The 2016 NYSSWA All-State boys basketball lists were kind to players that participated in the inaugural year of Empire State Takeover. In all, 26 participants in the 2015 summer league, held at Union College, earned an all-state selection. That accounts for over 1/3 of all league participants and over 45% of league participants that played high school basketball in NY this season. Along with that, 4 players that participated in just the boys' fall event in late September 2015 also made all-state lists. Congrats to all, listed below!
2015 EST MVP Andrew Sischo (Guilderland 2016, Daemen 2020) - Class AA 6th Team
Mike Wynn (Albany CBA 2017) - Class AA 12th Team
Luke Hicks (Shenendehowa 2017) - Class AA Honorable Mention
Hameir Wright (Albany Academy 2017) - Class A State Co-Player of the Year
Kory Bergh (Amsterdam 2016) - Class A 11th Team
Patrick Garey (Johnson City 2017) - Class A 11th Team
2015 All-EST 2nd Team Matt Higgins (South Glens Falls 2016, Clarkson 2020) - Class A Honorable Mention
Josh Gregory (Whitesboro 2016) - Class A Honorable Mention
Will Bennett (Albany Academy 2017) - Class A Honorable Mention
2015 All-EST 1st Team Joseph Girard III (Glens Falls 2019) - Class B 1st Team
2015 All-EST 1st Team Zac O'Dell (Schalmont 2016, Swarthmore 2020) - Class B 4th Team
2015 All-EST Honorable Mention Mitchel Wayand (Stillwater 2016, RPI 2020) - Class B 6th Team
Louden Porter (Canton 2017) - Class B 9th Team
2015 All-EST Honorable Mention Keenan Loder (Cobleskill-Richmondville 2016, Molloy 2020) - Class B 13th Team
Declan Porter (Canton 2019) - Class B Honorable Mention
2015 All-EST Honorable Mention Tyler Bertram (Cooperstown 2018) - Class C 1st Team
Derek Newman (Herkimer 2017) - Class C 2nd Team
Zach Hilton (Berne-Knox-Westerlo 2017) - Class C 4th Team
Evan Pescetti (Saratoga Catholic 2016) - Class C 6th Team
Justin Houck (Berne-Knox-Westerlo 2016) - Class C Honorable Mention
2015 All-EST 2nd Team Tyler Lamport (South Kortright 2017) - Class D 1st Team
2015 All-EST Honorable Mention Adam Jaquish (Moriah 2016, SUNY Plattsburgh 2020) - Class D 1st Team
2015 All-EST Honorable Mention Kobe Lufkin (Argyle 2017) - Class D 2nd Team
Taylor Slattery (Moriah 2016, Hudson Valley CC 2018) - Class D 2nd Team
Chris Boucher (Fort Edward 2016, SUNY Poly 2020) - Class D 3rd Team
Danny Reidell (Northville 2017) - Class D 7th Team
Jalen Hawkins (Fall Event - Utica Proctor 2017) - Class AA 4th Team
Andrew Evans (Fall Event - Niskayuna 2016, Cheshire Academy 2017) - Class AA Honorable Mention
Mark Mullins (Fall Event - Chenango Valley 2016, Wilkes 2020) - Class B 2nd Team
Colden George (Fall Event - Attica 2016) - Class B Honorable Mention
Friday, April 29, 2016
Sunday, April 24, 2016
Updates: Four 1st Teamers Highlight 19 EST Reps On Small School Boys' All-State List, and JG3's an All-American Too
Well, you could say that EST did an Empire State takeover of the small school all-state lists this year.
On Friday morning, the New York State Sportswriters' Association started their staggered release of basketball all-state lists with full boys' teams for Classes B, C, and D. 19 players that participated in 2015's EST events - 17 in the summer league, 2 exclusively in the fall event - were selected . Congrats to all of the following standouts who earned a selection with stellar play over the winter, briefly listed below:
Class B
2015 All-EST 1st Team Joseph Girard III (Glens Falls 2019) - NYSSWA 1st Team All-State
2015 All-EST 1st Team Zac O'Dell (Schalmont 2016, Swarthmore 2020) - 4th Team
2015 All-EST Honorable Mention Mitchel Wayand (Stillwater 2016, RPI 2020) - 6th Team
Louden Porter (Canton 2017) - 9th Team
2015 All-EST Honorable Mention Keenan Loder (Cobleskill-Richmondville 2016, Molloy 2020) - 13th Team
Declan Porter (Canton 2019) - Honorable Mention
Fall Event - Mark Mullins (Chenango Valley 2016) - 2nd Team
Fall Event - Colden George (Attica 2016) - Honorable Mention
Class C
2015 All-EST Honorable Mention Tyler Bertram (Cooperstown 2018) - NYSSWA 1st Team All-State
Derek Newman (Herkimer 2017) - 2nd Team
Zach Hilton (Berne-Knox-Westerlo 2017) - 4th Team
Evan Pescetti (Saratoga Catholic 2016) - 6th Team
Justin Houck (Berne-Knox-Westerlo 2016) - Honorable Mention
Class D
2015 All-EST 2nd Team Tyler Lamport (South Kortright 2017) - NYSSWA 1st Team All-State
2015 All-EST Honorable Mention Adam Jaquish (Moriah 2016) - 1st Team
2015 All-EST Honorable Mention Kobe Lufkin (Argyle 2017) - 2nd Team
Taylor Slattery (Moriah 2016) - 2nd Team
Chris Boucher (Fort Edward 2016, SUNY Poly 2020) - 3rd Team
Danny Reidell (Northville 2017) - 7th Team
Also on Friday morning, MaxPreps released their boys basketball freshman All-American teams, and it proved to be a better day for JG3 by noon than it was when he woke up. 2015 All-EST 1st Team Joseph Girard III, within hours of the NYSSWA Class B All-State 1st Team selection being announced, was announced as a MaxPreps 2nd Team Freshman All-American pick. The accolades keep coming in so quickly, it's tough to keep track. Congrats to JG3 on such an honor!
On Friday morning, the New York State Sportswriters' Association started their staggered release of basketball all-state lists with full boys' teams for Classes B, C, and D. 19 players that participated in 2015's EST events - 17 in the summer league, 2 exclusively in the fall event - were selected . Congrats to all of the following standouts who earned a selection with stellar play over the winter, briefly listed below:
Class B
2015 All-EST 1st Team Joseph Girard III (Glens Falls 2019) - NYSSWA 1st Team All-State
2015 All-EST 1st Team Zac O'Dell (Schalmont 2016, Swarthmore 2020) - 4th Team
2015 All-EST Honorable Mention Mitchel Wayand (Stillwater 2016, RPI 2020) - 6th Team
Louden Porter (Canton 2017) - 9th Team
2015 All-EST Honorable Mention Keenan Loder (Cobleskill-Richmondville 2016, Molloy 2020) - 13th Team
Declan Porter (Canton 2019) - Honorable Mention
Fall Event - Mark Mullins (Chenango Valley 2016) - 2nd Team
Fall Event - Colden George (Attica 2016) - Honorable Mention
Class C
2015 All-EST Honorable Mention Tyler Bertram (Cooperstown 2018) - NYSSWA 1st Team All-State
Derek Newman (Herkimer 2017) - 2nd Team
Zach Hilton (Berne-Knox-Westerlo 2017) - 4th Team
Evan Pescetti (Saratoga Catholic 2016) - 6th Team
Justin Houck (Berne-Knox-Westerlo 2016) - Honorable Mention
Class D
2015 All-EST 2nd Team Tyler Lamport (South Kortright 2017) - NYSSWA 1st Team All-State
2015 All-EST Honorable Mention Adam Jaquish (Moriah 2016) - 1st Team
2015 All-EST Honorable Mention Kobe Lufkin (Argyle 2017) - 2nd Team
Taylor Slattery (Moriah 2016) - 2nd Team
Chris Boucher (Fort Edward 2016, SUNY Poly 2020) - 3rd Team
Danny Reidell (Northville 2017) - 7th Team
Also on Friday morning, MaxPreps released their boys basketball freshman All-American teams, and it proved to be a better day for JG3 by noon than it was when he woke up. 2015 All-EST 1st Team Joseph Girard III, within hours of the NYSSWA Class B All-State 1st Team selection being announced, was announced as a MaxPreps 2nd Team Freshman All-American pick. The accolades keep coming in so quickly, it's tough to keep track. Congrats to JG3 on such an honor!
Thursday, April 14, 2016
EST Girls' Finest Hit The Road For The Live Period
Over 2 dozen participants in last summer's inaugural Empire State Takeover girls' summer showcase league are hitting the first important stretch of their AAU seasons - NCAA certified events in the 2 upcoming live weekends in April. Check this comprehensive list of those that'll be on the court at the most competitive, exposure-driven tournaments, where they'll be at, and who they're playing with!
2015 All-EST 1st Team Saeeda Abdul-Aziz (Mohonasen 2017/Exodus NYC EYBL)
2015 All-EST 1st Team Saeeda Abdul-Aziz (Mohonasen 2017/Exodus NYC EYBL)
- 4/16-4/17 - Nike Rose Classic Open (Brooklyn, NY)
- 4/22-4/24 - Nike Boo Williams Invitational (Hampton, VA)
- Friday, 4/15 - NYG Friday Night Super Showcase (Riverbank State Park, Brooklyn, NY) - 5:00-6:30
- 4/16-4/17 - New Jersey Sparks Basketball Classic (Paterson, NJ)
- 4/21-4/24 - Deep South Classic (Raleigh, NC)
- 4/16-4/17 - New Jersey Sparks Basketball Classic (Paterson, NJ)
- 4/21-4/24 - Deep South Classic (Raleigh, NC)
- 4/16-4/17 - ASGR Hoopfest - Boston (Boston, MA)
- 4/21-4/24 - Deep South Classic (Raleigh, NC)
- 4/15 - NYG Friday Night Super Showcase (Riverbank State Park, Brooklyn, NY) - 6:30-8:00
- 4/16-4/17 - New Jersey Sparks Basketball Classic (Paterson, NJ)
- 4/21-4/24 - Deep South Classic (Raleigh, NC)
- 4/15 - NYG Friday Night Super Showcase (Riverbank State Park, Brooklyn, NY) - 5:00-6:30
- 4/16-4/17 - New Jersey Sparks Basketball Classic (Paterson, NJ)
- 4/21-4/24 - Deep South Classic (Raleigh, NC)
- 4/16-4/17 - ASGR Hoopfest - Boston (Boston, MA)
- 4/21-4/24 - Deep South Classic (Raleigh, NC)
- 4/21-4/24 - Deep South Classic (Raleigh, NC)
- 4/15 - NYG Friday Night Super Showcase (Riverbank State Park, Brooklyn, NY) - 5:00-6:30
- 4/16-4/17 - New Jersey Sparks Basketball Classic (Paterson, NJ)
- 4/21-4/24 - Deep South Classic (Raleigh, NC)
- 4/16-4/17 - USJN Capital City Classic (District Heights, MD)
- 4/21-4/24 - Deep South Classic (Raleigh, NC)
- 4/15 - NYG Friday Night Super Showcase (Riverbank State Park, Brooklyn, NY) - 5:00-6:30
- 4/16-4/17 - New Jersey Sparks Basketball Classic (Paterson, NJ)
- 4/21-4/24 - Deep South Classic (Raleigh, NC)
- 4/21-4/24 - Deep South Classic (Raleigh, NC)
- 4/15 - NYG Friday Night Super Showcase (Riverbank State Park, Brooklyn, NY) - 6:30-8:00
- 4/16-4/17 - New Jersey Sparks Basketball Classic (Paterson, NJ)
- 4/21-4/24 - Deep South Classic (Raleigh, NC)
- 4/22-4/24 - Blue Chip Pre-Season Challenge (Manheim, PA)
- 4/16 - New England United Individual Showcase (Warwick, RI)
- 4/22-4/24 - Blue Chip Pre-Season Challenge (Manheim, PA)
- 4/22-4/24 - Blue Chip Pre-Season Challenge (Manheim, PA)
- 4/15 - NYG Friday Night Super Showcase (Riverbank State Park, Brooklyn, NY) - 5:00-6:30
- 4/16-4/17 - New Jersey Sparks Basketball Classic (Paterson, NJ)
- 4/21-4/24 - Deep South Classic (Raleigh, NC)
- 4/15 - NYG Friday Night Super Showcase (Riverbank State Park, Brooklyn, NY) - 5:00-6:30
- 4/16-4/17 - New Jersey Sparks Basketball Classic (Paterson, NJ)
- 4/21-4/24 - Deep South Classic (Raleigh, NC)
- 4/16-4/17 - Adidas Uprising Gauntlet (Indianapolis, IN)
- 4/21-4/24 - Deep South Classic (Raleigh, NC)
- 4/21-4/24 - Deep South Classic (Raleigh, NC)
- 4/16-4/17 - New Jersey Sparks Basketball Classic (Paterson, NJ)
- 4/23-4/24 - Blue Chip Pre-Season Challenge (Manheim, PA)
- 4/21-4/24 - Deep South Classic (Raleigh, NC)
- 4/16-4/17 - New Jersey Sparks Basketball Classic (Paterson, NJ)
- 4/21-4/24 - Deep South Classic (Raleigh, NC)
Tuesday, April 12, 2016
NYG Hoops Friday Night Super Showcase - Starting Destination For Many of 518's Finest
This week - if you can call it calm - is the calm before the storm in grassroots basketball. When Friday hits, the first NCAA Division I live period of the spring begins. With two spring live periods this year on back-to-back weekends, the rest of April becomes a zoo for many elite players, both on the boys' and girls' end. Mix that with the sheer lack of NCAA certified events in the spring in upstate NY, and these local standouts will be racking up the Expedia points.
On the girls' hoops side, Joe Fenelon has created a bit of an empire in the Empire State and beyond. His NYG Hoops Report scouting service has proven to be a wealth of knowledge for a vast amount of coaches at all divisions, and his individual exposure events have proven to be a haven for some of the top players in the Northeast - and of course, with that comes the coaches. For his NYG Friday Night Lights event in late September 2015, around 130 coaches popped in. The Capital District has taken notice. In September, just 1 player from the 518 or with ties to AAU in the 518 (Saeeda Abdul-Aziz) was in the gym. For Friday night's NYG Friday Night Super Showcase at Riverbank State Park in NYC, that number gets bumped up to 18. That list is highlighted by some high-major targets, and it gets boosted by a great turnout by the New York Havoc AAU program.
Of the 18 with a real or AAU home in the 518, 16 of them suit up for Terrance Florence's upstart New York Havoc program, and they're all on the court in the 2 earlier sessions. Many players on Havoc's top teams took the initiative to get their weekends started early before participating in the NJ Sparks Basketball Classic across the border in Paterson during the weekend. The Havoc crew in attendance is split between their 'blue' squad (strongest team, plays in top division) and 'silver' squad (top 10th grade level team, players from 8th-10th grade). Those in attendance, by session, go as follows:
Session 1 (5:00-6:30)
Lauraine Joensen (Northampton (MA) 2017/Blue) - Team 1
Shyla Sanford (Shaker 2018/Blue) - Team 1
Mikyla Mitchell (Schenectady 2020/Silver) - Team 2
Tara Sager (Ichabod Crane 2017/Blue) - Team 2
Cat Almeida (CCHS 2019/Blue) - Team 3
Cameron Tooley (Shenendehowa 2018/Blue) - Team 3
Chloe Chaffin (Kingston 2018/Blue) - Team 4
Lexi DeBeatham (Shaker 2018/Silver) - Team 5
Alexis Van Vorst (Columbia 2019/Silver) - Team 5
Madison Dunlap (Colonie 2019/Silver) - Team 6
Grace Heeps (Columbia 2019/Blue) - Team 6
Session 2 (6:30-8:00)
Paige Brinkman (Schalmont 2018/Silver) - Team 8
Nina Fedullo (Amsterdam 2017/Blue) - Team 8
Julie Ford (Cooperstown 2018/Blue) - Team 8
Julia DeBeatham (Shaker 2020/Silver) - Team 9
Kyra Oeffler (Heatly 2018/Silver) - Team 9
There's only 2 Capital District natives left for the last session, but the region isn't going out light, as the night ends with a pair of high major Division I prospects that have certainly built up quite the buzz over the last year. Selena Lott (Columbia 2017/Exodus NYC EYBL) gets the primetime session from 8:00-9:30 on Team 14, a good start to her weekend which for Exodus, also includes the Rose Classic. On Team 16, it'll be Olivia Owens (Niskayuna 2018/City Rocks) looking to attract even more attention - which she already has plenty of - in the late session heading into a weekend which also includes the New Jersey Sparks Basketball Classic.
Along with the ones with 518 ties, there are other participants within "EST range" that are coming out to make or build a name for themselves on Friday night, mainly from the 607 (Southern Tier) and 413 (WMass) area codes. Of the 413 representatives, only the aforementioned Lauraine Joensen plays out of town for AAU - many of the others play for Springfield Lady Ballers. Those names include Jailena Sanchez (Team 2), Callie Cavanaugh (Team 9), Ishanna Brown (Team 11), Angelica Peguero (Team 13), Taylor Shubrick (Team 16), Makayla Thompson and Sha'raya Haines (Team 17), and Kayla Mokwuah (Team 18). The Southern Tier representatives are highlighted by a Binghamton sister act - it's not a party until the McPeeks show up, and Lauren McPeek (Team 4) and Kendra McPeek (Team 5) are in there. Kyesha Talerico will also be in attendance, along with Mary Foster (Team 17).
Per the newly updated rosters online, 183 girls will take the opportunity to showcase what they bring to the table in an event where most coaches that attend have athletic scholarships to offer. This time, the Capital District and surrounding area are much more well-represented.
For full info, please access the link at http://www.nyghoopsreport.com/index.cfm?load=event&event=120 and best of luck/safe travels to all attending this Friday - I'll see you there!
On the girls' hoops side, Joe Fenelon has created a bit of an empire in the Empire State and beyond. His NYG Hoops Report scouting service has proven to be a wealth of knowledge for a vast amount of coaches at all divisions, and his individual exposure events have proven to be a haven for some of the top players in the Northeast - and of course, with that comes the coaches. For his NYG Friday Night Lights event in late September 2015, around 130 coaches popped in. The Capital District has taken notice. In September, just 1 player from the 518 or with ties to AAU in the 518 (Saeeda Abdul-Aziz) was in the gym. For Friday night's NYG Friday Night Super Showcase at Riverbank State Park in NYC, that number gets bumped up to 18. That list is highlighted by some high-major targets, and it gets boosted by a great turnout by the New York Havoc AAU program.
Of the 18 with a real or AAU home in the 518, 16 of them suit up for Terrance Florence's upstart New York Havoc program, and they're all on the court in the 2 earlier sessions. Many players on Havoc's top teams took the initiative to get their weekends started early before participating in the NJ Sparks Basketball Classic across the border in Paterson during the weekend. The Havoc crew in attendance is split between their 'blue' squad (strongest team, plays in top division) and 'silver' squad (top 10th grade level team, players from 8th-10th grade). Those in attendance, by session, go as follows:
Session 1 (5:00-6:30)
Lauraine Joensen (Northampton (MA) 2017/Blue) - Team 1
Shyla Sanford (Shaker 2018/Blue) - Team 1
Mikyla Mitchell (Schenectady 2020/Silver) - Team 2
Tara Sager (Ichabod Crane 2017/Blue) - Team 2
Cat Almeida (CCHS 2019/Blue) - Team 3
Cameron Tooley (Shenendehowa 2018/Blue) - Team 3
Chloe Chaffin (Kingston 2018/Blue) - Team 4
Lexi DeBeatham (Shaker 2018/Silver) - Team 5
Alexis Van Vorst (Columbia 2019/Silver) - Team 5
Madison Dunlap (Colonie 2019/Silver) - Team 6
Grace Heeps (Columbia 2019/Blue) - Team 6
Session 2 (6:30-8:00)
Paige Brinkman (Schalmont 2018/Silver) - Team 8
Nina Fedullo (Amsterdam 2017/Blue) - Team 8
Julie Ford (Cooperstown 2018/Blue) - Team 8
Julia DeBeatham (Shaker 2020/Silver) - Team 9
Kyra Oeffler (Heatly 2018/Silver) - Team 9
There's only 2 Capital District natives left for the last session, but the region isn't going out light, as the night ends with a pair of high major Division I prospects that have certainly built up quite the buzz over the last year. Selena Lott (Columbia 2017/Exodus NYC EYBL) gets the primetime session from 8:00-9:30 on Team 14, a good start to her weekend which for Exodus, also includes the Rose Classic. On Team 16, it'll be Olivia Owens (Niskayuna 2018/City Rocks) looking to attract even more attention - which she already has plenty of - in the late session heading into a weekend which also includes the New Jersey Sparks Basketball Classic.
Along with the ones with 518 ties, there are other participants within "EST range" that are coming out to make or build a name for themselves on Friday night, mainly from the 607 (Southern Tier) and 413 (WMass) area codes. Of the 413 representatives, only the aforementioned Lauraine Joensen plays out of town for AAU - many of the others play for Springfield Lady Ballers. Those names include Jailena Sanchez (Team 2), Callie Cavanaugh (Team 9), Ishanna Brown (Team 11), Angelica Peguero (Team 13), Taylor Shubrick (Team 16), Makayla Thompson and Sha'raya Haines (Team 17), and Kayla Mokwuah (Team 18). The Southern Tier representatives are highlighted by a Binghamton sister act - it's not a party until the McPeeks show up, and Lauren McPeek (Team 4) and Kendra McPeek (Team 5) are in there. Kyesha Talerico will also be in attendance, along with Mary Foster (Team 17).
Per the newly updated rosters online, 183 girls will take the opportunity to showcase what they bring to the table in an event where most coaches that attend have athletic scholarships to offer. This time, the Capital District and surrounding area are much more well-represented.
For full info, please access the link at http://www.nyghoopsreport.com/index.cfm?load=event&event=120 and best of luck/safe travels to all attending this Friday - I'll see you there!
Sunday, April 10, 2016
Because I Didn't Tweet... 4/9 Recap
The title says it all. Went to work locally at the Albany Falcons girls tournament at Schenectady HS today. Pocketed the phone and didn't even look at it much, let alone tweet, so here's my thoughts as to who stood out.
2017
Nina Fedullo (Amsterdam/New York Havoc - Blue) - Her game has evolved from being a 4, then to being a 4 who could step out and play some wing, and has now taken the next step to being a wing who can be fully interchangeable with a post. Can truly do a bit of everything on the court, so she even makes a big impact on off days. Found herself in the right spot to make plays countless times today - 'right place, right time' a couple times is luck, but 'right place, right time' all the time is basketball IQ. The basketball IQ was on display today.
2018
Chloe Chaffin (Kingston/New York Havoc - Blue) - One could make a legitimate case that Chloe is the best player at the tournament. At 5'10", she's got height on just about every wing in the building except for the ones on her own team. Add supreme strength & athleticism, and she's just too much physically for most matchups. The scary part is that she's rapidly improving as a basketball player and is increasing relying more on skill with the athleticism being a bonus. Scorer's mentality and can score on just about anyone. Division I lock with plenty of attention already.
Sam Dayter (Cohoes/ESBA Select - Frierson) - Solid 2-0 day for ESBA Select. Dayter didn't stand out in the box score - she can, just didn't today - but her impact showed in causing matchup issues today. As a speedy 5'9" guard, she had smaller matchups against her throughout Saturday and was often able to facilitate on a team that's small, but has its share of shooters.
Emily Frodyma (Catholic Central/Saints) - Today was my first time seeing her - the only one on this list I can say that for. Spent a good portion of the day wondering how she didn't play varsity ball for CCHS this year. Certainly held her own and often stood out in today's games. Pure stroke on the jumper, which she hit a few times with range out to 23'. Not a one-dimensional offensive player though, as she showed quickness and good handle to get to the rim once defenses respected the J. Did the same in some extra run, picking up with an Albany Falcons team when she wasn't playing with Saints. Bright future.
Jordan Halgas (Ware (MA)/Mass Frenzy) - Solid guard that's a lot craftier than you'd expect from the eye test. She has a solid build conducive for contact, and she's certainly not afraid of it, but she's just as willing & able to split defenders with a Euro. Had a particularly dominant stretch late in the 1st half of a game against the Utica Lady Knicks where she hit a three, grabbed a rebound & took it coast-to-coast, sliding through 2 defenders to finish at the rim, then stole a pass seconds later and scored again. Her game will expand quite a bit as she gets a little quicker & smoother.
Stephanie Jankovic (Averill Park/ESBA Select - Frierson) - The 5'7" lefty guard established herself as perhaps the most well-rounded scorer on a team full of kids who can put the ball in the basket. She can knock down the three with limited room, either off the catch or off the dribble. When a defender stepped up, she was able to get by and either finish at the rim or with a floater. She looks a bit stronger now than she did even 2-3 months ago - used that to draw contact and rack up the opposition's team foul count.
Shyla Sanford (Shaker/New York Havoc - Blue) - Traditionally good shooter who's been in a bit of a funk lately snapped out of it in a big way today. She hit a handful of threes in the 1st half of a game against the Albany Falcons, desperately needed as Havoc was having trouble scoring otherwise for a good portion of the half. Bulldog at both ends whose motor will keep going until she nearly passes out - often guards the opposition's best player and today was no different. She'll get overzealous and pick up a chippy now and then, but that's part of letting Shyla be Shyla, which provides much more up than down.
Bridget Whelan (Albany/Albany Falcons) - The Whelan/Sanford battle in the 1st half of their games against Havoc-Blue was the most fun watch of the day. Bridget, a diminutive but scrappy point guard, often matched Shyla's threes with threes of her own - a couple from NBA range. It was another situation where the Falcons needed that offensive output, as they were having trouble getting anything else going. She's not afraid of better competition - in fact, she seems to flourish against other good players. Between the J, handle, ability to distribute, and defensive ability, it's tough to find a weakness.
Sophie Wittenbeck (Waterville/Utica Lady Knicks) - Sophie has a game that's all hers - not comparable to anyone, mix of orthodox & unorthodox, and it works for her. The 5'5" lefty guard was the standout by far for her team. Not blindingly quick, but quick enough and very crafty. A halfway open jumper was basically a layup for her Saturday, consistently hitting at every opportunity. The left wing & corner were her sweet spots, at one point hitting 2 treys and a long 2 from deep left wing in rapid succession. High IQ, head is always up as lead guard & rarely makes mistakes. Her game can translate well against better competition.
2019
Grace Heeps (Columbia/New York Havoc - Blue) - Another one of those players that does plenty of impressive things, whether it's an on or off day. Legitimate 5'10" combo guard who has been assuming a bit more of a pass-first point guard role lately, and she did a very good job running the show on this day and getting the ball to teammates in a position for them to score. She can score - at times, in bunches - but was high in assists. Already a hot target with plenty of Division I schools showing up at games in the winter, she'll hit the next level of her game when she successfully marries her scoring ability with the ability to distribute. Very competitive, and it shows as she doesn't take plays off - physically or mentally.
Harmony Philo (Gloversville/New York Havoc - Scott) - Very good perimeter shooter off the catch & off screens that is now rapidly expanding her game. She showed improvement in creating off the dribble, getting by a defender numerous times to get into the lane either for herself or for someone else. She had countless tips/deflections on defense in the game that I watched, which led to a few breakouts & easy transition points. Still, her glowing strength is knocking down the 3, which she did at a high clip throughout the day. As she gets better & more comfortable in other facets, she'll become a load to handle.
Team Of The Day
New York Havoc - Blue - I hope this choice isn't a shocker to anyone - the one team there that's really doing it as a warmup for a largely national schedule. They flexed over the course of the day, winning in blowout fashion twice - although the Albany Falcons team didn't back down. They're as big of a girls' team as you'll find, boasting two 6'4" girls, two 6'2" girls, along with 4 others between 5'9" and 5'11". On top of the four previously mentioned in Nina Fedullo, Chloe Chaffin, Shyla Sanford, and Grace Heeps, they also picked up solid contributions from everyone else in uniform, namely Shenendehowa 2018 Cameron Tooley. It was also a more confident showing from Mt. Anthony (VT) 2017 Madison Little, who will continue to improve as she gains confidence. Clear #1 in the field - scary considering standout Northampton (MA) 2017 Lauraine Joensen wasn't there, and out of their 9 in uniform, 4 were sophomores & 2 were freshmen. Every girl on the team, top to bottom, is being actively recruited by scholarship level schools.
Team Of The Day Honorable Mention
ESBA Select - Frierson - Very nice 2-0 showing for a mainly 2018 squad, many of them being relatively underrated standouts at smaller schools. The team fielded today - missing a couple players - was truly all guards. They had to throw Selena Jones, a Hudson 2017 that's a point guard, down in the blocks. It certainly panned out though, as there were at least 3 shooters on the court at all times, and they were hitting. Along with the aforementioned Steph Jankovic and Sam Dayter, Greenville 2018 Ava Fitzmaurice had her moments. Section II's leading 3 point shooter this year looks stronger and hasn't lost the stroke, even with it being softball season (played in the tournament fresh off hurling a no-hitter). Hudson 2018 Mykal Walters had the shot falling as well, especially in the first game. Outside of Jankovic, everyone in uniform plays at a Class B or C school, and they put on for the smaller schools.
All-in-all, it was worth the time spent there. Now, a quick shameless plug about the Empire State Takeover summer leagues. Looking for more information? Check out the following link, filled with 2016 info & updates, and get ahold of me using any form of the contact info at the bottom of that article with any questions! http://empirestatetakeover.blogspot.com/2016/04/2016-league-updates.html
2017
Nina Fedullo (Amsterdam/New York Havoc - Blue) - Her game has evolved from being a 4, then to being a 4 who could step out and play some wing, and has now taken the next step to being a wing who can be fully interchangeable with a post. Can truly do a bit of everything on the court, so she even makes a big impact on off days. Found herself in the right spot to make plays countless times today - 'right place, right time' a couple times is luck, but 'right place, right time' all the time is basketball IQ. The basketball IQ was on display today.
2018
Chloe Chaffin (Kingston/New York Havoc - Blue) - One could make a legitimate case that Chloe is the best player at the tournament. At 5'10", she's got height on just about every wing in the building except for the ones on her own team. Add supreme strength & athleticism, and she's just too much physically for most matchups. The scary part is that she's rapidly improving as a basketball player and is increasing relying more on skill with the athleticism being a bonus. Scorer's mentality and can score on just about anyone. Division I lock with plenty of attention already.
Sam Dayter (Cohoes/ESBA Select - Frierson) - Solid 2-0 day for ESBA Select. Dayter didn't stand out in the box score - she can, just didn't today - but her impact showed in causing matchup issues today. As a speedy 5'9" guard, she had smaller matchups against her throughout Saturday and was often able to facilitate on a team that's small, but has its share of shooters.
Emily Frodyma (Catholic Central/Saints) - Today was my first time seeing her - the only one on this list I can say that for. Spent a good portion of the day wondering how she didn't play varsity ball for CCHS this year. Certainly held her own and often stood out in today's games. Pure stroke on the jumper, which she hit a few times with range out to 23'. Not a one-dimensional offensive player though, as she showed quickness and good handle to get to the rim once defenses respected the J. Did the same in some extra run, picking up with an Albany Falcons team when she wasn't playing with Saints. Bright future.
Jordan Halgas (Ware (MA)/Mass Frenzy) - Solid guard that's a lot craftier than you'd expect from the eye test. She has a solid build conducive for contact, and she's certainly not afraid of it, but she's just as willing & able to split defenders with a Euro. Had a particularly dominant stretch late in the 1st half of a game against the Utica Lady Knicks where she hit a three, grabbed a rebound & took it coast-to-coast, sliding through 2 defenders to finish at the rim, then stole a pass seconds later and scored again. Her game will expand quite a bit as she gets a little quicker & smoother.
Stephanie Jankovic (Averill Park/ESBA Select - Frierson) - The 5'7" lefty guard established herself as perhaps the most well-rounded scorer on a team full of kids who can put the ball in the basket. She can knock down the three with limited room, either off the catch or off the dribble. When a defender stepped up, she was able to get by and either finish at the rim or with a floater. She looks a bit stronger now than she did even 2-3 months ago - used that to draw contact and rack up the opposition's team foul count.
Shyla Sanford (Shaker/New York Havoc - Blue) - Traditionally good shooter who's been in a bit of a funk lately snapped out of it in a big way today. She hit a handful of threes in the 1st half of a game against the Albany Falcons, desperately needed as Havoc was having trouble scoring otherwise for a good portion of the half. Bulldog at both ends whose motor will keep going until she nearly passes out - often guards the opposition's best player and today was no different. She'll get overzealous and pick up a chippy now and then, but that's part of letting Shyla be Shyla, which provides much more up than down.
Bridget Whelan (Albany/Albany Falcons) - The Whelan/Sanford battle in the 1st half of their games against Havoc-Blue was the most fun watch of the day. Bridget, a diminutive but scrappy point guard, often matched Shyla's threes with threes of her own - a couple from NBA range. It was another situation where the Falcons needed that offensive output, as they were having trouble getting anything else going. She's not afraid of better competition - in fact, she seems to flourish against other good players. Between the J, handle, ability to distribute, and defensive ability, it's tough to find a weakness.
Sophie Wittenbeck (Waterville/Utica Lady Knicks) - Sophie has a game that's all hers - not comparable to anyone, mix of orthodox & unorthodox, and it works for her. The 5'5" lefty guard was the standout by far for her team. Not blindingly quick, but quick enough and very crafty. A halfway open jumper was basically a layup for her Saturday, consistently hitting at every opportunity. The left wing & corner were her sweet spots, at one point hitting 2 treys and a long 2 from deep left wing in rapid succession. High IQ, head is always up as lead guard & rarely makes mistakes. Her game can translate well against better competition.
2019
Grace Heeps (Columbia/New York Havoc - Blue) - Another one of those players that does plenty of impressive things, whether it's an on or off day. Legitimate 5'10" combo guard who has been assuming a bit more of a pass-first point guard role lately, and she did a very good job running the show on this day and getting the ball to teammates in a position for them to score. She can score - at times, in bunches - but was high in assists. Already a hot target with plenty of Division I schools showing up at games in the winter, she'll hit the next level of her game when she successfully marries her scoring ability with the ability to distribute. Very competitive, and it shows as she doesn't take plays off - physically or mentally.
Harmony Philo (Gloversville/New York Havoc - Scott) - Very good perimeter shooter off the catch & off screens that is now rapidly expanding her game. She showed improvement in creating off the dribble, getting by a defender numerous times to get into the lane either for herself or for someone else. She had countless tips/deflections on defense in the game that I watched, which led to a few breakouts & easy transition points. Still, her glowing strength is knocking down the 3, which she did at a high clip throughout the day. As she gets better & more comfortable in other facets, she'll become a load to handle.
Team Of The Day
New York Havoc - Blue - I hope this choice isn't a shocker to anyone - the one team there that's really doing it as a warmup for a largely national schedule. They flexed over the course of the day, winning in blowout fashion twice - although the Albany Falcons team didn't back down. They're as big of a girls' team as you'll find, boasting two 6'4" girls, two 6'2" girls, along with 4 others between 5'9" and 5'11". On top of the four previously mentioned in Nina Fedullo, Chloe Chaffin, Shyla Sanford, and Grace Heeps, they also picked up solid contributions from everyone else in uniform, namely Shenendehowa 2018 Cameron Tooley. It was also a more confident showing from Mt. Anthony (VT) 2017 Madison Little, who will continue to improve as she gains confidence. Clear #1 in the field - scary considering standout Northampton (MA) 2017 Lauraine Joensen wasn't there, and out of their 9 in uniform, 4 were sophomores & 2 were freshmen. Every girl on the team, top to bottom, is being actively recruited by scholarship level schools.
Team Of The Day Honorable Mention
ESBA Select - Frierson - Very nice 2-0 showing for a mainly 2018 squad, many of them being relatively underrated standouts at smaller schools. The team fielded today - missing a couple players - was truly all guards. They had to throw Selena Jones, a Hudson 2017 that's a point guard, down in the blocks. It certainly panned out though, as there were at least 3 shooters on the court at all times, and they were hitting. Along with the aforementioned Steph Jankovic and Sam Dayter, Greenville 2018 Ava Fitzmaurice had her moments. Section II's leading 3 point shooter this year looks stronger and hasn't lost the stroke, even with it being softball season (played in the tournament fresh off hurling a no-hitter). Hudson 2018 Mykal Walters had the shot falling as well, especially in the first game. Outside of Jankovic, everyone in uniform plays at a Class B or C school, and they put on for the smaller schools.
All-in-all, it was worth the time spent there. Now, a quick shameless plug about the Empire State Takeover summer leagues. Looking for more information? Check out the following link, filled with 2016 info & updates, and get ahold of me using any form of the contact info at the bottom of that article with any questions! http://empirestatetakeover.blogspot.com/2016/04/2016-league-updates.html
Tuesday, April 5, 2016
2016 League Updates
It's go time in preparation of the 2nd annual Empire State Takeover summer showcase leagues! Now that April's already upon us (although it doesn't look or feel like it outside), it's time to relay all the updated information via the blog for everyone - kids & parents alike. Fitting pretty much everything below, but if there are any questions, please ask!
Nothing has changed as far as main details over the last 2+ months. The league will again take place at Union College in Schenectady, NY, with usage of all 4 available courts. Boys and girls will nearly always play on the same night - just 1 exception over the course of the summer. Both will generally play on Wednesday nights, with opening night being June 29 this year. Boys will run exclusively on Wednesdays (6/29, 7/6, 7/13, 7/20, 7/27, 8/3, 8/10), with girls on Wednesdays except for the first 2 weeks of July - in order to avoid a 7/6 date which MANY girls would miss, it'll be shifted on that week to Thursday, 7/7, and to allow for ample travel time back from national tournaments, the girls league will take place on Thursday, 7/14 instead of Wednesday, 7/13.
Every team has a guarantee of 2 games per night, with the lone exception being 8/10, which is a single-elimination playoff night. On that night, a team could either participate in 1, 2, or 3 games. Game times will be at 6:00, 7:00, and 8:00 nightly, unless a situation arises where either league has 8 teams participating - at that point, the 8 team league would have games at 5:30, 6:30, 7:30, and 8:30.
Just like last year, we will have board certified officials that do both high school and college basketball games in the winter manning the whistles at all games, both boys & girls. Costs a little extra, but as you see in AAU ball, you get what you pay for and we'll have the best!
I've received numerous questions about coaches' packet information and payment, and there have been some coaches' packet forms submitted and checks sent in so far. There's a form on the website for packet information. It can be filled out directly on the website and gets submitted directly to me - no one sees the info on it besides myself and the coaches who attend unless otherwise specified (name, grade entering, height, school, and stats/awards will be on roster pages when the time comes). It consists of detailed contact information (address, phone number, e-mail) along with basic academic and athletic info. The form can be pulled up directly from this link. Filling out coaches' packet information doesn't finish the job, but it effectively says 'hold my spot'.
The cost for participation as a full participant in the summer is $100. To keep this paragraph from dragging on, you can find full payment information by accessing this link. If the packet info says 'hold my spot', the payment writes it in Sharpie and says 'count me in'.
One more thing. I've talked about this to many of my people from farther away (Syracuse, Southern Tier, Northern NY, Mid-Hudson, Hudson Valley, MA & VT), but here's a good time to drop it to everyone. I do offer the option of being an 'alternate'. This is for those who are interested in playing, but would only be available for less than half of the season. The rate would drop from $100 for the summer to a $25 per week fee (not to surpass full participant rate). Again, it's for people who want to play but can't make it for most weeks. Let me know if this ends up being you, and we can move forward with that. I try to refrain from having loads of alternates for obvious reasons, but I'm not going to turn people that want to play away because of lack of consistent availability.
Again... Empire State Takeover doesn't have many schedule conflicts with AAU. Looking at summer schedules in comparison to EST sessions, it appears as though no one will have an AAU schedule that conflicts more than twice. 11 players between the two leagues participated in brand-sponsored circuits with strenuous schedules, namely Nike EYBL and Adidas Gauntlet. Just about 70 participants between the two leagues played for AAU teams that had regional/national exposure schedules that went deep into July. Boys - the Wednesday schedules falls off the majority of NCAA live period tournaments that teams in the region attend, which go from Friday-Sunday. Girls - only 1 league day (7/7) falls on a day where many national-level teams will be away, and the league is also worked around the USJN tournament in Washington, DC, as over 80% of league participants were there. If people miss a couple weeks because of basketball or other obligations, it's fine. It's summer, so I don't expect everyone to always be there. It's not a "AAU or this" sort of thing. Everyone that plays will be playing AAU somewhere. Even with it being year 2, I bump into the occasional AAU coach that is skeptical or paranoid with me around... don't worry, not stealing your players!
Again, it's April, so I ask everyone I've talked to about the league to start thinking more seriously about whether or not you want in, if you haven't already. I'm requesting that I get a yes, no, or alternate decision by early-mid May and payment by the May 15 area (per the early registration date). It's very important that I can provide accurate team rosters and prospect lists well in advance to send to college & prep coaches - considering all within about a 10 hour drive of Albany get an e-mail, it's time consuming. Many go on vacation for an extended period of time in late May, so I want to get the bulk of e-mails out BEFORE spring semester wraps up. The more I can build 4-6 weeks in advance, the more programs will attend. With May 15 being six weeks away, it's EXTREMELY IMPORTANT that you ask me anything & everything you're wondering about. So I'll be a broken record and say this again... Questions/comments? Please, ask away! Feel free to refer to the website for any verification, as rosters/schedules/statistics from 2015 are still on the site, along with writeups from all games, links to articles & blog posts from local/regional newspapers and other media, pictures, and even recaps of the fall events.
Jeff Mlinar
Cell: (315) 360-2730
jeffmlinar@yahoo.com
Website: www.empirestatetakeover.org
Twitter: @NYSTakeover
Facebook: Empire State Takeover
Nothing has changed as far as main details over the last 2+ months. The league will again take place at Union College in Schenectady, NY, with usage of all 4 available courts. Boys and girls will nearly always play on the same night - just 1 exception over the course of the summer. Both will generally play on Wednesday nights, with opening night being June 29 this year. Boys will run exclusively on Wednesdays (6/29, 7/6, 7/13, 7/20, 7/27, 8/3, 8/10), with girls on Wednesdays except for the first 2 weeks of July - in order to avoid a 7/6 date which MANY girls would miss, it'll be shifted on that week to Thursday, 7/7, and to allow for ample travel time back from national tournaments, the girls league will take place on Thursday, 7/14 instead of Wednesday, 7/13.
Every team has a guarantee of 2 games per night, with the lone exception being 8/10, which is a single-elimination playoff night. On that night, a team could either participate in 1, 2, or 3 games. Game times will be at 6:00, 7:00, and 8:00 nightly, unless a situation arises where either league has 8 teams participating - at that point, the 8 team league would have games at 5:30, 6:30, 7:30, and 8:30.
Just like last year, we will have board certified officials that do both high school and college basketball games in the winter manning the whistles at all games, both boys & girls. Costs a little extra, but as you see in AAU ball, you get what you pay for and we'll have the best!
I've received numerous questions about coaches' packet information and payment, and there have been some coaches' packet forms submitted and checks sent in so far. There's a form on the website for packet information. It can be filled out directly on the website and gets submitted directly to me - no one sees the info on it besides myself and the coaches who attend unless otherwise specified (name, grade entering, height, school, and stats/awards will be on roster pages when the time comes). It consists of detailed contact information (address, phone number, e-mail) along with basic academic and athletic info. The form can be pulled up directly from this link. Filling out coaches' packet information doesn't finish the job, but it effectively says 'hold my spot'.
The cost for participation as a full participant in the summer is $100. To keep this paragraph from dragging on, you can find full payment information by accessing this link. If the packet info says 'hold my spot', the payment writes it in Sharpie and says 'count me in'.
One more thing. I've talked about this to many of my people from farther away (Syracuse, Southern Tier, Northern NY, Mid-Hudson, Hudson Valley, MA & VT), but here's a good time to drop it to everyone. I do offer the option of being an 'alternate'. This is for those who are interested in playing, but would only be available for less than half of the season. The rate would drop from $100 for the summer to a $25 per week fee (not to surpass full participant rate). Again, it's for people who want to play but can't make it for most weeks. Let me know if this ends up being you, and we can move forward with that. I try to refrain from having loads of alternates for obvious reasons, but I'm not going to turn people that want to play away because of lack of consistent availability.
Again... Empire State Takeover doesn't have many schedule conflicts with AAU. Looking at summer schedules in comparison to EST sessions, it appears as though no one will have an AAU schedule that conflicts more than twice. 11 players between the two leagues participated in brand-sponsored circuits with strenuous schedules, namely Nike EYBL and Adidas Gauntlet. Just about 70 participants between the two leagues played for AAU teams that had regional/national exposure schedules that went deep into July. Boys - the Wednesday schedules falls off the majority of NCAA live period tournaments that teams in the region attend, which go from Friday-Sunday. Girls - only 1 league day (7/7) falls on a day where many national-level teams will be away, and the league is also worked around the USJN tournament in Washington, DC, as over 80% of league participants were there. If people miss a couple weeks because of basketball or other obligations, it's fine. It's summer, so I don't expect everyone to always be there. It's not a "AAU or this" sort of thing. Everyone that plays will be playing AAU somewhere. Even with it being year 2, I bump into the occasional AAU coach that is skeptical or paranoid with me around... don't worry, not stealing your players!
Again, it's April, so I ask everyone I've talked to about the league to start thinking more seriously about whether or not you want in, if you haven't already. I'm requesting that I get a yes, no, or alternate decision by early-mid May and payment by the May 15 area (per the early registration date). It's very important that I can provide accurate team rosters and prospect lists well in advance to send to college & prep coaches - considering all within about a 10 hour drive of Albany get an e-mail, it's time consuming. Many go on vacation for an extended period of time in late May, so I want to get the bulk of e-mails out BEFORE spring semester wraps up. The more I can build 4-6 weeks in advance, the more programs will attend. With May 15 being six weeks away, it's EXTREMELY IMPORTANT that you ask me anything & everything you're wondering about. So I'll be a broken record and say this again... Questions/comments? Please, ask away! Feel free to refer to the website for any verification, as rosters/schedules/statistics from 2015 are still on the site, along with writeups from all games, links to articles & blog posts from local/regional newspapers and other media, pictures, and even recaps of the fall events.
Jeff Mlinar
Cell: (315) 360-2730
jeffmlinar@yahoo.com
Website: www.empirestatetakeover.org
Twitter: @NYSTakeover
Facebook: Empire State Takeover
Friday, April 1, 2016
The Media Awards: 2015's EST Participants Saturate All-Area Teams
With the high school basketball season officially a memory and AAU just about in full swing, local newspapers have started to release their selected all-area teams. No matter where you go, it seems that numerous EST participants are dotting the lists. I think it's time for a master list!
* This list will continue to be updated to reflect new selections, as numerous newspapers and media outlets that usually do all-area teams have yet to release their picks.
Times Union (Albany, NY) (Picked MVP, 1st Team, 2nd Team, 3rd Team - Large School & Small School)
Boys - Large School
2015 EST MVP Andrew Sischo (Guilderland 2016, Daemen 2020) - All-Area 1st Team
Hameir Wright (Albany Academy 2017) - All-Area 1st Team
Kory Bergh (Amsterdam 2016) - All-Area 2nd Team
Luke Hicks (Shenendehowa 2017) - All-Area 2nd Team
Mike Wynn (Albany CBA 2017) - All-Area 2nd Team
2015 All-EST Honorable Mention Adam Anderson (Saratoga Springs 2017) - All-Area 3rd Team
Boys - Small School
2015 All-EST 1st Team Joseph Girard III (Glens Falls 2019) - All-Area MVP
2015 All-EST 1st Team Zac O'Dell (Schalmont 2016, Swarthmore 2020) - All-Area 1st Team
2015 All-EST Honorable Mention Mitchel Wayand (Stillwater 2016, RPI 2020) - All-Area 1st Team
2015 All-EST Honorable Mention Keenan Loder (Cobleskill-Richmondville 2016, Molloy 2020) - All-Area 2nd Team
2015 All-EST Honorable Mention Kobe Lufkin (Argyle 2017) - All-Area 2nd Team
Jared D'Aloia (Stillwater 2017) - All-Area 3rd Team
Zach Hilton (Berne-Knox-Westerlo 2017) - All-Area 3rd Team
Girls - Large School
2015 All-EST 1st Team Saeeda Abdul-Aziz (Mohonasen 2017) - All-Area 2nd Team
2015 All-EST 2nd Team Nina Fedullo (Amsterdam 2017) - All-Area 2nd Team
2015 All-EST Honorable Mention Abby Fountain (Catholic Central 2016, Suffolk 2020) - All-Area 3rd Team
Kerry Flaherty (Saratoga Springs 2019) - All-Area 3rd Team
Emily Wander (Bethlehem 2017) - All-Area 3rd Team
Dolly Cairns (Saratoga Springs 2020) - All-Area 3rd Team
Girls - Small School
2015 All-EST 1st Team Lucy Tougas (Glens Falls 2017) - All-Area MVP
2015 All-EST 2nd Team Megan Flynn (Hoosick Falls 2016) - All-Area 1st Team
2015 All-EST 2nd Team Sophie Tougas (Glens Falls 2019) - All-Area 1st Team
Emily Padalino (Albany Academy for Girls 2016, Dickinson 2020) - All-Area 1st Team
Kelly Pine (Hoosick Falls 2017) - All-Area 1st Team
2015 All-EST Honorable Mention Nerea Brajac (Cohoes 2017) - All-Area 2nd Team
Ava Fitzmaurice (Greenville 2018) - All-Area 2nd Team
Rebekkah Dean (Mekeel Christian Academy 2018) - All-Area 3rd Team
Emily Erickson (Tamarac 2019) - All-Area 3rd Team
Post-Star (Glens Falls, NY) (Picked MVP, 1st Team, 2nd Team, 3rd Team, Honorable Mention)
Boys
2015 All-EST 1st Team Joseph Girard III (Glens Falls 2019) - All-Area MVP
2015 All-EST 2nd Team Matthew Higgins (South Glens Falls 2016) - All-Area 1st Team
2015 All-EST Honorable Mention Kobe Lufkin (Argyle 2017) - All-Area 1st Team
Chris Boucher (Fort Edward 2016) - All-Area 1st Team
2015 All-EST Honorable Mention Adam Anderson (Saratoga Springs 2017) - All-Area 2nd Team
Evan Pescetti (Saratoga Catholic 2016) - All-Area 2nd Team
2015 All-EST 2nd Team Alex Skaine (Saratoga Springs 2016, St. John Fisher 2020) - All-Area Honorable Mention
Girls
2015 All-EST 1st Team Lucy Tougas (Glens Falls 2017) - All-Area 1st Team
2015 All-EST 2nd Team Sophie Tougas (Glens Falls 2019) - All-Area 1st Team
Kerry Flaherty (Saratoga Springs 2019) - All-Area 3rd Team
Maddie Chudy (Saratoga Springs 2016) - All-Area Honorable Mention
Dolly Cairns (Saratoga Springs 2020) - All-Area Honorable Mention
The Recorder (Amsterdam, NY) (Picked MVP, 1st Team)
Boys
Kory Bergh (Amsterdam 2016) - All-Area MVP
Danny Reidell (Northville 2017) - All-Area 1st Team
Girls
2015 All-EST 2nd Team Nina Fedullo (Amsterdam 2017) - All-Area MVP
Julianna Taylor (Fonda-Fultonville 2017) - All-Area 1st Team
Daily Gazette (Schenectady, NY) (Picked MVP, 1st Team, 2nd Team, 3rd Team, Honorable Mention)
Boys
2015 EST MVP Andrew Sischo (Guilderland 2016, Daemen 2020) - All-Area 1st Team
2015 All-EST 1st Team Zac O'Dell (Schalmont 2016, Swarthmore 2020) - All-Area 1st Team
2015 All-EST 1st Team Joseph Girard III (Glens Falls 2019) - All-Area 1st Team
Hameir Wright (Albany Academy 2017) - All-Area 1st Team
Kory Bergh (Amsterdam 2016) - All-Area 2nd Team
Mike Wynn (Albany CBA 2017) - All-Area 2nd Team
Luke Hicks (Shenendehowa 2017) - All-Area 3rd Team
2015 All-EST 1st Team Mike Wine (Guilderland 2017) - All-Area Honorable Mention
2015 All-EST 2nd Team Devin Boyle (Johnstown 2016) - All-Area Honorable Mention
2015 All-EST 2nd Team Ty'Jon Gilmore (Watervliet 2016) - All-Area Honorable Mention
2015 All-EST 2nd Team Matthew Higgins (South Glens Falls 2016) - All-Area Honorable Mention
2015 All-EST 2nd Team Alex Skaine (Saratoga Springs 2016, St. John Fisher 2020) - All-Area Honorable Mention
2015 All-EST Honorable Mention Adam Anderson (Saratoga Springs 2017) - All-Area Honorable Mention
2015 All-EST Honorable Mention Keenan Loder (Cobleskill-Richmondville 2016, Molloy 2020) - All-Area Honorable Mention
2015 All-EST Honorable Mention Mitchel Wayand (Stillwater 2016, RPI 2020) - All-Area Honorable Mention
Justin Houck (Berne-Knox-Westerlo 2016) - All-Area Honorable Mention
Evan Pescetti (Saratoga Catholic 2016) - All-Area Honorable Mention
Scott Voelker (Mekeel Christian Academy 2016, Combine Basketball Academy 2017) - All-Area Honorable Mention
Zach Hilton (Berne-Knox-Westerlo 2017) - All-Area Honorable Mention
Danny Reidell (Northville 2017) - All-Area Honorable Mention
Jared D'Aloia (Stillwater 2017) - All-Area Honorable Mention
Will Bennett (Albany Academy 2017) - All-Area Honorable Mention
Matt Bird (Schalmont 2016) - All-Area Honorable Mention
Girls
2015 All-EST 1st Team Saeeda Abdul-Aziz (Mohonasen 2017) - All-Area 1st Team
2015 All-EST 2nd Team Nina Fedullo (Amsterdam 2017) - All-Area 1st Team
2015 All-EST 2nd Team Sophie Tougas (Glens Falls 2019) - All-Area 2nd Team
Rebekkah Dean (Mekeel Christian Academy 2018) - All-Area 2nd Team
2015 All-EST Honorable Mention Jordan Hipwell (Ballston Spa 2017) - All-Area 3rd Team
2015 All-EST 1st Team Lucy Tougas (Glens Falls 2017) - All-Area Honorable Mention
2015 All-EST 2nd Team Grace Heeps (Columbia 2019) - All-Area Honorable Mention
2015 All-EST Honorable Mention Abby Fountain (Catholic Central 2016, Suffolk 2020) - All-Area Honorable Mention
2015 All-EST Honorable Mention Cameron Tooley (Shenendehowa 2018) - All-Area Honorable Mention
2015 All-EST Honorable Mention Nerea Brajac (Cohoes 2017) - All-Area Honorable Mention
Paige Niemeyer (Ichabod Crane 2016) - All-Area Honorable Mention
Emily Padalino (Albany Academy for Girls 2016, Dickinson 2020) - All-Area Honorable Mention
Maya Nicholas (Cobleskill-Richmondville 2016) - All-Area Honorable Mention
Emily Wander (Bethlehem 2017) - All-Area Honorable Mention
Liv Baumann (Guilderland 2017) - All-Area Honorable Mention
Dolly Cairns (Saratoga Springs 2020) - All-Area Honorable Mention
Kerry Flaherty (Saratoga Springs 2019) - All-Area Honorable Mention
Shyla Sanford (Shaker 2018) - All-Area Honorable Mention
Lyndsey McCoy (Middleburgh 2017) - All-Area Honorable Mention
Julianna Taylor (Fonda-Fultonville 2017) - All-Area Honorable Mention
The Republican (aka MassLive - Springfield, MA) (all-region, all-division, all-county, all-grade teams)
Girls
2015 All-EST Honorable Mention Lauraine Joensen (Northampton (MA) 2017) - All-WMass 3rd Team, All-Hampshire County Team, All-Division I Team
Madi Ryan (Hoosac Valley (MA) 2016) - All-Berkshire County Team
The Daily Freeman (Kingston, NY) (MVP, 1st Team, 2nd Team, 3rd Team, Honorable Mention)
Girls
2015 All-EST 1st Team Chloe Chaffin (Kingston 2018) - All-Area 1st Team
Ashley Starzyk (Pine Plains 2017) - All-Area 2nd Team
Poughkeepsie Journal (Poughkeepsie, NY) (All-Area 1st/2nd Team, Honorable Mention)
Boys
Jack Spencer (Rhinebeck 2017) - All-Area 1st Team
Kevin Townes Jr. (Our Lady of Lourdes 2017) - All-Area Honorable Mention
Rob Veith (Rhinebeck 2017) - All-Area Honorable Mention
Girls
Ashley Starzyk (Pine Plains 2017) - All-Area Honorable Mention
Observer-Dispatch (Utica, NY) (All-Mohawk Valley Team)
Boys
2015 All-EST Honorable Mention Tyler Bertram (Cooperstown 2018)
Derek Newman (Herkimer 2017)
Josh Gregory (Whitesboro 2016)
Girls
2015 EST MVP Danielle Migliore (Frankfort-Schuyler 2016, St. Bonaventure 2020) - Co-MVP
Liz Millea (Cooperstown 2016, Adelphi 2020) - Co-MVP
2015 All-EST Honorable Mention Cassidy Albright (New York Mills 2016, Keuka 2020)
Shiane Irwin (Poland 2017)
Post-Standard (Syracuse, NY) (All-CNY Team, Large School & Small School)
Boys
2015 All-EST Honorable Mention Tyler Bertram (Cooperstown 2018) - Small School
Girls
Liz Millea (Cooperstown 2016, Adelphi 2020) - MVP Small School
2015 EST MVP Danielle Migliore (Frankfort-Schuyler 2016, St. Bonaventure 2020) - Small School
2015 All-EST Honorable Mention Cassidy Albright (New York Mills 2016, Keuka 2020) - Small School
Watertown Daily Times (Watertown, NY) (All-North 1st Team, 2nd Team, Honorable Mention)
Girls
2015 All-EST 2nd Team Natalie DiSalvo (Canton 2016, SUNY Geneseo 2020) - All-North NAC 1st Team
On top of these EST vets listed, numerous new players that have already locked themselves in for the 2016 edition of the EST summer leagues were dotted on these lists. More on them as we get deeper into April...
Congratulations to all that have been selected and all that will be selected in the near future!
* This list will continue to be updated to reflect new selections, as numerous newspapers and media outlets that usually do all-area teams have yet to release their picks.
Times Union (Albany, NY) (Picked MVP, 1st Team, 2nd Team, 3rd Team - Large School & Small School)
Boys - Large School
2015 EST MVP Andrew Sischo (Guilderland 2016, Daemen 2020) - All-Area 1st Team
Hameir Wright (Albany Academy 2017) - All-Area 1st Team
Kory Bergh (Amsterdam 2016) - All-Area 2nd Team
Luke Hicks (Shenendehowa 2017) - All-Area 2nd Team
Mike Wynn (Albany CBA 2017) - All-Area 2nd Team
2015 All-EST Honorable Mention Adam Anderson (Saratoga Springs 2017) - All-Area 3rd Team
Boys - Small School
2015 All-EST 1st Team Joseph Girard III (Glens Falls 2019) - All-Area MVP
2015 All-EST 1st Team Zac O'Dell (Schalmont 2016, Swarthmore 2020) - All-Area 1st Team
2015 All-EST Honorable Mention Mitchel Wayand (Stillwater 2016, RPI 2020) - All-Area 1st Team
2015 All-EST Honorable Mention Keenan Loder (Cobleskill-Richmondville 2016, Molloy 2020) - All-Area 2nd Team
2015 All-EST Honorable Mention Kobe Lufkin (Argyle 2017) - All-Area 2nd Team
Jared D'Aloia (Stillwater 2017) - All-Area 3rd Team
Zach Hilton (Berne-Knox-Westerlo 2017) - All-Area 3rd Team
Girls - Large School
2015 All-EST 1st Team Saeeda Abdul-Aziz (Mohonasen 2017) - All-Area 2nd Team
2015 All-EST 2nd Team Nina Fedullo (Amsterdam 2017) - All-Area 2nd Team
2015 All-EST Honorable Mention Abby Fountain (Catholic Central 2016, Suffolk 2020) - All-Area 3rd Team
Kerry Flaherty (Saratoga Springs 2019) - All-Area 3rd Team
Emily Wander (Bethlehem 2017) - All-Area 3rd Team
Dolly Cairns (Saratoga Springs 2020) - All-Area 3rd Team
Girls - Small School
2015 All-EST 1st Team Lucy Tougas (Glens Falls 2017) - All-Area MVP
2015 All-EST 2nd Team Megan Flynn (Hoosick Falls 2016) - All-Area 1st Team
2015 All-EST 2nd Team Sophie Tougas (Glens Falls 2019) - All-Area 1st Team
Emily Padalino (Albany Academy for Girls 2016, Dickinson 2020) - All-Area 1st Team
Kelly Pine (Hoosick Falls 2017) - All-Area 1st Team
2015 All-EST Honorable Mention Nerea Brajac (Cohoes 2017) - All-Area 2nd Team
Ava Fitzmaurice (Greenville 2018) - All-Area 2nd Team
Rebekkah Dean (Mekeel Christian Academy 2018) - All-Area 3rd Team
Emily Erickson (Tamarac 2019) - All-Area 3rd Team
Post-Star (Glens Falls, NY) (Picked MVP, 1st Team, 2nd Team, 3rd Team, Honorable Mention)
Boys
2015 All-EST 1st Team Joseph Girard III (Glens Falls 2019) - All-Area MVP
2015 All-EST 2nd Team Matthew Higgins (South Glens Falls 2016) - All-Area 1st Team
2015 All-EST Honorable Mention Kobe Lufkin (Argyle 2017) - All-Area 1st Team
Chris Boucher (Fort Edward 2016) - All-Area 1st Team
2015 All-EST Honorable Mention Adam Anderson (Saratoga Springs 2017) - All-Area 2nd Team
Evan Pescetti (Saratoga Catholic 2016) - All-Area 2nd Team
2015 All-EST 2nd Team Alex Skaine (Saratoga Springs 2016, St. John Fisher 2020) - All-Area Honorable Mention
Girls
2015 All-EST 1st Team Lucy Tougas (Glens Falls 2017) - All-Area 1st Team
2015 All-EST 2nd Team Sophie Tougas (Glens Falls 2019) - All-Area 1st Team
Kerry Flaherty (Saratoga Springs 2019) - All-Area 3rd Team
Maddie Chudy (Saratoga Springs 2016) - All-Area Honorable Mention
Dolly Cairns (Saratoga Springs 2020) - All-Area Honorable Mention
The Recorder (Amsterdam, NY) (Picked MVP, 1st Team)
Boys
Kory Bergh (Amsterdam 2016) - All-Area MVP
Danny Reidell (Northville 2017) - All-Area 1st Team
Girls
2015 All-EST 2nd Team Nina Fedullo (Amsterdam 2017) - All-Area MVP
Julianna Taylor (Fonda-Fultonville 2017) - All-Area 1st Team
Daily Gazette (Schenectady, NY) (Picked MVP, 1st Team, 2nd Team, 3rd Team, Honorable Mention)
Boys
2015 EST MVP Andrew Sischo (Guilderland 2016, Daemen 2020) - All-Area 1st Team
2015 All-EST 1st Team Zac O'Dell (Schalmont 2016, Swarthmore 2020) - All-Area 1st Team
2015 All-EST 1st Team Joseph Girard III (Glens Falls 2019) - All-Area 1st Team
Hameir Wright (Albany Academy 2017) - All-Area 1st Team
Kory Bergh (Amsterdam 2016) - All-Area 2nd Team
Mike Wynn (Albany CBA 2017) - All-Area 2nd Team
Luke Hicks (Shenendehowa 2017) - All-Area 3rd Team
2015 All-EST 1st Team Mike Wine (Guilderland 2017) - All-Area Honorable Mention
2015 All-EST 2nd Team Devin Boyle (Johnstown 2016) - All-Area Honorable Mention
2015 All-EST 2nd Team Ty'Jon Gilmore (Watervliet 2016) - All-Area Honorable Mention
2015 All-EST 2nd Team Matthew Higgins (South Glens Falls 2016) - All-Area Honorable Mention
2015 All-EST 2nd Team Alex Skaine (Saratoga Springs 2016, St. John Fisher 2020) - All-Area Honorable Mention
2015 All-EST Honorable Mention Adam Anderson (Saratoga Springs 2017) - All-Area Honorable Mention
2015 All-EST Honorable Mention Keenan Loder (Cobleskill-Richmondville 2016, Molloy 2020) - All-Area Honorable Mention
2015 All-EST Honorable Mention Mitchel Wayand (Stillwater 2016, RPI 2020) - All-Area Honorable Mention
Justin Houck (Berne-Knox-Westerlo 2016) - All-Area Honorable Mention
Evan Pescetti (Saratoga Catholic 2016) - All-Area Honorable Mention
Scott Voelker (Mekeel Christian Academy 2016, Combine Basketball Academy 2017) - All-Area Honorable Mention
Zach Hilton (Berne-Knox-Westerlo 2017) - All-Area Honorable Mention
Danny Reidell (Northville 2017) - All-Area Honorable Mention
Jared D'Aloia (Stillwater 2017) - All-Area Honorable Mention
Will Bennett (Albany Academy 2017) - All-Area Honorable Mention
Matt Bird (Schalmont 2016) - All-Area Honorable Mention
Girls
2015 All-EST 1st Team Saeeda Abdul-Aziz (Mohonasen 2017) - All-Area 1st Team
2015 All-EST 2nd Team Nina Fedullo (Amsterdam 2017) - All-Area 1st Team
2015 All-EST 2nd Team Sophie Tougas (Glens Falls 2019) - All-Area 2nd Team
Rebekkah Dean (Mekeel Christian Academy 2018) - All-Area 2nd Team
2015 All-EST Honorable Mention Jordan Hipwell (Ballston Spa 2017) - All-Area 3rd Team
2015 All-EST 1st Team Lucy Tougas (Glens Falls 2017) - All-Area Honorable Mention
2015 All-EST 2nd Team Grace Heeps (Columbia 2019) - All-Area Honorable Mention
2015 All-EST Honorable Mention Abby Fountain (Catholic Central 2016, Suffolk 2020) - All-Area Honorable Mention
2015 All-EST Honorable Mention Cameron Tooley (Shenendehowa 2018) - All-Area Honorable Mention
2015 All-EST Honorable Mention Nerea Brajac (Cohoes 2017) - All-Area Honorable Mention
Paige Niemeyer (Ichabod Crane 2016) - All-Area Honorable Mention
Emily Padalino (Albany Academy for Girls 2016, Dickinson 2020) - All-Area Honorable Mention
Maya Nicholas (Cobleskill-Richmondville 2016) - All-Area Honorable Mention
Emily Wander (Bethlehem 2017) - All-Area Honorable Mention
Liv Baumann (Guilderland 2017) - All-Area Honorable Mention
Dolly Cairns (Saratoga Springs 2020) - All-Area Honorable Mention
Kerry Flaherty (Saratoga Springs 2019) - All-Area Honorable Mention
Shyla Sanford (Shaker 2018) - All-Area Honorable Mention
Lyndsey McCoy (Middleburgh 2017) - All-Area Honorable Mention
Julianna Taylor (Fonda-Fultonville 2017) - All-Area Honorable Mention
The Republican (aka MassLive - Springfield, MA) (all-region, all-division, all-county, all-grade teams)
Girls
2015 All-EST Honorable Mention Lauraine Joensen (Northampton (MA) 2017) - All-WMass 3rd Team, All-Hampshire County Team, All-Division I Team
Madi Ryan (Hoosac Valley (MA) 2016) - All-Berkshire County Team
The Daily Freeman (Kingston, NY) (MVP, 1st Team, 2nd Team, 3rd Team, Honorable Mention)
Girls
2015 All-EST 1st Team Chloe Chaffin (Kingston 2018) - All-Area 1st Team
Ashley Starzyk (Pine Plains 2017) - All-Area 2nd Team
Poughkeepsie Journal (Poughkeepsie, NY) (All-Area 1st/2nd Team, Honorable Mention)
Boys
Jack Spencer (Rhinebeck 2017) - All-Area 1st Team
Kevin Townes Jr. (Our Lady of Lourdes 2017) - All-Area Honorable Mention
Rob Veith (Rhinebeck 2017) - All-Area Honorable Mention
Girls
Ashley Starzyk (Pine Plains 2017) - All-Area Honorable Mention
Observer-Dispatch (Utica, NY) (All-Mohawk Valley Team)
Boys
2015 All-EST Honorable Mention Tyler Bertram (Cooperstown 2018)
Derek Newman (Herkimer 2017)
Josh Gregory (Whitesboro 2016)
Girls
2015 EST MVP Danielle Migliore (Frankfort-Schuyler 2016, St. Bonaventure 2020) - Co-MVP
Liz Millea (Cooperstown 2016, Adelphi 2020) - Co-MVP
2015 All-EST Honorable Mention Cassidy Albright (New York Mills 2016, Keuka 2020)
Shiane Irwin (Poland 2017)
Post-Standard (Syracuse, NY) (All-CNY Team, Large School & Small School)
Boys
2015 All-EST Honorable Mention Tyler Bertram (Cooperstown 2018) - Small School
Girls
Liz Millea (Cooperstown 2016, Adelphi 2020) - MVP Small School
2015 EST MVP Danielle Migliore (Frankfort-Schuyler 2016, St. Bonaventure 2020) - Small School
2015 All-EST Honorable Mention Cassidy Albright (New York Mills 2016, Keuka 2020) - Small School
Watertown Daily Times (Watertown, NY) (All-North 1st Team, 2nd Team, Honorable Mention)
Girls
2015 All-EST 2nd Team Natalie DiSalvo (Canton 2016, SUNY Geneseo 2020) - All-North NAC 1st Team
On top of these EST vets listed, numerous new players that have already locked themselves in for the 2016 edition of the EST summer leagues were dotted on these lists. More on them as we get deeper into April...
Congratulations to all that have been selected and all that will be selected in the near future!
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