmont '16/Bellevue), Tyler Mattice (Schalmont '17/Bellevue), and Jesse O'Dell (Schalmont '18/Team 518) are in action against Voorheesville.

- Coppin State commit Dyaire Holt (Life Prep (KS) '16/Bellevue) plays at Classical this evening.

- All-EST Honorable Mention Keenan Loder (Cobleskill-Richmondville '16/Bellevue) has a home tip at 6:30, where they take on All-EST 2nd Team Ty'Jon Gilmore (Watervliet '16/Upstate Select).

- Danny Reidell (Northville '17/Bellevue) takes the court tonight against Fort Plain.

- Andrew Platek (Northfield Mount Hermon '17/Bellevue) heads to Holyoke CC for a BasketBull showcase, where they play Barking Abbey out of England at 4:30.

- Scott Voelker (Mekeel Christian Academy '16/Bellevue) has a home game against Duanesburg tonight at 7:00.

- Luke Hicks (Shenendehowa '17/Man Up) has a home game at 7:00 tonight against Saratoga Springs. The Blue Streaks feature All-EST 2nd Team Alex Skaine (Saratoga Springs '16/Team 518), All-EST Honorable Mention Adam Anderson (Saratoga Springs '17/Team 518), and Darius Wicks (Saratoga Springs '17/Upstate Select).

- Man Up teammates Justin Houck (Berne-Knox-Westerlo '16) and Zach Hilton (Berne-Knox-Westerlo '17) head to Bishop Maginn for a 7:00 tip.

- All-EST Honorable Mention Connor McCart (Hoosick Falls '16/Man Up) takes on Stillwater at home tonight at 7:30. The visiting Indians feature All-EST Honorable Mention Mitchel Wayand (Stillwater '16/Marcella Appliances) along with Jared D'Aloia (Stillwater '17/Rising Stars) and Zack Travis (Stillwater '17/Marcella Appliances).

- Kevin Townes Jr. (Our Lady of Lourdes '17/Man Up) heads to Hendrick Hudson for a 7:00 tip.

- All-EST 1st Team Mike Wine (Guilderland '17/Man Up) and 2015 EST MVP & Daemen commit Andrew Sischo (Guilderland '16/Team 518) host Colonie at 7:00.

- Kory Bergh (Amsterdam '16/Marcella Appliances) heads up the road to Gloversville tonight for a 7:30 start.

- All-EST 2nd Team Devin Boyle (Johnstown '16/Marcella Appliances) also hits the road, Scotia bound for a 7:30 tip.

- Shaker takes on Niskayuna - unfortunately without the services of an injured Ben Diamond (Shaker '16/Marcella Appliances).

- According to the schedule on his school's website, Rory Flaherty (Deerfield Academy (MA) '16/Marcella Appliances) heads to St. Sebastian's School to take on the host at 2:00, with a 4:30 tip there against Avon Old Farms as well. Assuming something's gotta give!

- Penn commit Ray Jerome (Cheshire Academy '16/Marcella Appliances) has an early one - 12:00 tip at St. Andrew's against Brimmer & May.

- 7:00 tip for Evan Pescetti (Saratoga Catholic '16/Marcella Appliances) as they host Mayfield.

- Ian Schultz (Albany CBA '16/Marcella Appliances) and Mike Wynn (Albany CBA '17/Marcella Appliances) play host to a Troy team with All-EST Honorable Mention Anthony DeBonis (Troy '16/Rising Stars) and Darius Holmes-Hines (Troy '16/Rising Stars) at 7:00.

- Chris Boucher (Fort Edward '16/Rising Stars) plays host to Corinth tonight at 7:00.

- EST all-stars and teammates duke it out tonight as All-EST 1st Team Joseph Girard III (Glens Falls '19/Rising Stars) plays host to All-EST 2nd Team Matthew Higgins (South Glens Falls '16/Rising Stars) at 7:30.

- All-EST Honorable Mention Kobe Lufkin (Argyle '17/Rising Stars) hosts Hadley-Luzerne, 7:00 tip.

- Looks like All-EST Honorable Mention Kaden Baugh (Vermont Academy '16/Team 518) is north of the border, taking on Vaughan in Montreal, QC tonight at 8:30.

- Ryan Blair (Ballston Spa '18/Team 518) plays host to Averill Park at 7:00 tonight.

- Colby Fancher (Stamford '17/Team 518) takes on Walton in the championship game of their own holiday tournament tonight at 7:00.

- Kevin Murray (Plattsburgh Seton Catholic '17/Team 518) heads to Schroon Lake for a 6:00 tip.

- Upstate Select teammates take the court on opposite sides tonight, as Derek Newman (Herkimer '17) and Andrew Mason (Herkimer '17) host All-EST Honorable Mention Tyler Bertram (Cooperstown '18).

- Patrick Garey (Johnson City '17/Upstate Select) heads to Susquehanna Valley for a 7:30 start.

- Anthony Zotto (Tamarac '16/Upstate Select) hosts Hoosic Valley, start time at 7:30.

- 7:00 tip-off for Gavin Giroux (Sherburne-Earlville '16/Upstate Select) as they take on Holland Patent at home.

- Josh Gregory (Whitesboro '16/Upstate Select) heads up Route 49 tonight to take on Rome Free Academy at 7:00. Remember, it's at Strough.. you know, not at their high school gym, perhaps the most beautiful high school facility in the greater Utica/Rome area.

- Last but not least, Albert Odero (Saint John's Catholic Prep (MD) 2016/Upstate Select) hits the road to Annapolis Area Christian School for a 7:00 start tonight.

Showing Out: Boys League Top Performers

Andrew Sischo - The 2015 EST MVP has been a double-double machine to start the season for 3-1 Guilderland. He's currently averaging 17.5 points per game while consistently putting up double digits in the rebounding column, and the Daemen commit has commanded enough attention for Shenendehowa to resort to a diamond & 1 against him in the post Friday night.

Bryce Allen - Earning an All-EST 1st team selection for his heady play at the point guard spot, he's doing much of the same running the show at The Hill School, a quality prep program in Pennsylvania. He has contributed double digits in the scoring column in 3 of 5 games for his 4-1 squad, along with averaging over 5 assists per game. He made the all-tournament team at the McBride Tournament at Haverford School over the weekend.

Zac O'Dell - O'Dell has also proven to be a double-double machine at Class B frontrunner Schalmont - much like he was last season, but with even stronger totals in his senior campaign. The All-EST 1st team selection is averaging 19.2 points per game for a 4-2 Sabre squad that has beefed up their non-league schedule with current Section III Class A contender New Hartford, perennial Section III Class A contender Cortland, and downstate Class AA power Kennedy Catholic.

Joe Girard III - Girard, perhaps the youngest All-EST 1st team pick we'll ever see, has started off the season putting up about as gaudy of numbers as you could ever hope for out of a freshman. He's sitting at #2 in Section II in points per game (34.3), three pointers made (27 through 4 games), and his 45 point opening night performance is tied for the 2nd highest in Section II this year. He hit 10 threes in that game, which is tied for the highest number made in a game on the young season.

Mike Wine - Wine, another underclassman who earned an All-EST 1st team selection, is starting off the season strong running the show for Guilderland. Although not dominating the box scores (averaging 8 per game with a season high of 12), he's leading an offense that is averaging over 60 points per game despite losing last year's leading scorer in Andrew Platek. He has been the straw that stirs the drink - 'the drink' being a group with 8 players averaging 4+ points per game.

Matt Higgins - The All-EST 2nd team pick has taken his production to another level for Foothills contender South Glens Falls. The top senior on a senior-laden group, he has dropped 20+ in 4 of his team's 5 games with a season high of 32, and he's currently 9th in Section II with an average of 23.4 points per game. After going 12/16 from the free throw line in their 1st game, he's connected on 21 consecutive attempts over the last 4 games.

All-EST 2nd team Devin Boyle (Johnstown '16) from deep

Devin Boyle - Boyle started off the season with a bang, including a 6 three-pointer, 26 point performance against South Glens Falls. The All-EST 2nd team pick is currently averaging 15 points per game on a Johnstown team that generally likes to keep it balanced, while connecting on 16 threes in the process.

Tyler Lamport - Another All-EST pick that hasn't hit senior year yet (although the only non-senior 2nd teamer), he has been the catalyst for a South Kortright squad that is aiming to be a state contender in Class D. He's averaging 20.8 points per game on the young season, and occasionally in limited minutes due to a couple blowouts. He started off the season with a 27 point, 10 rebound night, and added 28 in a game last week.

Ty'Jon Gilmore - He's pretty much all Watervliet has. Everyone knows it, and they still can't contain him. The All-EST 2nd team selection is having another banner year, averaging 20.5 per game to start the season, including a season high of 26. A natural leader and the only holdover from Watervliet's state championship run 3 years ago, he's putting forth a solid early season effort leading a relatively inexperienced squad.

Alex Skaine - Despite being around 6'4", the All-EST 2nd team pick is his Saratoga Springs team's tallest player, so he has to do the dirty work for the Blue Streaks. He's doing an admirable job thus far, averaging 10 PPG while battling opponents 2-3 inches taller on any given night, along with consistently putting out strong rebounding totals. He tallied a season high 21 in a W over Ballston Spa.

Adam Anderson - Skaine's teammate at Saratoga Springs, the All-EST honorable mention pick has come into his own at the varsity level this season. The junior started the season pumping in 21 points and has finished in double digits in all 4 of their games this season, currently averaging 15 per game.

Tyler Bertram - In Section III, not many people can keep with the sophomore on the offensive end. The All-EST honorable mention selection is averaging 27.7 per game to start the season for Cooperstown, which is good for 4th in the section. He connected for an early season high of 34 last Wednesday while assisting on 8 of the 11 field goals scored by the rest of the team.

Adam Jaquish - The All-EST honorable mention pick is putting up strong numbers for his Moriah squad, and he's doing so in generally limited action. An early favorite to take home the state title this season in Class D, they haven't bumped into anything too challenging this season, even disposing of perennial powerhouse New York Mills with relative ease. Jaquish is leading his team in points per game (16.5), rebounds (11.0), and blocks (1.7), along with a 3.7 assists per game average which is good for 2nd on the team. He boasts season highs of 20 points (twice), 16 rebounds, and 6 assists (3 times).

Kobe Lufkin - One of three Class D standouts to make an All-EST list (Lamport & Jaquish the others), the honorable mention pick is putting his stamp on this season, much like he has the last two at Argyle. The junior is 3rd in Section II in points per game (30.5) and three pointers made (24 through 4 games), and his 43 point outburst against Salem is the 4th highest total in Section II so far. He is rapidly approaching 200 made threes in his career with close to 2 full varsity seasons left.

Mitchel Wayand - Right behind Lufkin on the scoring list is Wayand, another All-EST honorable mention selection. The Stillwater senior is pumping in 27.4 per game on average, and has been a model of consistency - he has scored between 24 and 34 points in all 5 of Stillwater's games to date. He's not far off the pace of the 3 point leaders, having connected on 19 from long range.

Keenan Loder - The Cobleskill-Richmondville standout senior is putting up strong numbers with limited assistance, a calling card of the Bulldogs of late. The All-EST honorable mention selection is averaging 19.7 points per game and has finished with 20+ in 4 of their 6 games. His 118 points on the season accounts for a whopping 47.6% of their total as a team so far, and he's scored over half of his team's points on 3 separate occasions.

Tyler Champagne - Champagne, an All-EST honorable mention pick, looks to be one of the leading guns on what will be a balanced Mount Anthony squad. They have added firepower thanks to the transfer of former Middletown starting big Jonas Parker, but Champagne is still the top perimeter option and finished in double digits in each of MAU's first 2 games.

Chris Boucher - Boucher's out here trying to get his 2K rating up. The Fort Edward standout senior has put up video game numbers to start the season, and he's currently leading Section II with a 36 PPG average. He started off the season by pumping in 55 points, and followed it 3 days later with 45 and a game-winning bucket in overtime. He's also leading Section II with 28 three pointers made. In 4 of Fort Edward's 6 games (their first 4), he accounted for over 50% of the Flying Forts' scoring, and has accounted for 54.3% of the scoring so far.

Danny Reidell - The junior standout at Northville - perhaps their only real offensive option - has put them on his back to start the season, and is 5th in Section II with a 24.7 PPG average. They are 2-1, and in both of the wins, he has scored over 50% of the team's points, including a season high 33 to start the campaign. He's accounted for 52.7% of his team's points through the first three games.

Kory Bergh (Amsterdam '16) on the break

Kory Bergh - Bergh has started off his senior season on a tear, leading Amsterdam to an early 3-0 mark. He's tied for 6th in Section II, averaging 24.3 PPG while knocking down 13 threes and hitting 88.9% of his free throws. He netted a season high 36 in an exciting W over South Glens Falls Friday.

Zach Hilton - The junior standout at Berne-Knox-Westerlo is tied with Bergh for 6th in Section II with 24.3 PPG. An off-guard with a scorer's mentality, he has been aggressive offensively for a team that figures to be in the mix for the WAC title. He's scored 20+ in all 6 of his team's games, with a season high of 30 coming early in the season.

Justin Houck - Hilton's running mate, a pass first PG with the ability to score in bunches if necessary, Houck has done a solid job manning the troops to start the season. He's averaging 15.2 points per game thus far, and he came through with a season high of 20 points on Saturday.

Jared D'Aloia - Another floor general that can score in bunches if called upon, D'Aloia has been the point guard and strong secondary scoring option behind a 5-0 Stillwater team. While consistently racking up assists, he's averaging 14.2 PPG while knocking down 14 threes. He netted a season high of 21 last Tuesday.

Taylor Slattery - Jaquish's running mate at Moriah has been doing much of the same - strong numbers in relatively limited action. He's right behind Jaquish with 16.2 PPG, and is also averaging 3.2 APG and a team high 2.7 SPG. He pumped in a season high 21 points in an early W over AuSable Valley, and his most recent game boasted a stat line of 18 points, 6 rebounds, and 7 assists.

Josh Gregory - The Whitesboro senior has been lighting up the Tri-Valley League to start the season. He's averaging 18.2 PPG and has been getting to the line constantly for someone known more of as a shooter. The 6'4" wing dropped a season high 29 in a statement victory over Proctor, hitting 15/16 from the charity stripe.

Gavin Giroux - The Sherburne-Earlville senior has been good for a double-double every time out to start the season on a group that will be a tough out in Section III Class B. He's scored double figures in each of their 4 games, including a season high of 16 in their most recent game, a 60-58 W over Cooperstown.

Opening Week Top Performers

The high school season is underway! Already have hit 15 games this week, tracking those who participated in the 2015 installment of Empire State Takeover and looking for fresh talent for 2016's run. Games trickled in starting Monday directly before Thanksgiving, but it really picked up on Friday. Let's highlight a handful of the top performers who participated in EST!

Boys

Matt Higgins (South Glens Falls 2016), pictured in the Empire State Takeover 2015 fall exposure event held at Union College, had 32 points in a season opening win on Friday evening

- South Glens Falls senior and EST all-league 2nd team pick Matt Higgins started his season with a bang for the box score, dropping 32 points in a 65-52 victory over Saratoga Catholic. He did so in impressive fashion, considering it wasn't an impressive shooting night by his standards. His usually-pure jumper wasn't falling, so he kept moving without the ball & got bucket after bucket by making the right cut and freeing himself up around the rim, along with getting to the line constantly, where he made 12 free throws. He had 19 points in the 2nd half alone - and he didn't play the last 4 minutes of the game. Big start from one of Section II's hottest D3 prospects right now.

- Berne-Knox-Westerlo got a head start on their season, already having 3 games in the books after a 63-36 W over Salem on Saturday. They split a pair of games at Rensselaer's tipoff tournament before the Coaches vs. Cancer victory. Junior wing Zach Hilton dropped 27 points on Saturday, and senior point guard Justin Houck added 17 to the cause. These are right around their early season averages - Hilton is filling it up, averaging 26 per game so far with Houck just below 18.

- Two blowout wins for perennial Section VII Class D powerhouse Moriah to start the season, and as usual, Adam Jaquish & Taylor Slattery were the catalysts. They each put up solid numbers in limited action, as each game got out of hand quickly with them involved. 6'5" 2016 wing Slattery scored 17 points on Saturday in a 78-50 W over Plattsburgh, and he followed it up with 21 in a 62-54 W over AuSable Valley Sunday - a game that they led 57-27 when they were removed from the game late in the 3rd quarter. Jaquish, a 6'7" 2016 post that earned all-league honorable mention this summer, had 14 points & 11 rebounds on Saturday and 16 points & 8 rebounds on Sunday.

- Northville junior standout Danny Reidell got his season started on the right foot. The 6'1" combo guard nearly matched the opposing team's output on his own Saturday, scoring 31 points in a 57-35 victory over Sharon Springs.

- Zac O'Dell put up big numbers in a losing effort on Saturday afternoon. Schalmont ventured into the land where I'm from, and lost 82-76 at New Hartford, which is a team that is expected to be in the mix in Section III Class A this winter. O'Dell, an all-league 1st team selection, hung a team high 26 points in the high-scoring affair.

- Saratoga Catholic senior Evan Pescetti shook off a rough season opener with a big individual showing Saturday in the consolation game of their own tournament. The 6'4" tweener netted 27 points for Class C Spa Catholic in their 66-53 defeat at the hands of Class A Gloversville.

- Another big showing in a losing effort, this one coming from 6'6" Cobleskill-Richmondville standout guard Keenan Loder. One of the buzz names in Section II among college coaches, he started off his senior campaign by hanging 25 points in a 57-48 L to Delhi.

Girls

Lucy Tougas (Glens Falls 2017), pictured in the Empire State Takeover 2015 fall event held at Skidmore College, earned all-tournament team honors at Watervliet this weekend, averaging 9 PPG & 9.5 APG. Defending is Sam Dayter (Cohoes 2018), who scored 17 points Saturday in a 52-44 W over Lake George in the consolation game of their own tournament.

- This weekend's tournament in Watervliet saw 3 EST league all-stars take all-tournament team nods. Glens Falls won the tournament with a pair of comfortable victories over Ballston Spa and Watervliet, and the Tougas sisters left a little more decorated than they arrived. Sophie Tougas, a 6'0" freshman wing and EST all-league 2nd team pick, won tournament MVP behind a 24 point performance in their Friday W. She added 9 in a balanced effort on Saturday. Older sister Lucy, a 5'10" junior point guard and EST all-league 1st team pick, received all-tournament team honors as well. She finished the tournament averaging a fraction short of a double-double, with 18 points (9 PPG) and 19 assists (9.5 APG).

- The third who received an all-tournament selection was Ballston Spa senior standout Liv Allrich. The 5'11" G/F, who was an all-league honorable mention selection, came back Saturday with a 24 point showing in their 54-38 victory over Stillwater in the consolation game.

- Columbia freshman Grace Heeps was also given an all-tournament team nod, this one as Columbia brought home the championship of Averill Park's inaugural Thanksgiving tournament. The 5'10" point guard, who was an all-league 2nd team pick this summer, earned the all-tourney pick off the strength of her 1st half against Scotia on Friday. She set the tone with 16 quick points in what eventually became a 61-16 blowout victory.

- Middleburgh junior Lyndsey McCoy had a big outing on Saturday in the championship game of their own tournament, powering her into an all-tournament team selection. She had her hand in most of the scoring, dropping a game high 23 points and adding 6 rebounds & 11 assists in their 55-42 W over Margaretville. McCoy is starting off the season with a flurry for 3-0 Middleburgh, averaging 15.7 PPG in the process.

- Cohoes shook off a rough (understatement) start to the season with a 52-44 bounceback win over Lake George in the consolation game of their own tournament. A pair of EST players came back strong in the win, with 5'9" sophomore PG Sam Dayter leading the way w/ 18 points. Nerea Brajac, a 5'7" junior wing who earned an all-league honorable mention selection, chipped in with 10 points in the win.


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Holt Flying Like an Eagle, Verbals to Coppin State

One of the Capital District's most prolific point guards in recent years put the closing statement on his open recruitment on Wednesday, when Life Prep Academy (Wichita, KS) senior - and former Troy High standout - Dyaire Holt made his verbal commitment to Division I Coppin State.

Holt was a major player at Troy for what seemed like a lifetime - he was a key contributor as a youngster on a Troy state championship team that featured current Siena post Javion Ogunyemi - and his role & reputation grew each year. Last season, he averaged 17.7 points per game and ended his season with a NYSSWA Class A All-State 6th Team selection. Holt, along with backcourt mate Zach Radz, was a leader of a Troy team that was a back-to-back Section II Class A finalist, losing twice in the finals to eventual back-to-back state champion Scotia-Glenville. This wasn't his first go-around as an all-state selection, either, as he was a Class A 2nd team pick as a sophomore.

Holt received the Coppin State offer in early October, not long after his transfer to Life Prep for his final high school campaign. After a wait of just a few weeks, he made it official just after the start of his basketball season. The Eagles will be receiving a lightning quick guard with increasing athletic ability, and despite being on the shorter end (his 6'0" listing would tie him for shortest currently on Coppin State's roster), has the heart of a lion. He's notoriously fearless in his attack of the basket, with strength at the rim and uncanny finishing ability. Dyaire showcased that electric play in this past summer's Empire State Takeover boys league at Union College, averaging 11 PPG in early-season appearances for Bellevue with a season high of 18.

Holt also makes the 2nd member of last year's Troy team to make a Division I commitment - the aforementioned Radz recently signed his NLI to attend Sacred Heart. Read about that here.

Coppin State is a Division I that competes in the MEAC. They'll be looking to improve this season on a difficult campaign in 2014-15, but have many returning players in the system. They will next year as well - with just one senior on this season's roster, they're one of the youngest teams I've seen while looking at rosters this month. The Eagles have made the NCAA tournament 4 times, most recently in 2008. An old collegiate teammate of mine transferred to play his final 2 years at Coppin State after his first 2 of JuCo ball; he's now a journeyman pro, with stops in the D-League, Canada, and now one of the top performers in the BBL in England.

Congratulations to Dyaire on the verbal commitment, and best of luck this coming season and down the road as well!

Sangare & Millea Sign NLIs to Play D2 Ball in 2016

They say all good things come in threes.

For Empire State Takeover girls league champion All Day, truer words have never been spoken. During last week's signing day and the days directly following, three seniors that participated for All Day at different points of the season signed their NLIs to attend and play basketball on scholarship next season.

One has been written about already - read the article about girls league MVP Danielle Migliore signing her NLI here. On the same day, summer league/AAU teammate Samira Sangare signed in Shenendehowa's signing day ceremony, and Cooperstown senior Liz Millea made it official in a ceremony Saturday night.

Samira Sangare, a senior at Shenendehowa, signed to attend and play basketball at Division II Dominican College of the CACC. Already on the radar of a number of schools in all 3 NCAA divisions, her recruitment picked up at the scholarship level during the summer with Albany Lady Stars on the AAU circuit. This culminated in offers coming in from Dominican and fellow Division II Georgian Court, and an incredible fall performance at Spooky Nook in PA only cemented the decision of those offers. She made her announcement committing to Dominican a month ago, on the same day that EST boys league representative Ray Jerome made his commitment to Penn. Read about that here. Samira will come into an opportunity where she may be able to contribute immediately next winter. She played in two weeks of the summer league, balancing a rigorous national AAU schedule along with a high school team summer schedule that was much more time-consuming than the average, averaging 6.3 points per game with a season high of 11.

Liz Millea, a senior at Cooperstown, made it official at her own special ceremony Saturday night at Class C power Cooperstown, signing her NLI to play at Division II Adelphi University of the NE-10. A highly decorated multi-sport athlete at Cooperstown who added a state championship and NYSSWA Class C State Player of the Year accolades to her name in the spring, she has been moderately on the radar of scholarship schools for a couple years. She received light Division I interest along with strong D2/D3 notice while on the circuit this spring & summer with the Syracuse Nets. With three senior guards on the Adelphi roster, Millea will also be jumping into an opportunity where she may be asked to produce right away. Liz came through Union College in late July on the back end of the live period, averaging 12 PPG for All Day with a season high of 15.

Congrats to both Samira and Liz on putting pen to paper and making it official, and best of luck in their senior seasons!

Jerome & Radz Put It In Writing, Sign NLIs

Signing day brought a great deal of action across the nation, and a number of Capital District natives got in on the action. Two of them who made it official were players who suited up at different points in the Empire State Takeover boys summer league in Ray Jerome and Zach Radz.

Ray Jerome, a senior at Cheshire Academy in Connecticut, made his verbal commitment to Division I Penn of the Ivy League a month ago. A native of the Albany area that previously played his basketball at Albany Academy before transferring prior to the fall of 2014, Jerome was a highly sought after prospect among schools in the Ivy League, Patriot League, and NEC, along with receiving considerable interest from MAAC and A-10 programs. Penn was among a plethora of programs - nearly a dozen - that had extended him offers before he made his decision. Ray was a participant in this year's summer league, putting on the green for Marcella Appliances on opening night. An extremely busy summer schedule with Under Armour sponsored NY Jayhawks and the U20 Puerto Rican national team, which he was a member of this summer, kept him on the road (or out of the country) consistently through the rest of summer.

Zach Radz also made it official on signing day, putting his signature down to attend Division I Sacred Heart of the NEC. He made his announcement right around the beginning of September, which was the first commit in a huge week for players who donned the City Rocks jersey in high school. Radz received his offer from Sacred Heart upon transferring to perennial prep power St. Thomas More in Connecticut for a post-grad year. Sacred Heart was the former Troy standout's first Division I offer, although a handful of other programs had shown interest in the pure shooting combo guard after a very strong senior campaign and continued improvement in the summer. Radz suited up for Man Up before the live period hit in early July and averaged 23.3 points per game in 2 weeks.

Both of them also participated the year before in the King of Kings College Prospect League in Utica, the previous incarnation of EST. Each was an honorable mention selection in 2014.

Congrats to both Zach and Ray on making it official, and best of luck to each in their final prep seasons!

Girls MVP Migliore Makes It Official, Signs LOI to St. Bonaventure

*** Brace yourself. I'm actually not going to be mean to Danielle right now. Anyone who has been around a conversation between the two of us knows this is a rare occasion.

To anyone following girls hoops in upstate New York over the last year, this one isn't news. Now it's in writing, too.

On signing day, which has turned into a bit of a holiday for basketball enthusiasts (and just so happened to fall on a real holiday this time), Frankfort-Schuyler senior and 2015 EST girls league MVP Danielle Migliore put her name on the dotted line, signing her letter of intent to play at the next level for St. Bonaventure.

Migliore has been on the scene for what seems like forever now, and I've been lucky enough to have a front row seat for a lot of it - even when I wasn't paying much attention to girls' basketball. Danielle hails from my hometown area - Frankfort-Schuyler was basically the sworn rival of my alma mater, Herkimer, when I was in high school. As a 21 year old college student with an ankle injury that made me hang up the shoes competitively, I picked up a modified coaching gig at Herkimer and was the assistant varsity coach. This was Danielle's freshman year. I'll never forget scouting them against Class D Stockbridge Valley in Frankfort's secondary gym. Danielle put up about 20 in the first 12 minutes of the game, had handle and an IQ way beyond her years, and had the look of a player. That's when I realized 'hey, she's gonna be really good'.

Fast forward 3 years, and nothing has changed. Now on track to be the most decorated Center State Conference girls basketball player ever, and the first (boy or girl) to commit to a Division I school for basketball in over 20 years, she's still plugging away. Migliore made the commitment early, not even letting her junior basketball season complete before announcing her verbal to the Bonnies. She also held an offer from Liberty, but left no suspense into her future destination.
 

Migliore off the dribble against EST 1st team selection Saeeda Abdul-Aziz (Mohonasen '17) in Positive Impact's Capital District Classic on October 24

After averaging 27.4 points per game last year and finishing a game short of the 600 point mark on the season, she finds herself with 1,300 career points heading into her senior year. 2,000 career points is quite a stretch, but with a full & healthy season, she'll have the chance to flirt with the number. With a 1st team all-state selection in Class C already in the bag, she'll also be geared up to match that accomplishment once more.

She showed that elite scoring ability this summer in Empire State Takeover almost every time out. As a member of girls league champion All Day, the 3rd seed in the regular season that knocked off #2 seed Havoc and #1 seed Outwork to get the title, she came through with impressive offensive performances time and time again, even against the opposition's best defender. Her alliance with perhaps the league's top true point guard in Lucy Tougas proved deadly, as it allowed her to be in attack mode from increasingly comfortable spots on the court.

The numbers are undeniable: Migliore led the league in points per game (23.4 - a whopping 9.2 PPG ahead of 2nd) and total points (164). She had the girls league's top 5 individual game scoring performances, with a season high of 33, and she was the only player in the league to score 25 points in a game (which she did in all 5 of those games). She had 28 in a 43-28 semifinal win over Havoc, where she knocked down 5 threes and went 11/15 from the line. She followed it up with 26 in a 57-53 finals W over Outwork, going 16/21 from the line. She went 54/79 from the line for the season, tops in the league in FTM (by 26) and FTA (by 37). The only offensive category that she didn't top the league in was 3 pointers - she finished 3rd in the league with 18 threes made on the season, and just shared 1st place in most threes made in a game (5).

More importantly - at least for someone who's a product of the Mohawk Valley like myself - Migliore is exactly what people think can't come from that area. If I had a nickel for each time I've heard about how no one can ever make it out of small-school USA, I wouldn't be running leagues or typing this because I'd be too 'busy' right now with my breakfast mimosa in my 4th vacation home... for when I got sick of the first 3. There's certainly stronger talent in metropolitan areas, and perhaps a great deal more opportunity to get yourself out there. You don't have to let where you come from hold you back, though. Whether your graduating class is 1,000, 100 (probably what Frankfort's senior class is), or 20 - put first-class work in and you'll see first-class results. Above all, Danielle has the reputation of being a gym rat, always getting extra shots up. It shows in her play on the court and her supreme confidence. I got to see it firsthand - she earned the right to put pen to paper today with hour after hour of sweat equity. It doesn't matter where you come from. Mix some talent with an insatiable desire to get better, and you can 'make it'.

So the sincerest of congratulations goes to Danielle on making it official - not just from someone who ran a league she played in or 'coached' the team she was on, but from someone who was able to witness the evolution. Someone who had to help gameplan against her in previous years, and yes, someone who had to play the role of Danielle in a scrimmage during practice (I gave them buckets too). Quite literally a once-in-a-generation talent to come out of the Mohawk Valley, and hopefully showing the up-and-comers that it's possible to garner D1 attention out of the valley will help sprout some more talent in years to come. All the current and future successes are much deserved!

For the Aspiring College Basketball Player

Ok, so this has nothing to do with EST and is more of me on my blogging soapbox. With my boredom and inability to sleep, I still think it's worth typing out.

I took the trip to New Britain, CT Monday evening to watch some men's college hoops. Division I Central Connecticut State - by all accounts a 'low D1', having gone 4-25 last year - played host to Division III Mitchell College, who was the definition of mediocrity in D3 hoops last year. Alright team in an alright conference. I did it mainly to watch CCSU freshman Jahlil Nails (Columbia '15) in his first collegiate 'game' (it was an exhibition), as he was the MVP in what I previously ran for a year before starting EST, the King of Kings College Prospect League. I also used it as a time to observe, though. It's interesting to watch games between teams in different divisions, to see what the difference is.

The main difference was on the scoreboard. CCSU used a strong late 1st half run to take a 22 point lead in the locker room, and they eventually won 94-66. Looking at the final score, one may think it was total domination. A group of Kevin Durants vs. Burnt Hills' JV team.

Definitely not.

As a matter of fact, there wasn't a vast difference from a viewing standpoint. Mitchell had a few guys that could compete, and their best player was every bit as good as CCSU's backcourt (Donavan McClean was legit). From a pure basketball skill standpoint, there wasn't much of a difference. CCSU's guys weren't vastly better shooters; didn't have the ball on a string compared to Mitchell ballhandlers; their court vision wasn't on x-ray mode compared to their opponents. What made the biggest difference was the physical stuff. CCSU was a couple inches taller and 10-20 pounds heavier at every position. Not to mention... Speed. Strength. Athleticism. Quickness.

I made the remark earlier that CCSU won the matchup in groups of '2s'. Each of their big guys got easy buckets by beating their matchup down the court on rim runs a couple times. CCSU finished through tough contact a couple more times. Their bigs outjumped or discarded their defender to get offensive boards & putbacks a couple times, and the guards did the same a couple more times. They recovered on defense quickly to make what looked like an open shot turn into a well-contested attempt a couple times. They used superior speed to turn a Mitchell made basket into a CCSU fast break opportunity a couple times. Add up all those 'couple times', and you've got quite a difference.

There's a couple things you can make of this - and I think both are right. First, there's some sort of a stigma attached to D3 ball in some people's eyes that it's just not good enough; an extension of high school ball. If you're a legitimate D3 prospect getting recruited by solid programs, there's absolutely nothing to be ashamed of. I don't care what your know-nothing classmates and their know-nothing parents have to say about your letter from Babson and that it's 'only D3'. These cats can play. Most of your stronger D3 programs have at least one of these two things, and sometimes both - top players on the team that could feasibly play scholarship-level ball, or D1/D2 transfers.

To the other thing - if you get to the point of being a 'really good D3 prospect', or as others would say, 'borderline scholarship kid' - you're not as far off of that good D2/low D1 level as you think. No, you're not seeing ACC-level guys playing D3 ball. But many conference POYs could play in a conference like the America East or NEC, and many of these 1st teamers could feasibly play in the NE10 or CACC in Division II hoops. McClean for Mitchell could certainly play D2 ball, and if you put a CCSU jersey on him, he would've fit in with that clan, too.

There have been others to make that switch as well - a guy I played numerous times with while back in CNY, Matt Hart, tore it up at Hamilton College for a couple years. He transferred up from D3 to D1, and after sitting out a year because of NCAA transfer rules, he's suiting up for George Washington... and just had 7 points in 17 minutes in their coaster of a scrimmage W over Gannon. Keep in mind that numerous friends of mine (yes, contrary to popular belief, I have friends) are living out their dreams playing ball overseas now. And for every Syracuse, Marist and Coppin State that's in Europe, there's an Ithaca... SUNY IT... Geneseo... and the list goes on. Even if you're not getting a scholarship out of high school, put every ounce you have into it for 4 years at the D3 ranks - I know plenty who had to pay their own tuition that are now letting ball pay their bills.

Enough of the sappy D3 stuff. What's the difference that I saw at CCSU again? Physical tools. Strength, athleticism, speed. It impacted everything. It's not just about who can do a court sprint quickest; it's about relocating from the wing to the corner quickly, closing out quickly and being able to cut off the ballhandler, finishing through contact, discarding your defender, quick & explosive 2nd jumps.

My advice to any aspiring college basketball player? I've trained people, but that's not my trade, so I'm not here to give you drills - just to tell you how to do them. Do your drills at full game speed... and then do them a level higher. Push yourself to relocate between shots faster. Push yourself to make your change of direction & change of speed in ballhandling drills more drastic. How quickly can you get from the block to the 3 point line using a pindown screen, catch and be ready to shoot? Make it quicker. Too many times, I see people using the shooting gun the wrong way - 500 lazy jumpers, no movement, just spot shooting from a 'passer' standing underneath the rim. My rusty, out of shape self can still knock down 400 of those. I've never met anyone that can put up 500 legitimate shots going at full game speed with game movements without needing an IV after... or a lunch break in between their two sets of 250 jumpers. It's not all about the sheer quantity of attempts - make every attempt meaningful. Get better with every rep!

Finally, what (almost) no one wants to hear. Make the weight room and plyometric workouts your friend. Not only should you be getting stronger, you should be getting quicker and more explosive in a basketball sense. Even if you don't want to make it your friend, at least let it be that annoying little cousin you have to babysit all the time. You may hate their guts, but you're always taking 'em with you. Maybe you don't love the weights - I enjoyed plyo but rarely looked forward to a lift session. Power through. Make it happen. At least on this night, the difference between D3 and D1 was 10% skill and 90% physical. That's a pretty large percentage of the pie to neglect.

When you're at practice today going through drills, get to work. Don't look at it and say 'I'll focus on that after the season'. Bust yourself getting from one spot to the next in shooting drills. Make that pull-up jumper quicker, work on exploding on the first step and exploding into the shot. Work on making your release a little quicker. Make every rep count. Maybe you'll shoot a lower percentage because of how much more energy you're exerting on the process - but trust in the process. When games roll around and you have to get yourself open against a defender that wants nothing more than to have Twitter bragging rights about putting the lock emoji on you, you'll be able to make it happen. Maybe coaches will notice the college-ready tendencies - coaches that hadn't noticed you before. When you get to the next level, the 'culture shock' they talk about on the court may not be much of a culture shock to you after all.

Boys League MVP Sischo Commits to Daemen

With legitimate scholarship-level post size and an ever-expanding game on both ends, it was only a matter of time before late bloomer Andrew Sischo flew on the radar of Division I & II programs.

It was no tricks and all treat for him on Halloween, putting an end to his open recruitment in the weeks leading up to his senior season by verbally committing to Division II Daemen College.

This is the next development in a rise that, in basketball standards, came nearly overnight for the Guilderland product. Over the last 2 years, the now 6'9" Sischo progressed from a JV player as a sophomore to his team's starting varsity center as a junior, but consistent contributions were not called upon from him until the back half of the season. His role grew heavily in sectionals, where he had 3 dominating performances to close the year - including team-leading outputs in an upset semifinal win over the previous Class AA state champion Green Tech, along with the same performance in a 5 point L to Section II and eventual Class AA state champion Shenendehowa.

His game and conditioning continued to develop over the next few months, which showed in the Empire State Takeover summer league. Suiting up as a member of Team 518, he was the most dominant post presence for the eventual undefeated league champions, earning the nod for league MVP. It started with a game and season-high 28 point performance in the league's opening game, a Team 518 victory over a Marcella Appliances squad that featured Ray Jerome (Penn commit), Hameir Wright (#55 on ESPN 60 rankings for Class of 2017; 7 offers), and Mike Wynn (Siena offer), among others. If that game didn't scream 'I'M HERE', the rest of his season did the talking. He led the league in total points scored with 194 and finished 2nd in points per game (out of qualifying players) with 17.6. Sischo was also a dominating presence on the boards, consistently grabbing 8-12 rebounds each game, and he showcased elite passing ability from the post and a smooth stroke with range beyond the 3 point line. With strong performances in the league and on the AAU circuit for Albany City Rocks in the summer, the attention from colleges expanded heavily, culminating in the offer from Daemen.

Sischo (with ball) going up against Attica's Nick Perry - in Daemen's backyard, comparatively speaking

Daemen College is a Division II program that competes in the East Coast Conference. It's located in Amherst, NY, 15 minutes outside of Buffalo. They've experienced recent success, having won 20+ games in each of the last 4 seasons with a combined record of 89-34. They went 21-10 last season, and their season culminated in a USCAA Division I national championship. This season's squad is younger, with 3 seniors and 7 freshmen (5 of them true freshmen), but they look to be rich in talent. Daemen has only participated in 2 exhibitions this season to date - a 102-95 victory over Brock University of Ontario, and an 87-68 defeat to Division I Buffalo. Though they have a strong recruiting foothold in western NY, they've shown willingness to recruit the Capital District before - Jordan Greene, a South Glens Falls graduate, completed a strong collegiate career at Daemen in the spring.

Look for freshly committed Sischo, without the recruiting process to worry about, to step into a leadership role as the focal point - along with point guard and fellow EST 1st teamer Mike Wine - of Guilderland's attack this winter. Congratulations to Andrew!

Havoc Fall Shootout Presents The Area's Finest

Many of the Capital District's top up & coming basketball talent donned a jersey at the same place last Saturday: Schenectady High School, home of the inaugural Havoc Fall Shootout. The majority of the Capital District boys suited up for 518 Mix, a team largely consisting of City Rocks players. The girls side, which was the stronger showcase of the two, had local talent more spread out.

Boys

518 Mix split games against a pair of teams from Redemption Christian Academy, a prep school now based in Northfield, MA. They lost a double digit lead and held on to win by 4 against RCA's varsity squad, and then lost by 20 to the post-grad team. Contributions were given from Guilderland teammates Andrew Sischo and Mike Wine, Green Tech teammates Dasier Lukes and Neftali Lind, Watervliet's Ty'Jon Gilmore, Troy's Ryan Carmello, Mount Anthony Union (VT)'s Tyler Champagne, Whitesboro's Josh Gregory, and Little Falls' Todd Hubbell. Wine and Hubbell are juniors; the rest are seniors.

Other boys teams showcased local talent. NYE consisted mainly of Green Tech players, and there was a team representing Albany HS - those two went to overtime in the morning. Capital District based team Squad did well - normally led by Lansingburgh's Davonte Jones and Green Tech's Derrick Rowland, among others. They certainly were aided by Putnam (MA) senior Tyonne Malone Jr., an explosive 6'5" wing with offers from UMass, Saint Peter's, Sacred Heart, and Manhattan. Shaker varsity went at it without a coach Saturday - led by guards Ben Diamond and Brian Hayes, along with post Kai Dare. They battled many of the Capital District's future stars in the last game of the day, an AOBA team consisting of many of the best 8th & 9th graders.


Girls

The girls side had some shining stars, and it was very balanced at the top. The best teams there played each other, and all of the games were close. No team at the oldest level walked out unscathed, and 4 different groups had impressive talent at that age group. Havoc - the host team - along with Albany Lady Falcons and a last second crew that myself and tournament director Terrance Florence put together (donning mainly Empire State Takeover jerseys) all went 2-1 on the day by beating each other up. Berkshire Blazers, out of western MA, also had some impressive talent.

The new look New York Havoc team, with Terrance Florence at the helm, has a great display of the top Capital District prospects in 2017, 2018, and 2019. They won close games over Berkshire Blazers and Albany Lady Falcons, losing one in the middle to the Empire State Takeover squad that went down to the final possession. A few players had shining stretches for the squad.

Amsterdam junior 3/4 Nina Fedullo stood out at both ends with her usual combination of skill and will. Her ability on the basketball court is like that of a utility player in baseball - plug & play anywhere and you'll be fine, and no one on the court will outwork her. To add to her scrappy style of play and ability to convert from 15' and in, she showed growing confidence in knocking down the 3. Columbia freshman Grace Heeps stood out as usual with the tools she provides. A 5'10" combo guard, game most suited for the 2 but can also run the point, kept the defense honest with her shooting ability and showed off an increased ability to get to the rim off the dribble. 5'10" Glens Falls junior Lucy Tougas has also made a seamless transition over to Havoc and had her shining moments. Another combo guard but certainly more comfortable running the point, she had very strong stretches at the 1. She was more confident in the jumper, knocking down several pull-up mid-range Js, and it opened up her ability to set up others later in the day.

Shaker sophomore 2 guard Shyla Sanford brought everything you expect of her to the table - a pitbull of a defender, she caused issues for whoever she was guarding, and she continued to show as pure of a perimeter jumper as there is in the area. The most eye-opening contribution may have come from a newcomer from out of the area - Northampton (MA) junior Lauraine Joensen. The 6'2" stretch 4, originally from Denmark, is no stranger to EST - she was a contributor and honorable mention selection for Outwork, the top-seeded team this summer that lost a nail-biter in the finals. With her height, length, great skill for her size along with mobility, she added an entirely different dynamic to the Havoc group. She fit into the scheme perfectly on both ends, and it was easy to see that with her elite ability to catch & finish along with knock down the mid-range J or take her defender off the dribble from 15'-17', teammates loved having her around. Contributions were also seen from Glens Falls freshman Sophie Tougas, a 6 footer who could feasibly play/defend all 5 positions on the court - she showed some good signs Saturday, just getting back on the court after a foot issue has kept her mainly sidelined for 4 weeks. When she's back to 100%... look out.

5'11" Guilderland shooter Olivia Baumann and 6'3" Tara Sager out of Ichabod Crane also had their moments. They were missing one important piece - hard-nosed sophomore guard Cameron Tooley was held to the role of a cheerleader Saturday, resting a back injury.

At full strength, and for never having a practice together or even knowing who each other was (for the most part) before Saturday, the hybrid Empire State Takeover/AOBA squad was a force to be reckoned with. After taking a morning loss to Albany Lady Falcons (without the services of Division I talent Sydney Brown), they responded by holding off New York Havoc and winning in blowout fashion over a younger AOBA group.

As usual, Shenendehowa junior Sydney Brown was impressive. At a very athletic 6'0", she's comfortable filling just about every role on the court. Started off as a post and took smaller matchups in the blocks, but certainly has the ability to attack from the wing, and her quickness allows her to blow by as soon as she gets to the side of her defender. She even showed she can run the show when given some opportunities to run the point. And let's talk about athletic again: ball got stuck between the rim and backboard, and she knocked it out. WITH EASE. 2 step gather, 2 foot jump, simple. Have fun, Suburban Council. It was more than just Syd, though - her high school teammate came through with one of the stronger days I've seen from her. Senior Morgan O'Brien showed a consistent ability to keep the ball alive on both ends, take advantage of slower matchups in the post by using her go-to spin move to get to the rim, and just the simple knack of being in the right place - a very underrated skill. Cuts & post movements almost always were right to the open area, making it easy to get the pass to her and making for an easier finish.

Another pair of teammates showed out for this squad - from across the state border in Vermont. Mount Anthony Union junior Madison Little went from looking rusty early in Game 1 (c'mon, it's soccer season) to getting in the flow and knocking down some jumpers, and by the game against Havoc, she was back to ol' Maddy. Around 5'9" with very long arms, big hands, and a high release on the jumper, a hand in the face doesn't mean much to her. After getting to the rim a couple times, she knocked down J after J to the effect of 20 points in that 58-55 W. With that height, length, quickness, and pure strength for her size, she can defend every position. She defended both CeCe Mayo & Saeeda Abdul-Aziz well against Falcons. Against Havoc, it was Grace Heeps, Lucy Tougas (backcourt), Nina Fedullo (tweener), and Lauraine Joensen (6'2" stretch 4/5). She used her strength to literally run through a double screen in the closing seconds, helping preserve a win. She attacked the rim and had the mid-range - her high school teammate, fellow junior Brianna Legacy, had the 3 firing on all cylinders. It was 3 after 3 for the 5'7" guard, knocking down 10 of them over the course of 3 games while shooting it at a high clip. She also showed an improved ability to use that for other things - took advantage of the lanes opening up and got to the rim on numerous occasions, and also hit a cutting Brown or O'Brien more than once. Another strong defender with toughness and long arms to boot, she had more than her share of steals throughout the day.

Colonie freshman Aliyah Wright ran the point very well for this group, and showed that although it's only been a few short months since AAU season, she has seasoned well beyond that time since then. The difference in on-court decision-making and maturity is easy to see - mistakes were at a bare minimum, a heck of a sight from a point guard at that age. Her ability to score in a variety of ways, put defenders on skates with the handle, set teammates up, and read defenders to know when it's time to do each of those was all on display. She was the driving force behind a late push in the morning game, knocking a 14 point deficit down to 5. Ballston Spa senior Liv Allrich continued to show her versatility and why she's the person everyone in the Capital District should be talking a lot more about. At 5'10" with a strong frame, yet an unmistakable shooting ability and deceptive quickness and handle, there's nothing that she wasn't able to do on the court. Allrich was able to take what the defense gave her and use it to her advantage, and her basketball IQ is second-to-none to those with a trained eye. She also showed the desire on Saturday to defend tough matchups - she wanted to guard the best players. Contributions were also seen from Shaker senior point guard Audrey Martino, who was all over the court as far as hustle goes in the opener and was able to make things happen offensively in the last two games.

Albany Lady Falcons came to play as well with a couple faces that you don't normally see with the Falcons jersey on. They pulled away to beat the hybrid EST-AOBA squad in the morning, had a solid battle from start to finish against Berkshire Blazers, and then lost late to New York Havoc. They were led throughout by two of the most highly touted junior prospects in the Capital District, Shaker's CeCe Mayo and Mohonasen's Saeeda Abdul-Aziz. Mayo, already committed to West Point, has undeniable talent. At 5'11", she's comfortable playing any position on the floor offensively. She can handle it and run the show from the top, attack the basket from the perimeter, hit the 3, set herself up or set others up. She did a little bit of everything throughout the day offensively. She does a good job anticipating the play on D and used that well, getting in the passing lane time and time again. Abdul-Aziz really got it going in the last game. Another 5'11" wing who is in range as soon as she walks in the building, she showed every bit of that in leading the Falcons back to a 1 possession deficit late. When defenders respect it, it becomes that much easier for her to get to the rim. A couple shots that she hit during the day were ones that made you realize why she has multiple Division I offers - it's not every day you find a girl close to 6' that can not only knock down a stepback 24 footer with a hand in the face in a pressure situation, but makes it look smooth too. Albany sophomore point guard Bridget Whelan had her shining moments as well, especially in the early game, where her combination of perimeter shooting ability and pure toughness came to the front. She made play after play on both ends during the morning.

Berkshire Blazers certainly had a few worth mentioning in the 3 usual suspects from that area. Backcourt mates and fellow Pittsfield area juniors Peyton Steinman (Pittsfield 2017) and Grace Guachione (Miss Hall's 2017) were steady as always and made things happen, both offensively (Guachione primarily with the jumper, Steinman primarily off the bounce) and defensively. 6'4" Mount Greylock junior Jenna Benzinger was a force in the blocks, and continues to impress this fall - she's in better shape each time I'm able to evaluate her, which has been a huge lift for her on-court production.

Another quality Capital District event in the books - would like to thank Terrance Florence for the opportunity to be able to lend a hand! Without question, one of the biggest supporters of the Empire State Takeover initiative - give support, get support!

Empire State Takeover Girls Exposure Event Recap

On October 4, a small but talented group of 5 seniors, 6 juniors, 8 sophomores, and 2 freshmen took the court at Union College, showing what they could bring a college program in front of coaches from St. Thomas Aquinas, Hartwick, SUNY Cobleskill, Elmira, Keene St., St. John Fisher, SUNY Brockport, Clarkson, SUNY Morrisville, and Utica in a series of games and drills. Here is what they - and I - saw.

Allrich letting the 3 fly with Natalie DiSalvo defending

Olivia Allrich (Ballston Spa '16, 5'10" G/F) - Arguably had the best showing of the day. A seriously underrecruited Capital District prospect who has done her work in the shadow of the more highly touted players of the class, her skill set was on full display at Skidmore and it brought her to the forefront. Strong build which allows her to post up smaller, weaker matchups and the post footwork to really take advantage of it, but also has very deceptive quickness and handle to take any matchup on from the wing, especially a larger defender. Knockdown shooter with range well beyond the line, and has a very high basketball IQ. Smart enough to anticipate the play and does all the non-box score things. Borderline scholarship talent with all Division 3s looking at her now. Will make whatever school she lands at very happy.

Chudy sweeping across the lane between Sam Dayter (left) and Brianna Legacy

Maddie Chudy (Saratoga Springs '16, 5'11" F) - Long, agile post that runs the floor extremely well. Scored a bunch by filling the lane in the open court and beating her defender down the court. Keeps the ball high in the blocks and uses her agility in post moves too - that and her length allows the sweeping baby hook with either hand to be a go-to move. Best as a help-side defender, where she can protect the rim. The length, along with good timing, makes her a good weak side shot blocker. Like many that attended, academics are very high as well.

DiSalvo finishing off the stepback against Mykal Walters

Natalie DiSalvo (Canton '16, 5'9" G) - One of the best pure scorers in the building, and she did so in a variety of ways at Skidmore. Skilled and physically strong wing with a high motor, she excels in the open court and in a half-court setting. Great perimeter and mid-range jump shooter, both off the catch and off the dribble. Loves using the stepback going to her left. Strong enough to body up smaller matchups in the post. Tough competitor that shows the desire to win at anything in any season. Another borderline scholarship talent who is a hot name among Division III programs - she'll give job security to a coaching staff for a handful of years.

Elliott knocking down the mid-range jumper

Nakaela Elliott (Saratoga Springs '16, 5'9" F) - Good 4 with a deceptive skill set. Slightly undersized compared to other posts, but can score against more size in multiple ways. Can step back and hit the 15-17 foot jumper, and has a couple go-to moves in the post. Slippery in the blocks and is good at feeling where the defender is, even using a modified Dream Shake from time to time. A gamer that steps up her level of play against the top competition.

Nicholas getting a hand on the shot attempt from Grace Heeps

Maya Nicholas (Cobleskill-Richmondville '16, 5'10" F) - Lanky tweener with an expanding game. Most effective as a 4 right now, but with work could become a lanky college 3. Best suited offensively getting in the open court and using athleticism. She can work in the post offensively or get by slower matchups off the dribble from the perimeter. Maya's an asset defensively with ability to guard multiple positions. Good rebounder at both ends, can block shots, and can be a pest defensively against wings with her length.

Class D 2nd team all-stater Laing pulling up for the three in a late scrimmage

Brianna Laing (South Kortright '17, 5'3" G) - The most serious basketball player on a small-school program synonymous with success, and her game is expanding as such. Undersized, but doesn't let it stop her. Fearless attacking the basket, can knock down the jumper with range beyond the 3 point line, and uses the floater & pull-up jumper to her benefit. Good floor general - calms everything down and can run the show on offense. A ballhawk on defense that gets after it. Definitely could see her being a 1st team all-stater in Class D in the future.

Lyndsey McCoy (Middleburgh '17, 5'4" G) - Quickly improving guard who looks ready to tear up her small-school conference this year. Her game has flourished since beginning to play against strong competition. High basketball IQ, makes the right play and rarely turns it over. Does a lot of the little things that get overlooked. Lefty, and seems to always be able to get to her left. Good mid-range shooter and loves the 8-12 foot floater, an asset for someone undersized like her. Shoots free throws at a very high clip and has a noticeably good attitude.

Tougas attacking the rim on the break with Julianna Taylor defending

Lucy Tougas (Glens Falls '17, 5'10" G) - The best pure point guard college prospect in the building. Happier with an 8 point, 12 assist stat line than anything, and it really shows when she's playing around people who can score. Great size & strength for the position. Court vision is perhaps her biggest strength, sees everything going on and can thread the needle with a no-look pass on the move just as easily as making the simple pass. Makes teammates better - they know they're getting it if they run the floor or cut. Needs work on perimeter J, but has handle & can get to the rim easily, and mid-range J is improving steadily. Deadly in the pick & roll game. Ivy-level academics.

Caivana in recovery mode on D against Holly Manchester

Danielle Caivana (Frankfort-Schuyler '17, 5'2" G) - Small, but electric guard who can fill it up when she gets it going. Slick handle that was on full display and has deep range - much deeper than people would expect looking at her frame. 25 feet is in range, and she's a danger to hit 5 or 6 threes if she starts feeling it. Uses the pull-up J well and has an improving runner. Plays best when she's allowed to be in attack mode.

Battle of the matching shoes - Legacy off the dribble with Cameron Tooley defending

Brianna Legacy (Mount Anthony Union (VT) '17, 5'7" G) - One of the best shooters in the gym, and she was firing on all cylinders. Knocked down 10 threes in 3 games, shooting them at a high percentage, and used it to open up other parts of her game. Defenders having to respect the jumper made it much easier for her to get to the rim. Looks like she's been in the weight room - improving physical strength helped her finish better through contact. Was tough on D as well, does a good job anticipating the play and getting a hand in the passing lane. Strong showing overall for one of VT's shining juniors.

Taylor looking ahead while running the point for her squad

Julianna Taylor (Fonda-Fultonville '17, 5'5" G) - Hard-nosed guard who is a menace on defense. Offensive game is improving, especially the perimeter jumper which has turned into a strength of hers, and she's a viable scoring option on any team. That being said, what she brings defensively is still her strong suit. Quick on her feet and fearless, she can be a pest to the opposition's best perimeter player, and her long arms make it easier for her to disrupt the ballhandler or get a hand up on a shot. Has improved quite a bit over the last few months. 

Manchester off the bounce with Cameron Tooley defending

Holly Manchester (Susquehanna Valley '18, 5'0" G) - Really strong showing from the smallest girl on the court. Fearless (and effective) getting to the rim and going up against girls a foot taller. Good floater. Ambidextrous - does pretty much everything close to equally well with the left and right hand. Can knock down the 3 if given a little space. Great court vision and can slip passes into tight areas with ease. Uses her brain on defense more than anyone else there - notices her opponent's tendencies and sits on it. Her opponent was never able to go to their go-to move after the first few minutes.

Katelyn Flanagan (Canton '18, 5'5" G) - Scrappy, physical guard that became more effective throughout the afternoon as she got more comfortable. First time breaking into Capital District hoops and out of the North Country. Made her presence felt at various times and plays with heart. Probably just scratching the surface of her potential.

Dayter taking it to the rack against a defending Grace Heeps

Sam Dayter (Cohoes '18, 5'9" G) - All about upside. As a lanky, fast 5'9" combo guard, the physical tools are unmistakable. Another one who is really just scratching the surface. Tough to stay in front of with quickness and a very long first step. Can pull up and hit the mid-range J and knock down the three if given some space, but does best getting all the way to the rim. Crafty finisher, had a nice reverse around a couple defenders in the last scrimmage. Good defender in both man-to-man and zone with the physical tools. Potential for days.

Johnson defending a Brianna Legacy shot attempt with Mykal Walters helping from behind

Cheyenne Johnson (Wantagh '18, 5'5" G) - Made her mark primarily on the defensive end. The Long Islander came in with defensive toughness like she was from NYC. Not afraid to be physical and was stronger than her size let on, and was a pest by using quick hands to poke the ball away time and time again. Looked to set others up more than herself on the offensive end - almost always made the extra pass.

Colorful Cam gathering for a breakaway layup

Cameron Tooley (Shenendehowa '18, 5'6" G) - Really strong, really effective, really fun to watch lefty combo guard. Can fill either spot in the backcourt and appears to be equally comfortable with both. Tough as nails, absorbs more contact than any smaller guard here and thrives off it. Doesn't need to always go left, but always finds a way to get there. Great floater and finishes well at the rim. Lives at the free throw line and makes them count. Knockdown mid-range shooter and the three is improving. Can also set others up and knows when it's time for others & when it's time for her. Arguably the best perimeter defender at Skidmore, high basketball IQ and the quickness to smother the ballhandler. Good attitude and a very hard worker.

Walters extending on the break to beat a charging Grace Heeps to the rim

Mykal Walters (Hudson '18, 5'6" G) - Showed flashes of what to expect in the future as the afternoon went on. Did very well in the last scrimmage. Knocked down a few jumpers, got out in the open court and got some easy ones that way as well. Just recently got serious about basketball, but has made big strides forward recently. Big upside over the next couple years.

Carter on the pull-up jumper with Julianna Taylor defending

Emma Carter (Mount Abraham Union (VT) '18, 5'9" G) - Really strong showing from one of Vermont's most underrated young prospects. Wing with good size and a high release, she can stroke it from deep and a hand in the face doesn't bother her. Good stepback and can find ways to get herself open looks. Unlike many from smaller areas, she plays up to stronger levels of competition and had her shining moments throughout the day. Strength is her pure scoring ability now, but has shown improvement in every aspect of her game since spring & summer. One of the shining performances of the day.

Maya Alvarez (Hudson '18, 5'9" F) - Active & athletic tweener that had her moments in limited action. Really thin & lanky, active on both ends, and keeps a lot of balls alive on the boards at each end. Best suited in an uptempo style where she can use her strengths.

Heeps running the show on the break during an early scrimmage

Grace Heeps (Columbia '19, 5'10" G) - Serious Division I prospect already. Combo guard with legitimate range out to 23-25 feet. Capable ballhandler, especially to free herself up for a jumper, and getting quicker and more comfortable putting it on the deck to get to the rim. Also getting quicker laterally now, which is beneficial on the defensive end. Her game is best suited as a 2 guard, but can also fill the PG spot and has great court vision and the ability to snap advance passes 50-60 feet ahead on a rope. With her youth, she may even have some growing left to do. Potential high major - sky is the limit for one of the region's top freshmen.

Sophie Tougas (Glens Falls '19, 6'0" G/F) - Yet another major Division I prospect from the Class of 2019. Can either play the 2, 3, or 4 depending on lineups and will be able to run the point before all is said and done, and she can defend every position on the floor with her rare combo of height, length, and quickness. Capable shooter, especially mid-range but can also knock down the 3. Good handle, can control the play against pressure and break her defender down off the dribble. More confidence will turn her into scary good, potential high major prospect. Foot issue unfortunately kept her out for most of the day.