Friday night recap:

Cairo's Joe Esposito picks up a loose ball in front of Rensselaer's Zach Reynolds (L) and Shane Brozowski (10). (J.S. Carras — The Record)


There were a number of upsets Friday night, including the Cairo-Durham surprise win at Rensselaer. It was certainly a strange week for the players - no classes unless they had Regents exams - and SATs were administered on Saturday.

In Rensselaer, the Rams took a 13-point advantage in the second quarter, but allowed the Mustangs back into the game with an 8-0 run. Hunter Phillips scored 21 for Cairo-Durham and sparked the win with a couple of key 3s and some clutch free throw shooting down the stretch.

A heartbreaking loss for the Rams - Justin Wilkinson and Shane Brozowksi both had chances at the charity stripe with fewer than 30 seconds to go - but an immensely entertaining one for a disinterested party like myself to enjoy.

The Rams' new gym is very nice - although they could use another scoreboard on the opposite wall. From where I was sitting at the scorers' table, it was impossible to see how much time remained. Rensselaer also built a big balcony overlooking the court, above the bleachers, which was an interesting touch.

In other upsets, Columbia beat Niskayuna in the Suburban Council, Amsterdam squeaked past La Salle in the Big 10 and Schenectady also led Bishop Maginn at halftime. The Griffins had a strong second half, thanks to Khaliq Gross' 21 total points, and make quick work of the Patriots.

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Just as the Giants prepare to battle the Patriots again in the Super Bowl (they played each other in week 17) two high school basketball games next week are also important rematches.

On Tuesday, Cambridge travels to Hoosic Valley in a game that may well determine how the Wasaren League will shake out. These two teams met in Cambridge on December 18th, Hoosic Valley pulling off a 56-53 victory, handing Cambridge its first loss of the season.

Hoosic Valley's Pat Lanoue and Cambridge's Shea Bromirski went toe-to-toe, with both players scoring 29 points. Bromirski is the area's leading scorer at 28.6 points per game, but Lanoue is right behind in the No. 3 position, scoring 23.4 ppg.

Since the first meeting, each team has been on fire. Cambridge is on a 9-game winning streak since the loss and Hoosic Valley has gone 8-1 in the same period, their only loss coming to Argyle in Argyle's Christmas Tournament.

Hoosic Valley's Pat Lanoue (23) drives to the hoop against Schuylerville earlier this season. (Photo - http://www.hoosicvalley.k12.ny.us)

This game is critical in determining who will win the Wasaren League - Cambridge holds a one-game advantage over both Hoosic Valley and Schuylerville. It also marks the last time Bromirski and Lanoue will play each other as high school players. Bromirski has already committed to the College of Saint Rose next season.

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On Friday, the Big 10 gets its rematch of the season when CBA travels to Albany to take on Bishop Maginn. These two teams met on December 21st at the Washington Avenue Armory in a game that came down to the final minutes. Taran Buie had a big steal for the Griffins with about two minutes to go, giving them a 46-42 lead that would eventually turn into a 54-45 victory.

If Maginn can go 2-0 against CBA, they will all but lock up a Big 10 regular season championship, ending CBA's two-year reign as Big 10 title-holder.

As talented a team Maginn is, CBA will undoubtedly be up for the task and should give it a great try. I have a feeling these teams might meet again in the class AA sectionals though. And just ask Maginn how important the regular season title is during the tournament. After going 0-2 against CBA in the regular season last year, the Griffins beat the Brothers in the finals and advanced all the way to the state finals in Glens Falls.

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Other games of note this week:

Sunday, Jan. 27th

Girls Basketball -

Nottingham at Catholic Central, 2 p.m.

Tuesday, Jan. 29th

Boys Basketball -

Bishop Gibbons at Bishop Maginn, 7:30 p.m.

Guilderland at Shenendehowa, 7:30 p.m.

A two-game Suburban Council White Division battle royale:

Burnt Hills at Mohonasen, 7:30 p.m.
Averill Park at Niskayuna, 7:30 p.m.

Wednesday, Jan. 30th

Boys Basketball -

Maple Hill at Ichabod Crane, 7 p.m.

Friday, Feb. 1st

Boys Basketball

Suburban Council White Division showdown continues:
Niskayuna at Burnt Hills, 7:30 p.m.
Mohonasen at Averill Park, 7:30 p.m.

Mechanicville at Albany Academy, 7:30 p.m.

Cambridge at Tamarac, 7:30 p.m.

Girls Basketball

Catholic Central at Amsterdam, 7:30p.m.
Albany High at Bishop Maginn, 7:30p.m.

Cohoes at Watervliet, 7:30p.m.

Hockey

CBA at La Salle (@ HVCC rink), 7:20 p.m.

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Patroon Conference Coaches vs. Cancer Event Set

On Saturday, January 2nd, check out all 10 Patroon Conference boys teams in action at Nolan Gym on the campus of Saint Rose in Albany. It's for a good cause too.

Proceeds from the event ($5 adults, $2 students, family of four or more, $12) go to the American Cancer Society. Game times are 11 am, 1 pm, 3 pm, 5 pm and 7 pm. Pairings are to be determined.

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As always, drop us a line with your comments, insights and/or suggestions to troyrecordsports [at] gmail.com

-- Will Montgomery