What I Saw
Catholic Central @ Ichabod Crane
Original plans had me elsewhere, but after a game in the North Country was postponed, I had to quickly scramble for a viable replacement. The short trip to Valatie worked perfectly, as I was able to get another look of an extremely balanced CCHS squad and get a first look at ICC. Both teams feature players that participated in 2016's EST summer league, in CCHS 2018 Emily Frodyma and Ichabod Crane 2017 & Florida Southern signee Tara Sager.
A strong defensive effort, led by persistent guard pressure from CCHS, helped this one turn into a blowout early. With their balance, a different player can step up and shine on any given night. In this game, it was 2019 F Riqiya Harris. The 5'11" post got the starting nod and responded by producing every minute. This was the most active I've seen her at both ends in a couple dozen times watching her. Not only did she go to work in the post, finishing with both hands, but some perimeter skills were also on display. She hit a long jumper and attacked the rim off the dribble a handful of times, including going coast-to-coast on a couple defensive rebounds & finishing at the other end. More than any other game, I noticed how quick her feet were. She was able to hedge, help, and recover very well on several P&R situations, even getting hands on passes to the screener. More of this from Harris could help her hit the next level of progression in her game.
I also liked what I saw from Sager, especially on the offensive end. She's known as a defender and rim protector first, and she did a lot of that. The long 6'4" post swatted nearly 10 shots and altered about as many without getting a hand on them. Her progression on the offensive end from the last time I've seen her play was impressive. She's still a work in progress on the offensive end, but her footwork has made strides and she attacks the rim with more confidence. At one point, she split a double team with a stepthrough move to her left side & got to the basket - something I've never seen from her. With continued development, Sager could potentially be a real difference maker as time goes on at the D2 level.
What Happened Today
A lot. A lot happened. Big news across the board, starting with:
- Major congratulations go out to Jamesville-DeWitt 2017 standout Julia Kelner, who made her plans for the next four years public by verbally committing to Division I Bryant University. Kelner, a rapidly improving 6'2" forward that projects as a great 4 in an uptempo system going forward, received the scholarship offer from Bryant a week & a half prior. She was receiving attention from other Division I programs such as St. Bonaventure and Albany, but Bryant was able to win her services. Kelner was an All-EST 1st Team selection in 2016 that averaged 9.6 PPG, 8.7 RPG, and 1.3 BPG for a strong Show Stoppers squad that made the finals. She's been turning heads throughout the season for a very strong J-D team, including a largely dominant stretch over the last 6 weeks. Kelner marks the 5th member of the Class of 2017 in EST's 2016 summer league to commit to a Division I program, and she'll join fellow ESTer Brooke Bjelko (Beekmantown) in Bryant's recruiting class.
- Not too many times a 1,000 point scorer doesn't get the first mention, especially on a Wednesday, but here we are. Quite the accomplishment though, especially at the PG spot which this player often runs - congratulations go to Beekmantown 2017 standout Kenna Guynup, who hit the quadruple digit mark in a 61-37 victory over Saranac. Kenna, a shifty 5'6" guard that can stretch the defense with deep range, came into Wednesday's game at 980 points. She hung 17 in the first half and completed her 20 with 1:35 remaining in the 3rd quarter on a 3 point play to finish her evening at 1,000 exactly. She has grown into one of the North Country's most dynamic players and scorers over her 4 years on Beekmantown's varsity team, and it shows with the uncommitted senior still being one of NY's most sought-after talents among Division III programs.
- How many times will a 40 point game be mentioned third? Well, here we are again. Emma Carter, a 5'11" standout 2018 wing at Mount Abraham Union in Bristol, VT, had herself a game Wednesday. In the same game that AAU teammate and close friend Keagan Dunbar scored her 1,000th point for her Middlebury squad, Carter dropped a game and career high 40 piece in her team's 56-50 victory. Carter is a very versatile scorer, with the ability to put it in the basket at all three levels and take advantage of many different matchups. She's also charging toward the 1,000 point barrier, and games like this will make that number an afterthought when all is said and done.
- Not to be outdone, one of Section III's leading scorers came out to play Wednesday night. Frankfort-Schuyler 2017 G Danielle Caivana wasn't taking no for an answer, as she dropped a game high 35 points in a 55-46 victory over Herkimer. Her scoring totals have dropped slightly of late as she consistently attracts the bulk of the opposition's defensive attention, but the diminutive, but electric guard returned to making eyes pop in this one.
- It was WACtion Wednesday, and a couple D3 commits in the WAC had big scoring games for their respective teams. For Middleburgh, it was Alfred-bound senior Lyndsey McCoy that went for a game & career high 29 points in her team's 55-40 victory over Heatly. Fresh off scoring her 1,000th point last week, she put on her biggest performance to date against a pretty strong small-school opponent to improve her team's record to 16-2. For Fonda-Fultonville, Brockport-bound Julianna Taylor had a Julianna Taylor-type game, as she hung a game high 27 points in her team's 63-37 victory.
Some More
- Saratoga Springs 2019 Kerry Flaherty led all scorers with 17 points in their 47-28 victory.
- Mekeel Christian Academy 2018 Rebekkah Dean had 13 points in their 49-19 W.
- Middleburgh 2018 Bre Palmatier finished with 13 points in their 55-40 W over Heatly.
- In defeat, Heatly 2018 Kyra Oeffler paced her squad with 17 points.
- Greenville 2018 Ava Fitzmaurice dropped 17 points to lead all scorers in their 42-40 victory.
- Stockbridge Valley 2017 Olivia Marshall finished with 15 points, 11 rebounds, 2 assists, 5 steals, and 4 blocks in their 60-33 victory.
- Beekmantown 2017 and Bryant signee Brooke Bjelko finished with 16 points in their 61-37 W over Saranac.
- General Brown 2018 Kylee Rosbrook scored a team high 14 points and added 6 rebounds & 4 steals in their 64-27 victory.
Where You'll See Me Next
Running away from the snow. Thursday, catch me in Watertown (how many times will I ever be able to say 'running away from snow' and 'going to Watertown' in the same thought?). My attention will be given to the Frontier League A & B finals. The As start it off, with Indian River and Watertown IHC taking the court at 6:30. The B nightcap of General Brown and South Jefferson is scheduled for an 8:00 tip. Both games will be held at Jefferson CC in Watertown. Strong players lead all four teams, with South Jefferson (Jenna Zimmerman) and General Brown (Kylee Rosbrook) both having players that participated in the Upstate Elite Showcase fall event.
Saturday, February 11, 2017
Wednesday, February 8, 2017
EST Cheat Sheet: February 7
What I Saw
- Unatego @ Hancock
Spent Tuesday evening in the 607, starting off by getting a 1st look at Unatego and 2nd at Hancock. The youth movement is evident in each of these programs, with 3 8th graders dotting the starting lineup between the 2 teams, all with some generated buzz already. No one's buzz is quite as loud as Hancock standout 2021 Laycee Drake though, with good reason. The 5'5" guard flexed her muscle early and often against a Unatego zone D that was paying special attention to her. The first time she touched the ball was on a catch in a dangerous spot, just across the timeline in the corner against a zone press. She proceeded to show off the handle and split through the double, then break down a 3rd defender right after, which was a sign of things to come. She created for herself by getting to the rim, using her in-between game with floaters, and the perimeter J, while playing both as a point guard and at the high post against the zone. She also found ways to create for others, especially dumping down to 2017 Lexie Houghton after attracting multiple defenders. I hear that Houghton, a lefty 4 standing about 5'11", has garnered some late D3 interest. Her skill set, athletic ability, and length at that position would be worth a D3 still looking to fill a 4 spot in this class giving her a look, in my eyes.
For Unatego, it'll be interesting to track the growth of their 8th grade twin starters as time goes on. Meghan Perry and Morgan Perry have quite an upside, and with continued skill development, they could be forces in the Oneonta area and beyond as time goes on. They're both lanky & active guards in the 5'8" range that hold down the wing spots for their squad. I was only able to see half of this game, and it's my first look at these two, so time will tell what I think of them in more detail - in these 16 minutes, Meghan in particular showed the ability to score from that position, and both showed defensive versatility and quality rebounding for position - looking forward to tracking these two going forward.
- Bainbridge-Guilford @ Sidney
2nd time catching Sidney, if you count the pre-Thanksgiving scrimmage I saw, and actually just my 1st B-G game this year. It was a high-scoring rout for B-G, ranked 5th in the state in the latest Class C state polls, ending in an 80-55 triumph. I was impressed with the growth in B-G 2019 standout Abigail Selfridge from the last time I've seen her play, which was actually back in the 2016 EST summer league. A strong & athletic 5'7" player who doesn't really have a natural position, she showed much more comfort attacking from the perimeter. She's always been tough around the rim and finishes through contact, and that hasn't changed. What has grown is her ability to hit the pull-up 12'-15' shot, along with increased range on her jumper. She went to the midrange J about a half-dozen times during the game, while also stepping out and hitting a three - something relatively new to her game. Along with Abi, the growth in the game of her younger sister, 2021 Erica Selfridge, is starting to shine through. She's a 5'6" guard with extremely long arms - perhaps a wingspan of 6' or more. While in, she was tasked with guarding Sidney's best player throughout. Her length allows her to tip passes that many others can't, and she can be pesky against a ballhandler by poking the ball away easily. Offensively, she's a knockdown shooter, finding a way to convert 3 open looks into 9 points during the game. She has a greater upside than I previously realized, and I'm becoming more & more intrigued by her growth on the basketball court. Finally, the improvement I saw in B-G 2018 post Megan Palmatier's game can't be understated. Previously just a back-to-basket big, she showed much-improved ability in the face-up game - something that opens her game up drastically. She didn't step outside the 3 point line, but she did knock down a pair of long 2s. Another time she stepped out, she got her defender in the air on a shot fake & made a strong left-handed baseline drive into an inside hand finish at the rim. B-G's numerous offensive weapons - and the multi-faceted nature of these players - makes them a tough team to defend.
What Happened Today
- As mentioned just above, Abi Selfridge (Bainbridge-Guilford 2019) had herself a night - really, a 3rd quarter - in their victory over Sidney at half. After scoring 6 points in the 1st half, having sat a few minutes with 2 fouls, she came out of the locker room on a tear. She put up 16 points in the 3rd quarter, where her team broke it open into the 20s, and a 3 point play early in the 4th before she was taken out for the remainder of the game gave her 19 points in a 9 minute stretch. She added 6 rebounds and 5 steals.
- It's late in the season, so we're in senior night mode. Mohonasen's senior night was Tuesday, which marks the last (regular season) home game for longtime standout and Davidson signee Saeeda Abdul-Aziz. She treated the home crowd with a game high 23 points, pushing her over the 1,600 point mark for her career, in a 54-41 victory.
- The high scorer of the night out of 2016 ESTers, albeit in defeat, came from the left hand of Schalmont 2018 Madison Graber. Graber dropped a game high 30 points for her squad in a 53-52 double overtime defeat to Ichabod Crane. Fellow Schalmont 2018 Paige Brinkman, along with stuffing the stat line, joined her in double digits with 11.
- The game of the night was certainly the highly anticipated matchup between Section II Class AA powers Shaker and Shenendehowa. Shaker was able to get the job done on the road, coming out with a 53-47 victory. There were 7 ESTers on the court between these two elite teams, and it looks & sounds like they all produced for their squads. Shaker received major contributions from Army West Point signee CeCe Mayo, who led all scorers with 18 points, and they also got 11 points - and a phenomenal defensive effort - from 2018 Shyla Sanford. It was another game in double digits for both Shen 2018 standouts Alexandra Tudor and Cameron Tooley - Tudor paced them with 14 points, and point guard Tooley added 10.
- Shoutout to Bethlehem 2017 standout PG and Middlebury bound Emily Wander, who's been producing at an eye-popping rate lately. She only continued that trend Tuesday, pumping in a game high 26 points in their 72-59 W over Guilderland. Backcourt mate Molly Kirby, a junior, added 18 points. Their increased contributions after losing Molly's twin sister Maggie Kirby to a knee injury has been much-needed.
Some More
- Averill Park 2018 Stephanie Jankovic led all scorers with 12 points - in limited minutes - in their 72-22 blowout W over Burnt Hills.
- Guilderland 2017 and St. John Fisher bound Olivia Baumann finished with 15 points in their 72-59 setback to Bethlehem.
- Jamesville-Dewitt 2017 and Bryant commit Julia Kelner led all scorers with 17 points in their 58-27 win over Oswego.
- Delaware Academy 2018 Logan Bruce had a double-double, finishing with 10 points and 10 assists, in their 56-25 victory over Deposit. Addy Sackett, a Delaware Academy senior and SUNY Plattsburgh commit, added 10 points in the win.
- Cobleskill-Richmondville 2018 Allie Pacatte led all scorers with 12 points in their defeat at Oneonta.
- Mount Everett (MA) 2019 Gwendolyn Carpenter led her team with 20 points in their 52-48 victory over rival Lee.
- South Jefferson 2018 standout Jenna Zimmerman filled the stat line in 3 quarters of action, finishing with 10 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists, 4 steals, and 6 blocks in their 64-34 victory over Lowville.
Where You'll See Me Next
Had to make a last-minute plan change on this, as where I was planning to originally go (Moriah for their contest against Northern Adirondack) was postponed. Tonight will keep me in Section II, as I head to Valatie to watch Ichabod Crane host Catholic Central. It'll be my first time seeing Ichabod Crane this year, and a good chance to see Tara Sager, their senior and 2 year ESTer headed to Division II Florida Southern in the fall. I also get a first look at 2020 Madison Graham, who has burst onto the scene of late with some big scoring games. CCHS is no secret, a dominant force in the Colonial that can legitimately go 10 deep. It'll be my 4th time seeing them this season, with 2016 ESTer Emily Frodyma and a host of strong talent across the board.
- Unatego @ Hancock
Spent Tuesday evening in the 607, starting off by getting a 1st look at Unatego and 2nd at Hancock. The youth movement is evident in each of these programs, with 3 8th graders dotting the starting lineup between the 2 teams, all with some generated buzz already. No one's buzz is quite as loud as Hancock standout 2021 Laycee Drake though, with good reason. The 5'5" guard flexed her muscle early and often against a Unatego zone D that was paying special attention to her. The first time she touched the ball was on a catch in a dangerous spot, just across the timeline in the corner against a zone press. She proceeded to show off the handle and split through the double, then break down a 3rd defender right after, which was a sign of things to come. She created for herself by getting to the rim, using her in-between game with floaters, and the perimeter J, while playing both as a point guard and at the high post against the zone. She also found ways to create for others, especially dumping down to 2017 Lexie Houghton after attracting multiple defenders. I hear that Houghton, a lefty 4 standing about 5'11", has garnered some late D3 interest. Her skill set, athletic ability, and length at that position would be worth a D3 still looking to fill a 4 spot in this class giving her a look, in my eyes.
For Unatego, it'll be interesting to track the growth of their 8th grade twin starters as time goes on. Meghan Perry and Morgan Perry have quite an upside, and with continued skill development, they could be forces in the Oneonta area and beyond as time goes on. They're both lanky & active guards in the 5'8" range that hold down the wing spots for their squad. I was only able to see half of this game, and it's my first look at these two, so time will tell what I think of them in more detail - in these 16 minutes, Meghan in particular showed the ability to score from that position, and both showed defensive versatility and quality rebounding for position - looking forward to tracking these two going forward.
- Bainbridge-Guilford @ Sidney
2nd time catching Sidney, if you count the pre-Thanksgiving scrimmage I saw, and actually just my 1st B-G game this year. It was a high-scoring rout for B-G, ranked 5th in the state in the latest Class C state polls, ending in an 80-55 triumph. I was impressed with the growth in B-G 2019 standout Abigail Selfridge from the last time I've seen her play, which was actually back in the 2016 EST summer league. A strong & athletic 5'7" player who doesn't really have a natural position, she showed much more comfort attacking from the perimeter. She's always been tough around the rim and finishes through contact, and that hasn't changed. What has grown is her ability to hit the pull-up 12'-15' shot, along with increased range on her jumper. She went to the midrange J about a half-dozen times during the game, while also stepping out and hitting a three - something relatively new to her game. Along with Abi, the growth in the game of her younger sister, 2021 Erica Selfridge, is starting to shine through. She's a 5'6" guard with extremely long arms - perhaps a wingspan of 6' or more. While in, she was tasked with guarding Sidney's best player throughout. Her length allows her to tip passes that many others can't, and she can be pesky against a ballhandler by poking the ball away easily. Offensively, she's a knockdown shooter, finding a way to convert 3 open looks into 9 points during the game. She has a greater upside than I previously realized, and I'm becoming more & more intrigued by her growth on the basketball court. Finally, the improvement I saw in B-G 2018 post Megan Palmatier's game can't be understated. Previously just a back-to-basket big, she showed much-improved ability in the face-up game - something that opens her game up drastically. She didn't step outside the 3 point line, but she did knock down a pair of long 2s. Another time she stepped out, she got her defender in the air on a shot fake & made a strong left-handed baseline drive into an inside hand finish at the rim. B-G's numerous offensive weapons - and the multi-faceted nature of these players - makes them a tough team to defend.
What Happened Today
- As mentioned just above, Abi Selfridge (Bainbridge-Guilford 2019) had herself a night - really, a 3rd quarter - in their victory over Sidney at half. After scoring 6 points in the 1st half, having sat a few minutes with 2 fouls, she came out of the locker room on a tear. She put up 16 points in the 3rd quarter, where her team broke it open into the 20s, and a 3 point play early in the 4th before she was taken out for the remainder of the game gave her 19 points in a 9 minute stretch. She added 6 rebounds and 5 steals.
- It's late in the season, so we're in senior night mode. Mohonasen's senior night was Tuesday, which marks the last (regular season) home game for longtime standout and Davidson signee Saeeda Abdul-Aziz. She treated the home crowd with a game high 23 points, pushing her over the 1,600 point mark for her career, in a 54-41 victory.
- The high scorer of the night out of 2016 ESTers, albeit in defeat, came from the left hand of Schalmont 2018 Madison Graber. Graber dropped a game high 30 points for her squad in a 53-52 double overtime defeat to Ichabod Crane. Fellow Schalmont 2018 Paige Brinkman, along with stuffing the stat line, joined her in double digits with 11.
- The game of the night was certainly the highly anticipated matchup between Section II Class AA powers Shaker and Shenendehowa. Shaker was able to get the job done on the road, coming out with a 53-47 victory. There were 7 ESTers on the court between these two elite teams, and it looks & sounds like they all produced for their squads. Shaker received major contributions from Army West Point signee CeCe Mayo, who led all scorers with 18 points, and they also got 11 points - and a phenomenal defensive effort - from 2018 Shyla Sanford. It was another game in double digits for both Shen 2018 standouts Alexandra Tudor and Cameron Tooley - Tudor paced them with 14 points, and point guard Tooley added 10.
- Shoutout to Bethlehem 2017 standout PG and Middlebury bound Emily Wander, who's been producing at an eye-popping rate lately. She only continued that trend Tuesday, pumping in a game high 26 points in their 72-59 W over Guilderland. Backcourt mate Molly Kirby, a junior, added 18 points. Their increased contributions after losing Molly's twin sister Maggie Kirby to a knee injury has been much-needed.
Some More
- Averill Park 2018 Stephanie Jankovic led all scorers with 12 points - in limited minutes - in their 72-22 blowout W over Burnt Hills.
- Guilderland 2017 and St. John Fisher bound Olivia Baumann finished with 15 points in their 72-59 setback to Bethlehem.
- Jamesville-Dewitt 2017 and Bryant commit Julia Kelner led all scorers with 17 points in their 58-27 win over Oswego.
- Delaware Academy 2018 Logan Bruce had a double-double, finishing with 10 points and 10 assists, in their 56-25 victory over Deposit. Addy Sackett, a Delaware Academy senior and SUNY Plattsburgh commit, added 10 points in the win.
- Cobleskill-Richmondville 2018 Allie Pacatte led all scorers with 12 points in their defeat at Oneonta.
- Mount Everett (MA) 2019 Gwendolyn Carpenter led her team with 20 points in their 52-48 victory over rival Lee.
- South Jefferson 2018 standout Jenna Zimmerman filled the stat line in 3 quarters of action, finishing with 10 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists, 4 steals, and 6 blocks in their 64-34 victory over Lowville.
Where You'll See Me Next
Had to make a last-minute plan change on this, as where I was planning to originally go (Moriah for their contest against Northern Adirondack) was postponed. Tonight will keep me in Section II, as I head to Valatie to watch Ichabod Crane host Catholic Central. It'll be my first time seeing Ichabod Crane this year, and a good chance to see Tara Sager, their senior and 2 year ESTer headed to Division II Florida Southern in the fall. I also get a first look at 2020 Madison Graham, who has burst onto the scene of late with some big scoring games. CCHS is no secret, a dominant force in the Colonial that can legitimately go 10 deep. It'll be my 4th time seeing them this season, with 2016 ESTer Emily Frodyma and a host of strong talent across the board.
Tuesday, February 7, 2017
EST Cheat Sheet: February 6
Trying a little something new for the blog in addition to the usual coverage and constant plugging of where I am & how those that played in EST do in their games. I'll do a few of these and see how it's received - enjoy!
It was a sneaky busy day on the schedule - busier than most Mondays, but that's to be expected with sectionals right around the corner in NY. There were plenty of good games, storylines, big numbers, and even a milestone accomplished. Let's get it going - what I saw, what happened, and where I'll be tomorrow!
What I Saw
SS Seward @ Millbrook
Recovering from a 1st half they'd probably like to have back, Millbrook broke the game open in the 4th quarter to hand a pesky Seward squad a 55-39 defeat. Millbrook, better known for success in other girls' sports like volleyball and lacrosse, has been starting to make noise on the hardwood of late thanks to a young core of talent. They're led by an inside/outside duo that I have my eyes on for the EST summer invitational league in guard Sam McKenna (2019) and forward Erin Fox (2020). Fox led the way in the scoring column today with 18 points, and McKenna added 15. Each tallied 8 rebounds, per reported stats.
Fox has a 4 skill set that's impressive for a freshman. She looks to be in the 6' range and has an extensive set of moves, both with back to basket and facing up. She can hit the mid-range jumper, finish equally well with right & left hand around the rim, and is able to get up and down the floor. She was a steady, consistent scorer in this game with a combination of baskets off post moves & putbacks. McKenna is a bit more of a combo guard, although perhaps a bit more comfortable at the 2 spot. She was aggressive offensively in this game and was rewarded with a big 2nd half, as she got a couple easy ones fueled by her efforts at the defensive end and was able to get in the groove. She plays hard at both ends with the ability to defend either guard spot, and has the quickness to get to the rim to go with range to 3 feet outside the line.
What Happened Today
- First, congratulations go to the newest member of the 1,000 point club - Mekeel Christian Academy 2018 Rebekkah Dean. Dean dropped a game high 28 points, 17 coming in the 2nd half, in their quality road W over Cooperstown. The multi-dimensional 5'9" G/F, a longtime varsity standout, reached the quadruple digit mark on a three late in the game - one of her three on the night. Dean becomes the 20th person that participated in the 2016 EST summer invitational league to reach the 1,000 point plateau, and the 16th to do it this season.
- Not many days will a game like this come second on the list. Stockbridge Valley senior Olivia Marshall has a high school career going that, at least statistically speaking, is rarely matched. She's one of the four that scored their 1,000th point last year and is closer to 2,000 than 1,000 now. She's had seven triple-doubles, and most games in her long varsity career have ended in double-doubles for her. With all of this, she had a new first Monday night - her first 40 point game. The 5'11" F hung a game high 40 points, 13 rebounds, and 7 steals in their victory. She plays Class D basketball, which many are quick to knock. My thoughts - you play the hand you're dealt, and you make the most of it. Liv has maximized her production, while improving many aspects of her game, along the course of her high school career. She also produced in her two years playing in EST. Putting a 40 piece up on a team that's trying to stop you, regardless of school size, is an impressive feat!
- Marshall wasn't the only Section III girl who put up big numbers. Shoutout to Marcellus 2017 PG Liz White, who continued a strong senior campaign with a 25 point outing in their win over APW Monday.
- How about Harmony Philo? The standout Gloversville sophomore keeps plugging along. Right after the release of a Daily Gazette article highlighting Harmony's exploits - the beginning of what could be a great deal of individual media coverage for her - she hits 5 more threes en route to a game high 25 points in their victory over Schuylerville. The 5'8" guard is averaging 20.5 PPG, 5th in Section II and one of six averaging 20+ PPG. Her 54 threes made lead the section, and per the Times Union, she's 2nd in the section with a free throw percentage of 85.7% (78/91). Her freshman season started to put her on the map; her sophomore season has made her a destination on your schedule.
- Looks like Scotia is starting to put it together at the right time. They doubled up Johnstown (plus 1) with a 65-32 verdict, with three that played in EST in double digits. 2017 guard and Adelphi signee Caitlin Estes pumped in a game high 23 points with 16 coming in the 2nd half. Electric 2020 PG Mikyla Mitchell added 14 points, and 2018 F Mary Kate Palleschi anchored the squad with a double-double of 11 points & 11 rebounds. If those three are producing at that rate, they'll be a team that no one really wants to match up against in a couple weeks.
- Round 3 goes to Seton Catholic, as they continue to exact revenge on an early season loss to rival Susquehanna Valley by handing them a 63-47 loss in their STAC playoff tiebreaker. Since a strong SV got the best of them on Seton's court in December, the high-powered Saints have yet to lose. Standout 2018 G Hanna Strawn, who picked up a Vermont offer in mid-January to go along with her existing Brown offer, led all scorers with 18 points. 10 came in the 2nd quarter for her. Marina Maerkl, a 6' 2019 post that was at the fall event, contributed a double-double for the 3rd straight game. She also showed her quickly budding ability to step out when she knocked down a three in the 2nd half to keep SV at bay. All five of Seton's starters finished in double digits - a very tough team to beat because of their ability to contribute at all 5 positions.
- These are a couple follow-up thoughts off something that happened last week; Glens Falls 2019 wing Sophie Tougas and 2017 PG Lucy Tougas finished with 15 & 9 points, respectively, in their 53-33 W Monday. It looks like they had the game in hand following a big 3rd quarter that put them up 24. As mentioned on Twitter (a lot), both Tougas sisters scored their 1,000th point in the 1st quarter of last Thursday's win over Queensbury, with Lucy's coming 68 seconds before Sophie's. Two things: first, if you're counting, Sophie now leads Lucy 1,023-1,022 after Monday's game. Second, I'd be curious to see if Glens Falls has archived full statistics over the last few years. If so, I truly wonder if Lucy would be a member of the extremely uncommon 1,000-500-500 club. She's long been known as a major stat stuffer, with her passing ability often on full display. I'm almost certain she's blown past 500 rebounds to date, and would be willing to bet 500 assists has either already happened or isn't far away...
Some More
- Heatly 2018 Kyra Oeffler led all scorers with 15 points in their blowout W over Doane Stuart.
- Amsterdam 2017 and St. Rose signee Nina Fedullo led the way with 16 points in their 63-21 W over Broadalbin-Perth, a game they led 29-3 at the break. She added 7 rebounds and 5 steals.
- Sauquoit Valley 2019 Allison Moreau led all scorers with 18 points in a 54-44 setback to Little Falls.
- Poland 2017 Shiane Irwin contributed 16 points on senior night in their 66-56 W over West Canada Valley, a game that clinched a league championship for them.
- Frankfort-Schuyler 2017 Danielle Caivana led all scorers with 17 points in their 63-40 W over Hamilton. Caivana added 6 assists and 4 steals.
- Cooperstown 2018 Julie Ford paced her squad with 11 points in their setback to Mekeel Christian Academy.
- Kingston 2018 Chloe Chaffin, a Fordham commit, finished with 14 points and 6 assists in their victory over Newburgh.
- Northampton (MA) 2017 and Canisius signee Lauraine Joensen finished with a team high 13 points in their 50-43 defeat to Longmeadow.
Where You'll See Me Next
The 607! As long as the weather permits, I've slotted myself into a 2nd Hancock trip this winter. They host Unatego with start time listed at 6:15. Unatego has a couple players I need to get a first look at, and Hancock is worth the price of admission due to standout 2021 G Laycee Drake, one of the top 8th graders I've seen this school year in upstate NY. I probably won't stick for the entirety, as I plan to cut out and get to a 7:15 start in nearby Sidney between them and Bainbridge-Guilford. B-G, one of the state's top ranked Class C teams, features a 2016 ESTer in Abi Selfridge that has been lighting up the stat sheet this winter. It'll be my first time watching her this season, and I'll also be able to check other players on the team, including a junior forward in Megan Palmatier and Abi's little sister, 8th grade guard Erica. This will be my 2nd time seeing the host Sidney, with the 1st being a pre-Thanksgiving scrimmage.
It was a sneaky busy day on the schedule - busier than most Mondays, but that's to be expected with sectionals right around the corner in NY. There were plenty of good games, storylines, big numbers, and even a milestone accomplished. Let's get it going - what I saw, what happened, and where I'll be tomorrow!
What I Saw
SS Seward @ Millbrook
Recovering from a 1st half they'd probably like to have back, Millbrook broke the game open in the 4th quarter to hand a pesky Seward squad a 55-39 defeat. Millbrook, better known for success in other girls' sports like volleyball and lacrosse, has been starting to make noise on the hardwood of late thanks to a young core of talent. They're led by an inside/outside duo that I have my eyes on for the EST summer invitational league in guard Sam McKenna (2019) and forward Erin Fox (2020). Fox led the way in the scoring column today with 18 points, and McKenna added 15. Each tallied 8 rebounds, per reported stats.
Fox has a 4 skill set that's impressive for a freshman. She looks to be in the 6' range and has an extensive set of moves, both with back to basket and facing up. She can hit the mid-range jumper, finish equally well with right & left hand around the rim, and is able to get up and down the floor. She was a steady, consistent scorer in this game with a combination of baskets off post moves & putbacks. McKenna is a bit more of a combo guard, although perhaps a bit more comfortable at the 2 spot. She was aggressive offensively in this game and was rewarded with a big 2nd half, as she got a couple easy ones fueled by her efforts at the defensive end and was able to get in the groove. She plays hard at both ends with the ability to defend either guard spot, and has the quickness to get to the rim to go with range to 3 feet outside the line.
What Happened Today
- First, congratulations go to the newest member of the 1,000 point club - Mekeel Christian Academy 2018 Rebekkah Dean. Dean dropped a game high 28 points, 17 coming in the 2nd half, in their quality road W over Cooperstown. The multi-dimensional 5'9" G/F, a longtime varsity standout, reached the quadruple digit mark on a three late in the game - one of her three on the night. Dean becomes the 20th person that participated in the 2016 EST summer invitational league to reach the 1,000 point plateau, and the 16th to do it this season.
- Not many days will a game like this come second on the list. Stockbridge Valley senior Olivia Marshall has a high school career going that, at least statistically speaking, is rarely matched. She's one of the four that scored their 1,000th point last year and is closer to 2,000 than 1,000 now. She's had seven triple-doubles, and most games in her long varsity career have ended in double-doubles for her. With all of this, she had a new first Monday night - her first 40 point game. The 5'11" F hung a game high 40 points, 13 rebounds, and 7 steals in their victory. She plays Class D basketball, which many are quick to knock. My thoughts - you play the hand you're dealt, and you make the most of it. Liv has maximized her production, while improving many aspects of her game, along the course of her high school career. She also produced in her two years playing in EST. Putting a 40 piece up on a team that's trying to stop you, regardless of school size, is an impressive feat!
- Marshall wasn't the only Section III girl who put up big numbers. Shoutout to Marcellus 2017 PG Liz White, who continued a strong senior campaign with a 25 point outing in their win over APW Monday.
- How about Harmony Philo? The standout Gloversville sophomore keeps plugging along. Right after the release of a Daily Gazette article highlighting Harmony's exploits - the beginning of what could be a great deal of individual media coverage for her - she hits 5 more threes en route to a game high 25 points in their victory over Schuylerville. The 5'8" guard is averaging 20.5 PPG, 5th in Section II and one of six averaging 20+ PPG. Her 54 threes made lead the section, and per the Times Union, she's 2nd in the section with a free throw percentage of 85.7% (78/91). Her freshman season started to put her on the map; her sophomore season has made her a destination on your schedule.
- Looks like Scotia is starting to put it together at the right time. They doubled up Johnstown (plus 1) with a 65-32 verdict, with three that played in EST in double digits. 2017 guard and Adelphi signee Caitlin Estes pumped in a game high 23 points with 16 coming in the 2nd half. Electric 2020 PG Mikyla Mitchell added 14 points, and 2018 F Mary Kate Palleschi anchored the squad with a double-double of 11 points & 11 rebounds. If those three are producing at that rate, they'll be a team that no one really wants to match up against in a couple weeks.
- Round 3 goes to Seton Catholic, as they continue to exact revenge on an early season loss to rival Susquehanna Valley by handing them a 63-47 loss in their STAC playoff tiebreaker. Since a strong SV got the best of them on Seton's court in December, the high-powered Saints have yet to lose. Standout 2018 G Hanna Strawn, who picked up a Vermont offer in mid-January to go along with her existing Brown offer, led all scorers with 18 points. 10 came in the 2nd quarter for her. Marina Maerkl, a 6' 2019 post that was at the fall event, contributed a double-double for the 3rd straight game. She also showed her quickly budding ability to step out when she knocked down a three in the 2nd half to keep SV at bay. All five of Seton's starters finished in double digits - a very tough team to beat because of their ability to contribute at all 5 positions.
- These are a couple follow-up thoughts off something that happened last week; Glens Falls 2019 wing Sophie Tougas and 2017 PG Lucy Tougas finished with 15 & 9 points, respectively, in their 53-33 W Monday. It looks like they had the game in hand following a big 3rd quarter that put them up 24. As mentioned on Twitter (a lot), both Tougas sisters scored their 1,000th point in the 1st quarter of last Thursday's win over Queensbury, with Lucy's coming 68 seconds before Sophie's. Two things: first, if you're counting, Sophie now leads Lucy 1,023-1,022 after Monday's game. Second, I'd be curious to see if Glens Falls has archived full statistics over the last few years. If so, I truly wonder if Lucy would be a member of the extremely uncommon 1,000-500-500 club. She's long been known as a major stat stuffer, with her passing ability often on full display. I'm almost certain she's blown past 500 rebounds to date, and would be willing to bet 500 assists has either already happened or isn't far away...
Some More
- Heatly 2018 Kyra Oeffler led all scorers with 15 points in their blowout W over Doane Stuart.
- Amsterdam 2017 and St. Rose signee Nina Fedullo led the way with 16 points in their 63-21 W over Broadalbin-Perth, a game they led 29-3 at the break. She added 7 rebounds and 5 steals.
- Sauquoit Valley 2019 Allison Moreau led all scorers with 18 points in a 54-44 setback to Little Falls.
- Poland 2017 Shiane Irwin contributed 16 points on senior night in their 66-56 W over West Canada Valley, a game that clinched a league championship for them.
- Frankfort-Schuyler 2017 Danielle Caivana led all scorers with 17 points in their 63-40 W over Hamilton. Caivana added 6 assists and 4 steals.
- Cooperstown 2018 Julie Ford paced her squad with 11 points in their setback to Mekeel Christian Academy.
- Kingston 2018 Chloe Chaffin, a Fordham commit, finished with 14 points and 6 assists in their victory over Newburgh.
- Northampton (MA) 2017 and Canisius signee Lauraine Joensen finished with a team high 13 points in their 50-43 defeat to Longmeadow.
Where You'll See Me Next
The 607! As long as the weather permits, I've slotted myself into a 2nd Hancock trip this winter. They host Unatego with start time listed at 6:15. Unatego has a couple players I need to get a first look at, and Hancock is worth the price of admission due to standout 2021 G Laycee Drake, one of the top 8th graders I've seen this school year in upstate NY. I probably won't stick for the entirety, as I plan to cut out and get to a 7:15 start in nearby Sidney between them and Bainbridge-Guilford. B-G, one of the state's top ranked Class C teams, features a 2016 ESTer in Abi Selfridge that has been lighting up the stat sheet this winter. It'll be my first time watching her this season, and I'll also be able to check other players on the team, including a junior forward in Megan Palmatier and Abi's little sister, 8th grade guard Erica. This will be my 2nd time seeing the host Sidney, with the 1st being a pre-Thanksgiving scrimmage.
Monday, January 16, 2017
January 16, 2017: The Busiest Day Ever
If you know me or have paid any sort of attention to the Empire State Takeover Twitter (@NYSTakeover), the blog, or website over the last couple years, you realize that I try to keep up with the stats, accolades, and accomplishments of all that participate in EST events. I like to think I'm able to stay on top of things.
Well, today had my head spinning.
It was big news & milestones galore, with 4 different headlines - all worthy of their own day of coverage - breaking out between 4:00-8:00 PM. In this stretch, three players that participated in the 2016 summer league scored their 1,000th point, and another player from the summer league left a campus visit with a scholarship offer. Let's handle this in chronological order.
4:00 PM - This is around the time I received word that Hanna Strawn, a standout junior guard at Binghamton's Seton Catholic that made a difference for her Next Level team in EST upon joining later in the summer, received a scholarship offer from Vermont.
Hanna was an early St. Bonaventure commit that officially reopened her recruitment in the beginning of August. Since then, she was offered by Brown after September's fall live period. The offer from Vermont is the culmination of a long period of heavy interest shown by the America East program. As a program looking for strong guard play, it comes as no surprise that they extended an offer to Strawn, a true floor general with a nearly unmatched motor, the ability to score, distribute, run an offense, pressure the ball on defense, and a leader that consistently makes winning plays for any team she's on.
As coincidence would have it, Hanna is the 2nd player to receive an offer from Vermont out of 2016 ESTers. The other is her friend & summer league backcourt mate, Columbia sophomore Grace Heeps, who picked up a Vermont offer in the fall.
5:00 PM - An hour after receiving news of Hanna's offer, the milestones started flowing. As I arrived at Fonda-Fultonville HS for their game against Johnstown, the reason I was attending happened. Julianna Taylor, a longtime Braves standout guard headed to SUNY Brockport in the fall, scored the 5 points she needed early to join the 1,000 point club.
Taylor, to date, is one of only a handful of Section II girls basketball players hovering around the 20 PPG mark. She's been a complete player through her career, often in a complimentary role with fellow high-octane guard Emily Parslow in the early stages of it, but she's been asked to shoulder a much heavier load offensively this winter. Judging by her scoring prowess shown on this night, this is a task that certainly isn't too tall for Julianna. The 2 year ESTer, liked by her peers at a level not often seen, finished with 25 points on the night, pushing her total to 1,020 going forward.
Taylor marked the 7th girl in the 2016 EST summer invitational league to score her 1,000th point this winter and the 11th to do it overall. Who knew I would also have to clarify that she was the first to do it in the day? I certainly didn't, until...
6:15 PM - As Taylor dropped home her 1,000th point, another game was preparing to tip off 161 miles northwest of Fonda-Fultonville. 75 minutes later, she had company in the club. In the 3rd quarter of what turned out to be a blowout win, Hammond standout junior Ally Crosby added to her already-illustrious high school career by converting a layup that gave her her 1,000th point.
Crosby has been a dominant force in the blocks for years already, with her scoring and rebounding totals often jumping off the page. She's had numerous 20-20 games already this season, and remarkably, this wasn't the first time she hit a quadruple digit milestone. Just over midway through her junior campaign, Ally has etched her name into the very rare 1,000/1,000 club, as she secured her 1,000th rebound just over 3 weeks earlier on December 23. With her consistently gaudy numbers in both categories and the perennial success of the Hammond program, could we potentially see a 1,500/1,500 career from one of the North Country's shining stars?
Crosby quickly became the 8th girl in the 2016 EST summer invitational league to earn her membership card for the 1,000 point club in the '16-'17 campaign, the 12th overall, and the 2nd in an evening to do so. It wasn't long before a boy had to join the party...
8:00 PM - Head back down Route 12 all the way to Utica and swing about 15 miles east - or take the shortcut from 12 to Route 28 - and you'll find yourself in my hometown of Herkimer. There was another milestone brewing, this one located at my alma mater, when another longtime standout in Herkimer senior Derek Newman converted on a fast break layup to become the 3rd ESTer to join the 1,000 point club on the night and the 2nd boy at Herkimer to hit the 4 digit mark after a drought of a decade.
Newman, a 2 year ESTer, needed 6 to hit the target and finished with 17 on the evening in a loss to defending sectional champion Cooperstown. He was an instant scoring threat upon moving up to varsity midway through his freshman year, and his scoring average has steadily increased from 16.2 as a sophomore to nearly 22 PPG this season. He's hit or surpassed the 25 point mark 4 times so far this winter, including a stretch of 3 consecutive games from late December through mid-January. Derek is the 5th boys' basketball player at Herkimer to join the club, but 3 of the other members had under 1,100 points to their name, so he appears poised to wrap his Herkimer career as the school's 2nd leading scorer in the history of the boys program.
A Division I offer on the table and three names etched into the record books, all in a four hour stretch. There seems to be a stretch of many accomplishments in a short time every year, but I've yet to experience a busy season quite like what January 16, 2017 had to offer. Congratulations to Hanna, Julianna, Ally, and Derek, and thank you for making this day one of the most enjoyable that I've experienced while running Empire State Takeover!
Well, today had my head spinning.
It was big news & milestones galore, with 4 different headlines - all worthy of their own day of coverage - breaking out between 4:00-8:00 PM. In this stretch, three players that participated in the 2016 summer league scored their 1,000th point, and another player from the summer league left a campus visit with a scholarship offer. Let's handle this in chronological order.
4:00 PM - This is around the time I received word that Hanna Strawn, a standout junior guard at Binghamton's Seton Catholic that made a difference for her Next Level team in EST upon joining later in the summer, received a scholarship offer from Vermont.
Hanna was an early St. Bonaventure commit that officially reopened her recruitment in the beginning of August. Since then, she was offered by Brown after September's fall live period. The offer from Vermont is the culmination of a long period of heavy interest shown by the America East program. As a program looking for strong guard play, it comes as no surprise that they extended an offer to Strawn, a true floor general with a nearly unmatched motor, the ability to score, distribute, run an offense, pressure the ball on defense, and a leader that consistently makes winning plays for any team she's on.
As coincidence would have it, Hanna is the 2nd player to receive an offer from Vermont out of 2016 ESTers. The other is her friend & summer league backcourt mate, Columbia sophomore Grace Heeps, who picked up a Vermont offer in the fall.
5:00 PM - An hour after receiving news of Hanna's offer, the milestones started flowing. As I arrived at Fonda-Fultonville HS for their game against Johnstown, the reason I was attending happened. Julianna Taylor, a longtime Braves standout guard headed to SUNY Brockport in the fall, scored the 5 points she needed early to join the 1,000 point club.
Taylor, to date, is one of only a handful of Section II girls basketball players hovering around the 20 PPG mark. She's been a complete player through her career, often in a complimentary role with fellow high-octane guard Emily Parslow in the early stages of it, but she's been asked to shoulder a much heavier load offensively this winter. Judging by her scoring prowess shown on this night, this is a task that certainly isn't too tall for Julianna. The 2 year ESTer, liked by her peers at a level not often seen, finished with 25 points on the night, pushing her total to 1,020 going forward.
Taylor marked the 7th girl in the 2016 EST summer invitational league to score her 1,000th point this winter and the 11th to do it overall. Who knew I would also have to clarify that she was the first to do it in the day? I certainly didn't, until...
6:15 PM - As Taylor dropped home her 1,000th point, another game was preparing to tip off 161 miles northwest of Fonda-Fultonville. 75 minutes later, she had company in the club. In the 3rd quarter of what turned out to be a blowout win, Hammond standout junior Ally Crosby added to her already-illustrious high school career by converting a layup that gave her her 1,000th point.
Crosby has been a dominant force in the blocks for years already, with her scoring and rebounding totals often jumping off the page. She's had numerous 20-20 games already this season, and remarkably, this wasn't the first time she hit a quadruple digit milestone. Just over midway through her junior campaign, Ally has etched her name into the very rare 1,000/1,000 club, as she secured her 1,000th rebound just over 3 weeks earlier on December 23. With her consistently gaudy numbers in both categories and the perennial success of the Hammond program, could we potentially see a 1,500/1,500 career from one of the North Country's shining stars?
Crosby quickly became the 8th girl in the 2016 EST summer invitational league to earn her membership card for the 1,000 point club in the '16-'17 campaign, the 12th overall, and the 2nd in an evening to do so. It wasn't long before a boy had to join the party...
8:00 PM - Head back down Route 12 all the way to Utica and swing about 15 miles east - or take the shortcut from 12 to Route 28 - and you'll find yourself in my hometown of Herkimer. There was another milestone brewing, this one located at my alma mater, when another longtime standout in Herkimer senior Derek Newman converted on a fast break layup to become the 3rd ESTer to join the 1,000 point club on the night and the 2nd boy at Herkimer to hit the 4 digit mark after a drought of a decade.
Newman, a 2 year ESTer, needed 6 to hit the target and finished with 17 on the evening in a loss to defending sectional champion Cooperstown. He was an instant scoring threat upon moving up to varsity midway through his freshman year, and his scoring average has steadily increased from 16.2 as a sophomore to nearly 22 PPG this season. He's hit or surpassed the 25 point mark 4 times so far this winter, including a stretch of 3 consecutive games from late December through mid-January. Derek is the 5th boys' basketball player at Herkimer to join the club, but 3 of the other members had under 1,100 points to their name, so he appears poised to wrap his Herkimer career as the school's 2nd leading scorer in the history of the boys program.
A Division I offer on the table and three names etched into the record books, all in a four hour stretch. There seems to be a stretch of many accomplishments in a short time every year, but I've yet to experience a busy season quite like what January 16, 2017 had to offer. Congratulations to Hanna, Julianna, Ally, and Derek, and thank you for making this day one of the most enjoyable that I've experienced while running Empire State Takeover!
Thursday, January 12, 2017
The Next Chapter: 2017 Class Sees Increase in ESTers Playing College Basketball
It's been a natural progression.
The inaugural Empire State Takeover girls' invitational summer league in 2015 came and went, and although smaller, was a major success. The league that summer didn't feature that many players out of the Class of 2016, with the bulk coming from the 2017 & 2018 classes. The 2016 summer league continued to see a large chunk from the Class of 2017, while also increasing by nearly 60% in overall size.
So if you've been around both years, or just use those numbers to make an educated guess, the next sentence shouldn't come as a surprise to you. A large number of EST participants out of the Class of 2017 - a greater chunk than out of the previous class - have already made their commitments to play college basketball next year.
With numerous members of the class destined to play college ball still being uncommitted, 15 members of the 2017 class that participated in the 2016 EST summer league have made their intentions known to their college of choice. This includes an increase already in Division I (from 1 to 4) and Division II (from 2 to 4) commits. The Division III amount is sure to follow, with several players still mulling over college options. Here's a quick rundown of participants in the senior class that have committed:
Division I
- Saeeda Abdul-Aziz (5'11" G, Mohonasen), after receiving over 20 Division I offers, made her commitment to Davidson College in the fall. The commitment was the climax of an illustrious career at Mohon that has included countless awards, all-star selections, and various other accolades including a recent McDonald's All-American nomination. She will end her high school career as Mohonasen's all-time leading scorer. Saeeda also makes it two consecutive classes - following 2016 graduate Danielle Migliore (Frankfort-Schuyler/St. Bonaventure) - where a girl that participated in EST committed to an Atlantic 10 program. Saeeda was a 2 year EST participant and all-star.
- Brooke Bjelko (6'3" F, Beekmantown) made her commitment to Bryant University in late May, shortly after having been extended an offer from the Northeast Conference program. Brooke has been a longtime standout in the North Country and showed why, to all who were unaware, in a few EST appearances in 2016.
- Lauraine Joensen (6'2" F, Northampton (MA)) also didn't waste much time in committing to her school of choice not long after being extended a scholarship offer in May. Lauraine will be headed to Canisius College in the fall, a great fit in the MAAC for her highly skilled face-up and stretch game. She's made her mark on WMass hoops in her 3 years in the 413 upon moving from her native Denmark. The academic programs offered at Canisius, where she will be able to double major in animal behavior studies and biology, were a big sell for the academically-driven Joensen. She was a 2 year EST participant and all-star.
- CeCe Mayo (5'10" G/F, Shaker) made it clear of her wishes by being the first member of the Class of 2017 in the region to commit, when she made her verbal commitment to Army at the end of her sophomore year. Another very goal-driven individual, on the court and off, she's made her mark at Shaker that won't soon be forgotten. She was a 2016 EST participant and all-star.
Division II
- Nerea Brajac (5'7" G, Cohoes) made her commitment to CACC member Georgian Court University and put pen to paper to make it official in the fall. She's a long-time standout at Cohoes, multi-year Colonial Council all-league selection, and 2 year EST participant and all-star that provides great toughness and a player that can get to the rim from the wing. Nerea also adds to the Capital District connection with Georgian Court women's basketball, as their assistant coach hails from nearby Waterford.
- Caitlin Estes (5'11" G, Scotia-Glenville) made her commitment in the direct aftermath of receiving an offer from Adelphi University out of the NE-10 in the late stages of summer. A 1,000+ point scorer at Scotia, she provides Adelphi with a natural scorer that has great height & length for her position. Caitlin was a 2016 EST participant.
- Nina Fedullo (5'11" F, Amsterdam) committed to The College of Saint Rose, also a member of the NE-10, after receiving an offer in October. Nina is a ready-made talent at that level who has rewritten the record books at Amsterdam already. Her strength & athleticism, a knack for finishing various ways around the rim, and the ability to knock down jumpers past college 3 point range makes for a directly translatable mix of skills that can be put to use right away. Nina was a 2 year EST participant and all-star.
- Tara Sager (6'4" F, Ichabod Crane) will be traveling the farthest out of any EST participant for school as of now, and to a much more desirable place. She received an offer in the fall from Florida Southern College out of the Sunshine State Conference and committed shortly thereafter. She's an elite shot blocker that has tremendous upside with continued development, and is going to a program that made the Division II Elite 8 last year with a reputation for developing its talent well. Tara was a 2 year EST participant.
Division III
- Olivia Baumann (5'11" G, Guilderland) made her commitment to attend & play basketball at St. John Fisher in December. Liv provides Fisher with a guard that has elite height & length at the Empire 8 level that is also a knockdown shooter. Baumann was a 2 year participant and 2016 all-star selection. She will be joining 2015 EST participant Katy McInerney (Bishop Grimes) on the St. John Fisher squad.
- Brianna Laing (5'3" G, South Kortright) will be the 2nd guard out of SK in as many years to play college basketball, as she made her commitment to Hartwick College in December. Like Baumann, Laing will be competing in the Empire 8 conference. The 1,000+ point scorer provides Hartwick a crafty player with deep range & unafraid to get to the rim. Laing was a 2016 EST summer league participant that also was in the 2015 fall event.
- Brianna Legacy (5'7" G, Mount Anthony (VT)) committed to attend and play basketball at Keuka College late in the fall. The academic program was a big draw for Legacy, a multi-year standout in southern VT that was a staple in the Albany AAU scene as well. She heads to Keuka as a ready-made talent that can score and create for others at the NEAC level. Legacy was a 2 year EST participant and all-star. She will join 2015 EST participant Cassidy Albright (New York Mills) as a member of the Keuka squad.
- Lyndsey McCoy (5'5" G, Middleburgh) is the most recent addition to the list of committed players, having made her intentions clear to attend & play basketball at Alfred University on January 10. McCoy, a multi-year, multi-sport standout at Middleburgh and 2 year participant in EST, will provide the Empire 8 Saxons with a floor general that can score when called upon. She makes winning plays; the team she played for in EST made the finals both years, having won it in 2016, and she left her 2 summer league years with a personal record of 20-6. The academic program offerings were a big factor in her choice of Alfred.
- Addy Sackett (5'7" G, Delaware Academy) was the first out of the Class of 2017 to commit to a SUNYAC school, making her commitment to SUNY Plattsburgh early in the fall. Sackett, a 2016 EST participant, gives Plattsburgh a 2 guard that can stretch the court with her shooting ability & can use that to get into the lane.
- Julianna Taylor (5'5" G, Fonda-Fultonville) is the Class of 2017's other SUNYAC commitment as of now, and made that official in the fall with her announcement to further her education and basketball career at SUNY Brockport. The Golden Eagles will be getting a tough-as-nails guard that has improved through the years to develop a complete offensive game, shown by her career point total quickly approaching 1,000. Julianna was a 2 year EST participant.
- Emily Wander (5'4" G, Bethlehem) marked the first ever NESCAC commitment out of someone that participated in EST when she made her choice to attend & play basketball at Middlebury College during the fall. Wander is an electric guard that can score in bunches and has the handle & change of speed to put a defender on skates. Emily was a 2 year EST participant and 2016 all-star.
Numerous talents out of the Class of 2017 are still considering their collegiate options and are currently uncommitted, with college basketball either definitely or likely in their future. They include:
- Lucy Tougas (5'11" G, Glens Falls)
- Julia Kelner (6'2" F, Jamesville-Dewitt)
- Kelly Pine (5'11" F, Hoosick Falls)
- Madison Little (5'9" G, Mount Anthony (VT))
- Rylee VonWedel (6'0" F, Bethlehem)
- Danielle Caivana (5'2" G, Frankfort-Schuyler)
- Kenna Guynup (5'6" G, Beekmantown)
- Carli Brenon (5'5" G, Utica Notre Dame)
- Shiane Irwin (5'5" G, Poland)
- Olivia Marshall (5'11" F, Stockbridge Valley)
- Liz White (5'6" G, Marcellus)
- Ashley Starzyk (6'3" F, Pine Plains)
Congrats to all, whether having participated in EST or not, that have made their college commitments! And to those still narrowing down collegiate options, best of luck in making your collegiate decision - it's great to have options!
The inaugural Empire State Takeover girls' invitational summer league in 2015 came and went, and although smaller, was a major success. The league that summer didn't feature that many players out of the Class of 2016, with the bulk coming from the 2017 & 2018 classes. The 2016 summer league continued to see a large chunk from the Class of 2017, while also increasing by nearly 60% in overall size.
So if you've been around both years, or just use those numbers to make an educated guess, the next sentence shouldn't come as a surprise to you. A large number of EST participants out of the Class of 2017 - a greater chunk than out of the previous class - have already made their commitments to play college basketball next year.
With numerous members of the class destined to play college ball still being uncommitted, 15 members of the 2017 class that participated in the 2016 EST summer league have made their intentions known to their college of choice. This includes an increase already in Division I (from 1 to 4) and Division II (from 2 to 4) commits. The Division III amount is sure to follow, with several players still mulling over college options. Here's a quick rundown of participants in the senior class that have committed:
Division I
- Saeeda Abdul-Aziz (5'11" G, Mohonasen), after receiving over 20 Division I offers, made her commitment to Davidson College in the fall. The commitment was the climax of an illustrious career at Mohon that has included countless awards, all-star selections, and various other accolades including a recent McDonald's All-American nomination. She will end her high school career as Mohonasen's all-time leading scorer. Saeeda also makes it two consecutive classes - following 2016 graduate Danielle Migliore (Frankfort-Schuyler/St. Bonaventure) - where a girl that participated in EST committed to an Atlantic 10 program. Saeeda was a 2 year EST participant and all-star.
- Brooke Bjelko (6'3" F, Beekmantown) made her commitment to Bryant University in late May, shortly after having been extended an offer from the Northeast Conference program. Brooke has been a longtime standout in the North Country and showed why, to all who were unaware, in a few EST appearances in 2016.
- Lauraine Joensen (6'2" F, Northampton (MA)) also didn't waste much time in committing to her school of choice not long after being extended a scholarship offer in May. Lauraine will be headed to Canisius College in the fall, a great fit in the MAAC for her highly skilled face-up and stretch game. She's made her mark on WMass hoops in her 3 years in the 413 upon moving from her native Denmark. The academic programs offered at Canisius, where she will be able to double major in animal behavior studies and biology, were a big sell for the academically-driven Joensen. She was a 2 year EST participant and all-star.
- CeCe Mayo (5'10" G/F, Shaker) made it clear of her wishes by being the first member of the Class of 2017 in the region to commit, when she made her verbal commitment to Army at the end of her sophomore year. Another very goal-driven individual, on the court and off, she's made her mark at Shaker that won't soon be forgotten. She was a 2016 EST participant and all-star.
Division II
- Nerea Brajac (5'7" G, Cohoes) made her commitment to CACC member Georgian Court University and put pen to paper to make it official in the fall. She's a long-time standout at Cohoes, multi-year Colonial Council all-league selection, and 2 year EST participant and all-star that provides great toughness and a player that can get to the rim from the wing. Nerea also adds to the Capital District connection with Georgian Court women's basketball, as their assistant coach hails from nearby Waterford.
- Caitlin Estes (5'11" G, Scotia-Glenville) made her commitment in the direct aftermath of receiving an offer from Adelphi University out of the NE-10 in the late stages of summer. A 1,000+ point scorer at Scotia, she provides Adelphi with a natural scorer that has great height & length for her position. Caitlin was a 2016 EST participant.
- Nina Fedullo (5'11" F, Amsterdam) committed to The College of Saint Rose, also a member of the NE-10, after receiving an offer in October. Nina is a ready-made talent at that level who has rewritten the record books at Amsterdam already. Her strength & athleticism, a knack for finishing various ways around the rim, and the ability to knock down jumpers past college 3 point range makes for a directly translatable mix of skills that can be put to use right away. Nina was a 2 year EST participant and all-star.
- Tara Sager (6'4" F, Ichabod Crane) will be traveling the farthest out of any EST participant for school as of now, and to a much more desirable place. She received an offer in the fall from Florida Southern College out of the Sunshine State Conference and committed shortly thereafter. She's an elite shot blocker that has tremendous upside with continued development, and is going to a program that made the Division II Elite 8 last year with a reputation for developing its talent well. Tara was a 2 year EST participant.
Division III
- Olivia Baumann (5'11" G, Guilderland) made her commitment to attend & play basketball at St. John Fisher in December. Liv provides Fisher with a guard that has elite height & length at the Empire 8 level that is also a knockdown shooter. Baumann was a 2 year participant and 2016 all-star selection. She will be joining 2015 EST participant Katy McInerney (Bishop Grimes) on the St. John Fisher squad.
- Brianna Laing (5'3" G, South Kortright) will be the 2nd guard out of SK in as many years to play college basketball, as she made her commitment to Hartwick College in December. Like Baumann, Laing will be competing in the Empire 8 conference. The 1,000+ point scorer provides Hartwick a crafty player with deep range & unafraid to get to the rim. Laing was a 2016 EST summer league participant that also was in the 2015 fall event.
- Brianna Legacy (5'7" G, Mount Anthony (VT)) committed to attend and play basketball at Keuka College late in the fall. The academic program was a big draw for Legacy, a multi-year standout in southern VT that was a staple in the Albany AAU scene as well. She heads to Keuka as a ready-made talent that can score and create for others at the NEAC level. Legacy was a 2 year EST participant and all-star. She will join 2015 EST participant Cassidy Albright (New York Mills) as a member of the Keuka squad.
- Lyndsey McCoy (5'5" G, Middleburgh) is the most recent addition to the list of committed players, having made her intentions clear to attend & play basketball at Alfred University on January 10. McCoy, a multi-year, multi-sport standout at Middleburgh and 2 year participant in EST, will provide the Empire 8 Saxons with a floor general that can score when called upon. She makes winning plays; the team she played for in EST made the finals both years, having won it in 2016, and she left her 2 summer league years with a personal record of 20-6. The academic program offerings were a big factor in her choice of Alfred.
- Addy Sackett (5'7" G, Delaware Academy) was the first out of the Class of 2017 to commit to a SUNYAC school, making her commitment to SUNY Plattsburgh early in the fall. Sackett, a 2016 EST participant, gives Plattsburgh a 2 guard that can stretch the court with her shooting ability & can use that to get into the lane.
- Julianna Taylor (5'5" G, Fonda-Fultonville) is the Class of 2017's other SUNYAC commitment as of now, and made that official in the fall with her announcement to further her education and basketball career at SUNY Brockport. The Golden Eagles will be getting a tough-as-nails guard that has improved through the years to develop a complete offensive game, shown by her career point total quickly approaching 1,000. Julianna was a 2 year EST participant.
- Emily Wander (5'4" G, Bethlehem) marked the first ever NESCAC commitment out of someone that participated in EST when she made her choice to attend & play basketball at Middlebury College during the fall. Wander is an electric guard that can score in bunches and has the handle & change of speed to put a defender on skates. Emily was a 2 year EST participant and 2016 all-star.
Numerous talents out of the Class of 2017 are still considering their collegiate options and are currently uncommitted, with college basketball either definitely or likely in their future. They include:
- Lucy Tougas (5'11" G, Glens Falls)
- Julia Kelner (6'2" F, Jamesville-Dewitt)
- Kelly Pine (5'11" F, Hoosick Falls)
- Madison Little (5'9" G, Mount Anthony (VT))
- Rylee VonWedel (6'0" F, Bethlehem)
- Danielle Caivana (5'2" G, Frankfort-Schuyler)
- Kenna Guynup (5'6" G, Beekmantown)
- Carli Brenon (5'5" G, Utica Notre Dame)
- Shiane Irwin (5'5" G, Poland)
- Olivia Marshall (5'11" F, Stockbridge Valley)
- Liz White (5'6" G, Marcellus)
- Ashley Starzyk (6'3" F, Pine Plains)
Congrats to all, whether having participated in EST or not, that have made their college commitments! And to those still narrowing down collegiate options, best of luck in making your collegiate decision - it's great to have options!
Welcome To The Club: 1,000 Points a Destination For Many In EST (2017 Edition)
To the vast majority of athletes, the most important stat is the
letter in the W/L column - as it should be. However, the one individual
accolade that no scorer will deny its personal importance is the 1,000
point plateau.
Many players will list it as an individual goal. When someone is getting close, they know. Not only do they have the count going in their head, they're hearing about it often. Whether it's from teammates, classmates/teachers in the hall, or league coordinators tweeting about it (sorry), the buzz is all around.
Many of these athletes that participated in the 2016 Empire State Takeover summer invitational league & Upstate Elite Showcase fall event have either surpassed the 1,000 point plateau this year, already did so before last summer, or are rapidly approaching it now. A total of 17 girls have crossed the barrier, with 13 doing so this winter. A rapidly increasing number of players are quickly getting there. A quick rundown of these elite scorers:
* All totals are updated to the best of my knowledge through February 2 games *
- Nina Fedullo (5'11" F, Amsterdam 2017; Saint Rose signee) hit the quadruple digit mark as a junior, in a season where she shattered Amsterdam's single game and career scoring marks along with reaching the 1,000 point plateau. With another strong senior year to add to a stellar career, she ended her high school career with exactly 1,500 points - 2nd in Amsterdam history (boys or girls) and the leading scorer in Amsterdam girls' history by over 550 points.
- Saeeda Abdul-Aziz (5'11" G/F, Mohonasen 2017; Davidson signee) surpassed the 1,000 point mark in the middle of her junior season, just another milestone in a high school career that has seen her rewrite Mohonasen's record books in numerous statistical categories. She also set the Mohonasen school record for career points in her 3rd game this season, which previously was at 1,336. Saeeda finished her illustrious career with 1,691 points, and also exploded past the 1,000 rebound mark, where she finished with 1,204.
- Shiane Irwin (5'5" G, Poland 2017) hit the 1,000 point mark with a handful of games to spare in her junior season, and her offensive output has only grown from there. In a January 26 win over Herkimer, Shiane became her high school's all-time leading scorer on the girls' side. With a senior season that saw her produce a career high in per game output and another season averaging well over 20 points per game, the multi-sport standout finished off with 1,572 career varsity points.
- Olivia Marshall (5'11" F, Stockbridge Valley 2017) celebrated her 1,000th point over Christmas break her junior year, and her statistically phenomenal career has continued to stride forward. Along with dominating the stat sheet in other categories - finishing her career with 9 triple doubles and having a double-double in all but two games her senior year - she ended her high school career with 1,706 points.
- Caitlin Estes (5'11" G, Scotia-Glenville 2017; Adelphi commit) was the first to hit the 1,000 point plateau this winter, doing so in a December 2 game against Averill Park in their tournament. The senior has averaged double digits so far this season, pushing her current total near the 1,200 mark.
- Kelly Pine (5'11" F, Hoosick Falls 2017) added the 1,000 point milestone on a long list of successes in her 5 year varsity career in a December 20 game against rival Hoosic Valley. Pine left her own personal mark in a Hoosick Falls record book that is more Pine-dominated than a forest, and she finished her career with 1,328 varsity points to her name.
- Madison McCabe (5'4" G, AuSable Valley 2017), one of northern NY's most prolific scorers over the last couple years, hit the 1,000 point mark in a victory over Peru on December 27. With continued offensive production and a scoring average of nearly 20 PPG so far this year, she's approaching 1,150 career points.
- Brianna Laing (5'4" G, South Kortright 2017; Hartwick commit) also surpassed 1,000 points during Christmas tournament week, doing so in a tournament at Whitney Point on December 28. With continued strong production - and in South Kortright fashion, continued victories - she's approaching 1,100 points as of now.
- Kyra Oeffler (5'11" F, Heatly 2018), the lone first member of the 2018 class to make this list, got her 1,000th point in a way I may never see again - when her team pitched a 32 minute shutout. She hung 34 quick points to hit the 1,000 mark in what turned out to be a 69-0 victory over Doane Stuart on January 3. Her career point total sits at 1,213 with another year remaining.
- Danielle Caivana (5'2" G, Frankfort-Schuyler 2017; Cazenovia commit) is her school's most recent addition to the 1,000 point club, after having done so on January 6 in their win over Herkimer. With a high-octane senior year that saw her score 35 or more points on four different occasions, she ended her high school career with 1,297 points.
- Julianna Taylor (5'5" G, Fonda-Fultonville 2017; SUNY Brockport commit) added to her illustrious high school career by storming her way into the 1,000 point club in a victory over neighboring Johnstown on January 16. She came into the game needing only 5 points, and she hit that mark early en route to a 25 point game. She was one of Section II's most prolific scorers through her senior year, averaging 20.6 PPG, and ended her Fonda career with 1,209 points.
- Ally Crosby (5'10" F, Hammond 2018) etched her name as the newest member of the 1,000 point club on the same day as the aforementioned Taylor, doing it just over an hour later on January 16. A layup in the 3rd quarter of her team's win over St. Lawrence pushed her into quadruple digits. A prolific scorer and rebounder, she's incredibly become a member of the 1,000 point/1,000 rebound club with 1.5 seasons remaining in her varsity career, as she surpassed 1,000 rebounds in a game just before Christmas. She's continuing major production among Section X competition, and she's approaching the 1,100 mark.
- CeCe Mayo (5'9" G, Shaker 2017; Army West Point commit) became one of the not-as-common members of the 1,000 point club from the Class AA ranks on January 19, just the latest accomplishment of a decorated tenure at Shaker that included seeing her become the first member of the Class of 2017 to commit to a school, way back at the end of her sophomore year. The longtime standout converted in the paint in the middle of the 2nd quarter to reach the 1,000 point milestone. She'll have at least another month to add to that total (among other things), as she sits around the 1,100 mark currently.
- Gwen Carpenter (5'4" G, Mount Everett (MA) 2019) is the 14th girl from the 2016 EST summer league to eclipse the 1,000 point milestone, but she made her mark as the 1st to do so out of the Class of 2019 on January 19. Needing 11 points to hit the mark headed into a rivalry game against Mount Greylock, she converted on a layup in the middle of the 3rd quarter to hit quadruple digits. She proceeded to light the nets on fire, scoring 22 more in the remainder of regulation and overtime to finish with 33 points, 10 rebounds, and 8 assists in the game. She followed that up with a remarkable 49 point, 12 rebound, 6 assist, 9 steal performance that won't soon be forgotten. Carpenter currently has 1,123 career points and counting with two years remaining, and could've had more if a knee injury didn't cut her sophomore season a few games short.
- Jordan Hipwell (5'10" F, Ballston Spa 2017) added the 1,000 point individual milestone to a list of high school athletic accomplishments in their January 27 victory over Schenectady. She has long been known as a threat for her Scotties squad as a varsity member for half a decade. She scored her 1,000th on a layup in the middle of the 2nd quarter, halfway through a 14 point game in a blowout victory. Hipwell finished her high school career with 1,073 points.
- Allison Moreau (5'8" G, Sauquoit Valley 2019) quickly followed Carpenter and became the 2nd member of the Class of 2019 - and 16th overall from the 2016 EST summer league - to eclipse the 1,000 point mark, doing so on January 28. Already a standout on her varsity team since 8th grade, she needed 15 points to hit quadruple digits, and did so by hitting a free throw with 3:30 remaining in their game against Cooperstown. The skilled combo guard, adept at making plays for others as well, sits at 1,148 and counting with two varsity seasons upcoming.
- Lucy Tougas (5'11" G, Glens Falls 2017) reached the 1,000 point milestone in a most uncommon setting, and one that I'd be surprised if I ever see again. The stat stuffing, pass-first PG - who may also have 500+ rebounds and 500+ assists in her varsity career - notched her 1,000th point with 1:25 remaining in the 1st quarter on a putback. She was the first, but not the only to reach the milestone on this evening or even this quarter - in her own family, that is. More on that below. The 4 year varsity standout hit this mark despite not being a score-first player. After a great senior season that included being the Section II Class B tournament MVP while leading Glens Falls to a 2nd straight sectional title, she ended her HS career with 1,107 career points.
- Sophie Tougas (6'1" G, Glens Falls 2019) didn't waste much time in adding her name to the 1,000 point banner. With 17.1 seconds left in the 1st quarter - just 68 seconds after older sister Lucy hit quadruple digits - Sophie joined her by knocking down a three, a skill she's developed a great deal over the last two years. The silky smooth scorer with nearly unrivaled perimeter & post versatility will have quite a while to add to this number, and she currently has 1,134 points.
Other 2016 Empire State Takeover participants are nearing the 1,000 point milestone. Those names include:
- Lyndsey McCoy (5'5" G, Middleburgh 2017) - 984 career points
- Kenna Guynup (5'6" G, Beekmantown 2017) - 964 career points
- Rebekkah Dean (5'9" G, Mekeel Christian Academy 2018) - 958 career points
- Madison Little (5'9" G, Mount Anthony Union (VT) 2017) - 944 career points
Many players will list it as an individual goal. When someone is getting close, they know. Not only do they have the count going in their head, they're hearing about it often. Whether it's from teammates, classmates/teachers in the hall, or league coordinators tweeting about it (sorry), the buzz is all around.
Many of these athletes that participated in the 2016 Empire State Takeover summer invitational league & Upstate Elite Showcase fall event have either surpassed the 1,000 point plateau this year, already did so before last summer, or are rapidly approaching it now. A total of 17 girls have crossed the barrier, with 13 doing so this winter. A rapidly increasing number of players are quickly getting there. A quick rundown of these elite scorers:
* All totals are updated to the best of my knowledge through February 2 games *
- Nina Fedullo (5'11" F, Amsterdam 2017; Saint Rose signee) hit the quadruple digit mark as a junior, in a season where she shattered Amsterdam's single game and career scoring marks along with reaching the 1,000 point plateau. With another strong senior year to add to a stellar career, she ended her high school career with exactly 1,500 points - 2nd in Amsterdam history (boys or girls) and the leading scorer in Amsterdam girls' history by over 550 points.
- Saeeda Abdul-Aziz (5'11" G/F, Mohonasen 2017; Davidson signee) surpassed the 1,000 point mark in the middle of her junior season, just another milestone in a high school career that has seen her rewrite Mohonasen's record books in numerous statistical categories. She also set the Mohonasen school record for career points in her 3rd game this season, which previously was at 1,336. Saeeda finished her illustrious career with 1,691 points, and also exploded past the 1,000 rebound mark, where she finished with 1,204.
- Shiane Irwin (5'5" G, Poland 2017) hit the 1,000 point mark with a handful of games to spare in her junior season, and her offensive output has only grown from there. In a January 26 win over Herkimer, Shiane became her high school's all-time leading scorer on the girls' side. With a senior season that saw her produce a career high in per game output and another season averaging well over 20 points per game, the multi-sport standout finished off with 1,572 career varsity points.
- Olivia Marshall (5'11" F, Stockbridge Valley 2017) celebrated her 1,000th point over Christmas break her junior year, and her statistically phenomenal career has continued to stride forward. Along with dominating the stat sheet in other categories - finishing her career with 9 triple doubles and having a double-double in all but two games her senior year - she ended her high school career with 1,706 points.
- Caitlin Estes (5'11" G, Scotia-Glenville 2017; Adelphi commit) was the first to hit the 1,000 point plateau this winter, doing so in a December 2 game against Averill Park in their tournament. The senior has averaged double digits so far this season, pushing her current total near the 1,200 mark.
- Kelly Pine (5'11" F, Hoosick Falls 2017) added the 1,000 point milestone on a long list of successes in her 5 year varsity career in a December 20 game against rival Hoosic Valley. Pine left her own personal mark in a Hoosick Falls record book that is more Pine-dominated than a forest, and she finished her career with 1,328 varsity points to her name.
- Madison McCabe (5'4" G, AuSable Valley 2017), one of northern NY's most prolific scorers over the last couple years, hit the 1,000 point mark in a victory over Peru on December 27. With continued offensive production and a scoring average of nearly 20 PPG so far this year, she's approaching 1,150 career points.
- Brianna Laing (5'4" G, South Kortright 2017; Hartwick commit) also surpassed 1,000 points during Christmas tournament week, doing so in a tournament at Whitney Point on December 28. With continued strong production - and in South Kortright fashion, continued victories - she's approaching 1,100 points as of now.
- Kyra Oeffler (5'11" F, Heatly 2018), the lone first member of the 2018 class to make this list, got her 1,000th point in a way I may never see again - when her team pitched a 32 minute shutout. She hung 34 quick points to hit the 1,000 mark in what turned out to be a 69-0 victory over Doane Stuart on January 3. Her career point total sits at 1,213 with another year remaining.
- Danielle Caivana (5'2" G, Frankfort-Schuyler 2017; Cazenovia commit) is her school's most recent addition to the 1,000 point club, after having done so on January 6 in their win over Herkimer. With a high-octane senior year that saw her score 35 or more points on four different occasions, she ended her high school career with 1,297 points.
- Julianna Taylor (5'5" G, Fonda-Fultonville 2017; SUNY Brockport commit) added to her illustrious high school career by storming her way into the 1,000 point club in a victory over neighboring Johnstown on January 16. She came into the game needing only 5 points, and she hit that mark early en route to a 25 point game. She was one of Section II's most prolific scorers through her senior year, averaging 20.6 PPG, and ended her Fonda career with 1,209 points.
- Ally Crosby (5'10" F, Hammond 2018) etched her name as the newest member of the 1,000 point club on the same day as the aforementioned Taylor, doing it just over an hour later on January 16. A layup in the 3rd quarter of her team's win over St. Lawrence pushed her into quadruple digits. A prolific scorer and rebounder, she's incredibly become a member of the 1,000 point/1,000 rebound club with 1.5 seasons remaining in her varsity career, as she surpassed 1,000 rebounds in a game just before Christmas. She's continuing major production among Section X competition, and she's approaching the 1,100 mark.
- CeCe Mayo (5'9" G, Shaker 2017; Army West Point commit) became one of the not-as-common members of the 1,000 point club from the Class AA ranks on January 19, just the latest accomplishment of a decorated tenure at Shaker that included seeing her become the first member of the Class of 2017 to commit to a school, way back at the end of her sophomore year. The longtime standout converted in the paint in the middle of the 2nd quarter to reach the 1,000 point milestone. She'll have at least another month to add to that total (among other things), as she sits around the 1,100 mark currently.
- Gwen Carpenter (5'4" G, Mount Everett (MA) 2019) is the 14th girl from the 2016 EST summer league to eclipse the 1,000 point milestone, but she made her mark as the 1st to do so out of the Class of 2019 on January 19. Needing 11 points to hit the mark headed into a rivalry game against Mount Greylock, she converted on a layup in the middle of the 3rd quarter to hit quadruple digits. She proceeded to light the nets on fire, scoring 22 more in the remainder of regulation and overtime to finish with 33 points, 10 rebounds, and 8 assists in the game. She followed that up with a remarkable 49 point, 12 rebound, 6 assist, 9 steal performance that won't soon be forgotten. Carpenter currently has 1,123 career points and counting with two years remaining, and could've had more if a knee injury didn't cut her sophomore season a few games short.
- Jordan Hipwell (5'10" F, Ballston Spa 2017) added the 1,000 point individual milestone to a list of high school athletic accomplishments in their January 27 victory over Schenectady. She has long been known as a threat for her Scotties squad as a varsity member for half a decade. She scored her 1,000th on a layup in the middle of the 2nd quarter, halfway through a 14 point game in a blowout victory. Hipwell finished her high school career with 1,073 points.
- Allison Moreau (5'8" G, Sauquoit Valley 2019) quickly followed Carpenter and became the 2nd member of the Class of 2019 - and 16th overall from the 2016 EST summer league - to eclipse the 1,000 point mark, doing so on January 28. Already a standout on her varsity team since 8th grade, she needed 15 points to hit quadruple digits, and did so by hitting a free throw with 3:30 remaining in their game against Cooperstown. The skilled combo guard, adept at making plays for others as well, sits at 1,148 and counting with two varsity seasons upcoming.
- Lucy Tougas (5'11" G, Glens Falls 2017) reached the 1,000 point milestone in a most uncommon setting, and one that I'd be surprised if I ever see again. The stat stuffing, pass-first PG - who may also have 500+ rebounds and 500+ assists in her varsity career - notched her 1,000th point with 1:25 remaining in the 1st quarter on a putback. She was the first, but not the only to reach the milestone on this evening or even this quarter - in her own family, that is. More on that below. The 4 year varsity standout hit this mark despite not being a score-first player. After a great senior season that included being the Section II Class B tournament MVP while leading Glens Falls to a 2nd straight sectional title, she ended her HS career with 1,107 career points.
- Sophie Tougas (6'1" G, Glens Falls 2019) didn't waste much time in adding her name to the 1,000 point banner. With 17.1 seconds left in the 1st quarter - just 68 seconds after older sister Lucy hit quadruple digits - Sophie joined her by knocking down a three, a skill she's developed a great deal over the last two years. The silky smooth scorer with nearly unrivaled perimeter & post versatility will have quite a while to add to this number, and she currently has 1,134 points.
Other 2016 Empire State Takeover participants are nearing the 1,000 point milestone. Those names include:
- Lyndsey McCoy (5'5" G, Middleburgh 2017) - 984 career points
- Kenna Guynup (5'6" G, Beekmantown 2017) - 964 career points
- Rebekkah Dean (5'9" G, Mekeel Christian Academy 2018) - 958 career points
- Madison Little (5'9" G, Mount Anthony Union (VT) 2017) - 944 career points
The Stat Sheet: 1/9-1/11
2017 is upon is, and along with that comes the midway point of high school basketball season. It's been a somewhat light week on the schedule so far, but many that participated in the 2016 EST Girls' Invitational Summer League & Upstate Elite Showcase fall event have put up some numbers without me giving them the appropriate Twitter love, so
here's a quick highlight of how some ESTers have done this week!
* Friendly reminder that I am not conventional sports media. This list only includes those that participated in the 2016 EST summer league, Upstate Elite Showcase in October, or both. If you don't see your/your player/your daughter's name on the list and are wondering why; if they didn't participate in either of those, there's your answer! Please refer to the 'Contact Us' section of the website with any questions about upcoming 2017 events.
Section 2
- Lucy Tougas (5'11" G, Glens Falls 2017) has been showing heart throughout the season playing through an injury, and had her strongest statistical game of her senior campaign to date to show for it Monday. She finished with game highs of 20 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists, and 5 blocks in a 61-32 victory over Gloversville. Also in the win, Sophie Tougas (6'1" G, Glens Falls 2019) added 16 points with 12 coming from behind the arc.
- Nina Fedullo (5'11" F, Amsterdam 2017; Saint Rose commit) pumped in a game high of 20 points with 6 rebounds in a 50-45 victory over Hudson Falls Monday.
- Caitlin Estes (5'11" G, Scotia-Glenville 2017; Adelphi commit) dropped a game high 22 points Monday in a 52-34 W over Schuylerville.
- Two Bishop Gibbons players that participated in the fall event finished in double digits to lead the way for their Monday victory. Sarah Malinowski (5'11" F, Bishop Gibbons 2019) led all scorers with 17 points, and Abby Kienzle (5'4" G, Bishop Gibbons 2019) added 11 in the 50-31 victory. On Wednesday, Kienzle also contributed a team high 15 points in their 47-45 loss to Canajoharie.
- Grace Heeps (5'11" G, Columbia 2019) and Lexi VanVorst (5'6" G, Columbia 2019) rewrote the Columbia record books and were a driving force behind the team breaking a record as a whole in a blowout W Tuesday night. Heeps had a game high 24 points with VanVorst adding 18, with each knocking down 6 threes - breaking & tying for an individual school record - in their 87-26 W over Mohonasen. Columbia knocked down 17 threes as a team, also setting a new school mark.
- Saeeda Abdul-Aziz (5'11" G/F, Mohonasen 2017; Davidson commit), fresh off Tuesday's announcement of her being a McDonald's All-American nominee, finished with a team high 13 points in defeat.
- Stephanie Jankovic (5'6" G, Averill Park 2018) contributed a game high 16 points in her team's 74-43 dismantling of Guilderland Tuesday.
- Alexandra Tudor (5'11" G, Shenendehowa 2018), Cameron Tooley (5'7" G, Shenendehowa 2018), and Cat Almeida (6'4" F, Shenendehowa 2019) continued their consistently strong production by contributing double figures in their blowout W over Schenectady Tuesday. Tudor led all scorers with 16, Tooley added 14, and Almeida finished with 13 on the night.
- Madison Graber (5'10" G, Schalmont 2018) paced the Sabres with 14 points in their loss to Catholic Central Tuesday.
- Dolly Cairns (5'6" G, Saratoga Springs 2020) had a game and career-high 32 points on Tuesday night, including 5 threes, in a 71-67 defeat to Albany. Kerry Flaherty (5'8" G, Saratoga Springs 2019) added 13 points.
- Tara Sager (6'4" F, Ichabod Crane 2017; Florida Southern commit) messed around & got a triple-double Tuesday, leading the way with 12 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 blocks in a 34-30 victory over Holy Names.
- Kelly Pine (5'11" F, Hoosick Falls 2017) led her Panthers squad with 16 points in a 65-36 victory over Saratoga Catholic on Tuesday night.
- Jordan Hipwell (5'10" F, Ballston Spa 2017) finished with a team high 19 points Tuesday in a 66-53 loss to Colonie.
- Lyndsey McCoy (5'5" G, Middleburgh 2017; Alfred commit), the day after committing to Division III Alfred University, led all scorers with 21 points in limited action in a 57-36 W over Northville. Bre Palmatier (5'8" G, Middleburgh 2018) also contributed double digits in the victory on a light night for the starters Wednesday, finishing with 15.
- Julianna Taylor (5'5" G, Fonda-Fultonville 2017; SUNY Brockport commit) led all scorers with 21 points Wednesday night in a 58-31 W over Duanesburg. The 21 moves her career point total to 974 with a game at Berne-Knox-Westerlo Friday and home against Johnstown Monday at 4:30.
Section 3
- Allison Moreau (5'9" G, Sauquoit Valley 2019) pumped in a game high 30 points - her 2nd 30+ point game in as many weeks - in their 61-47 victory over Frankfort-Schuyler Monday. 21 of those came after halftime. With a recent scoring outburst which has seen her average 26 PPG over the last 5 games, she's now sitting at 934 career points.
- In Monday's 61-47 defeat to Sauquoit, Danielle Caivana (5'2" G, Frankfort-Schuyler 2017) - one of the section's leading scorers & the section's leader in threes made - finished with a team high 29 points, with 21 coming from beyond the arc.
- Sophie Wittenbeck (5'5" G, Waterville 2018) finished with a team high 17 points on Monday in a 59-50 victory over Poland.
- In Poland's 59-50 loss to Waterville Monday, Shiane Irwin (5'5" G, Poland 2017) got it going early and led all scorers with 28 points.
- Jenna Zimmerman (6'2" G/F, South Jefferson 2018) had a big statistical showing Monday, finishing with a game high 18 points, 16 rebounds, 3 assists, and 4 blocks in their 59-35 victory over Beaver River.
- Sara Field (6'3" F, Vernon-Verona-Sherrill 2017) finished with 13 points in a 59-58 W over Marcellus Wednesday.
- In Marcellus' 59-58 loss to VVS Wednesday, Liz White (5'6" G, Marcellus 2017) finished with a team high 16 points and 9 assists.
- Kylee Rosbrook (6'0" F, General Brown 2018) finished with a game high 19 points Wednesday in their 61-11 victory over South Lewis.
Section 4
- Abi Selfridge (5'7" G/F, Bainbridge-Guilford 2019) pumped in a game high 25 points, with 11 coming in the 2nd quarter, along with 11 rebounds in their 57-37 victory Monday.
- Haley Steenland (5'2" G, Stamford 2018) dropped a game high 26 points Monday in her team's 58-36 victory over Deposit.
- Hanna Strawn (5'4" G, Seton Catholic 2018) saved her best 8 minutes for last, where she had 8 of her game high 22 in their 78-67 W over Chenango Forks.
Section 9
- Brianna Rozzi (5'7" G, Highland 2019) finished with a team high 21 points in a 58-41 defeat to Red Hook Wednesday.
North Country
- Ally Crosby (5'10" F, Hammond 2018) had a game high 22 points and 18 rebounds on Wednesday night in their 57-34 victory over Edwards-Knox.
- Brooke Bjelko (6'3" F, Beekmantown 2017; Bryant commit) led all scorers with 22 points in their 68-60 W over Moriah Wednesday.
- Madison McCabe (5'4" G, AuSable Valley 2017) pumped in a game high 19 points Wednesday in their 71-30 dispatching of Saranac Lake.
- Katelyn Flanagan (5'5" G, Canton 2018) led all scorers with 14 points in her team's 69-52 W over Ogdensburg Wednesday.
Massachusetts
- Lauraine Joensen (6'2" F, Northampton 2017; Canisius commit) dropped a game high 21 points in Tuesday's 65-37 victory over Chicopee.
* Friendly reminder that I am not conventional sports media. This list only includes those that participated in the 2016 EST summer league, Upstate Elite Showcase in October, or both. If you don't see your/your player/your daughter's name on the list and are wondering why; if they didn't participate in either of those, there's your answer! Please refer to the 'Contact Us' section of the website with any questions about upcoming 2017 events.
Section 2
- Lucy Tougas (5'11" G, Glens Falls 2017) has been showing heart throughout the season playing through an injury, and had her strongest statistical game of her senior campaign to date to show for it Monday. She finished with game highs of 20 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists, and 5 blocks in a 61-32 victory over Gloversville. Also in the win, Sophie Tougas (6'1" G, Glens Falls 2019) added 16 points with 12 coming from behind the arc.
- Nina Fedullo (5'11" F, Amsterdam 2017; Saint Rose commit) pumped in a game high of 20 points with 6 rebounds in a 50-45 victory over Hudson Falls Monday.
- Caitlin Estes (5'11" G, Scotia-Glenville 2017; Adelphi commit) dropped a game high 22 points Monday in a 52-34 W over Schuylerville.
- Two Bishop Gibbons players that participated in the fall event finished in double digits to lead the way for their Monday victory. Sarah Malinowski (5'11" F, Bishop Gibbons 2019) led all scorers with 17 points, and Abby Kienzle (5'4" G, Bishop Gibbons 2019) added 11 in the 50-31 victory. On Wednesday, Kienzle also contributed a team high 15 points in their 47-45 loss to Canajoharie.
- Grace Heeps (5'11" G, Columbia 2019) and Lexi VanVorst (5'6" G, Columbia 2019) rewrote the Columbia record books and were a driving force behind the team breaking a record as a whole in a blowout W Tuesday night. Heeps had a game high 24 points with VanVorst adding 18, with each knocking down 6 threes - breaking & tying for an individual school record - in their 87-26 W over Mohonasen. Columbia knocked down 17 threes as a team, also setting a new school mark.
- Saeeda Abdul-Aziz (5'11" G/F, Mohonasen 2017; Davidson commit), fresh off Tuesday's announcement of her being a McDonald's All-American nominee, finished with a team high 13 points in defeat.
- Stephanie Jankovic (5'6" G, Averill Park 2018) contributed a game high 16 points in her team's 74-43 dismantling of Guilderland Tuesday.
- Alexandra Tudor (5'11" G, Shenendehowa 2018), Cameron Tooley (5'7" G, Shenendehowa 2018), and Cat Almeida (6'4" F, Shenendehowa 2019) continued their consistently strong production by contributing double figures in their blowout W over Schenectady Tuesday. Tudor led all scorers with 16, Tooley added 14, and Almeida finished with 13 on the night.
- Madison Graber (5'10" G, Schalmont 2018) paced the Sabres with 14 points in their loss to Catholic Central Tuesday.
- Dolly Cairns (5'6" G, Saratoga Springs 2020) had a game and career-high 32 points on Tuesday night, including 5 threes, in a 71-67 defeat to Albany. Kerry Flaherty (5'8" G, Saratoga Springs 2019) added 13 points.
- Tara Sager (6'4" F, Ichabod Crane 2017; Florida Southern commit) messed around & got a triple-double Tuesday, leading the way with 12 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 blocks in a 34-30 victory over Holy Names.
- Kelly Pine (5'11" F, Hoosick Falls 2017) led her Panthers squad with 16 points in a 65-36 victory over Saratoga Catholic on Tuesday night.
- Jordan Hipwell (5'10" F, Ballston Spa 2017) finished with a team high 19 points Tuesday in a 66-53 loss to Colonie.
- Lyndsey McCoy (5'5" G, Middleburgh 2017; Alfred commit), the day after committing to Division III Alfred University, led all scorers with 21 points in limited action in a 57-36 W over Northville. Bre Palmatier (5'8" G, Middleburgh 2018) also contributed double digits in the victory on a light night for the starters Wednesday, finishing with 15.
- Julianna Taylor (5'5" G, Fonda-Fultonville 2017; SUNY Brockport commit) led all scorers with 21 points Wednesday night in a 58-31 W over Duanesburg. The 21 moves her career point total to 974 with a game at Berne-Knox-Westerlo Friday and home against Johnstown Monday at 4:30.
Section 3
- Allison Moreau (5'9" G, Sauquoit Valley 2019) pumped in a game high 30 points - her 2nd 30+ point game in as many weeks - in their 61-47 victory over Frankfort-Schuyler Monday. 21 of those came after halftime. With a recent scoring outburst which has seen her average 26 PPG over the last 5 games, she's now sitting at 934 career points.
- In Monday's 61-47 defeat to Sauquoit, Danielle Caivana (5'2" G, Frankfort-Schuyler 2017) - one of the section's leading scorers & the section's leader in threes made - finished with a team high 29 points, with 21 coming from beyond the arc.
- Sophie Wittenbeck (5'5" G, Waterville 2018) finished with a team high 17 points on Monday in a 59-50 victory over Poland.
- In Poland's 59-50 loss to Waterville Monday, Shiane Irwin (5'5" G, Poland 2017) got it going early and led all scorers with 28 points.
- Jenna Zimmerman (6'2" G/F, South Jefferson 2018) had a big statistical showing Monday, finishing with a game high 18 points, 16 rebounds, 3 assists, and 4 blocks in their 59-35 victory over Beaver River.
- Sara Field (6'3" F, Vernon-Verona-Sherrill 2017) finished with 13 points in a 59-58 W over Marcellus Wednesday.
- In Marcellus' 59-58 loss to VVS Wednesday, Liz White (5'6" G, Marcellus 2017) finished with a team high 16 points and 9 assists.
- Kylee Rosbrook (6'0" F, General Brown 2018) finished with a game high 19 points Wednesday in their 61-11 victory over South Lewis.
Section 4
- Abi Selfridge (5'7" G/F, Bainbridge-Guilford 2019) pumped in a game high 25 points, with 11 coming in the 2nd quarter, along with 11 rebounds in their 57-37 victory Monday.
- Haley Steenland (5'2" G, Stamford 2018) dropped a game high 26 points Monday in her team's 58-36 victory over Deposit.
- Hanna Strawn (5'4" G, Seton Catholic 2018) saved her best 8 minutes for last, where she had 8 of her game high 22 in their 78-67 W over Chenango Forks.
Section 9
- Brianna Rozzi (5'7" G, Highland 2019) finished with a team high 21 points in a 58-41 defeat to Red Hook Wednesday.
North Country
- Ally Crosby (5'10" F, Hammond 2018) had a game high 22 points and 18 rebounds on Wednesday night in their 57-34 victory over Edwards-Knox.
- Brooke Bjelko (6'3" F, Beekmantown 2017; Bryant commit) led all scorers with 22 points in their 68-60 W over Moriah Wednesday.
- Madison McCabe (5'4" G, AuSable Valley 2017) pumped in a game high 19 points Wednesday in their 71-30 dispatching of Saranac Lake.
- Katelyn Flanagan (5'5" G, Canton 2018) led all scorers with 14 points in her team's 69-52 W over Ogdensburg Wednesday.
Massachusetts
- Lauraine Joensen (6'2" F, Northampton 2017; Canisius commit) dropped a game high 21 points in Tuesday's 65-37 victory over Chicopee.
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