Thursday, July 23, 2015

Boys League Scores: Week 5, 7/22

Team 518 69, Bellevue 27

518 jumped out to a big lead early and didn't take their foot off the pedal, and the playground style Bellevue played didn't help things against the league's top team. Undefeated Team 518 got layup after layup on the break en route to a massive 47-9 halftime lead. Saratoga Springs junior Adam Anderson had 14 of his game high 16 points in the 1st half, and Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk junior Chad Zeoli had 10 of his 12 before halftime, including all 3 of their team's 3 pointers. Saratoga Springs senior Alex Skaine added 13 points and 10 rebounds, and Schalmont senior Zac O'Dell also had a double-double with 10 points and 11 boards. Ichabod Crane junior Joe Werner added to the dominance on the boards, finishing with 8 and 9. Canajoharie/Spire Institute postgrad Josh Gonzalez had a team high 11 for Bellevue.

Team 518 (9-0): Adam Anderson 6-4-16, Tyler Lamport 2-4, Jesse O'Dell 3-6, Chad Zeoli 4-1-12, Joe Werner 4-8, Zac O'Dell 4-2-10, Alex Skaine 6-1-13. Totals: 29-8-69.

Bellevue (5-4): Darius Wicks 1-3, Jimmy Luther 0-1-1, Damon Burgess 4-9, Josh Gonzalez 4-3-11, Damonte White 1-3. Totals: 10-4-27.

3-Point Field Goals: Team 518 3 (Zeoli 3), Bellevue 3 (Wicks, Burgess, White).

Free Throws: Team 518 8/13 (Anderson 4/5, Z. O'Dell 2/4, Zeoli 1/2, Skaine 1/2), Bellevue 4/8 (Gonzalez 3/4, Luther 1/2, White 0/2).


Rising Stars 95, Marcella Appliances 72

Playing with only 5, Rising Stars were able to get it going in a hurry, and they didn't turn it down in the 2nd half. When Marcella Appliances tapered off in the 2nd half, Stars not only kept the high-scoring pace going, they picked it up some. Glens Falls freshman Joe Girard III dropped 39 points, an EST-high (at least for a couple hours). He had 23 of his 39 in the 2nd half, and his 8 threes are a new EST record. Troy senior Darius Holmes-Hines added a season high 22 points, and Argyle junior Kobe Lufkin added 18 points in the win. Marcella Appliances got a team and season-high 23 points from Stillwater senior Mitchel Wayand in the loss, and Shaker senior Ben Diamond had a season high 14, each with 4 threes. Both teams knocked down 11 treys in the game.

Rising Stars (6-3): Kobe Lufkin 6-4-18, Darius Holmes-Hines 9-4-22, Matt Higgins 3-7, Joe Girard III 14-3-39, Anthony DeBonis 4-1-9. Totals: 36-12-95.

Marcella Appliances (4-5): Kory Bergh 3-6, Jamie Gonzalez 2-4, Caleb Lapinel 2-5, Devin Boyle 3-2-10, Mitchel Wayand 8-3-23, Ben Diamond 5-14, Ian Schultz 4-2-10. Totals: 27-7-72.

3-Point Field Goals: Rising Stars 11 (Girard III 8, Lufkin 2, Higgins), Marcella Appliances 11 (Wayand 4, Diamond 4, Boyle 2, Lapinel).

Free Throws: Rising Stars 12/14 (Lufkin 4/4, Holmes-Hines 4/4, Girard III 3/3, DeBonis 1/3), Marcella Appliances 7/11 (Wayand 3/3, Boyle 2/2, Schultz 2/4, Lapinel 0/2).


Marcella Appliances 81, Upstate Select 61

After a 20+ point loss, Marcella Appliances turned around and beat Upstate Select for the 2nd time this year behind balance and a big spurt late in the 1st half. Holding a 2 point lead late in the half, they were able to hit a couple threes, get multiple stops in a row and pick up 3 fast break baskets in the last minute & a half before halftime, extending the lead to 46-31. The game didn't get any closer than 13 the rest of the way. Johnstown senior Devin Boyle finished with a team high 19 points, including 3 of their 8 threes. CBA senior Ian Schultz added 17 points in the victory. Oneonta standout senior Albert Odero made his season debut and finished with a game high 27 points in the loss, and Herkimer junior Andrew Mason added 10.

Marcella Appliances (5-5): Kory Bergh 2-4-9, Jamie Gonzalez 6-13, Caleb Lapinel 2-1-5, Devin Boyle 8-19, Mitchel Wayand 4-8, Ben Diamond 4-10, Ian Schultz 8-17. Totals: 34-5-81.

Upstate Select (1-8): Patrick Garey 3-8, Louden Porter 4-8, Derek Newman 3-6, Tyler Bertram 1-2, Albert Odero 11-2-27, Andrew Mason 4-2-10. Totals: 26-4-61.

3-Point Field Goals: Marcella Appliances 8 (Boyle 3, Diamond 2, Bergh, Gonzalez, Schultz), Upstate Select 5 (Odero 3, Garey 2).

Free Throws: Marcella Appliances 5/9 (Bergh 4/4, Lapinel 1/4, Wayand 0/1), Upstate Select 4/7 (Mason 2/3, Odero 2/4).


Man Up 79, Bellevue 44

With some new blood on the court and an uptempo style, Man Up was able to break it open early against a depleted and defeated Bellevue squad just coming off of getting throttled by Team 518. Led by local product Mike Wine and some downstate flavor, they were able to build a 41-18 halftime lead and coast from there. Wine had 14 in the first half and 25 on the game, a game high. Logan O'Donnell, a 6'10" rising junior at John Jay making his season debut, had 10 in the first half and finished with 16. Rhinebeck junior Rob Veith also added 16 with 8 coming in the first half, and Our Lady of Lourdes junior Kevin Townes Jr. had 7 of his 9 early as well. Bellevue was again paced by Canajoharie/Spire Institute postgrad Josh Gonzalez, who had 10.

Man Up (2-7): Cole Ackerman 3-7, Kevin Townes Jr. 4-1-9, Justin Houck 3-6, Mike Wine 11-25, Logan O'Donnell 7-2-16, Rob Veith 7-16. Totals: 35-3-79.

Bellevue (5-5): Darius Wicks 2-2-6, Matt Bird 1-2-4, Jimmy Luther 1-3, Damon Burgess 2-5, Josh Gonzalez 5-10, Keenan Loder 4-1-9, Damonte White 3-7. Totals: 18-5-44.

3-Point Field Goals: Man Up 6 (Wine 3, Veith 2, Ackerman), Bellevue 3 (Luther, Burgess, White).

Free Throws: Man Up 3/10 (O'Donnell 2/4, Townes Jr. 1/2, Wine 0/2, Veith 0/2), Bellevue 5/9 (Wicks 2/2, Bird 2/2, Loder 1/4, White 0/1).


Team 518 80, Rising Stars 62

Team 518 was able to keep balanced and continue on with their 10th straight win against a game Rising Stars squad in the 8:00 game Wednesday. They played a quicker pace than normal throughout the evening en route to their highest scoring night (149 points in 2 games) of the year. They jumped out to a 12 point halftime lead, thanks in large part to South Kortright junior Tyler Lamport who had 12 of his game high 22 in the first half. Saratoga Springs senior Alex Skaine added 14 points, and showed a heightened comfort level playing at the wing this week in comparison to previous weeks. They pulled away and got the victory despite giving up 10 threes to Rising Stars' starting backcourt - Glens Falls freshman Joe Girard III continued his stellar night with 6 threes and 21 points, and Argyle junior Kobe Lufkin netted 18 with 4 treys.


Team 518 (10-0): Colby Fancher 2-4, Adam Anderson 5-2-12, Tyler Lamport 9-3-22, Jesse O'Dell 2-4, Chad Zeoli 4-8, Joe Werner 3-6, Zac O'Dell 4-2-10, Alex Skaine 7-14. Totals: 36-7-80.

Rising Stars (6-4): Kobe Lufkin 6-2-18, Darius Holmes-Hines 2-2-7, Matt Higgins 2-4, Joe Girard III 7-1-21, Anthony DeBonis 5-2-12. Totals: 22-7-62.

3-Point Field Goals: Team 518 1 (Lamport), Rising Stars 11 (Girard III 6, Lufkin 4, Holmes-Hines).

Free Throws: Team 518 7/11 (Lamport 3/3, Anderson 2/4, Z. O'Dell 2/4), Rising Stars 7/9 (Holmes-Hines 2/2, DeBonis 2/2, Lufkin 2/3, Girard III 1/2).


Upstate Select 81, Man Up 75 (OT)

A performance for the ages by Oneonta senior Albert Odero propelled Upstate Select to their 2nd close W over Man Up this season. Each time these teams have played, Man Up has attempted a 3 in the final seconds to tie it. In the first game, Zach Radz' deep trey rimmed out. In this one, Guilderland junior Mike Wine buried a double-pump 3 with Odero draped on him with 3 seconds remaining to tie it and send it to overtime. Man Up would never get the lead in overtime, as Canton junior Louden Porter scored his only 2 points of the game on a layup off the jump ball and Odero scored on 3 consecutive possessions directly after.


Odero hit jumpers, got to the basket and finished at (and sometimes way above) the rim, and got numerous baskets posting up smaller guards. He set the tone with a couple thunderous dunks early and got to the rim at will to start the game. As the game went on and the defense's focus shifted to him, he continued to score - even with a much higher degree of difficulty. He finished with 48 points, a new EST record. 18 came in the first half, including Upstate Select's first 14 points of the night. He topped that with 24 of his team's 38 in the 2nd half and the 6 consecutive in OT.

Odero's counterpart, the aforementioned Mike Wine, had a phenomenal outing as well. The game continued to go back and forth through the closing moments with those two trading blows on tough shots. In the loss, Wine finished with a new season-high 32 points. 21 came in the second half, all going toward the rim before the game-tying 3.

For Select, Herkimer junior Derek Newman added 11 points, 8 coming in the 2nd half to provide a reliable release for Odero. Johnson City junior Patrick Garey had a hot streak in the later stages of the first half and finished with 10. For Man Up, Rhinebeck junior Rob Veith hit 3 threes and finished with 11, and Our Lady of Lourdes junior Kevin Townes Jr. added 10 points.

Upstate Select (2-8): Patrick Garey 4-10, Louden Porter 1-2, Derek Newman 2-7-11, Tyler Bertram 1-2-4, Albert Odero 21-4-48, Andrew Mason 3-6. Totals: 32-13-81.

Man Up (2-8): Cole Ackerman 2-2-7, Kevin Townes Jr. 3-4-10, Justin Houck 3-1-7, Mike Wine 11-9-32, Logan O'Donnell 4-8, Rob Veith 4-11. Totals: 27-16-75.

3-Point Field Goals: Upstate Select 4 (Garey 2, Odero 2), Man Up 5 (Veith 3, Ackerman, Wine).

Free Throws: Upstate Select 13/22 (Newman 7/8, Bertram 2/2, Odero 4/10, Mason 0/2), Man Up 16/18 (Wine 9/11, Townes Jr. 4/4, Ackerman 2/2, Houck 1/1).

Wednesday, July 22, 2015

Week 5 Boys Matchups

6:00 - Bellevue (5-3) vs. Team 518 (8-0)

A largely new Bellevue team, with many of its players at Live in AC with City Rocks, takes on undefeated and dominant Team 518. They will be missing standout Andrew Sischo (19 PPG), and standout PG Kaden Baugh is still out with injury, but Bellevue will still have their hands more than full. Look for Zac O'Dell (Schalmont) and Tyler Lamport (South Kortright) to step forward for Team 518, and Bellevue will need big performances in the blocks from Josh Gonzalez (Canajoharie/Spire Institute) and Damonte White (Mekeel Christian Academy). With those two wide 6'6" bodies and 6'6" wing Keenan Loder (Cobleskill-Richmondville) still around tonight, they're the only team that can match Team 518's size.

Rising Stars (5-3) vs. Marcella Appliances (4-4)

Rising Stars is in unfamiliar territory - low numbers. The team that normally has EVERYONE show up will have 6 tonight. It'll still be a dynamic six though - backcourt mates Joe Girard III (Glens Falls) and Kobe Lufkin (Argyle) had their best nights of the season last week, and they'll look to build off that. Marcella, a team that went through a spell of dangerously low numbers, may have 10... weird, right? New addition Devin Boyle (Johnstown) has jumped on the opportunity, now 5th in the league in scoring (14.3 PPG) and tied for 2nd in threes made (11) in just 2 weeks of action. Stillwater's Mitchel Wayand has now crept into the top 10 in scoring at 11.7 PPG after a knockout game last week. They'll be aided by the return of 6'5" CBA stretch 4 Ian Schultz as well, who's missed the last two weeks. They're the top 2 teams in the league in made 3s (well, Marcella is tied for 2nd), so this could be a shootout at the OK Corral.

7:00 - Upstate Select (1-7) vs. Marcella Appliances (4-4)

The two teams tied for 2nd in threes made will duke it out. Last time they played, Marcella gutted out a win in their 2nd game of the night with just 5 guys. The aforementioned Ian Schultz and Amsterdam PG Kory Bergh were instrumental in that victory, as both caused matchup issues. Select will need to guard the line... or just play better defense in general. Giving up 74 PPG, they're by far the worst defensive team in the league. Upstate Select will be aided in a big way by the return of Johnson City's Patrick Garey - his shooting and defensive ability were missing desperately from this crew the last two weeks. Also, they may also be gifted with the debut of explosive Oneonta senior Albert Odero, who's now been offered by three Division I schools after a stellar July. If he comes, that instantly makes Upstate Select an entirely different team with shooters Garey & Tyler Bertram (Cooperstown) and effective big man Gavin Giroux (Sherburne-Earlville) on the floor.

Bellevue (5-3) vs. Man Up (1-7)

Man Up has been killed by having low numbers and a lack of size this year. They may have 8, which is a plus for them, and a new entry in this week is the tallest player to put on a jersey this summer in 6'10" John Jay junior Logan O'Donnell. He's a raw 6'10" with a lot of work to do, but his height and very quickly improving skill level may make an instant difference. Man Up actually has 3 of the league's 4 leading scorers on their roster - imagine if they were all here? Only one will, Guilderland's Mike Wine, but he has 20+ ability every time out. They're looking like they'll hit a good point and be a tough out come playoff time. This will be a test for them though, as they're still small outside of O'Donnell, and Bellevue's got that previously mentioned strength in Gonzalez & White. This may be a battle of who gets the game to their pace.

8:00 - Upstate Select (1-7) vs. Man Up (1-7)

Upstate Select's only win so far - a 76-73 triumph in Week 2 over Man Up. With Garey, Bertram, Derek Newman (Herkimer), Louden Porter (Canton), and maybe Odero against Wine, Kevin Townes Jr. (Our Lady of Lourdes), Justin Houck (Berne-Knox-Westerlo), Rob Veith (Rhinebeck), and Cole Ackerman (Greenville), this may turn into a track meet just like the first one. Whoever plays defense for a few minutes is getting this win!

Rising Stars (5-3) vs. Team 518 (8-0)

Oh God, last time these teams played... they were both 2-0 heading into Week 2, with one impressive W and one blowout W. Looked like it would be a good game, until it happened and Team 518 was up 25 at halftime. Size vs. speed again on this night. Size won by a long shot last time, but with Girard and Lufkin finding their groove last week and always consistent Matt Higgins (South Glens Falls) at the wing, it's tough to count Rising Stars out of anything. They will need to find a way to contain 518 on the boards, though. Even without Sischo, 518's bigs are an absolute load. That's led by Zac O'Dell (Schalmont), Joe Werner (Ichabod Crane), and Alex Skaine (Saratoga - normally a big but playing a wing with this group, they're that big). They'll look to wear the Stars down and end it early.

Friday, July 17, 2015

Girls League Scores: Week 4, 7/16

Havoc 46, Lady Knicks 37

Havoc used a stifling defensive effort in the 1st half to forge a double-digit lead, and they slowed the game down the rest of the way to grind out their first win since opening night. They got to the line early and often, forcing Lady Knicks to commit 20 fouls during the game. Shenendehowa sophomore Cameron Tooley led the way with 10 points in the victory for Havoc, and Shaker sophomore Shyla Sanford and Guilderland junior Olivia Baumann added 8 each. Whitesboro junior Jordan Lee paced the Lady Knicks in defeat, scoring a game high 12 points.


Havoc (3-4): Shyla Sanford 3-1-8, Cameron Tooley 4-10, Grace Heeps 0-5-5, Madison Graber 0-2-2, Jordan Hipwell 2-1-5, Olivia Baumann 2-3-8, Nina Fedullo 2-2-6, Alaina Holmes 1-2. Totals: 14-14-46.

Lady Knicks (2-5): Taylor Torchia 3-7, Jordan Lee 4-3-12, Kate Sehring 4-8, Katy McInerney 0-2-2, Cassidy Albright 2-4-8. Totals: 13-9-37.

3-Point Field Goals: Havoc 4 (Tooley 2, Sanford, Baumann), Lady Knicks 2 (Torchia, Lee).

Free Throws: Havoc 14/23 (Heeps 5/6, Baumann 3/4, Graber 2/2, Fedullo 2/3, Sanford 1/3, Hipwell 1/3, Sager 0/2), Lady Knicks 9/11 (Albright 4/4, Lee 3/5, McInerney 2/2).


Outwork 71, Show Stoppers 55

The first time these two teams played, Show Stoppers knocked down 11 threes en route to a season opening win. On this night, Show Stoppers knocked down 11 threes and couldn't stop a well-oiled Outwork machine in the last 25 minutes. They started off the game on a tear, but couldn't keep it up the whole way as Outwork withstood the 3 point barrage and pulled away in the 2nd half to win their 6th straight game. Three players finished in double digits for Outwork, and all 3 of them had 10 points in the 2nd half. Kingston sophomore Chloe Chaffin had it going from start to finish and finished with a game high 22 points. Madison Little, a junior at Mount Anthony Union (VT), added 18 points in the W, and Mekeel sophomore Rebekkah Dean had all 10 of hers after halftime. All three totals were season highs. Mohonasen junior Saeeda Abdul-Aziz came back in her first game since opening night and led Show Stoppers with 21 points.

Outwork (6-1): Lyndsey McCoy 1-2-4, Chloe Chaffin 10-1-22, Rebekkah Dean 5-10, Kathryn Frasier 4-8, Madison Little 7-3-18, Megan Flynn 4-1-9. Totals: 31-7-71.

Show Stoppers (3-4): Danielle Caivana 6-1-16, Abby Fountain 3-7, Ava Fitzmaurice 2-5, Sam Dayter 1-3, Saeeda Abdul-Aziz 6-5-21, Lexi Tubbs 1-3. Totals: 19-6-55.

3-Point Field Goals: Outwork 2 (Chaffin, Little), Show Stoppers 11 (Abdul-Aziz 4, Caivana 3, Fountain, Fitzmaurice, Dayter, Tubbs).

Free Throws: Outwork 7/10 (Little 3/4, McCoy 2/2, Chaffin 1/2, Flynn 1/2), Show Stoppers 6/8 (Abdul-Aziz 5/6, Caivana 1/2).


Havoc 42, Outwork 38

Havoc came through with a massive defensive effort in the 1st half that Outwork wasn't able to overcome, handing them their first loss since the season opening game. 5 players scored between 4 & 6 points in the first half and Havoc held a 25-15 lead at the break. Outwork outscored their opponents in the 2nd half, but it wasn't enough to overcome the dry spell early. 8 players scored for Havoc and no one finished in double digits - Columbia rising freshman Grace Heeps paced the victors with 9 points, and Ballston Spa junior Jordan Hipwell added 8. Mount Anthony Union (VT) senior Kathryn Frasier knocked down 3 threes and led Outwork in the loss with 11 points.

Havoc (4-4): Shyla Sanford 1-2, Cameron Tooley 3-6, Jordan Hipwell 4-8, Madison Graber 2-2-6, Grace Heeps 4-9, Olivia Baumann 2-5, Nina Fedullo 2-4, Alaina Holmes 1-2. Totals: 19-2-42.

Outwork (6-2): Lyndsey McCoy 1-3-5, Chloe Chaffin 4-8, Rebekkah Dean 3-1-7, Kathryn Frasier 4-11, Madison Little 2-4, Megan Flynn 1-1-3. Totals: 15-5-38.

3-Point Field Goals: Havoc 2 (Heeps, Baumann), Outwork 3 (Frasier 3).

Free Throws: Havoc 2/4 (Graber 2/4), Outwork 5/8 (McCoy 3/4, Dean 1/2, Flynn 1/2).


All Day 74, Show Stoppers 53

Despite having 5 players in uniform for a 2nd straight week, the flood gates opened for All Day and they poured it on throughout, resulting in a new EST season-high 74 point performance. They jumped out to a 37-28 halftime lead, with Ballston Spa senior Liv Allrich (16) and Frankfort-Schuyler senior Danielle Migliore (13) combining for 29 points in the process. Migliore poured it on after halftime, getting in the open court and finishing numerous times around the rim, and eventually finished off with a game and season-high 33 points - a new Takeover record for either league. Allrich added 18 points, and Glens Falls junior Lucy Tougas was a main catalyst behind it all. She put on a passing clinic from start to finish, keeping everyone involved and throwing a few highlight-reel passes in for good measure. She finished with 10 points, 9 assists, 7 rebounds, and 3 blocks. For the second straight game, Mohonasen junior Saeeda Abdul-Aziz led the way for Show Stoppers, shooting 8/10 from the line and finishing with 19. Frankfort-Schuyler junior Danielle Caivana had her 2nd straight game in double digits with 12, and CCHS senior Abby Fountain added 11.


All Day (4-3): Danielle Migliore 13-3-33, Lucy Tougas 5-10, Sophie Tougas 3-2-8, Kate Hogan 2-5, Liv Allrich 7-4-18. Totals: 30-9-74.

Show Stoppers (3-5): Danielle Caivana 5-12, Abby Fountain 5-11, Julianna Taylor 2-2-8, Ava Fitzmaurice 1-3, Saeeda Abdul-Aziz 5-8-19. Totals: 18-10-53.

3-Point Field Goals: All Day 5 (Migliore 4, Hogan), Show Stoppers 7 (Caivana 2, Taylor 2, Fountain, Fitzmaurice, Abdul-Aziz).

Free Throws: All Day 9/16 (Allrich 4/4, Migliore 3/5, S. Tougas 2/7), Show Stoppers 10/12 (Abdul-Aziz 8/10, Taylor 2/2).


Lady Knicks 48, All Day 42

Familiarity breeds contempt, and that was the case in the 8:00 game. A physical game throughout turned chippy at times in the 2nd half, which was a continuing storyline as the game went on. After scoring the first 8 points after the break, Lady Knicks were able to extend the lead to 19 at 40-21. Despite a strong comeback effort and holding Lady Knicks to just 8 points the rest of the way, All Day wasn't able to recover. With a 45-42 lead and just under a minute to play, Stockbridge Valley junior Olivia Marshall made a baseline drive, made the layup and got fouled, and the 3 point play put it out of reach for good. Marshall finished with 9 points and 9 rebounds. The winners were led by Cohoes junior Nerea Brajac, who scored 9 quick points upon entering the game in the 1st half and finished with 15. They also got 10 from Whitesboro junior Jordan Lee. Ballston Spa senior Liv Allrich led All Day with 15 points, 10 coming in the 1st half, and 8 rebounds. Frankfort-Schuyler senior Danielle Migliore had 12 of her 14 after halftime.


Lady Knicks (3-5): Taylor Torchia 1-2, Jordan Lee 3-3-10, Kate Sehring 2-4, Olivia Marshall 3-3-9, Nerea Brajac 5-4-15, Katy McInerney 1-2, Cassidy Albright 2-2-6. Totals: 17-12-48.

All Day (4-4): Danielle Migliore 2-9-14, Lucy Tougas 4-1-9, Sophie Tougas 1-2-4, Liv Allrich 6-3-15. Totals: 13-15-42.

3-Point Field Goals: Lady Knicks 2 (Lee, Brajac), All Day 1 (Migliore).

Free Throws: Lady Knicks 12/14 (Brajac 4/4, Marshall 3/3, Lee 3/4, Albright 2/2, Torchia 0/1), All Day 15/20 (Migliore 9/13, Allrich 3/4, S. Tougas 2/2, L. Tougas 1/1).

Thursday, July 16, 2015

Boys League Scores: Week 4, 7/15

Marcella Appliances 67, Man Up 65 (OT)

Jamie Gonzalez hit a buzzer-beater in the first overtime session to provide Marcella Appliances with a W in Empire State Takeover's first ever overtime game. The Leominster (MA) point guard's bucket, his 13th and 14th points of the night, was the only one in OT. A noticeably small Marcella Appliances team used the three ball as the great equalizer, hitting 9 of them to their opponents' 3. They had 4 finish in double figures, led by Johnstown senior Devin Boyle's 15 points. The aforementioned Gonzalez added 14, Shaker senior Ben Diamond had 12, and Amsterdam senior Kory Bergh chipped in with 11. Man Up had large scoring contributions from three of its players, scoring a combined 56 of their 65. They were led by Guilderland junior Mike Wine's 23 points. Hoosick Falls senior Connor McCart added 19, and Rhinebeck junior Jack Spencer scored 14.


Marcella Appliances (4-3): Kory Bergh 4-2-11, Jamie Gonzalez 5-2-14, Caleb Lapinel 3-6, Devin Boyle 6-15, Mitchel Wayand 3-7, Ben Diamond 5-12, Evan Pescetti 1-2. Totals: 27-4-67.

Man Up (1-6): Cole Ackerman 1-1-3, Kevin Townes Jr. 1-2, Justin Houck 1-2, Connor McCart 6-6-19, Mike Wine 9-3-23, Rob Veith 1-2, Jack Spencer 6-2-14. Totals: 25-12-65.

3-Point Field Goals: Marcella Appliances 9 (Boyle 3, Gonzalez 2, Diamond 2, Bergh, Wayand), Man Up 3 (Wine 2, McCart).

Free Throws: Marcella Appliances 4/8 (Bergh 2/2, Gonzalez 2/2, Boyle 0/2, Wayand 0/2), Man Up 12/16 (McCart 6/6, Wine 3/4, Spencer 2/4, Ackerman 1/2).


Bellevue 77, Upstate Select 65

Keenan Loder took flight early and often for Bellevue to lead the team to a win that provided its share of highlights. The 6'6" Cobleskill-Richmondville senior finished with a game and season-high 26 points, around half of them coming above the rim. He split it up evenly with 13 coming in each half, and The Hill School (PA) senior Bryce Allen - also from Cobleskill - had 14 of his 16 points after halftime. The 27 in the 2nd half between the two of them helped give Bellevue a bit of separation in a closer tilt that felt more like a pickup game. Watervliet senior Ty'Jon Gilmore led Upstate Select, who had 4 finish in double digits, with 18 points. Canton junior Louden Porter added 11.

Bellevue (5-2): Bryce Allen 8-16, Danny Reidell 0-1-1, Tyler Champagne 2-4, Aram Alaxanian 4-9, Josh Gonzalez 5-3-13, Keenan Loder 12-1-26, Damonte White 3-2-8. Totals: 34-7-77.

Upstate Select (1-6): Dejae Johnson 2-1-6, Louden Porter 4-11, Derek Newman 5-10, Tyler Bertram 1-3, Ty'Jon Gilmore 8-18, Gavin Giroux 4-2-10, Andrew Mason 3-1-7. Totals: 27-4-65.

3-Point Field Goals: Bellevue 2 (Alexanian, Loder), Upstate Select 7 (Porter 3, Gilmore 2, Johnson, Bertram).

Free Throws: Bellevue 7/9 (Gonzalez 3/3, White 2/2, Reidell 1/2, Loder 1/2), Upstate Select 4/6 (Giroux 2/2, Johnson 1/2, Mason 1/2).


Team 518 71, Upstate Select 36

Team 518 jumped out to a 10 point cushion in the opening minutes and never looked back en route to another easy victory. Supreme size, athleticism, and teamwork kept Upstate Select on their heels and helped surge 518's lead to 21 at halftime. Schalmont senior Zac O'Dell scored 10 of his 12 in the first half, and he added 6 rebounds and 2 assists. 6'8" Guilderland senior Andrew Sischo poured in 17 of his game high 23 in the 2nd half, which included going 3/3 from beyond the arc. He added 9 boards and 2 blocks. Cooperstown sophomore Tyler Bertram got hot from deep and led Upstate Select in the loss with 16.

Team 518 (7-0): Adam Anderson 4-2-11, Kevin Murray 0-3-3, Ryan Blair 1-1-3, Jesse O'Dell 3-6, Chad Zeoli 3-3-9, Zac O'Dell 6-12, Alex Skaine 2-4, Andrew Sischo 10-23. Totals: 29-9-71.

Upstate Select (1-7): Dejae Johnson 2-1-5, Derek Newman 3-8, Tyler Bertram 5-2-16, Ty'Jon Gilmore 1-3, Gavin Giroux 1-2, Andrew Mason 1-2. Totals: 13-3-36.

3-Point Field Goals: Team 518 4 (Sischo 3, Anderson), Upstate Select 7 (Bertram 4, Newman 2, Gilmore).

Free Throws: Team 518 9/15 (Murray 3/4, Zeoli 3/5, Anderson 2/2, Blair 1/2, Werner 0/2), Upstate Select 3/8 (Bertram 2/4, Johnson 1/2, Mason 0/2).


Rising Stars 70, Man Up 58

Fresh legs prevailed late, as a Rising Stars squad playing their first game of the night turned a 1 point halftime lead into a double-digit victory in Man Up's 4th consecutive half. Glens Falls freshman Joe Girard III and South Glens Falls senior Matt Higgins led the 2nd half charge - Girard had 13 of his game-high 23 in the 2nd half, and Higgins provided plenty of aid with 11 of his 16 coming in the final 20 minutes of action. Argyle junior Kobe Lufkin, in his best overall night of the season to date, added 14 points. Man Up got double digit production from Hoosick Falls senior Connor McCart who dropped 22 in the loss, and Greenville sophomore Cole Ackerman added a season high 11.

Rising Stars (4-3): Kobe Lufkin 6-14, Jared D'Aloia 1-3, Matt Higgins 6-3-16, Joe Girard III 8-3-23, Chris Boucher 3-1-7, Adam Jaquish 2-4, Anthony DeBonis 1-1-3. Totals: 27-8-70.

Man Up (1-7): Cole Ackerman 4-2-11, Kevin Townes Jr. 3-6, Justin Houck 2-4, Connor McCart 8-5-22, Mike Wine 4-8, Rob Veith 1-2-4, Jack Spencer 1-1-3. Totals: 23-10-58.

3-Point Field Goals: Rising Stars 8 (Girard III 4, Lufkin 2, D'Aloia, Higgins), Man Up 2 (Ackerman, McCart).

Free Throws: Rising Stars 8/11 (Higgins 3/3, Girard III 3/3, DeBonis 1/2, Boucher 1/3), Man Up 10/12 (McCart 5/5, Ackerman 2/2, Veith 2/3, Spencer 1/2).


Team 518 65, Marcella Appliances 48

Undefeated Team 518 used a stellar 2nd half performance to turn a halftime deficit into a blowout victory late. Trailing 34-30 at halftime thanks to a barrage of buckets from Stillwater senior Mitchel Wayand and Leominster (MA) senior Jamie Gonzalez, they again wore down their opponents with size, strength, and constantly working hard. They outscored Marcella Appliances 35-14 in the 2nd half - which made 2 out of 4 halves tonight in which they outscored their opponent by that score. Guilderland senior Andrew Sischo provided his 2nd game of 20+ point production on the night, finishing with 21, which tied for the game high. Saratoga Springs junior Adam Anderson, who has exploded over the last couple weeks, added 13 in the victory, and Schalmont sophomore Jesse O'Dell showed older brother Zac isn't the only one in town, finishing with 10. The aforementioned Mitchel Wayand led Marcella Appliances with 21 points, 15 coming in the first half. Jamie Gonzalez had all 10 of his points before halftime.

Team 518 (8-0): Adam Anderson 5-3-13, Ryan Blair 1-2, Jesse O'Dell 5-10, Chad Zeoli 2-4, Joe Werner 3-6, Zac O'Dell 4-1-9, Andrew Sischo 10-1-21. Totals: 30-5-65.

Marcella Appliances (4-4): Jamie Gonzalez 4-10, Caleb Lapinel 0-1-1, Devin Boyle 3-8, Mitchel Wayand 7-4-21, Ben Diamond 1-2-4, Evan Pescetti 2-4. Totals: 17-7-48.

3-Point Field Goals: Team 518 0, Marcella Appliances 7 (Wayand 3, Gonzalez 2, Boyle 2).

Free Throws: Team 518 5/8 (Anderson 3/5, Sischo 1/1, Z. O'Dell 1/2), Marcella Appliances 7/11 (Wayand 4/5, Diamond 2/2, Lapinel 1/2, Pescetti 0/2).


Rising Stars 60, Bellevue 58

Rising Stars picked up its second win of the night in the wildest fashion. In another one that was close from start to finish, Bellevue had the ball with under 30 seconds left tied at 58. They held to get the last shot, or at least a good shot late. Bryce Allen got to the rim and kicked it to the corner for an open mid-range jumper with 6 seconds left. The ball hit the top of the backboard and bounced out toward the free throw line, where Troy senior Anthony DeBonis corralled it. With everyone on Bellevue sucked in and no one taking back responsibility, DeBonis was off to the races, and his 75 foot race to beat the clock culminated in a game-winning buzzer beater dunk. He had 7 points in the game, with that finish and a monster 2 handed tip dunk in traffic earlier in the 2nd half providing big-time highlights. Argyle junior Kobe Lufkin led the winners with 18 points, and Fort Edward senior Chris Boucher, his cousin, added 10. The Hill School (PA) senior Bryce Allen led all scorers with 19 points, and Mount Anthony Union (VT) senior Tyler Champagne added 11.

Rising Stars (5-3): Kobe Lufkin 6-4-18, Jared D'Aloia 2-6, Matt Higgins 3-6, Joe Girard III 4-9, Chris Boucher 3-3-10, Adam Jaquish 2-4, Anthony DeBonis 3-1-7. Totals: 23-8-60.

Bellevue (5-3): Bryce Allen 7-1-19, Danny Reidell 1-2, Tyler Champagne 5-1-11, Aram Alaxanian 3-6, Josh Gonzalez 3-6, Keenan Loder 4-1-9, Damonte White 2-1-5. Totals: 25-4-58.

3-Point Field Goals: Rising Stars 6 (Lufkin 2, D'Aloia 2, Girard III, Boucher), Bellevue 4 (Allen 4).

Free Throws: Rising Stars 8/14 (Lufkin 4/6, Boucher 3/4, DeBonis 1/2, D'Aloia 0/2), Bellevue 4/9 (Champagne 1/2, Loder 1/2, White 1/2, Allen 1/3).

Sunday, July 12, 2015

Team Underrated: Outwork Reigns Supreme

Basketball is a universal language.

Playing together for a long period of time has its advantages, of course. It's not always necessary, though. If you put a group of solid basketball players together that know how to play, want to get better, want to win, and don't care who gets the publicity, you're going to be successful. Even though Outwork has players from 3 different states and 4 different area codes on the team, their willingness to work together and desire to win has taken the league by storm.

After a season-opening loss to Show Stoppers - who hit 11 threes in the game - Outwork has went on a 5 game winning streak and boast the top record in the league by 2 games at 5-1. They've won games that went to the last second (literally), and they've blown teams out. They're averaging just about 55 points per game in those wins while holding teams to a touch under 40 per game. Before last week, no one was averaging double digits, but 6 were between 9.8 and 6.3 points per game. A couple strong games from Northampton (MA) junior Lauraine Joensen and Kingston sophomore Chloe Chaffin have pushed them to 10.8 and 10.7 points per game now, respectively. Still, they now have 7 girls averaging 6.3 points per game or more out of their 52 PPG overall average.

The team chemistry started to become evident in the 2nd game opening night - a 58-32 W over Lady Knicks. Despite having 3 players from southern Vermont, 1 from central Vermont, 1 from western Massachusetts, 3 from New York's Section II, 1 from Section I, and 2 from Section IX, they started to gel very quickly. The 11 players represent 9 different high schools - 3 of the 11 hail from Mount Anthony Union in Bennington, VT. They also represent 7 different AAU programs; 2 of the 11 did not play AAU basketball this year. It was a true mashup of players from different regions that didn't know each other. The universal language spoke. The ball didn't stick to one person. Everyone was willing to make the extra pass and give up the good shot for a great shot. That attitude has carried over from Thursday to Thursday into July.

Another big strength for Outwork is obvious. True to their namesake, they've been working harder than their opponents in nearly every game. Fast break points & 2nd chance points have been a huge source of offensive production for them. Joensen & Pine Plains junior Ashley Starzyk are two of the more mobile post players in the league, and they've made a living on rim runs in transition. Joensen had a few in the 1st half alone last week in a 65-53 W over All Day. They also have one of the hardest workers in the league in Hoosick Falls senior Megan Flynn, who despite not having the usual size advantage that she does in the Wasaren League, has been able to control the glass at times. Her production has increased each week along the way, which has been a huge lift for the team.

Their backcourt provides just as much punch and consistency, and that's led by three girls from the same high school. Mount Anthony Union (VT) rising juniors Madison Little and Brianna Legacy, along with rising senior Kathryn Frasier, each bring their own strengths to the table while adding to the trademark Outwork balance. Legacy is the team's most dangerous shooter, and she uses the known ability to knock down the three to open up many other aspects of her offensive game. Despite a smaller frame, her toughness is always on display as well. She provided a team-high 15 points - three 2s and three 3s - in their 64-61 nail-biter W over All Day. Little gives every team she's on a bit of everything. She does well creating for herself, creating for others, has good handles, can knock down the perimeter J, get to the basket, or use an ever-improving mid-range game. She has a college-ready body right now and physically speaking, the 5'8" combo guard is one of the strongest in the league. She's a strong and active rebounder, and she can defend multiple positions. Frasier made her season debut this past Thursday and showed she can fill more of a true point guard role - perhaps the only one Outwork was missing. With a team full of combo guards that can play the 1 or the 2, she showed a real comfort level off the bat setting up the offense, running the point, and keeping everyone involved. She's averaging 6.5 points per game, along with Legacy, fitting into the balance. Little is 3rd on the team, not far ahead averaging 8 points per game.

Everyone that's put on the Outwork jersey has played a valuable part to their success. Mekeel sophomore Rebekkah Dean is a gifted athlete that can play multiple positions. She went from point guard to post for her high school team, and she's found comfort playing a wing for this team. A close friend of hers, Middleburgh junior Lyndsey McCoy, had a quick 8 point flurry in the 1st half of their game against All Day last week, turning it from a close game to a comfortable lead. Her comfort level looks to have skyrocketed since opening night. Rebecca Townes, a rising sophomore from Our Lady of Lourdes in Poughkeepsie, and Emma Carter, a rising sophomore at Mount Abraham Union in Bristol, VT, are both knockdown shooters that stretch the defense. They both provide good size at the guard spot with Carter measuring in at 5'9" and Townes at 5'8". Carter is also a solid rebounder - Townes is very quick and active defensively.

Even if they run the table through August 8 and win the championship, it will be very tough to pick an MVP from Outwork. Whereas some teams have been controlled by 1, 2, or 3 players, this group gets different people to step up in different games. In 6 games, 4 different players have led them in scoring. No one has scored more than 16 points for Outwork in a game. You don't worry about someone scoring 30 against you. You worry about 8 of them scoring 9.

Even with their record, they haven't been given the respect of a normal league-leading team. People still have the 'they're 5-1?' comments when seeing them before the game. No recognizable faces, no big-time names. Just a lot of kids that love the game and are hungry to make their names recognizable - and with 4 players receiving scholarship-level interest right now and numerous strong Division III prospects, they have the talent to match. Teams have a tough time figuring that out so far... until they find themselves on the losing end.

Watch a full Outwork squad look to keep their winning streak alive at Union College on Thursday. With nearly full rosters across the board, this will be a week for basketball lovers, college coaches, and any others with interest to keep an eye on. As usual, games are at 6:00, 7:00, and 8:00 - Outwork plays Show Stoppers, the only team to have beaten them, at 6:00, and they follow up with Havoc - a team they beat 41-39 two weeks ago - at 7:00.

Saturday, July 11, 2015

Girls League Scores: Week 3, 7/9

All Day 54, Havoc 41

In a game that could be called a semi-forfeit - Havoc only had 4, but was given a 5th from All Day that was also making her season debut, and halves were shortened to 15 minutes - an All Day group mixing seniors and youngsters pulled away systematically to secure a win. They outscored Havoc 27-20 in the first half, then 27-21 in the second. Two seniors and a freshman hit double digits for the winners, led by Ballston Spa senior Liv Allrich, who had 14 points. Canton senior Natalie DiSalvo, a 2nd team all-state selection in Class B this winter, added 13, and Glens Falls standout freshman Sophie Tougas added 12 in the victory. Ballston Spa junior Jordan Hipwell had a game-high 20 points for Havoc in defeat, and Shaker senior Audrey Martino added 10. Nearly all of Havoc's usual team are in Chicago with coach Terrance Florence at the Nike Tournament of Champions, and half of All Day's team is at the same tournament.

All Day (3-2): Dolly Cairns 1-2, Emily Erickson 2-4, Sophie Tougas 5-1-12, Liv Allrich 5-4-14, Kerry Flaherty 2-1-5, Natalie DiSalvo 6-1-13, Emily Padalino 2-4. Totals: 23-7-54.

Havoc (2-3): Audrey Martino 3-2-10, Jordan Hipwell 5-9-20, Paige Brinkman 2-4, Kate Hogan 2-5, Alaina Holmes 1-2. Totals: 13-11-41.

3-Point Field Goals: All Day 1 (Tougas), Havoc 4 (Martino 2, Hipwell, Hogan).

Free Throws: All Day 7/9 (Allrich 4/4, Flaherty 1/1, DiSalvo 1/1, Tougas 1/3), Havoc 11/15 (Hipwell 9/11, Martino 3/4).


Show Stoppers 33, Havoc 24

In a game that was the same case as the last for Havoc, Show Stoppers were able to spread the wealth in a noticeably low scoring contest (thanks in large part to shortened halves). 5 of the 6 Show Stoppers in uniform had at least 5 points, led by CCHS senior Abby Fountain's 9 points. Ballston Spa junior Jordan Hipwell matched that total with 9 in defeat. Havoc will be looking to break a 4 game losing streak with their regular squad back next week.

Show Stoppers (3-2): Danielle Caivana 2-1-5, Abby Fountain 3-2-9, Julianna Taylor 3-7, Ava Fitzmaurice 3-6, Sam Dayter 3-6. Totals: 14-3-33.

Havoc (2-4): Audrey Martino 2-6, Jordan Hipwell 3-2-9, Paige Brinkman 1-2, Alaina Holmes 1-2, Kate Hogan 1-2-5. Totals: 8-4-24.

3-Point Field Goals: Show Stoppers 2 (Fountain, Taylor), Havoc 4 (Martino 2, Hipwell, Hogan).

Free Throws: Show Stoppers 3/6 (Fountain 2/2, Caivana 1/2, Tubbs 0/2), Havoc 4/4 (Hipwell 2/2, Hogan 2/2).


Outwork 46, Lady Knicks 29

Outwork picked up where they left off last week, making life miserable for opponents on the defensive end and balancing their way to a win. They jumped out to a 26-14 halftime lead and turned in their 2nd strong defensive effort against Lady Knicks - the Utica-based team mustered 32 against Outwork in their opening night meeting. Northampton (MA) junior standout Lauraine Joensen finished with a game high 11 points, Kingston sophomore Chloe Chaffin added 9, and Hoosick Falls senior Megan Flynn continued consistent post production with 8 points. Lady Knicks were paced by New Hartford junior Taylor Torchia, who hit 2 threes and had 8 points.

Outwork (4-1): Chloe Chaffin 3-3-9, Rebekkah Dean 2-5, Kat Frasier 3-7, Madison Little 3-6, Megan Flynn 3-2-8, Lauraine Joensen 5-1-11. Totals: 19-6-46.

Lady Knicks (1-4): Taylor Torchia 2-2-8, Jordan Lee 3-6, Kate Sehring 0-2-2, Shiane Irwin 2-5, Nerea Brajac 3-7, Morgan Wolanin 0-1-1. Totals: 10-5-29.

3-Point Field Goals: Outwork 2 (Dean, Frasier), Lady Knicks 4 (Torchia 2, Irwin, Brajac).

Free Throws: Outwork 6/10 (Chaffin 3/5, Flynn 2/3, Joensen 1/2), Lady Knicks 5/7 (Sehring 2/2, Torchia 2/3, Wolanin 1/2).


Outwork 65, All Day 53

Playing against an All Day squad that was depleted compared to their first meeting last week - even from their 1st game directly prior - Outwork used superior size, speed, and energy to get 2nd chance & fast break points early and often in a victory that was never in question. Outwork picked up 6 or more first half points from 4 different players en route to a 37-17 halftime lead. All Day was able to pull the final score closer with a flurry in the final 7 minutes. Kingston sophomore Chloe Chaffin led the 5-1 winners with 16 points, and Northampton (MA) junior forward Lauraine Joensen added 14 points in the win. They also picked up 9 from Hoosick Falls senior Megan Flynn, and 8 apiece from Middleburgh junior Lyndsey McCoy and Mount Anthony Union (VT) junior Madison Little. All Day picked up a game high 17 points from Glens Falls freshman Sophie Tougas in the loss - her best game of the season to date. Canton senior Natalie DiSalvo added 14.

Outwork (5-1): Lyndsey McCoy 4-8, Chloe Chaffin 8-16, Rebekkah Dean 2-4, Kat Frasier 3-6, Madison Little 4-8, Megan Flynn 3-3-9, Lauraine Joensen 7-14. Totals: 31-3-65.

All Day (3-3): Emily Erickson 1-3, Sophie Tougas 8-17, Liv Allrich 4-3-11, Natalie DiSalvo 6-2-14, Emily Padalino 3-8. Totals: 22-5-53.

3-Point Field Goals: Outwork 0, All Day 4 (Padalino 2, Erickson, Tougas).

Free Throws: Outwork 3/3 (Flynn 3/3), All Day 5/8 (Allrich 3/3, DiSalvo 2/4, Tougas 0/1).


Lady Knicks 53, Show Stoppers 47

Being the one team that had an hour break in between games Thursday, Lady Knicks took full advantage of the rest and outworked a spent Show Stoppers team in a 2nd half comeback. After forging a 30-21 lead at halftime, the fatigue for the predominantly-perimeter shooting Show Stoppers group with only 6 in uniform showed. Shots were falling short, and their opponents beat them up the court on numerous occasions for easy buckets in transition. Cohoes junior Nerea Brajac, the only Section II player on the team, had a team high 11 points - 7 coming after halftime. Whitesboro junior Jordan Lee added 9 points in a balanced attack. Three more added 8 points apiece - Stockbridge Valley junior Olivia Marshall, Poland junior Shiane Irwin who had all of hers after halftime, and Utica Notre Dame senior Kate Sehring who had 7 of hers in the 2nd. 3 players finished in double digits for Show Stoppers - Frankfort-Schuyler junior Danielle Caivana and Greenville sophomore Ava Fitzmaurice tied for a game-high 13 points, and Cohoes sophomore Sam Dayter added 12.

Lady Knicks (2-4): Taylor Torchia 1-4-6, Jordan Lee 3-3-9, Kate Sehring 2-4-8, Shiane Irwin 4-8, Olivia Marshall 3-2-8, Nerea Brajac 4-2-11, Morgan Wolanin 1-1-3. Totals: 18-16-53.

Show Stoppers (3-3): Danielle Caivana 3-5-13, Abby Fountain 0-2-2, Julianna Taylor 3-6, Ava Fitzmaurice 5-13, Sam Dayter 4-2-12, Lexi Tubbs 0-1-1. Totals: 15-10-47.

3-Point Field Goals: Lady Knicks 1 (Brajac), Show Stoppers 7 (Fitzmaurice 3, Caivana 2, Dayter 2).

Free Throws: Lady Knicks 16/23 (Torchia 4/4, Sehring 4/6, Lee 3/4, Marshall 2/2, Brajac 2/3, Wolanin 1/2, Irwin 0/2), Show Stoppers 10/14 (Caivana 5/7, Fountain 2/2, Dayter 2/3, Tubbs 1/2).


Thursday, July 9, 2015

Newcomers Make Instant Impact

UPDATE AUGUST 17, 2015 - The newcomers from Week 3 proved to be more than just one-week flings. The additions that proved to fill big holes on July 8 continued to fill those holes and flourished through playoffs on August 8, and it showed in the postseason all-league selections.

Man Up's Mike Wine, a junior at Guilderland, ended up finishing 2nd in the league in scoring at 19.57 PPG - and really, 1st in the league out of regular attendees. Although Man Up finished with a 3-11 record, those included 2 overtime losses, 2 other losses of less than 5 points, and a 49-39 L to Team 518 which proved to be 518's closest & toughest game of the season. Wine was an easy selection to Empire State Takeover's all-league 1st team.

Marcella Appliances' Devin Boyle, a senior at Johnstown, wasn't that far behind in the scoring column and had every bit of the impact for his team as Wine did for his. After his first night on July 8, he didn't miss a game through the rest of the summer and was one of the league's most consistent contributors. He was good for 6th in the league with 14.3 PPG, and his 143 total points was good for 4th. He knocked down 29 threes on the season, which was tops in the league. Devin's impact for a Marcella Appliances team that shifted heavily in its first few weeks was extremely evident, and his ability to score along with run the show and keep everyone involved garnered him a 2nd team selection.

His Marcella Appliances teammate, Jamie Gonzalez, also made his season debut on the 3rd week. He was an alternate before the season started that happened to make his first appearance for Marcella on July 8, but he also didn't miss a night after that one. Though he didn't stand out as much in the box score, he brought another legitimate backcourt scoring threat to the table that could also put the ball on the floor, use strength to get to the rim, and set others up. He was a consistent 8-12 point contributor, averaging 9.67 PPG with a season high of 15. The senior hailing from Leominster, MA earned an honorable mention spot.

Last but not least, Ty'Jon Gilmore was a huge addition for a reeling Upstate Select team. A 6'2" guard with legitimate Division I interest - most recently UIC - he brought a variety of things that Select desperately needed. He was a scorer that get his own shot, where they had a number of scorers that needed screens or to be set up to be most effective. One of the physically strongest guards in the league, he could get a step on defenders and use the strength to finish through contact. He also did a good job getting everyone else involved, and he became a vocal leader that was instantly respected by his teammates - a rarity in any summer league, especially one with top talent across the board. He averaged 10.67 PPG, but his contributions to Select went well beyond the scoreboard, and he earned a 2nd team all-league selection.


July 9, 2015 - The boys league has been one of constant tweaking and addition this summer. The same was true for this past Wednesday, the 3rd installment of the 7 week summer event. With such low numbers across the board due to various basketball events in other parts of the country, it opened up an opportunity for some new guys to come in and shake it up - and that's exactly what they did.

Marcella Appliances has been one of the teams with the most shifting early. Through three weeks, they've seen 14 different people put on a green jersey, the highest number of any team. Last week, it was Caleb Lapinel's turn to be a big surprise contributor in his debut. Last night, Devin Boyle filled that role. The 6'0" senior combo guard came out in attack mode against Rising Stars and turned some heads in his game high 22 point performance. He followed it up with 12 points in the following game - his 17 PPG puts him at 3rd in the league behind Zach Radz and Andrew Sischo. Not bad company.

For Man Up, Mike Wine made a difference upon stepping on the court. The rising junior was the starting point guard at Guilderland last year, and with standout Andrew Platek heading to prep school, him and the aforementioned Sischo will look to take the reigns themselves. He showed he's up for the task of anything tonight, scoring 18 points in a loss to undefeated Team 518. Wine had one of the best showings against the best defense in the league this summer - perhaps 2nd to just teammate Zach Radz, who had 24. Mike can make a serious difference to a Man Up team looking for stability.

Upstate Select needed a strong guard who can create for himself and others in a variety of ways, along with some more toughness and a leader. They got all three in one addition this week - Watervliet senior standout Ty'Jon Gilmore. He instantly changes the team in white, and he's dangerous in many different ways when fully invested. An opposing team coach had some very high praise for him last night in comparison to some of the more recognizable names in Section II. He had 14 & 9 points in two losses, but he also racked up rebounds, assists, steals, and became their on-court vocal leader. They may have a couple debut appearances in Week 4 from Oneonta standout wing Albert Odero and 6'10" Troy product Jack McLaren - despite a 1-5 record, that could make Select the team no one wants to play.

Even in the weeks with the lowest numbers - the dog days of summer - the quality of Empire State Takeover's inaugural run is continuing to improve. Rosters look to be a lot closer to full next week... and I can't wait to see the level of play when that happens, thanks in part to new blood injecting life in the league.

Wednesday, July 8, 2015

Boys League Scores: Week 3, 7/8

Marcella Appliances 58, Rising Stars 54

Working with 5 players for the 2nd straight week, Marcella Appliances was able to overcome a 9 point halftime deficit with strong team defense and some timely offensive production by a regular and a new addition. In desperate need of some scoring, they got it with Johnstown senior Devin Boyle. In his season debut, he finished with a game high 22 points - 14 coming in the 2nd half. Marcella Appliances was aided in a major way by Saratoga Catholic senior Evan Pescetti. A scrappy player known more for his toughness and what he brings besides scoring, he went on a mini-scoring outburst and had all 13 of his points in the 2nd half. Stillwater junior Zach Travis added 11 in his season debut. Argyle junior Kobe Lufkin and Moriah senior Adam Jaquish paced Rising Stars with 10.


Marcella Appliances (3-2): Jamie Gonzalez 3-7, Caleb Lapinel 1-2-5, Devin Boyle 10-22, Zach Travis 5-1-11, Evan Pescetti 4-4-13. Totals: 23-7-58.

Rising Stars (2-3): Kobe Lufkin 4-10, Jared D'Aloia 2-4, Matt Higgins 4-1-9, Chris Boucher 2-1-5, Adam Jaquish 2-6-10, Taylor Slattery 4-1-9, Anthony DeBonis 3-1-7. Totals: 21-10-54.

3-Point Field Goals: Marcella Appliances 5 (Boyle 2, Gonzalez, Lapinel, Pescetti), Rising Stars 2 (Lufkin).

Free Throws: Marcella Appliances 7/8 (Pescetti 4/4, Lapinel 2/2, Travis 1/2), Rising Stars 10/11 (Jaquish 6/7, Higgins 1/1, Boucher 1/1, Slattery 1/1, DeBonis 1/1).


Team 518 72, Man Up 54

Undefeated Team 518 jumped out to a 20 point lead at halftime and cruised the rest of the way to another comfortable win, their 5th of the season. Despite being without two strong pieces in Kaden Baugh and Zac O'Dell, they were able to use their big advantage in size and athleticism to get their share of baskets in transition and second-chance points. 4 518ers finished with double digits, led by Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk junior Chad Zeoli, who had a season high 14. Guilderland senior Andrew Sischo and South Kortright junior Tyler Lamport added 13 each, and Stamford junior Colby Fancher had a season high 10. St. Thomas More (CT) postgrad Zach Radz knocked down a game high 24 for Man Up, and the majority of the other points came from Guilderland junior Mike Wine, who had 18 in his debut.


Team 518 (5-0): Colby Fancher 4-10, Adam Anderson 2-4, Kevin Murray 2-1-6, Tyler Lamport 5-2-13, Chad Zeoli 5-1-14, Joe Werner 2-4, Alex Skaine 4-8, Andrew Sischo 6-1-13. Totals: 30-5-72.

Man Up (1-4): Cole Ackerman 1-2, Justin Houck 1-2, Zach Radz 8-4-24, Mike Wine 4-7-18, Zach Hilton 3-1-8. Totals: 17-12-54.

3-Point Field Goals: Team 518 7 (Zeoli 3, Fancher 2, Murray, Lamport), Man Up 8 (Radz 4, Wine 3, Hilton).

Free Throws: Team 518 5/9 (Lamport 2/2, Murray 1/2, Zeoli 1/2, Sischo 1/3), Man Up 12/16 (Wine 7/9, Radz 4/5, Hilton 1/2).


Bellevue 48, Marcella Appliances 42

In a legitimate 5 on 5 game (no subs either way), Bellevue was able to get it going in the 2nd half and take one home in the battle of the sponsors. In what was the lowest scoring game of the year so far - first game where both teams combined to score under 100 points, and the first game where neither team scored 50 - strength in the blocks was able to make the difference. Mekeel senior Damonte White led the way with 18 points in the blocks, and fellow WAC standout Northville junior Danny Reidell added 11 from the perimeter. Johnstown's Devin Boyle paced Marcella with 12, and Jefferson senior Caleb Lapinel and Stillwater junior Zach Travis chipped in with 10.


Bellevue (3-2): Danny Reidell 4-2-11, Tyler Champagne 3-1-7, Josh Gonzalez 2-3-7, Keenan Loder 2-1-5, Damonte White 8-18. Totals: 19-7-48.

Marcella Appliances (3-3): Jamie Gonzalez 1-2, Caleb Lapinel 5-10, Devin Boyle 4-12, Zach Travis 5-10, Evan Pescetti 3-1-8. Totals: 18-1-42.

3-Point Field Goals: Bellevue 3 (White 2, Reidell), Marcella Appliances 5 (Boyle 4, Pescetti).

Free Throws: Bellevue 7/11 (Gonzalez 3/5, Reidell 2/3, Loder 1/1, Champagne 1/2), Marcella Appliances 1/2 (Pescetti 1/2).


Team 518 65, Upstate Select 43

Team 518 went on two big runs over the course of the game to pull away from an Upstate Select squad that continued to fight throughout. A big run late in the 1st half pushed their lead up to 36-18 at halftime, and when Upstate Select worked it back to a 9 point game with 10 minutes left, 518 was able to make one more big push to get it out of reach for good. They again used their workmanlike attitude toward the game and size/speed to their advantage, with many of their points coming on the fast break or with offensive rebounds. Guilderland senior standout Andrew Sischo led the way once again with 20 points, 14 coming in the first half. Though 6'8" with a stronger build, many of his points came on rim runs, beating defenders down the court time & time again. Ichabod Crane junior Joe Werner added a season high 13, and Seton Catholic (Plattsburgh) junior Kevin Murray added a season high 10. Watervliet senior standout Ty'Jon Gilmore led Upstate Select in his season debut with 14 points, despite receiving the lion's share of 518's defensive attention.


Team 518 (6-0): Colby Fancher 3-6, Adam Anderson 3-6, Kevin Murray 3-4-10, Tyler Lamport 1-1-3, Chad Zeoli 1-2, Joe Werner 6-1-13, Alex Skaine 2-5, Andrew Sischo 10-20. Totals: 29-6-65.

Upstate Select (1-4): Dejae Johnson 3-1-8, Anthony Zotto 1-1-3, Louden Porter 3-1-8, Tyler Bertram 2-4, Ty'Jon Gilmore 4-5-14, Gavin Giroux 2-4, Andrew Mason 1-2. Totals: 16-8-43.

3-Point Field Goals: Team 518 1 (Skaine), Upstate Select 3 (Johnson, Porter, Gilmore).

Free Throws: Team 518 6/12 (Murray 4/5, Werner 1/1, Lamport 1/2, Skaine 0/2, Sischo 0/2), Upstate Select 8/13 (Gilmore 5/7, Porter 1/1, Johnson 1/2, Zotto 1/2, Bertram 0/1).


Rising Stars 72, Upstate Select 61

Rising Stars picked up season-best outputs from multiple players in what was their strongest showing since a season-opening victory over a full Bellevue squad. Much like Upstate Select's first loss of the night, they were beat on the boards and in the fast break game. Rising Stars were able to get the ball to high-octane wings Matthew Higgins and Taylor Slattery along with mobile bigs Anthony DeBonis and Adam Jaquish and let them finish the job. Jaquish, a 6'7" senior standout at Moriah, led the way with a season-high 20 points. Higgins, an athletic 6'3" senior wing at South Glens Falls that has flown onto the scene this summer, added 15 points for the winners. Fort Edward senior Chris Boucher, an 1,100 point varsity scorer already, added a season high 14. Utica Proctor senior Dejae Johnson had a game high 23 in the loss for Upstate Select, and Cooperstown sophomore Tyler Bertram added 13 more.


Rising Stars (3-3): Kobe Lufkin 1-2, Jared D'Aloia 2-5, Matt Higgins 7-1-15, Chris Boucher 5-3-14, Adam Jaquish 9-2-20, Taylor Slattery 3-1-7, Anthony DeBonis 4-1-9. Totals: 31-8-72.

Upstate Select (1-5): Dejae Johnson 9-3-23, Louden Porter 1-2, Tyler Bertram 5-13, Ty'Jon Gilmore 4-9, Gavin Giroux 4-8, Andrew Mason 3-6. Totals: 26-3-61.

3-Point Field Goals: Rising Stars 2 (D'Aloia, Boucher), Upstate Select 6 (Bertram 3, Johnson 2, Gilmore).

Free Throws: Rising Stars 8/12 (Boucher 3/4, Jaquish 2/3, Higgins 1/1, DeBonis 1/1, Slattery 1/3), Upstate Select 3/4 (Johnson 3/3, Gilmore 0/1).


Bellevue 20, Man Up 0 (forfeit)

The Preview: Boys League, Week 3

2 weeks through, and we've seen 1 team beat up on the other 5, and the other 5 beating up on each other. Quick thoughts for today.

- How are low numbers going to affect today's outcomes? Man Up & Marcella Appliances have felt them in a major way at times, both forfeiting games. Upstate Select has felt it both weeks, despite not forfeiting. Everyone's feeling it today. Marcella will fight to have 5 again, Bellevue is in the 5-6 range, even Team 518 - with 12 & 9 its first two weeks - will have 7 today. It will be interesting to see the difference it makes in these teams for tonight's games. For example, Upstate Select will have lower numbers, but they have in the first two weeks, too, and the main missing piece is Patrick Garey. 518 will be missing their consensus 1st team PG Kaden Baugh and all-star tweener Zac O'Dell. Bellevue is missing 3 Division I prospects. Let's see how they respond.

- One statement in that begs another question. Is this the night someone knocks off Team 518? They probably won't have as many important pieces missing at any point this season as they do tonight, and they may run into a challenge early in Man Up. In their first matchup, Man Up forfeited. They won't be at full strength either, but Zach Radz will be back in action this week. Radz proved quickly last Wednesday that he may be the best pure scorer in the league. If he gets hot, what will happen? It's not like 518 is bringing nobody though - Andrew Sischo will be there, who has been the most dominant player. Alex Skaine & Tyler Lamport will hold down the fort at the wings, and Adam Anderson can provide a nice scoring punch, so it's going to be much easier said than done for ANYONE.

- Another statement begs another question. Who's got that Radz guy? Anyone? With scoring outputs of 26 & 20 last week, he's atop the leaderboard in points per game, and he didn't do it by volume shooting. As scary as this sounds, he may not have shot enough. Both games went the same way - he tried to get everyone else involved in the 1st half, and decided he'd shoulder the load after halftime. 36 of his 46 points on the night came in the 2nd half. If he's in that sort of attack mode from front to back, what will we be seeing from him now?

- We have a couple new bodies - or old bodies in different places - tonight. Jamie Gonzalez, a standout at Leominster HS in Massachusetts, makes his debut tonight for a very undermanned Marcella Appliances. He's a very solid scorer from the PG spot, and they'll need it. There's also been a roster switch - Canton standout Louden Porter, along with younger brother Declan (who is at Peach Jam), have made the switch to Upstate Select due to dire need. Louden is a 20 PPG scorer at his high school, and moving to a team with lower numbers that needs scoring and toughness may suit him very nicely.

Check out Week 3 of the boys' action at Union College this evening. Games tip off at 6:00, with Man Up taking on Team 518 and Marcella Appliances battling Rising Stars. The 7:00 games pit Marcella Appliances against Bellevue and Team 518 against Upstate Select. At 8:00, Upstate Select takes its 2nd game against Rising Stars & Bellevue/Man Up ends the night on the other court. It's just $1 to get in - check it out!

Monday, July 6, 2015

Week 2 in Review

Boys League

- Team basketball and playing defense really does exist in a boys' summer league! Just ask Team 518. Showing possession after possession that they've taken the 'me' out of summer league and would prefer getting Ws over individual accolades, they have become the CLEAR frontrunner through 2 weeks. They're 4-0 on the season, while every other team has at least 2 losses. 3 of their wins have been by double digits, and the 4th was a forfeit. The only team they've yet to play - 1-3 Upstate Select. After defeating a strong Bellevue team by double digits Wednesday, they turned around and put the whooping of the year on a Rising Stars team that had went 2-0 the week before - 64-36, 35-10 at halftime, and everyone involved with the team in red was visibly frustrated. They have perhaps the two most dominant big men in the league (Andrew Sischo & Zac O'Dell), Tyler Lamport has been a huge spark for them, and arguably their MVP - Kaden Baugh - is averaging under 4 points per game. Perhaps the only person in the entire league who is truly relishing the role of leader and pass-first point guard, he has everyone engaged, active, and firing on all cylinders. How long will it take teams to realize you're not going to beat 518 going 1 on 1? As long as it takes, they'll keep winning.

- Credit to the guys who showed up for Marcella Appliances. It's tough when more than half of your team isn't there. It's tough playing a game with no subs - let alone two of them. It's tough to play the length of a forfeit game, turn around and play another game right after that does count. They did it... and won. Marcella's performance with 5 players - 2 of them last-minute called upon alternates - in a 69-58 W over Upstate Select is a respect gainer. Kory Bergh, perhaps the most underrated point guard in the area, took control of the group and kept the ball moving while leading them with 17. They will have low numbers again this Wednesday, so it'll be another challenging week, but this crew showed they have the heart to get it done.

- There is hope for Man Up. You can't get to much worse of a start than only having 4 guys show up on opening night. From Week 1 to Week 2 alone looks like night & day. Some new faces helped the cause - Rhinebeck's Jack Spencer injected some life in the blocks, Hoosick Falls' Connor McCart showcased different sides of his game in a great opening night for him, but no contribution was felt quite as much as Zach Radz. In sheer terms of legitimate value to his team, Radz may be this league's MVP. A team that is in desperate need of someone that can create his own scoring opportunities and put the ball in the basket, Zach may do that better than anyone here. He scored 46 points between two games, 36 of them coming in the 2nd half, in a 3 point L and 1 point W. Radz keeps them in games. When Luke Hicks comes back, they're 1 piece away from being a dangerous group later in the season and in playoffs...

- Pretty cool stat: 9 guys have been in uniform for Bellevue through 2 weeks in their 3 documented games (not including the forfeit W over Marcella). 8 of them have scored in double digits in at least one of those games - the only one who hasn't scored 8 in a game. However, none of them have scored 20. Their season highs are 19 (Bryce Allen & Tyler Champagne each did it).


Girls League

- How long is it going to take before I ever see a set of games as entertaining as Thursday?! Let's go over this. There was Show Stoppers' 1 point W, where Lexi Tubbs hit a game winning 3 at the buzzer. There was Outwork's 3 point W, where they followed All Day standout (and St. Bonaventure commit) Danielle Migliore on a 3 point attempt at the buzzer. Luckily for them, she didn't score her 30th point of the night and missed the first shot. Outwork also had a 2 point win over Havoc (the team that also lost by 1) where they relied on a big 2nd half performance from Chloe Chaffin and had to get a stop in the final seconds. Before All Day's 3 point loss, they won by 6 over Lady Knicks in a game where they jumped out to an 11 point lead in the 2nd half, then had to hold off a push from a team that's growing confidence game by game. The 'blowout' of the night, loosely used here, was a 54-43 Lady Knicks win over Show Stoppers where they led from beginning to end. The total margin of the 5 games combined was 23 points. That's an average of just 4.6 separating two teams each game. I'll take that any week!

- Teams might want to start throwing two defenders on Danielle Migliore every now and then, because one just can't get it done. The aforementioned All Day standout is leading the league in scoring by 8 points per game, and she makes it happen in a variety of ways. A true scorer, she can shake off the roughest of starts with just 1 make. After starting cold in the nightcap Thursday, one bucket turned her from ice to fire. She scored 10 quick ones in under 5 minutes at one point and finished with a game high 29 points. That also sets a season-high mark for her and for the league - the previous high was 25, which also was from her. All Day has plenty of others that can put the ball in the hoop at a high rate, but there's no one in the league who can make it happen (almost at will) like she can.

- Credit to Lady Knicks for coming back with some pride and a vengeance after taking their lumps on opening night. After losing their first two games 32-21 and 58-32, the mainly Utica-area squad came out - with a couple new important bodies - and changed their outlook from the opening tip Thursday. Their 54 points in the opening game outdid their first week combined. Jordan Lee and Shiane Irwin (who missed opening night) had 14 each, Nerea Brajac (new Week 2 addition) had 11 and always-consistent Cassidy Albright had 10. They suffered a loss to All Day directly after, but it was just a 6 point loss where they were in it every step of the way. The Lady Knicks left Union Week 2 with a much better showing and much more confidence than the week prior, which will certainly bode well for them heading into a Thursday where they will undoubtedly have the fullest roster.

- Some of these teams are exciting and get it done with fireworks, but the team with the best record through two weeks does it by their namesake: Outwork. They responded to getting beat around a little in the 1st half of the 6:00 game by taking it back to their Havoc opponent. Nothing too pretty about a 41-39 game with the winning team making 1 three. It was all about keeping it simple for Outwork. Easy ones in transition, offensive boards, getting to the rim... and Chloe Chaffin had her coming-out party. The Kingston rising sophomore showed a new level of confidence and exhibited why she's received legitimate Division I attention with a strong 2nd half - which carried over into the next game, where they kept it simple again to beat a nearly full All Day group. They killed their opponent on the boards in the nightcap, made 14/17 at the line, and made the extra pass every time. The end of the game was fitting - a simple clearout for Chaffin set up her drive to the rack and a foul, where she split a pair at the line but teammate Madison Little chewed up the offensive board. She was fouled, got to the line, and made both. Tenacity, hustle, teamwork, and a dose of the fundamentals have pushed them to 3-1.

- Two pretty cool stats: Show Stoppers knocked home 19 threes between the two games, which accounted for 57 of their 107 points. They've hit 36 threes on the year, which leads the league by a long shot: 2nd place has 15. Over half of their points on the season (108 of 212) have been from 19'9" and farther. Also, peep the balance for Outwork. They play like the San Antonio Spurs, and the box scores aren't lying. Chloe Chaffin leads them in scoring with 9.8 per game (less than 10!), and 5 other players (Lauraine Joensen, Madison Little, Brianna Legacy, Megan Flynn, and Ashley Starzyk) are averaging at least 6.25 points per game. No one's killing you... they all are.


Check out the action at Union College this week, as the boys tip off Week 3 at 6:00 on Wednesday, July 8. The girls will follow at the same time the following day. This marks the first week of the NCAA Division I evaluation period, so coaches of all divisions will officially be allowed to attend.

Friday, July 3, 2015

Girls League Scores: Week 2, 7/2

Outwork 41, Havoc 39

Despite being outbattled on the boards for the majority of the game, Outwork was able to get the last laugh late - in large part due to a late flurry on the offensive boards - and take the upper hand in a game that was close throughout. After trailing by 2 at halftime, Kingston sophomore Chloe Chaffin led the push back for Outwork, scoring 10 of her game high 14 after halftime. Havoc, taking their first L after going 2-0 last week, shot themselves in the foot at the free throw line, where they shot 6/14. Amsterdam standout junior Nina Fedullo made her season debut and led the way with 12 in the loss.

Outwork (2-1): Rebecca Townes 1-2, Chloe Chaffin 7-14, Ashley Starzyk 2-2-6, Rebekkah Dean 2-1-5, Brianna Legacy 1-2, Madison Little 1-1-3, Megan Flynn 3-6, Emma Carter 1-3. Totals: 18-4-41.

Havoc (2-1): Emily Wander 4-9, Cameron Tooley 1-2, Grace Heeps 2-2-7, Jordan Hipwell 1-3-5, Olivia Baumann 2-4, Nina Fedullo 5-1-12. Totals: 15-6-39.

3-Point Field Goals: Outwork 1 (Carter), Havoc 3 (Wander, Heeps, Fedullo).

Free Throws: Outwork 4/8 (Starzyk 2/4, Dean 1/1, Little 1/2, Flynn 0/1), Havoc 6/14 (Hipwell 3/5, Heeps 2/2, Fedullo 1/5, Wander 0/2).


Lady Knicks 54, Show Stoppers 43

Lady Knicks responded in a major way after taking a couple rough losses opening night in picking up their first win of the season. They led wire-to-wire in the early set at Union, and their balance was able to outduel their opponents' prowess with the long ball. 4 Lady Knicks finished in double digits, including 2 making their season debuts. Poland rising junior Shiane Irwin tied for the team high with 14 points, and Nerea Brajac, a rising junior at Cohoes, finished with 11. Whitesboro junior Jordan Lee also finished with 14, and New York Mills senior Cassidy Albright chipped in with 10. Show Stoppers took relying on the trey to the next level, making more 3s (9) than 2s (7). CCHS senior Abby Fountain, already a 1,000+ point scorer, led Show Stoppers with 14 (4 threes). Madi Ryan, a senior at Hoosac Valley (MA), added 9.

Lady Knicks (1-2): Jordan Lee 7-14, Shiane Irwin 5-2-14, Olivia Marshall 2-4, Nerea Brajac 5-11, Morgan Wolanin 0-1-1, Cassidy Albright 5-10. Totals: 24-3-54.

Show Stoppers (1-2): Danielle Caivana 2-1-7, Abby Fountain 5-14, Julianna Taylor 2-4, Ava Fitzmaurice 1-3, Madi Ryan 4-9, Paige Niemeyer 2-1-6. Totals: 16-2-43.

3-Point Field Goals: Lady Knicks 3 (Irwin 2, Brajac), Show Stoppers 9 (Fountain 4, Caivana 2, Fitzmaurice, Ryan, Niemeyer).

Free Throws: Lady Knicks 3/4 (Irwin 2/2, Wolanin 1/2), Show Stoppers 2/6 (Caivana 1/2, Niemeyer 1/2, Fountain 0/2).


Show Stoppers 64, Havoc 63

True to form, Show Stoppers again used the long ball to gain an edge and give Havoc its second nailbiter loss of the night. They were able to turn the game into a track meet after halftime - Havoc led 28-27 at halftime, and Show Stoppers outscored them 37-35 in the 2nd half alone. They hit 6 of their 10 threes in the game in the second half, and it came from 6 different players throughout the game. Down by 2 in the final seconds, Madison senior Lexi Tubbs knocked down a 3 at the buzzer to win it for Show Stoppers. Aforementioned CCHS senior Abby Fountain led the way with 15 points in the win, 9 coming from behind the arc. Frankfort-Schuyler junior Danielle Caivana got it going for Show Stoppers in her best offensive game on the young season, hitting 3 threes and adding 13 points to the cause, and Ichabod Crane senior Paige Niemeyer finished with 12. Havoc was very balanced in the loss, with 4 players in double digits. Rising Columbia freshman Grace Heeps paced them with 12 points, and Shenendehowa sophomore Cameron Tooley, Ballston Spa junior Jordan Hipwell, and Guilderland junior Olivia Baumann added 10 points each.


Show Stoppers (2-2): Danielle Caivana 5-13, Abby Fountain 5-2-15, Julianna Taylor 2-5, Ava Fitzmaurice 2-5, Madi Ryan 4-9, Paige Niemeyer 5-2-12, Lexi Tubbs 2-5. Totals: 25-4-64.

Havoc (2-2): Emily Wander 2-1-5, Cameron Tooley 5-10, Grace Heeps 4-2-12, Madison Graber 2-4, Jordan Hipwell 4-2-10, Olivia Baumann 3-3-10, Nina Fedullo 1-5-7, Lyndsay Miller 1-3, Alaina Holmes 1-2. Totals: 23-13-63.

3-Point Field Goals: Show Stoppers 10 (Caivana 3, Fountain 3, Taylor, Fitzmaurice, Tubbs, Ryan), Havoc 4 (Heeps 2, Baumann, Miller).

Free Throws: Show Stoppers 4/7 (Fountain 2/2, Niemeyer 2/3, Tubbs 0/2), Havoc 13/17 (Fedullo 5/6, Baumann 3/4, Hipwell 2/2, Heeps 2/3, Wander 1/2).


All Day 52, Lady Knicks 46

Despite having only 5 players for all of their first game, two going into their freshman year, a very talented All Day squad was able to use balance and an uptempo style to pull away from a Lady Knicks squad gaining confidence. Canton standout senior Natalie DiSalvo, a 2nd team all-stater in Class B this past season, made her season debut and came out firing on all cylinders. She had 8 points in the first 5 minutes, picked it back up in the 2nd half and finished with a game high 18. Another standout making her season debut, Ballston Spa senior Liv Allrich, hit 3 threes and added 13 points. The Tougas sisters, Glens Falls junior Lucy Tougas and freshman Sophie Tougas, added 12 & 9 respectively. Whitesboro junior Jordan Lee had a team high 15 for Lady Knicks, with 11 coming after halftime. Poland junior Shiane Irwin added 10, all in the 1st half.

All Day (2-1): Lucy Tougas 6-12, Sophie Tougas 3-3-9, Liv Allrich 5-13, Natalie DiSalvo 7-3-18. Totals: 21-6-52.

Lady Knicks (1-3): Jordan Lee 4-5-15, Shiane Irwin 4-2-10, Olivia Marshall 3-7, Nerea Brajac 2-1-6, Katy McInerney 1-2-4, Cassidy Albright 2-4. Totals: 16-10-46.

3-Point Field Goals: All Day 4 (Allrich 3, DiSalvo), Lady Knicks 4 (Lee 2, Marshall, Brajac).

Free Throws: All Day 6/12 (S. Tougas 3/6, DiSalvo 3/6), Lady Knicks 10/12 (Lee 5/6, Irwin 2/2, McInerney 2/2, Brajac 1/2).


Outwork 64, All Day 61

In what was yet another close game from wire to wire, Outwork used balance and dominance on the boards to pick up its second win of the night - the only team to get 2 wins in Week 2. The back-and-forth affair was tied at 61 in the closing seconds when Kingston sophomore Chloe Chaffin got the ball on a clearout at the free throw line, went to the rim and was fouled in the act of shooting. She split the pair, but the missed free throw was rebounded by teammate Madison Little. The Mount Anthony Union (VT) rising junior was fouled and sank both ends of a 1 & 1 with 4 seconds remaining. On the ensuing possession for All Day, Frankfort-Schuyler senior standout Danielle Migliore was fouled on a 3-point attempt as the buzzer expired. The first free throw missed short, effectively ending the game.

Migliore, a St. Bonaventure commit, got hot for a long stretch and led all scorers with a season high 29 points. Outwork had 3 girls hit double digits with 2 more not far off. Brianna Legacy, Madison's teammate at Mount Anthony and another rising junior, hit 3 threes and had a team high 15 points. Little added 14, 10 coming in the 2nd half, and Chaffin added 11. They also picked up 9 points from Hoosick Falls senior Megan Flynn and 8 from 6'3" Pine Plains junior Ashley Starzyk. The win puts Outwork alone at the top of the standings through 2 weeks.

Outwork (3-1): Lyndsey McCoy 0-2-2, Chloe Chaffin 4-3-11, Ashley Starzyk 3-2-8, Rebekkah Dean 2-5, Brianna Legacy 5-2-15, Madison Little 5-4-14, Megan Flynn 4-1-9. Totals: 23-14-64.

All Day (2-2): Danielle Migliore 10-6-29, Lucy Tougas 2-2-6, Sophie Tougas 0-2-2, Liv Allrich 2-5, Natalie DiSalvo 3-1-7, Nakaela Elliott 4-8, Samira Sangare 2-4. Totals: 23-11-61.

3-Point Field Goals: Outwork 4 (Legacy 3, Dean), All Day 4 (Migliore 3, Allrich).

Free Throws: Outwork 14/17 (Little 4/4, Chaffin 3/4, McCoy 2/2, Starzyk 2/2, Legacy 2/4, Flynn 1/1), All Day 11/17 (Migliore 6/10, L. Tougas 2/2, S. Tougas 2/4, DiSalvo 1/1).

Wednesday, July 1, 2015

Boys League Scores: Week 2, 7/1

Upstate Select 76, Man Up 73

A guard-dominated uptempo battle went down to the wire, and Upstate Select held off a battling Man Up team to get its first win of the young season. After St. Thomas More bound Zach Radz hit a contested 25 footer to end the first half and cut Man Up's deficit to 1 at 32-31, Select went on a run to jump the lead to double digits early in the 2nd half. They used balance throughout - 4 players finished with double digits, and all 7 in uniform had at least 5. Man Up, led by Radz and Hoosick Falls senior Connor McCart, wouldn't go down without a fight. However, a Derek Newman layup and 2 Tyler Bertram free throws iced it for the victors.  Utica Proctor senior Dejae Johnson led the way for Upstate Select with 19 points. Newman, a junior at Herkimer, scored 12 of his 16 in the 2nd half, and Bertram, a rising sophomore at Cooperstown, had 10 of his 14 after intermission. Zach Radz led all scorers with 26, 21 of them coming in the 2nd half. Connor McCart added 23 points for Man Up.

Upstate Select (1-2): Dejae Johnson 8-2-19, Anthony Zotto 2-1-5, Patrick Garey 2-1-6, Derek Newman 7-1-16, Tyler Bertram 5-2-14, Gavin Giroux 5-1-11, Andrew Mason 1-3-5. Totals: 30-11-76.

Man Up (0-3): Cole Ackerman 1-1-3, Kevin Townes Jr. 1-2, Justin Houck 3-7, Connor McCart 11-23, Zach Radz 9-5-26, Zach Hilton 3-6, Jack Spencer 2-2-6. Totals: 30-8-73.

3-Point Field Goals: Upstate Select 5 (Bertram 2, Johnson, Garey, Newman), Man Up 5 (Radz 3, Houck, McCart).

Free Throws: Upstate Select 11/16 (Mason 3/4, Johnson 2/2, Bertram 2/3, Newman 1/1, Zotto 1/2, Garey 1/2, Giroux 1/2), Man Up 8/11 (Radz 5/5, Spencer 2/4, Ackerman 1/2).


Man Up 52, Rising Stars 51

In a game where a high-scoring outcome was expected, no one was really able to get into a good flow - until Zach Radz got it going again. 15 of his game-high 20 came after the halftime break, including a game-winning putback with 5 seconds on the clock. A Joe Girard III 40 foot pull-up for the win with time expiring hit the back rim, giving Man Up their first win. Rising Stars held the lead most of the way, including a 21-16 cushion at halftime. Three costly turnovers in the final minute cost Rising Stars, the final being a rushed pass to no one in particular while the defense was making an attempt to foul in order to stop the clock. Jack Spencer, a rising junior at Section IX Rhinebeck, added 9 points for Man Up in the win. All 10 in uniform scored for Rising Stars, with South Glens Falls senior Matt Higgins being the lone double-digit contributor (10 points). 6'7" Moriah senior Adam Jaquish added 9.

Man Up (1-3): Cole Ackerman 4-8, Kevin Townes Jr. 3-1-8, Justin Houck 0-1-1, Connor McCart 2-4, Zach Radz 8-1-20, Zach Hilton 1-2, Jack Spencer 3-3-9. Totals: 21-6-52.

Rising Stars (2-1): Kobe Lufkin 3-7, Jared D'Aloia 3-7, Darius Holmes-Hines 1-3, Matt Higgins 4-2-10, Louden Porter 0-2-2, Chris Boucher 1-1-3, Adam Jaquish 3-3-9, Joe Girard III 1-2, Declan Porter 1-3, Anthony DeBonis 2-1-5. Totals: 19-9-51.

3-Point Field Goals: Man Up 4 (Radz 3, Townes Jr.), Rising Stars 4 (Lufkin, D'Aloia, Holmes-Hines, D. Porter).

Free Throws: Man Up 6/12 (Spencer 3/6, Townes Jr. 1/2, Houck 1/2, Radz 1/2), Rising Stars 9/13 (Jaquish 3/5, Higgins 2/2, L. Porter 2/2, Boucher 1/2, DeBonis 1/2).


Team 518 59, Bellevue 46

Team 518 jumped out to a big cushion early behind a breakout performance from South Kortright junior Tyler Lamport, and they never looked back. Lamport scored 17 of his game-high 21 in the first half, where his team forged a 35-21 lead at halftime. That was done without their 1st week standout Andrew Sischo, who was only there for the 2nd half. Saratoga Springs senior Alex Skaine added 13 points for Team 518, 9 coming after halftime. 3 finished in double digits for Bellevue, led by Northville junior Danny Reidell (11 points). The Hill School (PA) senior Bryce Allen and Mekeel senior Damonte White added 10 apiece. A huge Achilles heel for Bellevue was the free throw line, where they shot just 5/18 (4/13 in the first half) in comparison to 518's 15/20.

Team 518 (3-0): Colby Fancher 2-1-5, Kaden Baugh 1-2-4, Kevin Murray 1-2-4, Tyler Lamport 8-4-21, Zac O'Dell 3-7, Alex Skaine 5-3-13, Andrew Sischo 1-3-5. Totals: 21-15-59.

Bellevue (1-2): Bryce Allen 5-10, Danny Reidell 4-2-11, Tyler Champagne 2-5, Damon Burgess 2-6, Scott Voelker 1-1-4, Damonte White 4-2-10. Totals: 18-5-46.

3-Point Field Goals: Team 518 2 (Lamport, O'Dell), Bellevue 5 (Burgess 2, Reidell, Champagne, Voelker).

Free Throws: Team 518 15/20 (Lamport 4/4, Skaine 3/4, Sischo 3/4, Murray 2/2, Baugh 2/4, Fancher 1/2), Bellevue 5/18 (Reidell 2/2, White 2/6, Voelker 1/2, Allen 0/2, Champagne 0/2, Gonzalez 0/4).


Bellevue 20, Marcella Appliances 0

Bellevue wins by forfeit, with Marcella Appliances only having 4 players until the 2nd half.




Marcella Appliances 69, Upstate Select 58

Despite having only 5 players and in their 2nd game of a back-to-back, Marcella Appliances broke free from a tie game at halftime to make amends for the Game 1 forfeit and walk out with a win. Balance was the name of the game for the John Mantas-led squad - 4 out of 5 scored in double digits, and the lone player without 10 points finished with 7. Amsterdam senior Kory Bergh led the way with 17 points and continuously set up others in the offense. A new addition to Marcella Appliances, Jefferson senior Caleb Lapinel surprised many and added 16 points. Though just 5'11", he kept many plays alive with offensive rebounds and tip-outs - many of his points came from outworking his matchup. 6'5" Albany CBA stretch 4 Ian Schultz added 16, and Shaker guard Ben Diamond contributed 13. Saratoga Catholic senior Evan Pescetti chipped in 7, but filled out the stat line with countless non-box score contributions. Utica Proctor senior Dejae Johnson followed up a strong early showing with another nice game at the point, leading Upstate Select with 17 points in the loss.


Marcella Appliances (2-2): Kory Bergh 6-3-17, Caleb Lapinel 7-1-16, Ben Diamond 6-13, Ian Schultz 7-1-16, Evan Pescetti 3-1-7. Totals: 29-6-69.

Upstate Select (1-3): Dejae Johnson 8-17, Anthony Zotto 2-2-6, Patrick Garey 3-7, Derek Newman 2-2-6, Tyler Bertram 4-8, Gavin Giroux 3-2-8, Andrew Mason 3-6. Totals: 25-6-58.

3-Point Field Goals: Marcella Appliances 5 (Bergh 2, Lapinel, Diamond, Schultz), Upstate Select 2 (Johnson, Garey).

Free Throws: Marcella Appliances 6/10 (Bergh 3/5, Schultz 1/1, Lapinel 1/2, Pescetti 1/2), Upstate Select 6/10 (Newman 2/2, Giroux 2/2, Zotto 2/3, Bertram 0/1, Johnson 0/2).


Team 518 64, Rising Stars 36

In what was supposed to be a much-anticipated matchup between the two teams that went 2-0 last week, Team 518 quickly turned it into a massive blowout. Early contributions across the board, led by South Kortright junior Tyler Lamport and Guilderland senior Andrew Sischo, gave their team a whopping 35-10 lead at halftime. Lamport, a 6'3" 2 guard, had 11 of his 13 in the first half. Sischo, a skilled 6'8" big, added 10 in the 1st stanza. He finished with a game high 23 points, and Lamport finished with 13. Schalmont senior Zac O'Dell and Saratoga Springs senior Alex Skaine chipped in with 8 each. Rising Stars, who hit 22 threes opening night, knocked down just 1 in this game and 5 on the night. Troy senior Darius Holmes-Hines and Moriah senior Adam Jaquish paced their team with 10 points each.


Team 518 (4-0): Colby Fancher 0-1-1, Kaden Baugh 1-1-3, Kevin Murray 1-4-6, Tyler Lamport 6-1-13, Zac O'Dell 4-8, Alex Skaine 4-8, Andrew Sischo 11-23, Chris Pfeiffer 1-2. Totals: 28-7-64.

Rising Stars (2-2): Kobe Lufkin 1-1-3, Darius Holmes-Hines 5-10, Matt Higgins 1-1-3, Chris Boucher 1-2, Adam Jaquish 3-4-10, Joe Girard III 1-2, Declan Porter 1-3, Anthony DeBonis 1-1-3. Totals: 14-7-36.

3-Point Field Goals: Team 518 1 (Sischo), Rising Stars 1 (D. Porter).

Free Throws: Team 518 7/13 (Murray 4/5, Fancher 1/2, Baugh 1/2, Lamport 1/2, Pfeiffer 0/2), Rising Stars 7/11 (Jaquish 4/4, Higgins 1/2, DeBonis 1/2, Lufkin 1/3).

The Preview: Boys League, Week 2

Marquee Matchup

Tucked into the middle of Week 2 on the far court is a matchup of teams who, at full strength, probably pack the most individual talent in the league. They are the two teams named after business sponsors, Bellevue and Marcella Appliances. Both teams come in 1-1, having lost their first game and won their second. Each team features two people who have Division I offers on the table, and each team has a couple more that eventually will get offered. Each team has a 'supporting' cast along with the big names that can also take over. Mount Anthony Union's Tyler Champagne is actually Bellevue's leading scorer at this point in the season, and him along with Mitchel Wayand (Stillwater/Marcella Appliances) have been names that are popping up in conversations with coaches after opening night. Neither team has a weak link. Both have size, athleticism, strong play at all positions, shooters... let's see if playing against the best brings out the best!


Interesting Matchup

The nightcap features the two remaining undefeated teams at this juncture - Rising Stars & Team 518, both 2-0. Rising Stars beat Bellevue last week, despite perhaps being the 'underdog' as far as sheer names go, by doing what they do best - letting it fly. Between that game and a blowout W over Upstate Select, Rising Stars knocked down 22 threes. They are small - and even smaller this week without 6'5" wing Taylor Slattery - and use that lack of size to create serious mismatches. Where Rising Stars got it done outside the 3 point line, 518 took advantage of their size & skill in the post, using Andrew Sischo & Zac O'Dell to dominate the paint. The two combined for 42 points in a W over Marcella Appliances, a team they also may have been the 'underdog' against as far as names go. This will be a true battle of whose strength is stronger, or who can use their strength more effectively. All bets are off!


Burning Question

How will a totally redone Man Up squad look this week? Only 4 people were there for opening night, meaning they took 2 Ls via forfeit. They have stayed, but many of the no-shows have been removed for a new-look roster. Some of the incoming talent is coming from downstate - a pair of nearly 20 PPG scorers from Section IX Rhinebeck will be making the trip up. That being said, one move will be a huge factor in instantly making this team competitive: welcome, Zach Radz. He comes in this week and automatically is one of the purest scorers on any roster. Fresh off his graduation from Troy High School, he'll be headed to St. Thomas More in CT for a postgrad year. With this sound of a scorer on your team, you will always be competitive. Look for Man Up to turn it around tonight.


We're in the Field House at Union College this week & next week while the gym floor is being redone in the adjacent Viniar Athletic Center. At 6:00, the aforementioned 0-2 Man Up plays Upstate Select, also 0-2 but boasting the league's 3rd leading scorer in Gavin Giroux. The other 6:00 game is another good matchup, with Bellevue battling Team 518. Man Up gets a back-to-back, playing 2-0 Rising Stars in what could turn into a shootout. The marquee matchup, Bellevue/Marcella Appliances, is also at 7:00. Our 8:00 nightcaps are Rising Stars/Team 518 (Week 1 undefeateds) and Upstate Select vs. Marcella Appliances. Union College, $1 to get in for the best high school hoops you'll catch in the area... come out and support!