Category: Galleries

Cambridge, Galleries, Girls basketball, Home

Scenes from girls basketball: Cambridge pulls away from Watkins Glen to win Class C state title

By ROB JONAS

TROY – It started with a three-pointer and ended with a jubilant celebration.

Stasia Epler’s three-pointer 2:20 into the fourth quarter sparked a 14-4 run that gave Cambridge a 57-43 victory over Watkins Glen (Section 4) in the New York State Public High School Athletic Association Class C girls basketball final Saturday, March 16, at Hudson Valley Community College.

It’s the first state title in the program’s history, and with a starting five consisting of four sophomores and a freshman, a possible sign of things to come.

“It’s crazy. We’re not even done yet. We still have a couple of years,” said Epler, the freshman within the starting five.

The game was closely contested through the first three quarters. Cambridge built a 12-8 lead in the first quarter, but three-pointers by Danielle Leszyk and Adrienna Solomon helped Watkins Glen pull ahead 16-13 at the end of the period. Neither team led by more than three points until the third quarter, when Cambridge took a 40-35 lead. Solomon and Hannah Morse drove for layups in the final minute to pull Watkins Glen within two points of the Indians entering the fourth quarter. Continue reading “Scenes from girls basketball: Cambridge pulls away from Watkins Glen to win Class C state title” →

Cambridge, Galleries, Girls basketball, Home, Notre Dame-Bishop Gibbons

Scenes from NYSPHSAA Girls Basketball Championships: Franklinville surges past Notre Dame-Bishop Gibbons

TROY – Franklinville (Section 6) jumped out to a 27-10 halftime lead and sailed past Notre Dame-Bishop Gibbons 56-26 in the New York State Public High School Athletic Association Girls Basketball Championships Friday, March 15, at Hudson Valley Community College.

Danielle Haskell poured in 33 points to lead Franklinville to the Class D final against Edwards-Knox (Section 10). Haskell made five three-pointers and sank eight out of her 11 free throws to help Franklinville pull away.

Abby Kienzle netted 10 points for Notre Dame-Bishop Gibbons, which was making its first trip to the state semifinals in three decades. No other player scored more than three points for the Lady Knights.

Meanwhile, Cambridge advanced to the Class C final with a 75-43 victory over Maple Grove (Section 6) in the semifinal round. Sophie Phillips scored 23 points, and twin sister Lilly Phillips contributed 22 points for the Indians, who led 28-10 after the first quarter. Marissa Schuppenhauer had 16 points for Maple Grove.

Cambridge meets Watkins Glen (Section 4) in Saturday’s Class C final at 7 p.m. Continue reading “Scenes from NYSPHSAA Girls Basketball Championships: Franklinville surges past Notre Dame-Bishop Gibbons” →

Boys basketball, Galleries, Home, OESJ

Scenes from boys basketball regionals: OESJ surges past Wells to reach state tournament

By ROB JONAS

TROY – After struggling to shut down Wells in the first half, Oppenheim-Ephratah/St. Johnsville turned up the defensive pressure to pull out a 57-40 victory in the Class D boys basketball regional final Saturday, March 9, at Hudson Valley Community College.

The Wolfpack will join Troy (Class A), Glens Falls (Class B) and Lake George (Class C) in heading to Binghamton for next weekend’s New York State Public High School Athletic Association championships.

“It’s a great opportunity for us. Our team is excited,” said Jayden Logan-Dillenbeck. Continue reading “Scenes from boys basketball regionals: OESJ surges past Wells to reach state tournament” →

Galleries, Girls basketball, Home, Notre Dame-Bishop Gibbons

Scenes from girls basketball regionals: Notre Dame-Bishop Gibbons shuts down Westport in Class D regional

TROY – Notre Dame-Bishop Gibbons turned in a strong defensive performance to defeat Section 7’s Westport 49-25 in the Class D girls basketball regionals Saturday, March 9, at Hudson Valley Community College.

The Lady Knights built a 23-10 halftime lead on Westport and closed the game on a 17-7 run to advance to next weekend’s state tournament at HVCC.

Abby Kienzle and Ava Megyari each scored 12 points to lead Notre Dame-Bishop Gibbons. Megyeri sank a pair of three-pointers and made all four of her free throws. Abbey Schwoebel had 13 points for Westport.

Notre Dame-Bishop Gibbons will play either Section 5’s Elba or Section 6’s Franklinville in the state semifinals Friday, March 15, at 11:45 a.m. Continue reading “Scenes from girls basketball regionals: Notre Dame-Bishop Gibbons shuts down Westport in Class D regional” →

Cambridge, Galleries, Girls basketball, Home, Hoosick Falls

Scenes from Section 2 girls basketball: Cambridge uses team approach to defeat Hoosick Falls in Class C final

By ROB JONAS

TROY – Cambridge reached the Section 2 Class C girls basketball final behind twin sisters Lilly and Sophie Phillips, but to win the championship, the Indians needed others to come through.

McKayla McLenithan and Ruth Nolan eah scored nine points to compliment Sophie Phillips’ 25-point performance to help Cambridge rally past Hoosick Falls 55-49 in the Class C final Friday, March 1, at Hudson Valley Community College.

The Indians trailed throughout much of the game before taking a 45-44 lead on a Nolan three-pointer midway through the fourth quarter. Cambridge increased its advantage to five points before a Grace Wysocki three-pointer and a putback by Logan Thayne tied the score at 49-49.

Hoosick Falls fouled McLenithan with less than one minute left in regulation. The sophomore forward missed the first foul shot, but she made the second to put Cambridge ahead for good.

“I just knew I had to make the shot,” said McLenithan. “If I didn’t, I knew we would still have a chance at the end.” Continue reading “Scenes from Section 2 girls basketball: Cambridge uses team approach to defeat Hoosick Falls in Class C final” →

Boys basketball, Galleries, Glens Falls, Home, Hoosick Falls, Lake George, Schalmont

Scenes from Section 2 boys basketball finals: Joseph Girard III leads Glens Falls past Schalmont

GLENS FALLS – Joseph Girard III would not be denied by Schalmont again.

JG3 poured in 52 points to lead Glens Falls to a 77-56 victory over Schalmont in the Section 2 Class B boys basketball final Friday, March 1, at the Cool Insuring Arena.

The Sabres built a 14-6 lead in the first quarter, but once Girard warmed up, there was little that they could do to stop him. The Syracuse University-bound senior guard nailed seven three-pointers and made 15 of his 16 free throws to help the Indians pull away for the 21-point victory and their second Sectional title in three years.

Trent Girard contributed 11 points, and Nick Danahy added eight points for Glens Falls. Shane O’Dell netted 20 points, and LJ Randle chipped in with 18 points for Schalmont. Continue reading “Scenes from Section 2 boys basketball finals: Joseph Girard III leads Glens Falls past Schalmont” →

Galleries, Girls basketball, Home, North Warren, Notre Dame-Bishop Gibbons

Scenes from Section 2 Class D final: Notre Dame-Bishop Gibbons rallies in fourth quarter to end championship drought

By ROB JONAS

TROY – Thirty years.

That’s how long it’s been since Notre Dame-Bishop Gibbons won a Section 2 girls basketball title.

The title drought ended Friday, March 1, at Hudson Valley Community College, as the Lady Knights rallied for a 39-36 victory over North Warren in the Class D final.

Abby Kienzle scored 19 points to lead Notre Dame-Bishop Gibbons to its first title since 1989, including the go-ahead basket with 1:12 left in the fourth quarter.

“The key was to stay focused and not let the pressure get to us,” said Kienzle, who was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player. Continue reading “Scenes from Section 2 Class D final: Notre Dame-Bishop Gibbons rallies in fourth quarter to end championship drought” →

Boys basketball, Fonda-Fultonville, Galleries, Glens Falls, Home, Lake George, Mayfield, Schalmont, Watervliet

Scenes from Section 2 boys basketball playoffs: JG3’s big night propels Glens Falls to Class B final

GLENS FALLS – Joseph Girard III continues to do whatever it takes to guide the Glens Falls boys basketball team to a Section 2 championship.

JG3 dropped 66 points on Watervliet to lead Glens Falls to an 88-70 victory over the Cannoneers in the Class B semifinals Monday, Feb. 25, at Cool Insuring Arena. Girard made 17 of his 37 shots from the field, including eight three-pointers, and he sank 24 out of his 25 free throws to lead the Indians to Friday’s final against Schalmont.

Messiah Mallory and J.J. Chestnut did what they could to keep Watervliet in the game. Mallory led the Cannoneers with 28 points, and Chestnut sank four three-pointers on his way to a 22-point night. It just wasn’t enough to keep up with Girard’s onslaught. Continue reading “Scenes from Section 2 boys basketball playoffs: JG3’s big night propels Glens Falls to Class B final” →

Boys basketball, Galleries, Glens Falls, Home, Johnstown, Schalmont, Schuylerville

Scenes from Section 2 Class B boys basketball: Girard cousins lead Glens Falls in rout over Johnstown

By ROB JONAS

TROY – Two Girards were more than enough for No. 2 Glens Falls to advance into the Section 2 Class B boys basketball semifinals.

Joseph Girard III poured in 48 points, and cousin Trent Girard sank six three-pointers to finish with 18 points in the Indians’ 93-66 victory over No. 7 Johnstown in a quarterfinal contest Friday, Feb. 22, at Hudson Valley Community College,

“That was fun,” said Joseph. “That makes it a lot easier on myself and a lot easier on my team.”

“When he’s going, I get going, and when I’m going, he gets going,” said Trent of the on-court synergy between him and Joseph. Continue reading “Scenes from Section 2 Class B boys basketball: Girard cousins lead Glens Falls in rout over Johnstown” →

Boys basketball, Catskill, Fonda-Fultonville, Galleries, Home, Mechanicville, Watervliet

Scenes from Section 2 Class B boys basketball: Watervliet advances to semis with victory over Mechanicville

Updated at 7:45 p.m. to reflect proper results of Fonda-Fultonville game against Catskill.

CLIFTON PARK – No. 3 Watervliet jumped out to a 14-7 lead in the first quarter and pulled away for a 74-57 victory over No. 11 Mechanicville in the Section 2 Class B boys basketball quarterfinals Friday, Feb. 22, at Shenendehowa High School.

Messiah Mallory poured in 21 points, and Khari Croley contributed 19 points for Watervliet, which faces No. 2 Glens Falls in the Class B semifinals Monday, Feb. 25, at Cool Insuring Arena. Derrick Beason chipped in with 14 points for the Cannoneers.

Anthony Attala led Mechanicville with 19 points, and Devin Garland added 13 points. Continue reading “Scenes from Section 2 Class B boys basketball: Watervliet advances to semis with victory over Mechanicville” →