SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Saratoga Central Catholic boys basketball team won their annual Christmas Tournament last weekend after defeating Schuylerville 40 to 33. The Saints rebounded from a 29 to 20 deficit in the third quarter to claim the prize.
Spa Catholic was led by David Redgrave with 11 points, followed by Jasyn Thompson and Tyler Hicks, who each netted 10. Redgrave and Ryan Gillis were named to the All-Tournament Team for their efforts.
With the win, the Saints improved to 8-1 on the season, with an undefeated 4-0 record in the Wasaren League. To kick off the new year, they’ll take on the 7-0 Corinth in a Friday night away game.
Melissa Myers throws her opponent during the Senegal Open in November. Photo provided by Jason Morris.
DAKAR, SENEGAL — Melissa Myers from the Jason Morris Judo Center in Glenville, New York captured the Senegal Open title at 70kg in November, gaining valuable points on the world ranking list. Myers, who also won the title in 2022, moved to a career-high #59 while also extending her lead as USA #1 in 70kg.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Skidmore College riding team recently traveled to Virginia Tech to compete in the Holiday Tournament of Champions, finishing sixth overall.
Kenya Sanders started the day for the Thoroughbreds with a third in the Open Fences, followed by Carolyn Albright taking fourth in the Intermediate Fences. The Open and Intermediate riders returned directly for their rides on the flat. Charlotte Lyon took fifth place in the Intermediate Flat. Harper Sanford had a strong showing in the flat phase of the High Medal on a difficult horse, and Sanders returned in the Open Flat to finish just out the ribbons.
Ani McIntyre kept busy at the competition, placing fifth in Limit Flat, fourth in Limit Fences, and returning for the jumping phase of the Low Medal, riding to Reserve Champion. Stella Allen took second in the Novice Equitation, and Alice Wrede was second in Introductory Equitation.
The team will next travel to Savannah, Georgia to compete in the Tournament of Champions Winter Classic on January 25. Regular season competition resumes at Van Lennep Riding Center on February 15.
The Grinch and Santa Clause compete in an exhibition harness race at the Saratoga Casino Hotel on December 16. Screenshot of the race via the Saratoga Casino Hotel.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Grinch continued his mean streak on Sunday, beating Santa Clause in an exhibition harness race at the Saratoga Casino Hotel.
Clause was aggressive early in the contest, taking the lead in the first turn and maintaining it into the backstretch. But the Grinch pulled up alongside Clause on the outside as they approached the head of the stretch. The portly holiday foes were neck-in-neck as they swung around for a second lap. But as they approached the finish, it was the Mean One who eked out a victory. The Grinch won by an inch.
Rumors swirled that the Grinch might hit up the Saratoga Casino slots to celebrate before tossing back a few on Caroline Street. Clause could not be reached for comment, though he is quite busy this time of year.
Saratoga Springs Mayor John Safford poses with the Saratoga Racers basketball team. Photo by Treyvon Robinson.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Saratoga Racers of the American Basketball Association (ABA) won their fourth game in a row on Saturday night, defeating the Albany-based 518 Ballers 126 to 89 at Saratoga Central Catholic.
Two-time ABA All-Star Tobias Holmes had another stellar game, recording 26 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 assists. He was one of four Racers who had double-doubles. John Ryals and Shaheem Sanders each contributed 23 points, with Ryals pulling down 9 boards and Sanders grabbing 12.
In attendance was Saratoga Springs Mayor John Safford. “I would like to welcome the Saratoga Racers basketball team to the city,” Safford said after the game. “I invite fans from Saratoga County and the Upstate region to come out to Saratoga Central Catholic and enjoy their exciting brand of professional basketball.”
Saratoga is now 7-2 on the season and moved up in the ABA Power Rankings this week to #20, their highest ranking yet. The team will be on a holiday break until December 28, when they travel to Buffalo to take on the Extreme, who are ranked #3 in the country.
Saratoga returns home on January 5 to face the rival Bennington Martens (several Saratoga players and personnel are ex-Martens). The game will be the second half of a double-header. At 1 p.m., Saratoga police and fire will face off in a friendly game before the Racers take the floor at 3 p.m. Ballston Spa Youth Basketball will also be hosted by the Racers.
BALLSTON SPA — The Ballston Spa Athletic Hall of Fame is seeking nominations for its Class of 2025 inductees. Nominees will be accepted until January 15, 2025. To submit a nomination, or for more information on selection criteria, visit ballstonspaathleticshalloffame.com.
A crowd of spectators gather outside Schuylerville High School on Saturday night to welcome home the title-winning football team. The Schuylerville High School varsity football team celebrates at the JMA Wireless Dome in Syracuse on Saturday after winning their first-ever state championship. Photos via the Schuylerville Central School District.
SYRACUSE — History has been made once again in Schuylerville, the village where British General John Burgoyne surrendered to revolutionary troops hundreds of years ago.
The Black Horses varsity football team beat the previously unbeaten Salamanca Warriors 26 to 20 on Saturday afternoon at Syracuse University’s JMA Wireless Dome, capturing their first-ever New York State Class C championship.
The victory was ensured in the closing seconds of the game, when Schuylerville senior Luke Griffen sacked Warriors quarterback Maddox Isaac. The nail in the coffin followed a tense, roller coaster of a contest. At one point in the third quarter, the Horses trailed 20 to 7. But they answered back with 19 points in the second half. Landen Cumm had three touchdowns for Schuylerville, while Ollie Bolduc tossed for two TD’s and rushed for 100 yards.
“This incredible victory is a testament to the hard work, perseverance, and unwavering dedication of our players, coaches, support staff, families, and community,” said Schuylerville High School Principal James Ducharme. “From the first day of workouts, to the final play at the JMA Wireless Dome, our team has shown what it means to be true champions.”
Schuylerville previously appeared in the 2015, 2019 and 2021 state title games but lost all three times, including a 21-0 shutout three years ago. Upon arriving home late Saturday night, the Horses were treated like returning heroes as their bus was met with a crowd of jubilant spectators outside the high school.
The championship also cemented the already sterling legacy of Head Coach John Bowen, who led the Horses to all three previous state title appearances. During his tenure, Schuylerville has won more than 100 games and captured five sectional championships, including three in a row from 2019 to 2021.
“As the athletic director, it is my hope that our ability to finally turn this corner will instill a belief across our athletic landscape that this is possible and achievable for any of our teams,” Bowen said. “I am unbelievably proud of our players and our coaches and am thankful for the amazing support from the community.”
With the title victory, Schuylerville’s record for the season stands at 13-1. The squad’s only defeat was on September 20, when they fell to Warrensburg/Lake George/Bolton by only two points. The team began their playoff run with a dominant 45 to 6 win over Gouverneur on November 22 for the Class C regional title, then bested Valhalla in the state semifinals 24 to 7 on November 30. Prior to that, they won the Class C Super Bowl 35 to 21 over Cobleskill-Richmondville.
In January, the championship team will be invited to the Capitol in Albany to be honored by State Senator Jim Tedisco with a resolution.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Since the publication of “Moneyball” in 2003, sports analytics are most often associated with baseball. But there are plenty of ways advanced technology and statistics can be applied to virtually any sport, especially basketball.
In Saratoga Springs, a new basketball facility called The Shot Spot has five shooting bays with Dr. Dish machines that can track shots by location and provide players with the data necessary to improve their game. The shooting machines have a corresponding app that allows players to log all of their training sessions and practices. The app then creates a visualization of where shooters are making (or missing) most of their shots.
Although this type of technology might be commonplace in the NBA, it can be hard to come by for the average player. Hence, the creation of The Shot Spot, which opened just a couple months ago.
“I had seen this concept online, nowhere near here, and thought it would be something that would be beneficial to our area as it’s something that doesn’t exist much in general but especially around here,” said Shot Spot co-owner Scott Kindl. “A lot of people don’t even know that shooting machines exist, let alone use one.”
Kindl and his wife, co-owner Kelley Kindl, didn’t just acquire some shooting machines for their new business. They built the basketball courts that are now used for training, coaching sessions, and casual shoot-arounds. Kindl said the process took about six months.
“We had to cut the concrete floor, dig down to be able to install five basketball hoops properly, and then after that we put it in the flooring,” Kindle said. “I definitely had to spend a good amount of time researching stuff.”
The freshly built facility is now the third local business owned by the Kindls, Saratoga natives who also launched Trendsetters Barbershop and Sadie’s Hair Bar. Much like a salon or barbershop, the Shot Spot welcomes customers of all ages.
“I don’t want people to think that we’re only here for advanced or elite basketball players,” Kindl said. “We want this place to be for everybody…you can come here on a date night if you want.”
Indeed, few things in life are more romantic than a perfect swish from beyond the arc.
The Shot Spot, located at 30 Gick Rd. (aka 40 Plaza Rd) Suite 115, offers both shooting bays and half courts for reservation. Pickleball courts, birthday parties, and basketball clinics are also available. For more information, visit www.theshotspot518.com.
Ballston Spa Scotties and Saratoga Springs Blue Streaks logos via the respective school districts.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — 13 members of both the Saratoga Springs and Ballston Spa varsity football teams were named All-Stars in their respective classes last week.
For the Blue Streaks in Section 2 Class AA, the first-team honorees were Jayden Cox (center), Caleb Casey (safety), and Cam Toomey (punter). Second-team All-Stars included David Newell (running back), Josh Simon (tight end), Tucker Zeh (safety), Sam Bernd (defensive lineman), and Mason DeLeonardis (kicker). On the third team were Ben Coryea (running back), Gavin LaFrance (wide receiver), and Mack Harris (defensive back). Bobby Morris (quarterback) and Agostino Vitiello (offensive lineman) received honorable mentions.
For the Scotties in Section 2 Class A, first-team All-Stars were Brayson Cornick (all-purpose offensive), Sean Pausley (offensive lineman), Kala’i Makanani (running back), Payton Capone (defensive end), and Joe Hoffman (inside linebacker). On the second-team were Cole Donnelly (offensive lineman), Nick Leonard (defensive lineman), Brodie Fraser (defensive end), Billy O’Connor (outside linebacker), and Tyler Perkins (defensive back). Nick Orzel (offensive lineman), Luigi Fiorini (quarterback), and Mike Degenhart (inside linebacker) were honorable mentions.
POUGHKEEPSIE — Livia Wiltsie, a senior at Ballston Spa High School, has committed to playing softball at Marist College in Poughkeepsie. Marist listed Wiltsie as a utility player and outfielder, though she’s also pitched and played second base.
Wiltsie participated in the 518 Futures High School Softball Classic in June. She also spent time this year recovering from ACL/Meniscus reconstruction. She’ll be joining a Division 1 Marist softball squad that has won four Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) championships, most recently in 2023.
