Five things to know about high school basketball

1 The top two teams in the Colonial Council boys’ basketball standings collide Friday when Catholic Central (17-1 overall, 11-0 league) plays at La Salle (14-4, 10-1). CCHS, ranked No. 2 in the Class A state poll, received a career-best 41 points Tuesday from Seton Hall commit Darien Moore in a 90-58 win against Ichabod Crane for the Crusaders’ 17th straight victory. La Salle is ranked No. 25 in Class AA and owns a string of impressive wins, including decisions over Suburban Council foes Shenendehowa (49-48), Bethlehem (45-43) and CBA (79-68).

2 Colonie girls’ basketball team won just five of its first 11 contests this season, but has rebounded to win seven of its past eight outings and brings a five-game winning streak into Friday’s Suburban Council road game at Averill Park. Colonie, ranked No. 20 in Class AAA, will be looking to spring the upset in its final game of the regular season. Averill Park (17-0 overall) is ranked No. 1 in Class AA.

3 The Suburban Council boys’ basketball standings see both CBA and Shenendehowa with eight wins and five losses in league play. Friday night, Shenendehowa (10-9 overall) hosts CBA (10-8 overall) in a contest that figures to decide which team will land the better seed next week for the eight-team Class AAA sectional tournament. CBA, led by freshman standout JJ Osinski (76 points scored in his past two games), advanced to the 2023 Section II Class AA final.

4 The Catholic Central girls’ basketball squad continues to rack up impressive victories. The state’s No. 2 Class A team is coming off a resounding 74-44 triumph over No. 16 Broadalbin-perth. CCHS returns to Colonial Council play Friday with a game at Schalmont.

5 A pair of senior boys’ basketball standouts — Si Starr (Bishop Gibbons) and Danny Bologna (Mekeel Christian Academy) — reached the 1,000point plateau Monday. Another prominent player is about the cross that threshold Friday as Mechanicville travels to take on Cambridge in Wasaren League play. Colin Richardson, a senior who is set to play college baseball at Adelphi, is six points shy of reaching 1,000 career points. He tallied 28 points Tuesday in a 71-57 victory over Saratoga Central Catholic.