HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS’ BASKETBALL RANKINGS

This is the last edition of the girls’ basketball rankings prior to the start of sectionals. Eighteen teams from Section II were selected to this week’s state rankings, paced by a pair of No. 1 choices in Averill Park (Class AA) and Greenwich (Class C).

This is the first season using the six-classification system for basketball. We are only ranking three teams in Class AAA as there are only six schools in that classification.

CLASS AAA

1. Shenendehowa (17-2, Last week No. 1): Rebounded from a loss to Bethlehem on Tuesday by edging Albany 40-39.

2. Albany (13-4, LW No. 2): The Falcons, ranked No. 18 in the state, hit the road Friday for a Suburban Council contest at Niskayuna.

3. Colonie (12-7, LW No. 3): After winning seven of its past eight contests, Colonie concludes regular-season play in the Suburban Council on Friday with a game at Averill Park.

Shaker (12-7)

Team to watch: CLASS AA

1. Averill Park (17-0, LW No. 1): The state’s topranked squad raced out a 22-3 advantage after one quarter and cruised past Niskayuna 51-28.

2. Bethlehem (11-6, LW No. 2): Kaitlyn Robbins scored 16 points and Caroline Davis added 14 points as the Eagles defeated Saratoga Springs 59-51.

3. Columbia (13-6, LW No. 3): The Blue Devils look to extend their winning streak to seven games Friday with a road contest at Ballston Spa.

4. Queensbury (17-1, LW No. 4): The Foothills Council champion is set to complete its regularseason slate Tuesday at Saratoga Springs.

5. Niskayuna (9-10, LW No. 5): Has only eclipsed scoring 50 points in Suburban Council play twice this season with one league game remaining.

Team to watch:

Ballston Spa (9-9)

CLASS A

1. CCHS (15-1, LW No. 1):

In a showdown Wednesday between the two state-ranked teams in this class, Akarri Gaddy scored 22 points and Kristen Foglia added 19 points as the Crusaders crushed Broadalbin-perth 74-44.

2. Schalmont (13-5, LW No. 3): Senior standout Karissa Antoine pumped in a game-high 21 points to lead the Sabres past Mohonasen 50-34.

3. Holy Names (11-7, LW No. 4): The Panthers seek to snap a two-game losing streak Friday with a Colonial Council road game at Ichabod Crane.

4. Broadalbin-perth (13-5, LW No. 2): The Patriots, coming off losses to Queensbury and CCHS, close their Foothills Council schedule Tuesday at home vs. Scotia.

5. Glens Falls (14-6, LW No. 5): The Black Bears completed their schedule Wednesday with a 64-60 triumph at Tamarac.

CLASS B

1. Albany Academy for Girls (11-3, LW No. 1):

Sophomore guard Alex Leonard produced 23 points (five 3-pointers), nine rebounds and four assists to lead the Bears past Holy Names 72-53.

2. Mechanicville (15-2, LW No. 2): Raced out to a 13-3 lead after one quarter against Greenwich, but the Witches stormed back to tally 39 of the game’s final 57 points in posting a 42-31 victory.

3. Stillwater (14-4, LW No. 3): Addison Thornton tallied 16 points and Miranda Price contributed 14 points in a 66-54 Wasaren League win against Hoosick Falls.

4. Greenville (16-1, LW No. 4): Junior guard Bryn Fitzmaurice registered season-high totals of 28 points and eight 3-pointers in leading the Spartans to a 63-26 verdict over Taconic Hills.

5. Coxsackie-athens (12-3, LW No. 5): Riley Sitcer scored the 1,000th point of her career to help the Riverhawks beat Watervliet/heatly 61-52.

Corinth (16-2)

Team to watch:

CLASS C

1. Greenwich (18-0, LW No. 1):

The Witches are set to take on Mechanicville on the road Monday in the Wasaren League Tournament final.

2. Duanesburg (14-5, LW No. 2): The Eagles, winners of three straight Western Athletic Conference regular-season titles, will meet Northville on Tuesday in the WAC Cup Tournament championship game at Fulton-montgomery Community College.

3. Berne-knox-westerlo (16-3, LW No. 3): The Bulldogs dropped a 53-43 decision against Northville in the WAC Cup semifinals.

4. Mayfield (10-9, LW Not rated): Cloey Dopp (27 points) and Brianna Ianuzzi (26 points) combined to bury nine 3-pointers in leading the Panthers past OESJ 72-60.

5. Warrensburg (16-3, LW No. 5): The Burghers suffered a 52-47 loss Wednesday in the Adirondack League Tournament semifinals against Hartford.

Teams to watch: Cambridge (9-10), Maple Hill

(12-5)

CLASS D

1. Northville (15-2, LW No. 1):

The Falcons have won 13 of their past 14 outings and are set to face the only squad to defeat them during that stretch Tuesday in the WAC Cup Tournament final vs. Duanesburg.

2. Bishop Gibbons (12-5, LW No. 2): The Golden Knights are set to face Hartford on Monday in a contest with huge seeding implications.

3. Hartford (12-5, LW No. 3): The Tanagers defeated Warrensburg 52-47 Wednesday to earn an Adirondack League title-game appearance against Corinth.

4. Saratoga Central Catholic (6-12, LW No. 4):

The Saints, like so many other Wasaren League squads, had no answers trying to contain Emma Willard senior star Audrey Shields (35 points) in dropping a 69-45 verdict against the Jesters.

5. Salem (7-11, LW No. 5): The Generals suffered a 52-29 setback Wednesday against Granville in Adirondack League Tournament play.