High school hoops: Five things to watch
1 One of the most anticipated boys’ basketball games this season arrives Friday at Cool Insuring Arena when No. 1 seed Schalmont (22-1) takes on No. 2 seed Glens Falls (22-1) for the Section II Class B title. The Sabres beat the Indians 87-82 in the 2018 semifinals, a game in which Glens Falls star Joseph Girard III pumped in 56 points. Schalmont is ranked No. 2 and Glens Falls No. 3 in the state. 2 Of the 10 sectional title games being contested Friday and Saturday, six feature the top two seeds (including all five 3 boys’ finals). Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback Baker Mayfield famously stated in a postgame media session after a 28-16 win Nov. 11 against the Atlanta Falcons, “When I woke up this morning, I was feeling pretty dangerous.” Members of the Fonda girls’ basketball team have been plenty dangerous lately. The Braves (18-6), seeded No. 13, have ousted No. 20 Corinth, No. 4 Voorheesville, No. 5 Schalmont and No. 1 Tamarac to reach Saturday’s Class B final vs. No. 2 Mechanicville (17-6). The players were upset by the seeding (although the Braves lost to No. 3 seed Mekeel Christian Academy, fell twice to No. 6 seed Johnstown and also lost to No. 10 Cobleskill to stand 0-4 vs. Section II Class B foes). Fonda looks to culminate its 4 incredible journey at HVCC. The Class A A boys’ basketball scene was wild all season. No. 1 seed Bethlehem (21-1) and No. 2 seed Saratoga (19-3) get to settle the debate Saturday regarding which squad is 5 best at Cool Insuring Arena. Averill Park (20-2) seeks a sixth straight Class A girls’ title Saturday at HVCC. It will take a considerable effort to top No. 2 seed Queensbury (21-1). The Spartans avenged their lone loss Wednesday (a Feb. 7 game played without injured starters Hope Sullivan and Meghan O’connor) by beating Amsterdam 63-51. The Spartans last won a sectional title in 1992.