Amsterdam & Shen Bring the Epicenter of NY Holiday Hoops to the 518

From the basketball quiet on Christmas Eve & Day to the wild nature of the schedule that directly follows, there's no point during the year that goes from 0 to 100 quite like holiday tournament week. Thankfully for hoop enthusiasts that live in the 518, four straight action-packed days give off more of a March Madness feel than high school midseason play.

There are several holiday tournaments throughout Section II - places like BKW, Glens Falls, Maple Hill, Mayfield, and Mohonasen bring the more traditional four-team format to their courts - but two separate themselves from the pack in many ways. Throw in the late cancellation of Elmira's Josh Palmer Classic and decentralization of the Syracuse area's More Than a Game Classic, who had to pull all games out of Onondaga Community College, and the Amsterdam College Showcase and the Shen/Impact Athletic Center Holiday Classic headline holiday hoops in upstate NY.

The Amsterdam College Showcase, held at Amsterdam High School on December 27-28, features 14 teams representing four NYSPHSAA sections along with a New Hampshire representative. A couple late backouts have forced some late schedule adjustments from 16 overall games down to the currently scheduled 13, but both days include AM-to-PM action. Among the long list of must-watch players at the event are a half-dozen D1 offered or committed players, and seven of the teams were recognized in the NYSSWA's initial state rankings last week. That includes four in the AAs, host Amsterdam (#12 in A), Schalmont (#4 in B), and Duanesburg (the state's top-ranked C). One scheduled out-of-state participant, Holy Redeemer of Wilkes-Barre, PA, was a late scratch, so the remaining non-New York representative is New Hampshire & NHIAA Division II power Hanover.

After the completion of Amsterdam's showcase, Shen/Impact follows suit on December 29-30. This inaugural event currently holds a full field of 16 varsity teams/16 games over two days (along with 10 JV teams on a separate court). Alongside a heavy contingent of Section II teams, there are also teams representing four NYSPHSAA sections & New Hampshire at this event. The similar pre-event watch list can be given for here, as around a half-dozen D1 offered/committed players headline those anticipated to play and eight NYSSWA state-ranked teams. Among the headlining in-state programs are host Shenendehowa (#3 in AA), Averill Park (#1 in A), and Pittsford Mendon (#5 in A). Their lone out-of-state representative is another state power in New Hampshire Division I Bishop Guertin out of Nashua.

Full schedules, as of December 26, are listed below. A lot of good basketball in the 518 between these two places. Hope to see you in the gym!

AMSTERDAM COLLEGE SHOWCASE (all games held at Amsterdam High School)

DECEMBER 27 (Monday)

11:30 - Duanesburg (II) vs. Wallkill (IX)

1:00 - Albany (II) vs. Penfield (V)

2:30 - Troy (II) vs. Saugerties (IX)

4:00 - Shaker (II) vs. Baldwinsville (III)

5:30 - Bethlehem (II) vs. Hanover (NH)

7:00 - Saratoga Springs (II) vs. Fairport (V)

DECEMBER 28 (Tuesday)

10:00 - Troy (II) vs. Wallkill (IX)

11:30 - Baldwinsville (III) vs. Penfield (V)

1:00 - Shaker (II) vs. Saugerties (IX)

2:30 - Schalmont (II) vs. Fairport (V)

4:00 - Saratoga Springs (II) vs. Hanover (NH)

5:30 - Albany vs. Duanesburg (both II)

7:00 - Amsterdam vs. Johnstown (both II)

SHEN/IMPACT HOLIDAY CLASSIC (all games held at Impact Athletic Center)

DECEMBER 29 (Wednesday)

10:00 - Fonda-Fultonville vs. Mechanicville (all II)

11:30 - Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake vs. Queensbury (all II)

1:00 - Albany Academy vs. Cambridge (all II)

2:30 - Colonie (II) vs. Our Lady of Lourdes (I)

4:00 - Averill Park (II) vs. Pittsford Mendon (V)

5:30 - Albany (II) vs. Cicero-North Syracuse (III)

7:00 - Shenendehowa (II) vs. Bishop Guertin (NH)

8:30 - Niskayuna (II) vs. Liverpool (III)

DECEMBER 30 (Thursday)

9:30 - Albany Academy vs. Mechanicville (all II)

11:00 - Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake (II) vs. Liverpool (III)

12:30 - Averill Park (II) vs. Bishop Guertin (NH)

2:00 - Shenendehowa (II) vs. Pittsford Mendon (V)

3:30 - Albany (II) vs. Our Lady of Lourdes (I)

5:00 - Colonie (II) vs. Cicero-North Syracuse (III)

6:30 - Cambridge vs. Fonda-Fultonville (all II)

8:00 - Niskayuna vs. Queensbury (all II)

The Week Ahead: December 13-19, 2021

Three down, 14 to go!

Skipping the small talk this time, it's a weekly thing. Time for 'The Week Ahead'. What gyms am I tentatively planning to be in this week? Check it out:

Mon, 12/13: Gananda @ East Rochester (S5) 

Tues, 12/14: Penfield @ Pittsford Mendon (S5)

Wed, 12/15: Catskill @ Greenville (S2) as primary; will catch some of Hudson @ Cairo-Durham before

Thurs, 12/16: Elmira Notre Dame @ Waverly (S4) for now; this could change

Fri, 12/17: Ichabod Crane @ CCHS (S2) or Marathon @ Union Springs (S4) - still to decide

Sat, 12/18: Heuvelton @ Massena, then Lowville/Gouverneur, Harrisville/Hermon-DeKalb, Northern Adirondack/Canton @ SUNY Canton (S10) - weather dependent & also could change

Sun, 12/19: nothing on the schedule as of now - if there's a game I'm unaware of, let me know!

The two highlights of this week, at least at this stage, are pretty apparent: I'm making my first Section V trip of the year to start the week, and besides that, there's a lot of uncertainty. Thursday & Friday are currently somewhat up in the air due to my own indecisiveness (and understanding that I'll need to be flexible given all the recent schedule changes), and Saturday could bring snow to the area in which I plan to travel to. As far as games go, Penfield/Mendon has to take the cake for hottest contest of the week. I'm sure I'll be one of approximately 385738 people covering it - see you all there! Gananda's season opener & a good matchup in the post against defending Section V C1 champ East Rochester to start. Janay Brantley, fresh off a 50 piece McNugget, and her Catskill team head to a sneaky solid Greenville. END/Waverly should be intriguing, Ichabod/CCHS features two of the Albany area's finest young guards & Marathon/Union Springs features two of its region's finest older guards. Altogether, should be fun wherever I land. See you in some gyms!

The Week Ahead: December 6-12, 2021

The weekly count continues... two down, hopefully 15 left!

If you've followed along to this point, you know the drill. If not, welcome to the party. Time for another installment of 'The Week Ahead', a weekly post highlighting my anticipated/hopeful schedule leading into each week of HS season for the following days. This is always subject to change - the coordination & occasionally necessary process of making sure schools are allowing media in the gym (which hasn't been an issue so far but things are always fluid), the dreaded five letters of COVID, and the ever-changing Northeast weather patterns can change plans in a heartbeat. As much as I'd like for it to be set in stone, this is always in pencil, never in Sharpie.

That being said, my hopeful schedule for the upcoming week:

Mon, 12/6: Corinth @ Saratoga Catholic (1st half), South Glens Falls @ Hudson Falls (S2) (was Warwick/Lourdes, then Frankfort/Poland before postponements)

Tues, 12/7: Bethlehem @ Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake (S2)

Wed, 12/8: Marcellus @ Bishop Ludden (S3)

Thurs, 12/9: Red Hook @ Millbrook (S9)

Fri, 12/10: Fonda @ Duanesburg (S2) (time change took away possibility of 2nd game)

Sat, 12/11: Elmira @ Maine-Endwell (S4) (second game postponed)

Sun, 12/12: Tournament @ Our Lady of Lourdes (S1) - includes Lourdes, Saratoga Springs, Ursuline, West Genesee

Another travel-heavy week as the Section 2 schedule slowly churns to full strength - Friday is the first truly busy day in the 518. I plan to make my first 845 trips of the winter this week, and it could be multiple times, though three planned nights quickly turned into two after a postponement. Still some small school action, but some more AAs & As this week as the large schools are revving up to full game activity. Another 11-game week planned - not an overload (to put in perspective, holiday tournament week will bring me to about 30 games), but also not nothing either. And a seven-day week - games on Sunday!

Every day brings a potentially intriguing game for various reasons. On top of that, there are plenty of good ones that I'll miss because I can't split myself yet - might have to finally break out some Views From The Couch if I have time. Hopefully I'll see you in the gym!

The Week Ahead: November 29-December 5, 2021

One week of games down, hopefully 16 more to go!

Another installment of 'The Week Ahead'. Again, look for weekly posts on this blog highlighting my planned or hopeful schedule leading into each week of action during HS season. This is always subject to change with so many moving parts during scholastic season, especially in these times. Consistent coordination with ADs/coaches to make sure they're allowing media in the building is still needed, the dreaded five letters of COVID, and of course the ever-changing Northeast weather patterns all change plans at a moment's notice. So think of this as 'in pencil' & not 'in Sharpie' - always subject to change!

That being said, my hopeful schedule for the week:

Mon, 11/29: required off day (probably the only one!)

Tues, 11/30: Tournament 1st Round @ Walton (S4) - Worcester vs. Franklin, Deposit/Hancock @ Walton

Wed, 12/1: TBD... Section 7 (Willsboro)? Section 3 (Auburn)? have yet to decide

Thurs, 12/2: Queensbury @ Johnstown; likely another Foothills game after (Scotia/Broadalbin?)

Fri, 12/3: Tournament 1st Round @ Delaware Academy (S4) - Cambridge/Duanesburg, Cooperstown @ Delhi

Sat, 12/4: Drago Tournament Consolation/Championship @ Oneonta (S4) - Colonie, Horseheads, Newark Valley, Oneonta; Tournament Consolation/Championship @ Laurens (S4) - Edmeston, Hunter-Tannersville, South Kortright @ Laurens

Sun, 12/5: haven't found anything yet... anyone have a game or scrimmage that I've missed? Let me know!

Another week of small school madness, for the most part, and a whole lot of Section 4. This isn't a surprise & usually the way it goes; it's usually small schools that play more actual games in the early stages of the season, and if there's one thing I've learned, it's that the eastern half of Section 4 loves their tipoff tournaments. Especially if I go north to Section 7 on Wednesday, there's potential to hit the entirety of 10 games and parts of another couple this week.

Particularly looking forward to getting eyes on Queensbury, who didn't play last winter, and there are some intriguing matchups at the tournaments - Worcester/Franklin, Cambridge/Duanesburg, a potential Colonie/Newark Valley contrast of styles, etc. Hopefully I'll see you in the gym!

The Week Ahead: November 22-28, 2021

It's about that time... we're back!

Look for weekly posts on this blog highlighting my planned or hopeful schedule leading into each week of action during HS season. This is always subject to change with so many moving parts during scholastic season, especially in these times. Consistent coordination with ADs/coaches to make sure they're allowing media in the building is still needed, the dreaded five letters of COVID, and of course the ever-changing Northeast weather patterns all change plans at a moment's notice. So think of this as 'in pencil' & not 'in Sharpie' - always subject to change!

That being said, my hopeful schedule for the week:

Mon, 11/22: Scrimmage (S2) - Catskill @ Colonie (Empire State Takeover Basketball: Colonie & Catskill Cross Paths in Season Opening Scrimmage: Notes & Thoughts)

Tues, 11/23: Tournament @ Hunter-Tannersville (S4) - Margaretville vs. Windham-Ashland-Jewett (Consolation), Schenevus @ H-T (Championship) (Five is Enough as Schenevus Runs Past H-T; Hunter-Tannersville Tournament Recap (empirestatetakeover.com))

Wed, 11/24: Scrimmage (S2) - Berne-Knox-Westerlo, Fonda-Fultonville @ Amsterdam

Fri, 11/26: Tournament @ Schoharie (S2) - Bishop Gibbons/Cherry Valley-Springfield, Germantown @ Schoharie (Cherry Valley & Schoharie Run Through Openers; Schoharie Tournament Recap (empirestatetakeover.com))

Fri, 11/26: Tournament @ Cohoes (S2) - Lansingburgh/Mekeel, Bishop Maginn @ Cohoes

Sat, 11/27: Muggsy's Tournament @ Saranac (S7) - Beekmantown vs. Heuvelton (Consolation), Northeastern Clinton @ Saranac (Championship) (NCCS Rolls, Beekmantown Youth Rises to Occasion: Muggsy’s Tournament Recap (Championship Day) (empirestatetakeover.com))

Sun, 11/28: Tournament @ West Canada Valley (S3) - Brookfield, Sherburne-Earlville, Westmoreland, West Canada Valley (Consolation/Championship)

Small schools rule the stage for the week as the majority of 'counts on the record' game action is Class B-D tipoff tournaments. At least a couple scrimmages are mixed in with the hopes of adding 2-3 more. Week 1 of a fun few months underway!

Colonie & Catskill Cross Paths in Season Opening Scrimmage: Notes & Thoughts

November 22, 2021

Feels great to talk about high school hoops in November again. The 2021-22 season is a go!

Although games that count on the record start to trickle in during Thanksgiving week, I always call this, the 2nd week of the season, scrimmage season. Day 1 of scrimmage season tipped off Monday with a light load of gatherings. The one I was able to stop at featured two Section 2 teams not used to bumping into each other, as Patroon/Class B Catskill made the trip north to compete with Suburban/Class AA Colonie. A few notes & takeaways from opening day in Raider country:

The versatility shows here, as Gabby Martin takes care of some ballhandling duties for Colonie. The developing 5'10" 2024 will be called upon to do some of everything for the Raiders this year.

The Next Progression: EST Enhances Comprehensive Coverage with Subscriber Content

It was only a matter of time, right?

In recent years, I've called Empire State Takeover an 'all-encompassing endeavor' in the girls' basketball world, particularly in the home base of upstate NY (but as we know, that coverage base has expanded into various parts of Pennsylvania & New England). It's moved from a summer league to other events, then incorporated basketball-specific media coverage with writing and photo/video content. It's parlayed into a greater level of visibility & recognition for the athletes, and at times, I've been able to assist in other outlets that provide recognition for their work (all-state teams, etc.). Among all of those things, the writing - which hasn't always been consistent, but is a constant presence during the HS hoops season - tends to be one of the most well-received avenues.

In more recent times, the basketball-specific writing coverage of upstate NY players & teams has waned. That's at no fault to anyone involved - lack of staffing leads to regionalization of what used to be local coverage, plus relocation of other respected media members that paid attention to the girls' game has led to this. With that, an opportunity to provide the level of coverage the players, teams, & coaches of the region deserve while expanding the footprint & growing the offerings of EST has presented itself.

As recognizable of a logo as there is among girls' basketball players in upstate NY at this point... it's time to take the next step in EST offerings & comprehensive coverage.

Ok, cutting to the chase here. EST will now introduce exclusive subscriber content with the utilization of another blog site beyond this one. This blog will still be active with 'free reads' and will be updated with some regularity! However, to receive the most in-depth coverage of girls' basketball coverage within my primary coverage region, the place to be is EST Blog (empirestatetakeover.com) (in high school season, this includes Sections 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, & 10 in NY along with District 2 in PA and other areas, including Section 1, to a lesser extent). Expect game writeups from every game I attend in person, consistent roundups from what's happening on the high school scene statewide, individual player articles as the winter season goes on & I get used to the process of providing daily content, and much more as situations present themselves. During AAU season, the player articles will come to the forefront along with consistent reviews & writeups of events that I attend. Also, ALL PHOTOS WILL BE AVAILABLE AS DOWNLOADABLE CONTENT FOR SUBSCRIBERS TOO! There's plenty more beyond the few that I post on social media, and they'll all be available.

WHAT TO EXPECT IN SUBSCRIBER CONTENT

- Detailed game writeups & thoughts from every HS game that I attend in person (with rare exception of things like holiday showcases with 8 games in a day, at which point there will be an event recap) - will likely attend 200-250 games during HS season

- Statewide roundups to keep track of what's going on from section to section in girls' hoops (one comprehensive place to receive all info) - weekly at minimum, but will likely be 2-3x per week on busier weeks

- Individual player profiles & articles throughout the year, incorporating player/coach interviews with information & my own thoughts and evaluations

- Other scholastic-related articles as the situation calls for them, such as preseason previews (already complete for many sections) and postseason previews

- Event recaps/thoughts/notes during AAU season

- ALL PHOTOS taken at any game or event now available in one place

All photos, like this of budding Union-Endicott star Adriana Fontana - who also has her own writeup in the Section IV large school preview - will be up & available for subscribers.

WHAT TO EXPECT FROM THE BLOG 'FREE READS'

- Game writeups & thoughts from HS games that I watch streams/game film of - think 'Views From The Couch' special introduced in February-March 2021 - will be done as time allows

- Any post made related to scrimmages I attend in person

- Any 'ESTers in Action' special article, which highlights the performances & accolades of EST event participants at the high school or collegiate levels

- Weekly 'The Week Ahead' articles, which will lay out my planned schedule for coming days

- Various other articles as situations present themselves, such as scholastic event previews/players to watch

- All comprehensive EST event coverage!

Don't worry, the caffeinated stick figure will be back as time allows - and for free on this blog!

This is a particularly large & time-consuming undertaking for one person that's already busy, so there will be a fee for subscriber content. The monthly subscription is $5/month, and an annual subscription is $40/year (equates to pay 8 months/4 months free). This can be accessed at various spots on the website - one was posted above - and another easy way to subscribe is through this link: Subscription Plans (empirestatetakeover.com). 

As always, the aim is to provide the highest quality content & coverage for girls' basketball now and in the future. With the knowledge base I've thankfully been able to acquire through the daily grind over the last several years, between 'recent history' & the present time, I think this will be a great resource for coverage in upstate NY & beyond. The work has already started, as several preseason previews are up on the blog - Sections 2, 3, 4, 5, & 6 (plus MMA) either already have or will soon have complete previews with contending teams/players to watch/games to circle. Sections 7, 9, & 10, all spots where I was pretty much unable to attend last February/March, will stop short of team previews but offer players to watch & games to circle.

As always, if there are any questions or thoughts, my social media/website DMs are open. Always open for suggestions on how to enhance the EST coverage & offerings! This is an expansion of EST that I'm particularly excited about, and I hope that feeling is mutual on your end. See everyone in a gym somewhere this winter!