Over the break, I watched CBA and Guilderland tip off in the Columbia Tournament in what proved to be a wonderful Big 10/Suburban Council showdown.

CBA's second leading scorer, Malcolm Austin, missed the game due to a death in the family. The Brothers called up frosh Gelal Cancer, who did nothing short of clinching the win for CBA by hitting two free throws late in the game.

The Dutchmen gave CBA a run, with Colgate-bound senior forward Brett Marfurt hitting a trey that brought Guilderland within one with 33.8 seconds to go. Cancer was then intentionally fouled and put CBA up 3 with 30 seconds left.

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Although CBA's leading scorer Deandre Kennedy scored a game-high 24 points for CBA, Marfurt impressed in his ability to get open and make shots with CBA's best defenders in his face all night. Sitting in the gym, it felt like CBA had the chance to knock Guilderland out a few times, but just couldn't land that big punch. We just may see these two teams play again in sectional action.

CBA's Deandre Kennedy (L) and Guilderland's Dan Gejay (15) scramble for the ball Thursday, December 28th in a game at Columbia High School. (Photo - JS Carras, The Record)

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In other news, Albany Academy (6-0, 7-2) traveled to Texas to compete in the Houston vs. the Nation tournament, but lost both games. The Cadets seemed to be in a little over their heads playing against that type of talent, but Tyler Foster, AA's junior guard, told me that he hopes his team can take that tempo back to the Colonial. In other words, capital region teams had better watch out.

The Cadets play perennial powerhouse Peekskill at Siena College on Sunday, January 20th.

Bishop Maginn also plays White Plains on the 20th at Siena.

(I'm working on confirming the details and will have them for you as soon as I can)

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Get this - Cambridge won both of their games in the Watervliet Christmas Tournament by a score of 65-61. The first game against Broadalbin-Perth took an overtime period to decide things, and Shea Bromirski netted 31 points in the victory. In the finale against Watervliet, Bromirski scored 35, with 8 rebounds and 8 assists on his way to tournament MVP. The Indians sit at number 15 in the latest New York State class C rankings.

Bromirski averages 30.4 ppg through 10 this year (the Indians are 9-1) and his lowest point total was 25, coming in a lopsided 65-46 win at Granville.

He's consistent - consistently amazing.

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Troy High lost in the first round of their own Holiday Tournament to Ballston Spa, 77-73. It was the Scotties' first win of the season. Troy fell to 3-6 overall after tournament play.

The Crusaders from Catholic Central went on to win the tournament behind Devin Grimes and Jordan Gettings, crushing the Scotties 78-47 in the final. Grimes won the tournament MVP award after scoring 22 in the final, but Grimes netted 26 against Ballston Spa.

CCHS' Devin Grimes goes to the hoop against Ballston Spa in the Troy Holiday Tournament final on December 30th. (Photo - Jeff Couch, The Record)

After dropping their first two league games to CBA and Bishop Maginn, the Crusaders looked like just another run-of-the-mill team in the Big 10. However, they've rattled off five straight victories to move to 7-2 overall and 3-2 in league play.

They will get another league test as Bishop Gibbons, ranked 11th in New York among class A teams, comes to Lansingburgh on Friday, January4th.

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Keep your eyes open for the Watervliet-Lansingburgh game taking place right down the street from CCHS on Friday the 4th as well. It will be huge in determining which of those two teams can make a run behind Albany Academy in the Colonial Council.

- Will Montgomery