Cadets reign supreme
Albany Academy defeats CBA to go undefeated vs. area teams this season
LOUDONVILLE — Being efficient in every regard is always something coaches strive to achieve. Thursday evening, the Albany Academy boys’ basketball team did everything well in a contest against Christian Brothers Academy.
The Cadets shared the ball, made shots from all over the court and caused the Brothers difficulty both making shots or settling into any offensive rhythm. Albany Academy never trailed and cruised to an easy 7751 victory at Siena College’s UHY Center. The game was originally scheduled for Jan. 7, but it was postponed because of snow.
Albany Academy (14-4), a program that has only been defeated by a Section II foe twice since 2014, including a defeat last year against Green Tech, raced out to an early lead and was never challenged.
“We wanted to go undefeated against area competition. That was a big goal,” Albany Academy coach Jim Driggs said.
“It is always our goal to go undefeated in the area and we didn’t do it last year. We wanted to do it this year,” Albany Academy junior guard Ras Elijah Godbolt said. “When we move the ball, share it and make shots, we’re tough to beat.”
“That is probably the best offensive game we have played,” Albany Academy senior forward Arthur Foster said. “We were working for the best shot.”
CBA (10-10), a squad seeded fifth for the upcoming Class AAA sectionals, reached the 2023 Class AA final. Thursday did not go well for the Brothers in any regard.
The Cadets finished the game shooting 62.9 percent, dropping off in the fourth quarter after converting at a 75.7 percent clip through three quarters.
Albany Academy ran its offense without issue during the first half, shooting 66.7 percent (18-for-27) and did not commit a turnover. Godbolt scored 11 of his
15 points. Jack Louridas, who also finished with 15 points, knocked down a pair of 3-pointers for 11 firsthalf points, Cyrus Matia added eight of his 12 points, Elijah Taylor chipped in five points and Foster delivered four points and six assists in the opening 16 minutes. He also finished with 15 points.
“We did a good job of not turning the ball over and really running our sets,” Godbolt said.
“We really took care of the ball and made a lot of good passes,” Driggs said.
“Making shots makes those passes look better.”
Godbolt closed the first quarter by draining a 3pointer and a jumper in the lane to help provide Albany Academy a 22-10 cushion. A drive and conversion by CBA senior guard Matt Sgambati cut the Brothers’ deficit to 27-20 midway through the second quarter, but the Cadets closed the half by making their final seven shots to widen their lead to 43-26 at intermission.
Albany Academy did not commit its first turnover until there were 43.7 seconds remaining in the third quarter when Matia was charged with an offensive
foul. The Cadets finished the game with only three turnovers.
“To us, winning games against area teams is more of a statement,” Foster said. “There were a lot of teams that doubted us because we graduated nine seniors from last year’s team.”
The Brothers made just 36.7 percent of their shots and turned over the ball 15 times, 14 of them coming in the first three quarters. Albany Academy made 13 of 16 attempts from the field during the third quarter, including a pair of breakaway dunks by Foster, and finished by making its final nine shots.
Senior guard Aiden
Wine paced the Brothers with 15 points and freshman standout JJ Osinski added 12 points.
The Cadets, who once again are playing an independent schedule, have four games remaining. One of them is against Long Island Lutheran, the state’s No. 1 ranked Class AAA squad and a program universally ranked in the top 10 in the nation by multiple outlets. There is no longer a Federation Tournament to compete in.
When asked if there is possibility of returning to compete in a Section II sectional tournament, Driggs said, “Everything is on the table right now.”