High school hoops: Five things to watch

For those of you out there that have yet to see Glens Falls senior point guard Joseph Girard III play, a prime opportunity awaits you Friday night at Hudson Valley Community College when the secondseeded Indians (20-1) take on seventh-seeded Johnstown (12-9) in the Class B quarterfinals. Game time is 6:30 p.m. Girard, the state’s all-time leading scorer with 4,335 points, is averaging 49 points per game (57.5 ppg over his past four outings). The Syracusebound standout has drained 134 3-pointers.

Who says the number 13 is unlucky? The Fonda girls’ basketball team had the No. 13 attached to it when the Class B seeds were released last week and the Braves (17-6) promptly knocked off No. 4 seed Voorheesville (58-42) and No. 5 seed Schalmont (55-39) to advance to the semifinals. The next challenge comes Tuesday night at Averill Park against top-seeded Tamarac (16-5).

All five girls’ brackets have reached the semifinal stage. Three held to seeding form with the top four teams advancing in Class AA, A and D. The only two squads outside the top four seeds to reach the semifinals are No. 13 Fonda in Class B and No. 7 Hoosick Falls in Class C. On Wednesday, Hoosick Falls overcame a 14-0 deficit after one quarter. The Panthers went on to knock off second-seeded Hoosic Valley 49-36. Sectional basketball does not take a break on Sunday during the first full week of the boys’ tournament and that tradition continues at HVCC with four Class A quarterfinals, beginning with a most intriguing encounter at 1 p.m. when fifthseeded Lansingburgh (14-7) takes on fourth-seeded Mekeel Christian Academy (15-4). Saturday’s schedule features boys’ quarterfinal action in Class AA, C and D. Keep an eye on Green Tech vs. Christian Brothers Academy at HVCC.