Saturday, December 29, 2007

Saints Banged Up

Siena got through Friday night's game against St. Joseph's and although they didn't come out on the winning end, they got some great play from off the bench and especially from freshmen Ryan Rossiter and Clarence Jackson.

The Saints did have some costly injuries, especially with a game on Monday before Thursday's game with No. 2 Memphis.

Alex Franklin didn't play because of a bad back. Cory Magee battled sickness and only six minutes telling coach Fran McCaffery after the first timeout that he couldn't breathe and Kenny Hasbrouck also was banged up.

The Saints are deep, but as the injuries continue to pile up, the bench continues to shorten.

It will be interesting to see how they play on Monday against Dartmouth with potentially Franklin and Magee being out and Hasbrouck not being at 100 percent.

Another guy who stepped up big was Tay Fisher. The senior scored 14 points and hit some big three's to keep Siena in it.

Even with all the injuries, the Saints had the lead with 1:33 to go in the game.

Thursday, December 27, 2007

Too Early To Tell If Franklin Will Play

Siena sophomore forward Alex Franklin's status is uncertain for Friday night's game against St. Joseph's after injuring his back in Saturday's game against Holy Cross.

Siena coach Fran McCaffery said it was too soon to tell after Franklin had a MRI on Wednesday and he still hadn't seen the results.

Franklin said it was still a little sore and a "day-by-day" injury that he's taking one day at a time.

He also added that he's expecting to play and that's he's been banged up for a little bit, but it feels much better than it did a few days ago.

McCaffery added that Franklin did not have to practice on Thursday in order to play on Friday.

Wednesday, December 26, 2007

More All-Star photos

Here are some more photos from our All-Star shoots from last week.


Troy football first team All-Area selections Ross Martin, Anthony Testo and Matt Marsh



Lansingburgh football All-Area selections, Kenny Youngs and NyQuan McGirt

La Salle football All-Area slections, Jared Henkel, Guy Robichaud and Marquis Terrell


Burnt Hills' football All-Area selections Alex Palkovic and Paul Layton


La Salle soccer first team selections Dan Casserly, Marc Zeyak and Anthony Lino

Shenendehowa soccer players Ashleigh Barone and Devon Lutz


Hoosick Falls first team soccer selections Annie Mullen, Carly Pine and Sarah Delurey

All-Area Football Team

There were plenty of great performances in 2007 and while it was difficult to narrow down the top players from this season, it was also somewhat easy seeing how some players rose to the top this year.

Below is The Record's 2007 All-Area Football Team

Co-Offensive Players of the Year
Kenny Youngs, Sr. Lansingburgh
Marquis Terrell, Jr. La Salle

Defensive Player of the Year
Chris Sawyer, Sr. Lansingburgh

Coach of the Year
Erick Bernard, Watervliet

First Team Offense
OL: Ross Martin, Sr. Troy
OL: Gary Chrys, Sr. Niskayuna
OL: Antonio Bazzoffi, Sr. La Salle
OL: Jeremy Jordan, Sr. Burnt Hills
OL: Sean Patrick, Sr. Schuylerville
TE: Matt Marsh, Sr. Troy
FB: Paul Booker, Sr. Guilderland
RB: NyQuan McGirt, Sr. Lansingburgh
RB: Adam Lajara, Sr. Cambridge
WR: Josh Brown, Sr. La Salle
WR: Jimmer Bennett, Jr. Albany Academy
QB: Jared Henkel, Sr. La Salle

First Team Defense
DL: Guy Robichaud, Sr. La Salle
DL: Alex Palkovic, Sr. Burnt Hills
DL: Sean Fitzmaurice, Sr. Voorheesville
LB: Paul Malamood, Sr. Guilderland
LB: Caleb Gleason, Jr. Watervliet
LB: Anthony Testo, Sr. Troy
LB: Pete Stanish, Sr. Guilderland
DB: Matt Harte, Sr. Lansingburgh
DB: Andrew Smith, Sr. Guilderland
DB: Bunduka Kargbo, Jr. Bishop Maginn
DB: Zach Kraham, Sr. Chatham

First Team Special Teams
K: Seth Watson, Sr. Shenendehowa
P: Paul Layton, Jr. Burnt Hills
KR-AP: Vinnie Nicosia, Sr. Amsterdam

Second Team Offense
OL: Mike Drinkwine, Sr. Lansingburgh
OL: Abe Andrew, Sr. Cambridge
OL: Tom Stark, Jr. Watervliet
OL: Trevor Bryan, Sr. Bishop Maginn
OL: Steve Brennan, Sr. Schuylerville
TE: Cameron Herrington, Sr. Cambridge
FB: Bob Vogel, Sr. Troy
RB: Anthony Casimano, Sr. Schuylerville
RB: Marc Thompson, Jr. Schenectady
WR: Joshua Mason, Sr. Schenectady
WR: ZayQuan DuPree, Sr. Catholic Central
QB: Mike Cooney, Sr. Watervliet

Second Team Defense
DL: Rayquan Shaw, Jr. Lansingburgh
DL: Ken Altarac, Jr. La Salle
DL: Shane Larkin, Sr. Schuylerville
DL: Devan Van Auken, Jr. Guilderland
LB: Brian Paeglow, Sr. Ravena
LB: Brian Beaury, Sr. La Salle
LB: Jim Schwendtner, Sr. Shenendehowa
DB: Chris Bouchard, Sr. Catholic Central
DB: Brain Sleasman, Sr. Colonie
DB: Steven Duncan, Sr. Ballston Spa
DB: Austin Bateman, Soph. Schuylerville

Second Team Special Teams
K: Vinny Falzo, Sr. La Salle
P: Connor Gallo, Sr. Lansingburgh
KR-AP: Mark Ambrosio, Jr. Shaker

Third Team Offense
OL: Dan Preston, Sr. Lansingburgh
OL: Justin Anderson, Sr. Shenendehowa
OL: Nick Smith, Sr. Shaker
OL: Brandon Chrysler, Sr. Chatham
OL: Quentin Herrington, Jr. Cambridge
TE: James Torres, Jr. Bishop Maginn
FB: Mike Hayes, Sr. Broadalbin-Perth
RB: Joe McMurry, Jr. Hudson Falls
RB: Marcus Hepp, Jr. Lansingburgh
WR: Lou DiNovo, Soph. La Salle
WR: Matt Thibodeau, Sr. Fort Edward
QB: Shea Bromirski, Sr. Cambridge

Third Team Defense
DL: Ryan Bellamy, Sr. Lansingburgh
DL: Henry Evans, Sr. Stillwater
DL: Justin Colleen, Soph. Averill Park
DL: Joe Hughes, Soph. Watervliet
LB: Elijah Jones, Sr. Lansingburgh
LB :Will Purcell, Sr. Shaker
LB: Spencer Miller, Sr. Burnt Hills
DB: Chris Hughes, Jr. Watervliet
DB: Ezekiel Mauzon, Sr. Lansingburgh
DB: Zack Coffinger, Sr. South Glens Falls
DB: Schuyler Thomas, Sr. Schuylerville

Third Team Special Teams
K: Alex Tesoriero, Soph. Coulmbia
P: Paul MacMillan, Sr. Mechanicville
KR-AP: D.J. Evans, Sr. Shenendehowa

All-Area Girls Soccer Team






The Record's Defensive Player of the Year (Kat Kulzer, Tamarac) and Offensive Player of the Year (Ashleigh Barone, Shenendehowa) and Coach of the Year (Tom Husser, Hoosick Falls) are pictured above, below find the entire 2007 All-Area squad.
Offensive Player of the Year
Ashleigh Barone, Sr. Shenendehowa
Defensive Player of the Year
Kat Kulzer, Sr. Tamarac
Coach of the Year
Tom Husser, Hooisck Falls
First Team Strikers
Kylie Watt, Jr. Ichabod Crane
Kelly Murphy, Sr. Mechanicville
Caitlin Cahalan, Jr. Shaker
First Team Midfielders
Rebecca Millock, Sr. Shaker
Sarah Delurey, Sr. Hoosick Falls
Becca Lee, Sr. Bethlehem
Sarah Lonergan, Sr. Tamarac
First Team Defenders
Carly Pine, Jr. Hoosick Falls
Devon Lutz, Sr. Shenendehowa
Annie Muller, Sr. Hoosick Falls
First Team Goalkeeper
Cassie Moore, Sr. Mechanicville
Second Team Strikers
Ashley Wilson, Sr. Ravena
Jessica Strang, Sr. Schalmont
Kristina Maksuti, Frosh. Bethlehem
Second Team Midfielders
Mary Donohue, Sr. Ichabond Crane
Amanda Hathaway, Soph. Stillwater
Marissa Wing, Sr. Columbia
Kat Thomas, Sr. Shaker
Second Team Defenders
Heather Reece, Sr. Hoosick Falls
Alicia D'Alessandro, Sr. Niskayuna
Sarah Cipperly, Soph. Lansingburgh
Second Team Goalkeeper
Tiffany McCall, Sr. Schuylerville
Third Team Strikers
Meeghan Arno, Frosh. Maple Hill
Whitney Frary, Jr. Niskayuna
Karly DeSimone, Sr. Shenendehowa
Third Team Midfielders
Brittni Lionarons, Jr. Averill Park
Lexi Williams, Sr. Mechanicville
Meaghan Goodwin, Sr. Shenendehowa
Tess Massaroni, Sr. Holy Names
Third Team Defenders
Taylor Teal, Jr. Bethlehem
Galina Schreifels, Soph. Stillwater
Sayde Whitman, Sr. Hoosick Falls
Third Team Goalkeeper
Olivia DeMarco, Jr. Catholic Central
Honorable Mention
Goalies: Renae Cairns (Ballston Spa); Kiersten Swete (Bethlehem); Victoria Brown (Heatly/Watervliet); Kelsey Rogers (Hoosick Falls); Carley Keefe (Maple Hill); Jilliane Benedetto (Tamarac)
Defenders: Amanda Malone (Burnt Hills); Katie Kilmartin (Hoosic Valley); Cody Cammardello (Shenendehowa); Amanda Konieczny (Tamarac); Heather Konieczny (Tamarac)
Midfielders: Megan Olsen (Bethlehem); Carissa Paff (Heatly/Watervliet); Alexa Turner (Holy Names); Alex Luke (Hoosick Falls); Courtney Blanchard (Queensbury); Kaitlyn Dano (Schoharie); Courtney Pierce (Schuylerville); Meredith Clinton (Shenendehowa); Kelsey Jensen (Troy)
Strikers: Becca LaPorte (Hoosick Falls); Amber Thornton (Lansingburgh); Jillian Thornton (Loudonville Christian); Ashley Gallt (Mayfield); Megan Rozumulski (Middleburgh); Liz Boyer (Saratoga); Dana DeSimone (Shenendehowa); Olivia Hopeck (Stillwater); Val Parkes (Tamarac); Julia Sloboda (Tamarac)

Tuesday, December 18, 2007

Duke KOs Albany - Ambrose shines for Danes

The Duke Blue Devils proved they were too much for the University at Albany tonight in a 111-70 win at Cameron Indoor.

The Dukies shot the lights out, knocking down 38 of 63 (60.3%) shots on the night. The Blue Devils also made 15 3-pointers.

If there was one bright spot - okay there's probably more than just one, but one glaringly good positive was freshman Tim Ambrose topping his career-high for the second straight game. After being name America East rookie of the week earlier in the day, the Brentwood, N.Y. native scored a game-high 24 points of UAlbany's 70 points.

I know I said only one positive, but here's another. The Great Danes held a 36-31 rebounding edge over the taller Blue Devils.

Still, Coach Krzyzewski picked up win 785 and is now one behind Lefty Drisell for sixth all-time and his Dukies are now 10-0.

For Coach Brown the team needs to get ready for a quality Boise State team with their record (5-5) at .500 for the third time this season.
Oh, and Duke's 111-point total was the third highest for the school since 2000.

Here are some pictures from Durham from AP photographer Gerry Broome.

Saturday, December 15, 2007

Up Next: Duke

UAlbany defeated St. Francis 66-53 today at the SEFCU Arena and two hours later hopped on a plane to fly to Durham to prepare for Monday's nationally televised game against Duke.

Will Brown made two changes to the starting lineup before today's game against the Terriers, bringing in sophomore center Brett Gifford and freshman guard Josh Martin into the starting lineup. The real star however, was freshman Tim Ambrose, who lit a spark with his energy and scored a career-high 17 points.

This will certainly be a test for the Great Danes (5-4), especially since they aren't playing their best basketball right now.

You can catch the game on ESPN2 at 7 p.m.

Duke (9-0) is ranked No. 6 in the latest AP poll, so it will be the second highest opponent UAlbany has ever faced after facing second-ranked UCONN in the 2006 NCAA Tournament first round in Philadelphia.

The players on the court aren't the only competition for the Great Danes. They will also be competing with the Cameron Crazies and a packed Cameron Indoor Stadium that has seen 263 consecutive sellouts, dating back to 1990 and seen below.

Thursday, December 13, 2007

Rossomando hired by New Haven

University at Albany Offensive Coordinator and Associate Head Coach Peter Rossomando has been named the ninth football head coach in University of New Haven program's history.

The Chargers haven't fielded a team since 2003, but Rossamando has a history in New Haven. He served as an assistant coach from 1994-98 under current Dallas Cowboys Associate Head Coach Tony Sparano.

New Haven was 41-14-1 in Rossomando's first go-round with the Chargers and went to the 1997 NCAA Division II Championship game.

"I'm extremely happy with our decision to hire Peter Rossomando as the next head coach in UNH football history," University of New Haven President Steven H. Kaplan said.

UAlbany football coach Bob Ford said, "Pete is well prepared and ready for this move. He has crossed all the t's and dotted the i's. He has a passion for the game and every kid on our squad respected that. He is an outstanding offensive line coach, a solid recruiter and has grown in his role as offensive coordinator over the last three seasons. I will miss him as a coach and a friend."

During Rossomando's tenure at UAlbany (2001-2007), the Great Danes posted a 46-32 overall record and a 36-12 mark in Northeast Conference action.

"I was lucky enough to work at UAlbany under a head coach that has been at the same school for 35 years," Rossomando said. "One of the things the Tony Sparano taught me is is you find the right place, with the right people, you can stay forever. Today, I've found the right place and I think we've found the right people for our program to be successful."

Below is a picture from the Unversity of New Haven sports information department and taken by Chris Volpe of Rossomando, with President Kaplan (on left) and Director of Athletics Deborah Chin (right).

Sunday, December 9, 2007

Crowd fills in - Siena trying to hold on

The announced attendance was actually 5,134 so the arena filled in nicely.

Currently, the Saints are leading by six and trying to hold off a pesky Iona team, but they have led the entire second half after a big run to close the first.

Captain Kenny Hasbrouck is only two points from breaking the 1,000-point mark.

Saints vs. Iona - plenty of good seats still available

Well, I'm here in downtown Albany for Siena's game against Iona. The Gaels come in after an impressive victory over Loyola and the Saints defeated Fairfield on Friday.

This should be a good game with the winner taking a 2-0 record into some time off in the league.

However, the arena is pretty empty considering it's a Sunday afternoon and we're competing against NFL and whatever else normal people do on Sundays (I'd be watching the Bills).

Anyway, I'm sure that Siena feels like they should win this game, but that's why they play the game.

Friday, December 7, 2007

Early Season Hoops....and more

Wow. We are less than two weeks into the winter season and already tons has gone on.

First, I would be remiss if I didn't mention the retirement of George Mardigan from his long-time post as the Watervliet boys basketball coach. Mardigan coached the first the first two games and since he made his decision has been laying low.

I knew George for only two seasons, but I was fortunate enough to be in Glens Falls earlier this year, when Mardigan was enshrined in the New York Basketball Hall of Fame. Some may not have agreed with his tactics on the sideline, but there can be no question that he got the most out of his players.

At 63, he certainly has earned the right to ride off into the sunset knowing he's done everything there is to do on a basketball sideline.

On to the games - Bishop Maginn won by 60 points - no don't scratch your eyes, the score was 103-43 over Albany. It's amazing that after losing, The Record's 2006-07 Player of the Year and a player who led the Golden Griffins to the Class AA State Title game in Talor Battle, the Golden Griffins could be better this time around. Battle is starting for Penn State and yet, his teammates haven't missed a beat.

The Albany Academy boys team is also off to a great start. The Cadets have size, strength and speed. They will also be put to the test this season as they have scheduled a trip to Texas for a tournament and a out of section game against state power Peekskill at Siena College.

The Bishop Maginn girls team is also off to a quick start. The Griffins look like, after they defeated Catholic Central on Tuesday, they will contend for a Big 10 championship with CCHS and Amsterdam.

Now you may be wondering what was the more part in the subject of this blog entry. Well, as much fun as I've had covering the local high school scene the past 15 months, I will be moving up the ranks to cover the college scene here in the Capital District.

This doesn't mean you'll want to stray away from my blog, which I will now update with Siena and UAlbany hoops information and any other college info on my mind, but I will also continue to keep tabs on the local high school scene and will try to keep things interesting and informative.

I will also, I'm sure be covering high school events when the postseason rolls around and in fact, I'm covering a girls' basketball game tomorrow evening - so I won't be far away.