Author: Saratoga TODAY

SCHUYLERVILLE — The Ballston Spa varsity girls basketball team won its fifth straight game on Tuesday, defeating Schuylerville 63-45 on the road in a non-league contest.

The Scotties held a 16-14 lead after one quarter, and took a 33-25 lead into halftime after a solid second quarter. Ballston Spa extended its lead to 15 points at the end of the third, and used a strong fourth to seal a 63-45 victory.

Olivia Verdile led all scorers with 25 points for the Scotties, making five three-point shots. Mallory Sprissler and Jessica Bowens each added 10 points in the win, while Payton Messina had five points. Chloe Roden and Sophia Lee each scored four points, with Aubrey Kramer adding three points and Mia Rath adding two.

Macey Koval led Schuylerville with 18 points in the loss. Amanda Pflieger had 10 points, while Lauren King added nine points. Sophie Bodnar scored three points, Keira Rogan and Adrianna Vidot each added two points, and Anika Buff had one point.

Ballston Spa (7-5 overall, 2-4 Suburban Council) travels for a league matchup with Bethlehem today at 7 p.m. Schuylerville (5-7 overall, 4-4 Foothills) hosted Queensbury on Thursday, in a game that ended after press time.

SCHENECTADY —Some younger wrestlers stepped up for the Ballston Spa varsity wrestling team this weekend, as the Scotties earned a seventh-place finish at the Schenectady Invitational on Saturday. 

With several of the team’s top wrestlers competing at the Eastern States Classic, the Scotties were led by several underclassmen who put together strong outings at the invitational.

Freshman Tyler Perkins (132 pounds) and sophomore William O’Connor (138 pounds) both earned fourth-place finishes in their respective weight classes. Jacob Perkins, a junior, earned a fifth-place finish at 172 pounds, while eighth-grader Quinton Warlikowski (102 pounds) and freshman Gavin Whipple (110 pounds) also earned fifth-place finishes.

See below for results from point-earning wrestlers from Ballston Spa:

Quinton Warlikowski (102 pounds)

1) First Round: Def. Issac Jaynes (Shenendehowa) by pin, 1:58

2) Quarterfinals: Loss to Aiden Schurr (Corinth/Hadley-Luzerne) by 6-4 decision

3) Consolation: Def. Connor Aloisi (Greenville) by 10-2 maj. Decision

4) Consolation: Def. Landen Welcome (Averill Park) by pin, 1:51

5) 5th Place Finals: Def. Isaac Jaynes (Shenendehowa) by pin, 1:52

Gavin Whipple (110 pounds)

1) First Round: Def. Giuseppi Hanrahan (Amsterdam) by pin, 0:56

2) Quarterfinals: Loss to Jahiem Harris (Schenectady) by 12-8 decision

3) Consolation: Def. Joe Donatelli (Shenendehowa) by pin, 2:31

4) Consolation: Def. Michael Rose (Corinth/Hadley-Luzerne) by 7-2 decision

5) 5th Place Finals: Def. Eron Hozanovic (Averill Park) by 11-2 maj. decision

Tyler Perkins (132 pounds)

1) First Round: Def. Jacob Morgans (Averill Park) by pin, 3:29

2) Quarterfinals: Def. Jaequan Jones (Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk) by 9-1 maj. decision

3) Semifinals: Loss to Dylan Devine (Schalmont) by pin, 0:58

4) 3rd Place Finals: Loss to Jamie Bartlett (Averill Park) by pin, 0:48

William O’Connor (138 pounds)

1) First Round: Def. Jack Upton (Guilderland) by 6-0 decision

2) Quarterfinals: Def. Angelo Dellaporta (Schalmont) by pin, 5:20

3) Semifinals: Loss to Cayden Bouvia (Saranac) by pin, 0:40

4) 3rd Place Finals: Loss to Nick Dimonda (Shenendehowa) by 10-4 decision

Jacob Perkins (172 pounds)

1) First Round: Def. Hunter Eimers (Mohonasen) by pin, 1:40

2) Quarterfinals: Loss to Dante Maiello (Shenendehowa) by 3-1 decision

3) Consolation: Def. Ethan Green (Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk) by pin, 2:52

4) Consolation: Def. Grady Dennin (Colonie) by 11-2 maj. decision

5) 5th Place Finals: Def. Devin O’Connor (Greenville) by 5-3 decision

SCHENECTADY — The Saratoga Springs varsity wrestling team kept its strong season rolling on Saturday, claiming first place as a team at the Schenectady Invitational.

The Blue Streaks, with 212 total points, finished well ahead of second-place Shenendehowa (165 points). 

Saratoga sent a wrestler to the championship round in 7 of 13 weight classes at the tournament. Four Blue Streak wrestlers took home individual championships in their weight classes: Chase Matter at 110 pounds, Taylor Beaury at 126 pounds, Gordon Murray at 152 pounds, and Gianni Delgado at 160 pounds. 

Lorenzo Paleschi, Vito Spatafora, and Patrick McKinley all advanced to the championship round in their weight classes for Saratoga as well, earning second-place finishes.

See below for full results from point-earning Saratoga wrestlers:

Chase Matter (110 pounds)

1) First Round: Def. Owen Stiles (Saranac) by pin, 2:56

2) Quarterfinals: Def. Michael Rose (Corinth/Hadley-Luzerne) by pin, 0:48

3) Semifinals: Def. Jahiem Harris (Schenectady) by 5-3 decision

4) Championship: Def. Xavier Vargas (Schenectady) by pin, 3:39

Taylor Beaury (126 pounds)

1) First Round: Def. Michael Splunge (Mohonasen) by pin, 3:13

2) Quarterfinals: Def. Arcangelo Losee (Shenendehowa) by 9-0 major decision

3) Semifinals: Def. Ben Taylor (Burnt Hills) by pin, 0:41

4) Championship: Def. Frank Broadhurst (Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk) by 8-1 decision

Gordon Murray (152 pounds)

1) First Round: Def. Nasir Fazli (Albany) by pin, 1:19

2) Quarterfinals: Def. Drew Loucks (CBA) by pin, 2:49

3) Semifinals: Def. Howard Bearce (Burnt Hills) by pin, 4:40

4) Championship: Def. Kyber Henry (Cobleskill-Richmondville) by 11-5 decision

Gianni Delgado (160 pounds)

1) First Round: Def. Andrew Martin (Burnt Hills) by pin, 4:21

2) Quarterfinals: Def. Dylan Gallagher (Cobleskill-Richmondville) by pin, 3:46

3) Semifinals: Def. Logan Cyr (Colonie) by pin, 3:04

4) Championship: Def. Hamidullaha Faqeer (Albany) by pin, 2:54

Vito Spatafora (172 pounds)

1) First Round: Def. Joey Parisi (Niskayuna) by 7-1 decision

2) Quarterfinals: Def. Grady Dennin (Colonie) by 6-0 decision

3) Semifinals: Def. Dante Maiello (Shenendehowa) by 10-4 decision

4) Championship: Loss to Malachi Moore (Shaker) by 3-1 sudden victory decision

Lorenzo Paleschi (189 pounds)

1) Quarterfinals: Def. Derick Sy (Guilderland) by pin, 1:39

2) Semifinals: Def. Paul Harley (Shaker) by pin, 0:36

3) Championship: Loss to Michael Cavanaugh (Schalmont) by pin, 1:19

Patrick McKinley (215 pounds)

1) First Round: Def. Ben Hotaling (Schenectady) by pin, 1:19

2) Quarterfinals: Def. John Geary (Corinth/Hadley-Luzerne) by pin, 3:46

3) Semifinals: Def. Jayden Morales (Lansingburgh) by injury default, 2:19

4) Championship: Loss to Jaydon Aguirre-Hamlin (Colonie) by 3-1 decision

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Saratoga Springs High School wrestling team will be hosting its Alumni/Senior Night prior to their dual meet on Wednesday, January 25 at 7:00 p.m. at the high school Blue gymnasium on the West Avenue campus. 

The event will recognize alumni wrestlers from the past and honor the dedication, contributions, and leadership of the current senior team members. The event will feature the Blue Streaks taking on rival Shenendehowa High School in a regular season match. All former Blue Streak wrestlers are invited to attend.

TROY — The Ballston Spa varsity boys and girls indoor track teams each came away with hardware over the weekend, as both teams claimed first place at the Viking Invitational on the campus of Hudson Valley Community College on Sunday.

Boys Results:

On the boys side, Isaiah Hannah took first place in both the 55-meter dash (6.89) and the 55-meter hurdles (8.46). Kala’l Makanani won the 300-meter dash (40.12), while Joseph Fodera took second place in the 1600-meter run (4:59.97), with Matthew Meerdink in fifth (5:06.34).

Evan Wattie placed third in the 1000-meter run (3:01.01), while Jacob Armer finished fourth in the 500-meter run (1:36.83). Michael Stamper placed sixth in the 55-meter dash (7.07), and seventh in the 300-meter dash (41.17). Joseph Sabatino took seventh in the high jump (5’ 2.0”). 

Michael Miller was eighth in the 500-meter run (1:38.64), while Andrew Peet finished 12th in the 1000-meter run (3:24.70). The Scotties’ 4×200 relay squad placed second (1:44.68).

Girls Results:

Harriet Healey finished first in both the 300-meter dash (44.18) and the 600-meter run (1:45.82) for the Scotties. Gabrielle Bozeth took second in the 300-meter dash (45.64), behind only Healey. 

Livia Wiltsie won the 55-meter dash (7.66), with Petrina Zborovsky in second (7.68). Madalyn Wilson won the 1500-meter run (5:37.25), while Lee McKinley took fourth (5:55.24). Alexis Eisler placed third in the 1000-meter run (3:29.01), with Kate Taylor (3:33.61) in fifth.

The team of Zborovsky, Wiltsie, Anna Zito, and Healey placed first in the 4×200 relay (1:54.17). The Scotties’ distance medley relay team finished second (14:46.52). Ashley Beck placed fourth in both the 600-meter run (1:59.69) and the long jump (13’ 5.0”). 

Zito took fifth place in the 55-meter hurdles (10.73), while Olivia Winters finished ninth in the shot put (26’ 3.75”). Lauren Schock placed 24th in the shot put (18’ 11.0”). 

DELMAR — The Saratoga Springs varsity boys hockey team picked up a pair of big road victories last week, shutting out both Bethlehem and CBA to win their fourth consecutive game.

Stats/summary of both contests:

Jan. 11: Saratoga 2, Bethlehem 0

The game was scoreless through the first two periods, with both Saratoga’s Xander Clarke and Bethlehem’s Rory Cairns standing tall in their respective goals. In the third period, however, the Blue Streaks broke through.

Saratoga took a 1-0 lead with 7:44 remaining, after senior Payton Borak beat Cairns with a shot assisted by Hunter Bradley and Jake Badar. It is Borak’s fifth consecutive game scoring a goal for the Blue Streaks.

The visitors kept momentum on their side and scored again to extend the lead just over two minutes later. Senior forward Charlie Oke finished off a feed from Badar to give Saratoga a 2-0 lead with 5:32 left to play.

Clarke stood tall in net, and the dynamic Eagles’ offense was unable to break through, with the Blue Streaks holding on for a 2-0 victory.

Borak and Oke scored for Saratoga, with Badar assisting on both goals. Bradley also picked up an assist, while Clarke stopped 29 shots en route to his first high school shutout in goal. 

Cairns made 34 saves on 36 shots for Bethlehem in the loss. Wednesday’s game was the first time the Eagles have been shutout since a 3-0 loss to Shenendehowa on Jan. 19, 2022. 

Jan. 13: Saratoga 5, CBA 0

The Blue Streaks jumped out to a 2-0 lead at the end of the first period, and never looked back. A goal by junior forward Patrick Temple gave Saratoga a 1-0 lead roughly halfway through the period, and just under four minutes later, Borak finished a feed by Jake Badar to give the Blue Streaks a two-goal advantage.

Borak added his second goal early in the second period and completed the natural hat trick by scoring his third with 13:20 left in the period, giving Saratoga a commanding 4-0 lead after two.

Freshman forward Maddox Pemrick added another goal for the Blue Streaks in the third period, and goaltender Xander Clarke stood tall in net to finish the 5-0 victory for Saratoga.

Borak scored three goals for Saratoga in the win, while Badar recorded three assists. Pemrick and Temple each scored a goal, with Jayson Carpenter, Frank Klaus, and Hunter Bradley adding assists. Clarke made 12 saves for the shutout in goal.

Saratoga (5-6-1 overall, 3-3-1 CDHSHL) hosts Albany Academy at 7 p.m. on Saturday. 

GLENS FALLS —The Adirondack United girls varsity hockey team continued its strong season on Thursday, cruising past Saranac Lake Placid for a 10-0 win at home.

Aubrey Lozier scored twice for United, which also received goals from eight other skaters. Bayley Duffy, Lillian Willis, Caroline Lieberth, Gianna Marcantonio, Tekla Fine-Lease, Emily MacAuley, Maddie MacAuley, and Emerson Lochner-Fehl all scored goals in the victory.

Jenna Amodio, Rowan Lochner-Fehl, Maeve McCarty, and Ella Bray also cracked the scoresheet, adding assists. Laura Dickerson, Regan Gecewicz, and Katelin Archer combined for the shutout in goal.

The United squad improves to 8-1 overall on the season with the victory. The team will head west next weekend, traveling to face a pair of Section III opponents. Clinton, who handed United their first loss of the season on Jan. 2, will host the team on Jan. 20. United will then play at Oswego on Jan. 21.

LOCH SHELDRAKE — The Ballston Spa varsity wrestling team came away with strong results from one of the state’s toughest wrestling tournaments over the weekend, taking sixth place as a team at the Eastern States Classic at SUNY Sullivan.

Senior wrestler Connor Gregory placed third in the 160-pound weight class, while fellow senior Darrien Insogna took fourth place at 215 pounds. Junior Ralph Keeney finished seventh in the 110-pound weight class. Cameron Hinchcliff, wrestling at 126 pounds, went 2-2 on the day in four matches, while Tristan Hinchcliff, wrestling at 118, won one of three matches.

See below for full results from each of the Scotties’ wrestlers:

Ralph Keeney

Round of 32: Def. Drew Aparo (Victor) by fall, 2-0 at 0:52

Round of 16: Def. Mason Mangialino (Comsewogue) by 7-1 decision

Quarterfinals: Loss to Evin Gursoy (Midwood) by 6-2 decision

Consolation: Def. Logan Alexander (Archbishop Stepinac) by fall, 3-0 at 2:42

Consolation: Loss to Luke Satriano (Valley Central) by 5-3 decision

7th Place: Def. Austin Zimmerman (St. Joseph’s Collegiate) by 6-2 decision

Tristan Hinchcliff

Round of 32: Def. by Dillon Arrick (Arlington) by technical fall, 15-0 at 4:41

Consolation: Def. Marco Guimarra (Cornwall) by 6-1 decision

Consolation: Loss to Ken Schmitz (Hamburg) by 5-2 decision

Cameron Hinchcliff

Round of 64: Def. Wilmer Navarro (Fox Lane) by fall, 2-0 at 1:55

Round of 32: Def. Kirk Smith (Hewlett) by fall, 4-1 at 2:37

Round of 16: Loss to Joseph Manfredi (Herricks) by technical fall, 21-6 at 5:40

Consolation: Loss to Dylan Sherman (Fairfield Ludlowe) by 5-2 decision

Connor Gregory

Round of 32: Def. Logan Kelly (South Side/East Rockaway) by fall, 11-2 at 2:27

Round of 16: Def. Luke Ventresca (St. Joseph’s Collegiate) by fall, 14-6 at 3:53

Quarterfinals: Loss to Gage Laplante (Starpoint) by 5-1 decision

Consolation: Def. Jake Bacon (Wyoming Seminary) by 5-2 decision

Consolation: Def. Tyler Reed (Cornwall) by 5-4 UTB decision

Consolation: Def. Joseph Mattei (Herricks) by forfeit

3rd Place: Def. Jack Forte (Clarke) by fall, 0-0 at 0:39

Darrien Insogna

Round of 16: Def. Johnnyel Ramirez (Danbury) by fall, 2-0 at 0:19

Quarterfinals: Loss to Ethan Gallo (Minisink Valley) by fall, 4-1 at 0:52

Consolation: Def. Gavin Williams (Glens Falls) by fall, 2-0 at 0:36

Consolation: Def. Evan Day (Cambridge/Salem) by 6-0 decision

Consolation: Def. James Duhancik (Stratford) by 8-1 decision

3rd Place: Loss to Trent Sibble (Bolivar-Richburg) by 5-3 UTB decision