Less than a day after Voorheesville (a Colonial Council team) clinched its second straight Class C baseball title, the Colonial Council has released its 2013 all-star team and the exceptional senior squad as well.

Schalmont's Jimmy Hamilton and Nico Church were named co-MVPs of the league. Under the cut, check out the first and second teams as well as honorable mention andddd the exceptional senior roster.

Congrats to everyone on a fantastic season!

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The Section II championships may have been earlier this week, but the Big 10 has some more accolades to hand out.

Under the cut check out the all-stars for girls Big 10 this past spring.

Congrats to everyone on a great season and to anyone who will be competing in the state qualifiers this afternoon.

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With only a few days left in the baseball season, the Patroon Conference has released its baseball all-stars for the 2013 season.

Tyler Bulic (Catskill) and Darren Conte (Hudson) were named co-MVPs of the league while Chatham's Scott Steltz was named the league's Coach of the Year.

Congrats to everyone who made the teams and to all the squads on a great baseball season!

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Talk about perfect timing.

As we (finally) get ready to start the quarterfinal round of the Section II softball tournament, the New York State Sportswristers Association has released their latest softball rankings from around the state.

Same deal as always - top five and local squads all under the cut. Now if you want to see the entire rankings, go ahead and click here. I'll also have updates throughout the day of all the softball games happening across Section II.

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That was a Hilary Duff joke, everyone. In case you didn't get it. I hope someone got it.

Anyway, we have had more rain (and apparently there's more to come) and it continues to mess up the Section II softball and baseball tournament. I'll have updated brackets with the games that got through today, but I figured I would try and put the postponed games in one spot.

That way you guys know what's happening and I don''t totally lose my mind. Here we go.

SOFTBALL
Class AA
Ballston Spa at Catholic Central - Adirondack Sports Complex, Friday at 4 p.m.
Class B
Greenville at Cohoes - Adirondack Sports Complex, Friday at 2 p.m.
Ravena at Bishop Gibbons -Adirondack Sports Complex, Friday at 6 p.m.


According to Section II Softball Coordinator Cathy Allen, ANY of the quarterfinal games scheduled for Friday can be made up between now and Tuesday at the discretion of the teams.

ALL semi-finals and championships have been pushed back to Wednesday, May 29th and Friday, May 31st respectively. The sites are all the same, so at least there's that.

If you have a softball quarterfinal that IS NOT being played on Tuesday, please tell me. Email me (lamato@troyrecord) or Tweet me (@LauraAmato). I'm already going crazy, so help me out, please. I want to cover your games, but I need to know when and where to be. 

BASEBALL
Class AA
Guilderland at Columbia - suspended T2, resume on Sunday at 4 p.m.
Schenectady at Shaker - suspended B2, resume on Sunday at 3 p.m.
Bethlehem at La Salle - suspended B2, resume on Monday at 2 p.m.
Class A
Catholic Central at Lansinburgh - suspended T3, resume on Monday, time and location TBD
Class B
Hudson at Saratoga Catholic - tentatively rescheduled for Saturday at 2 p.m. at Veterans Park
*** if the field is deemed unplayable the game will be moved to Hudson
Albany Academy at Chatham - suspended B4, resume on Friday at 4 p.m.
Class C
Hoosic Valley vs. Greenwich - postponed until Sunday at 2 p.m. at Chapko Field
Mechanicville at Voorheesville - rescheduled for Saturday at 12 p.m. at Swift Road Park
Class D
Salem at Loudonville Christian - suspended T2, makeup time and date TBD

ALL baseball semis have been moved to Tuesday, May 28th.
Class AA: at Joe Bruno, 4 & 7 p.m.
Class A: at St. Rose, 4 & 7 p.m.
Class B: Veterans Memorial Park
Class C: at Shuttleworth, 4 & 7 p.m.
Class D: at East Field, 1 & 4 p.m.

Finals at Joe Bruno
Wednesday, May 29th
Class B: 4 p.m.
Class A: 7 p.m.
Thurdsay, May 30th
Class D: 4 p.m.
Class C: 7 p.m.
Friday, May 31
Class AA: 7 p.m.

Oh man, baseball rankings. These are starting to get good, guys.

Section II is making a serious showing in the latest New York State Sportswriters Association's state rankings. If you want to see the entire list, go ahead and click here. You know the drill though, top five and local teams. Enjoy and get psyched for tomorrow's quarterfinals.

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Hot off the presses, I've got all-stars for you.

Troy High's Hunter Levesque has been named the league MVP as an eighth-grader. She's 13 years old. When I was 13, I was convinced I was going to marry Orlando Bloom.

Levesque finished with a regular season record of 13-1 and an overall ERA of 1.32. She recorded three shutouts, three two-hitters, two one-hitters and a Big 10 batting average of .469. She had a perfect record in Big 10 pitching outings.

Bishop Gibbons' Joelle Sallsbury, Troys Ally Luscier and Alina Germinerio also received votes for league MVP.

Under the cut check out the entire all-star list and congratulations to everyone on a pretty spectacular season.

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I was tempted make a Thor joke in my headline but refrained myself for everyone's sake.

I've got some rain, thunder, lightning-induced postponements to dole out. If it's a sectional softball game the official rain date is tomorrow (Thursday 5/23) and should be the same time and place unless otherwise noted.

SOFTBALL
Class AA
Ballston Spa at Catholic Central
Class B
Cohoes at Greenville 
Class C
Fort Plain at Duanesburg
Schoharie at Waterford
Voorheesville at Maple Hill - 2 p.m. on Thursday
Saratoga Catholic at Hoosic Valley

BASEBALL
Fort Plain vs. Duanesburg
Mekeel Christian at Warrensburg - 2:30 on Thursday

GIRLS LACROSSE
Class A - 5 p.m. on Thursday
B & C Championships - times TBA on Thursday

TRACK AND FIELD
Suburban Council Meet at Colonie High School - makeup TBA

BOYS TENNIS
Double Championship

Fresh off the release of the Section II brackets and a day before we get underway in the tournament, the New York State Sportswriters Association has released the latest NYS softball rankings.

You guys know the deal by now: top five in each class, rankings for all local squads. Now, all these records are only through the 19th, so keep that in mind.

For the whole list, there's a link here. Enjoy!

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The Big 10 has released their all-star list for the 2013 season and it's a pretty solid list.

League champ CBA led the way with 18 selections, including player of the year, senior John Bassett. He was also The Record's boys athlete of the week last week, if you were keeping track.

Congratulations to everyone who was selected and to everyone who is still competing in the sectional tournament.

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In news that doesn't concern softball or baseball sectional brackets, the New York State Sportswriters Association has released the latest boys lacrosse rankings.

It's still pretty timely though as we're getting into the crux of lax sectionals this week. That being said, any of the records in this list are through May 19th, so nothing from today.

Top five in each class under the cut, with the rankings of each local teams and the complete list here. Enjoy 'em!

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You didn't think I'd leave softball out of all the photoshop'ed bracket fun? Of course not.

Under the cut I've got more brackets (go fill them out, it's more exciting that way) for your viewing pleasure. The top seeds in each class are as follows: Shenendehowa (AA), Troy (A), Chatham (B), Mechanicville (C) and Fort Ann (D).

Good luck to all the squads out there and remember to check back here throughout the tournament for updated brackets.

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I am really just dominating the Photoshop'ed brackets now. You can all take a moment to be impressed.

As promised, I've got full brackets for the Section II baseball tournament. Top seeds in each class are: Columbia (AA), Lansingburgh (A), Chatham (B), Fort Plain (C) and Fort Ann (D).

Under the cut check out all the saweeeet competition we've got lined up. Please, please, please, fill them out and send me a picture. I am super curious to see where you guys think everyone will end up. Good luck to all the squads out there!

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I promised good looking brackets and I bring to you, good looking brackets for the Section II boys lacrosse tournament.

Play-in games start on Saturday and the top seeds in each class aren't all that surprising - we've got Shenendehowa (A), Niskayuna (B) and Glens Falls (C). Under the cut, you can see the entire breakdown for each class throughout the upcoming week.

Finals are scheduled for an all-day event next Saturday at UAlbany. Good luck to everyone!

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We've pretty much wrapped up the regular season here in Section II and with only a few days left before the seeding meeting, the New York State Sportswriters Association has released the latest baseball rankings.

In case anyone was wondering - as far as teams that have earned league titles - La Salle, Columbia and Rensselaer all top finishes in their respective divisions.

Under the cut, we've got the usual: top five in each class plus the rankings of all the Section II teams. Also, keep in mind these records only go through the 14th, so nothing from yesterday. If you want to see the whole list, click here. Enjoy!

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The final installment of Records and Rankings Monday is right here - the latest NYS softball rankings from the New York State Sportswriters Association.

It's also the final week of the regular season here in Section II so these rankings are of particular interest.

Check out the top five in each class below, as well as the rankings of our local squads. For the entire list, there is a link right here. Keep in mind though that these records are THROUGH Sunday, so nothing from today is included.

Enjoy!

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Rankings and Records Monday continues with our second installment of records and/or rankings - the latest New York State Sportswriters Association boys lacrosse rankings.

I wrote rankings a lot, just now.

As the spring sports season winds down and heads towards sectionals (the lax seeding meeting is Friday!) the rankings give us the chance to see how our local squads are squaring up against the rest of the state. Now, under the cut check out the top five in each class as well as the rankings of all the Section II teams mentioned. If you want to see the entire list, I've provided a link for that right here. Enjoy!

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Alright guys - it's Rankings and Records Monday!

Now, we're closing in on the last week of regular season games across Section II for baseball and it's very, very exciting. Teams are wrapping up leagues and fighting for seeding and it's all getting very dramatic. This is the fun part.

So, under the cut check out the latest records from Section II and where we all stand. As usual, I'm just updating what I'm getting from the league, so if you guys see something that's not accurate, puhleaseee let me know. I'm nothing if not always attempting to be accurate.

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In honor of the Section II girls lacrosse tournament - which starts today, by the way - I have made more pretty graphics for everyone.

Under the cut, check out the matchups for Class A, B and C. Just like last season, I'll be updating the brackets throughout the tournament and - for your viewing pleasure - I'll also have brackets for boys lax, softball and baseball once the tournaments are announced. It's very exciting, I know.

In the meantime, enjoy the technological advances of my photoshop skills for this year's girls lacrosse sectionals. Good luck to all the squads out there.

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La Salle junior Elijah Burns - who has been one of the top Section II basketball players for the past two seasons - will be taking his talents out of the Capital District next season as he plans to transfer to Blair Academy in New Jersey. 

The 6'6" forward averaged 17.8 points and 10 rebounds for the Cadets last season, who made it to the Class AA quarterfinals before a loss to Shaker. 

The decision to transfer to Blair - which boasts a 294-104 record in 14 years as a program - offers Burns the chance to reclass or, in other words, essentially repeat his junior year and graduate in 2015. The extra season means Burns will have more time to go through the recruitment process and even a better chance at college offers by competing in the NJ State Prep league. 

"It’s really a move that’s going to get him a lot more exposure," La Salle basketball coach Steve Sgambelluri said. "He’s going to play more games and against high competition in the prep school."

While his decision to transfer will have a major impact on the Cadets' season next year, Sgambelluri and the La Salle program are equally anxious to see what Burns can accomplish with this kind of opportunity. 

"I have a great relationship with him and his family. They’ve been great in terms of talking to me about their decisions. His family has been incredibly open and honest."  

- More information on his decision from Elijah later today - 

Check, check, check out the latest baseball rankings for the New York State Sportswriters Association.

Section II is still going strong as far as rankings go and with sectionals right on the horizon, things are getting awfully interesting around here.

Under the cut, check out the top five in each class as well as the standings of our local squads andddd if you want to see the entire list, the link is right here. Enjoy the rankings!
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Close your eyes for a second. Think about what makes your high school experience so memorable and what's important to you right now. Chances are if you're reading this blog post, a good chunk of your high school experience has or is being shaped by your involvement in sports.

High school athletics are an enormous part of your four years before graduation. They help build friendships, grow talent and even might help you land a college scholarship. Even if you aren't on a team, games are an event, going out with your friends and cheering on your school is part of a long-standing traidition.

But, as schools continue face more drastic cuts to state aid, some of these traditions are facing a major change. In some cases, that change even means the total disintegration of certain teams.

So, where am I going with this?

I want to know what you guys think about the possible cuts to athletic programs. How will that affect the way you view school as a whole? If you were younger and saw that there was no modified or JV program in a certain sport, would it change whether or not you'd decide to even join? How important has sports been to you throughout your high school career and if you hadn't been able to play sports what do you think you would have missed out on?

I want to know what you guys - the athletes - think about budget cuts and what you'd be willing to do to save your sport if it was facing cuts. Now, if you're a Watervliet, Lansingburgh, Averill Park or Cohoes athlete I REALLY WANT YOUR OPINION because I'm focusing my story on your schools. But if you're from a different school, do not hesitate to share your thoughts. I want to know how much playing sports at a high school level has meant to you, no matter where you're from.

You can send your answers to lamato@troyrecord.com or tweet me @LauraAmato. Ready, set, share. 

We've got a brand-new king in Class B. It was really only a matter of time, but Niskayuna is top of the heap in the latest New York State Sportswristers Association rankings.

The undefeated Warriors have blown past all of their Section II competition, so now that they've secured a top-ranking, it will be interesting to see how Nisky, who has a 12 game win streak, fairs in state play, should they breeze through sectionals.

Under the cut, you can check out what other local squads made the list and if you want to see the entire rankings for this week, go ahead and click right here. Enjoy!

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It's rankings and records Monday, everyone! Hashtag that because I'm totally going to keep calling it that until the end of the season, which we are actually closing in on.

The New York State Sportswriters Association has released its weekly state softball rankings and Section II continues to make things pretty interesting. We've got 13 teams on the list and they've all got pretty solid shots to make some noise once sectionals starts in two weeks (!).

Now, as per usual, keep in mind that these records don't include today's games and if you want to see the list in its entirety, go ahead and click right here.

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Section II officials have sent out the weekly e-mail updating us all on league records and standings.

Now, some of these are not 100%. I'm only posting what I'm getting from the league, so if teams don't send in updated records, then the league just sends in what they have. That being said, if you're on one of those teams, send me your record and I'll update it ASAP.

We've got just about two weeks left in the regular season, so things are heating up in the Capital District and teams are zeroing in on league titles. This is when it starts to get fun folks.

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Wednesday means baseball rankings! I realize this doesn't help my Monday-Ranking Day celebration, but let's all just go with it.

It's the usual deal here; we've got the top five in each class and the rankings of our local squads. Now, please keep in mind these games are THROUGH April 29th. So, nothing from Tuesday or today here as far as records go. Overall, we've got 11 area squads in the state-wide rankings.

If you want to see the entire list, simply click right here. 

We've got just over two weeks left in the regular season here, so things are getting veeeeery interesting in Section II.

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