Crusaders are marching on in AAs; other play-in action

Catholic Central High School's Sam Clement rocks the rim during Friday's 72-58 Section II Class AA play-in victory over Amsterdam. Clement scored a team-high 18 points in the game. (Photos by J.S. Carras - The Record).

Catholic Central topped Amsterdam, 72-58, in Friday's Section II Class AA play-in game, earning the No. 8 Big 10 seed. The Crusaders (5-12) travel to Clifton Park to take on Suburban Council No. 1 Shenendehowa (17-1) Wednesday night at 7:30 p.m.

It was the third time CCHS defeated Amsterdam this season.

"When you play a team three times obviously you can study how to defeat them," said Catholic Central senior point guard Keaton Woods. "I think tonight we did a good job of conquering them."

Catholic Central's Keaton Woods splits Amsterdam defenders Tony Sobkowich (22) and Hector Julia (4).

"It’s a lot of pressure," Catholic Central senior Sam Clement said. "We beat them twice before but they just beat Troy who beat us twice so there was a lot of pressure. We knew they’re a good team and any one can win on any night."

The Crusaders are aware they will be a major longshot at Shen Wednesday night, but they are not backing down from the challenge.

"They’re a good team," Clement said of Shenendehowa. "They’re a Suburban team so they have a different style than we’re used to playing. It’s going to be tough going over there, but I think we have enough talent and I think we can bring the energy over from this game."

A big thanks to our Ryan Kircher, who covered this game and provided these quotes.

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In other Section II play-in action Friday night:

MECHANICVILLE - Dylan Guido’s layup with four seconds remaining in regulation lifted the Mechanicville High School boys basketball team to a 57-56 victory over Tamarac in the Section II Class B play-in game Friday night.
Tamarac outscored Mechanicville in the fourth quarter 22-9.
With the victory, the Red Raiders (6-13) earned the No. 16 seed in the Class B tournament and will travel to face No. 1 Fonda-Fultonville (18-0) in an opening round game Tuesday at 7 p.m.
Bryan Gorman scored a game-high 18 points for Tamarac, which finished 4-15 in its first season under head coach Rick Roden.
Greenwich 69, Berlin 36: Ryan McFee scored a game-high 29 points and also grabbed 14 rebounds as Greenwich defeated Berlin in a Section II Class C boys basketball play-in game Friday night.
Greenwich (9-10) earned the No. 14 seed and will travel to No. 3 Voorheesville Wednesday night for an opening round game at 7 p.m.
Joe Estramonte added 15 points and eight assists for the Witches.
Cody Blain scored 15 points and Drew Webster added 13 for the Mountaineers (1-17).
Waterford 47, Duanesburg 46: The Fordians (9-10) outscored Duanesburg 15-6 in the fourth quarter to earn the No. 15 seed in the upcoming Section II Class C boys basketball tournament with a play-in victory over the Eagles.
Matt Berthiaume scored 16 points and grabbed nine rebounds for the Fordians, who will play No. 2 Hoosick Falls Wednesday at 7 p.m. David Fletcher added eight points and seven assists for Waterford.
Berne-Knox-Westerlo 46, Hadley-Luzerne 38.

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In hockey news, No. 3 Shaker/Colonie defeated No. 2 Shenendehowa 3-0 in the Division I semifinals.
La Salle faces No. 1 Saratoga Springs Saturday afternoon in the other semifinal.
Look for Stan Hudy's full game story on Shaker's upset in Saturday's edition of The Record.