SARATOGA SPRINGS — Coach Rich Johns recently visited with the Saratoga Recreation “Future Hoopers,” a group of 5- and 6-year-old beginners. Sharing the beautiful Starfish Story about making a difference, Coach presented two young hoopers with an AWRA Starfish Trophy. Giving back is the major focus for the AWRA Foundation. To learn more about AWRA go to www.actwithrespectalways.com. 

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Youth Hockey is in full swing here in Saratoga Springs, as players rush in and out of the Weibel Ave. Rink on Saturday morning. The sound of sticks mashing together and pucks hitting the back of the net can be heard echoing throughout the rink. The colors of White and Blue streak across the ice, as youth skaters are warming up.

Another session of the Junior Rangers Youth Hockey is underway and today players will get to interact and learn from Rangers Alumni, Brian Mullen. It’s one thing to see a professional hockey game, but to have the chance to work 1 on 1 and in groups with a former professional hockey player is an incredible experience.

The Junior Rangers Program was created by nonprofit and volunteer run Saratoga Youth Hockey to get more kids skating and involved in the next level of play. By partnering with the New York Rangers, kids get professional instruction alongside Rangers staff and even get to meet Rangers alumni. The program spans for 10 weeks, where your child will learn the basic skills of skating, stick-handling, passing, and shooting. Learn to skate numbers in the last two years have continued to grow at a steady rate making the Junior Rangers vital for skaters wanting to get into the sport of hockey after learning how to skate. It is also the perfect place to start if you have a daughter who’s interested in trying the sport of hockey. Saratoga Youth Hockey President, Rodney Eddy, expressed that the number of girls enrolling in the program continues to grow every year and that the goal is to form as many girls teams as possible.

Oftentimes parents can feel overwhelmed when wanting to get their child gear and skates to begin playing hockey. Saratoga Youth Hockey wanted to make getting the right gear as easy as possible, so they partnered with Pure Hockey to help parents out. When you pay the $250 registration fee, it includes a brand new set of head to toe CCM hockey gear that’s custom fitted, ordered, and shipped to your door by Pure Hockey. The jerseys and gear alone will have your child feeling like they are a part of the New York Rangers.

Safety continues to be a top priority for Saratoga Youth Hockey, as they continue to follow all protocols put together by the “Intent to Play’’ committee, which was created Spring 2020 to ensure the safety of all players, parents, and coaches. This way all kids can still play with the lowest risk possible.

The next 10 week session begins January 8 and sign ups are going on right now.

To register, or if you have questions, go to www.nhl.com/rangers/community/junior-rangers-rookie-series or email learntoskatelearntoplaysyhi@gmail.com

TROY — After a one-year hiatus due to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, 5,471 runners from 30 states returned to the streets of Troy on Thanksgiving morning to celebrate the 105th anniversary (74th running) of the Troy Turkey Trot, presented by Pioneer. 

Under partly sunny skies and with temperatures hovering in the low 30s, America’s 12th oldest road race kicked off with the Capital Region’s only 10K. James Anderson (of Rochester, NY) outpaced 1,100 rivals on the flat, out-and-back course to win the prestigious crown and earn a $300 first place check. Former University at Albany distance runner Cara Sherman, 24, the event’s 2019 champion, was the first female finisher. Sherman, who also took home $300, had been red hot this fall. She finished second at the Freihofer’s Run for Women 5K (17:14), first overall at the Boilermaker 5K (17:05), and won the women’s title Nov. 14 at the Stockade-athon 15K (54:24). 

“The Turkey Trot has become much more than just a foot race,” said Troy Mayor Patrick Madden. “It’s a celebration of our City’s history and holiday traditions, a way to support local charities that help local families in need, and an opportunity for residents and visitors to once again make Troy part of their annual holiday traditions. I was delighted to welcome everyone back to the Collar City this Thanksgiving for another safe, fun. family-filled event and look forward to another successful event in 2022.” 

Following the conclusion of the 10K, 422 children slapped on their own race numbers for the Grade School Mile, a fun chip-timed event for children in the 8th grade and below. They were followed to the start line by 415 participants in the one-mile Turkey Walk, a leisurely stroll past some of the finest 19th century architecture in the country. 

As ovens began warming in kitchens across the region, 3,163 runners toed the line for the 5K, the Trot’s most popular race. Many wore colorful costumes as part of the event’s costume contest, which offered prizes for Best Thanksgiving Day Costume and the Most Unique Costume. Alex Hislop (of Clifton Park, NY) was the first male to cross the finish line at Monument Square. Female bragging rights went to Danielle Jordan (of Seattle, WA). Each won $300. 

Giving back to the less fortunate remains central to the Trot’s mission. Supported by a $2,500 donation from the Pioneer Foundation, Trotters gave more than $18,500 to the event’s two primary charities, the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York and Joseph’s House and Shelter, a Troy-based not-for-profit whose mission is to prevent and alleviate homelessness. Both charities have experienced 40-50% increase in people seeking assistance since the start of the pandemic. 

“I really didn’t know what to expect today in terms of our turnout,” said Event Director George Regan, noting that 300 participants took part in the Trot’s virtual options. “Some races have been doing really well and others less so in terms participation. To welcome 83% percent of our 2019 field (6,405) shows me that this event is very much alive and well. People still want to come together to get exercise and burn off some calories before their big meal later in the day!” 

For results, finisher certificates, and photos, visit www.TroyTurkeyTrot.com. 

Troy Turkey Trot sponsors include Pioneer Bank, Wm. J. Fagan & Sons, Capital Region Honda Dealers, Lamar Advertising, and Choice Physical Therapy. 

SCHUYLERVILLE — Schuylerville had a 42-15 win over Dobbs Ferry in the state semifinals on Nov. 27. The Black Horses will head to the Class C state championship superbowl on Friday, Dec. 3, 6pm at the Carrier Dome in Syracuse, where they will face Section 4’s Chenango Forks. 

Schuylerville kept Dobbs Ferry off the board in the first quarter, while also managing to score three TDs. R. Dow scored on a 15 yd. TD run (kick failed) and a 36 yd. TD run (2 pt. conversion completed by O. Sherman to Ollie Bolduc), and O. Sherman connected with Ollie Bolduc on a 44 yd. TD pass (2 pt. conversion completed by O. Sherman). 

Dobbs Ferry got the scoring started in the second quarter with a 71 TD pass from J. Williams to J. Almaras (kick good). L. Sherman scored twice on TD runs for the Black Horses, one for 7 yds. (2 pt. conversion completed by Dow) and one for 2 yds. (2 pt. conversion completed by L. Sherman to Otto Bolduc). 

 Schuylerville added to their lead in the second half after L. Sherman’s 9 yd. TD run in the third quarter (2 pt. conversion completed by O. Sherman to Otto Bolduc), and Ollie Bolduc’s 1 yd. TD run in the fourth quarter (2 pt. conversion unsuccessful). Dobbs scored once more, in the fourth quarter, off R. Sanzo’s 64 yd. TD run (kick good). 

Schuylerville had 491 total yds.; 422 rushing. Lead rushers for the Black Horses were L. Sherman with 15 carries for 143 yds. and 3 TDs, O. Sherman with 7 carries for 94 yds., and Dow with 10 carries for 91 yds. and 2 TDs. Ollie Bolduc had 1 rushing TD. 

Passing, QB O. Sherman was 4 for 4 for 69 yds. Receiving, Ollie Bolduc caught 1 pass for 44 yds, Dow caught 2 passes for 14 yds., and L. Sherman caught 1 pass for 11 yds. 

On defense, C. Patrick, J. McGarrahan, and A. Prouty combined for 2 sacs. S. Stiassney had an interception. 

Dobbs Ferry had 366 total yds.; 188 rushing. Top rushers for Dobbs were Sanzo with 16 carries for 109 yds. and 1 TD, and B. Holman with 8 carries for 33 yds. 

QB Williams was 8 for 15 for 178 yds, 1 interception, and 1 TD. Sanzo had 4 receptions for 79 yds., Almaras had 1 reception for 71 yds. and 1 TD, and Holman had 3 receptions for 28 yds. 

SARATOGA COUNTY — Horse racing fans will have the opportunity to give and receive the gift of world-class thoroughbred racing this holiday season with a special offer of NYRA Bets Gift Cards available exclusively at Stewart’s Shops. 

On sale now through Dec. 26, NYRA Bets Gift Cards will be available at nearly two dozen participating Stewart’s Shops locations in Saratoga County in partnership with the New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA). 

NYRA Bets Gift Cards can be used to fund both active and new NYRA Bets accounts to bet online at hundreds of racetracks worldwide. The cards are available in $50 denominations. 

A NYRA Bets Gift Card is preloaded with $50 to deposit in a NYRA Bets account, America’s leading online betting platform. Each card includes a unique four-digit PIN. After purchasing the gift card, fans enter the PIN into their new or existing NYRA Bets account. The funds will be available immediately to use when betting with NYRA Bets. 

There are no processing fees or premiums applied when purchasing or using a NYRA Bets Gift Card. NYRA Bets Gift Cards are available for purchase by cash only; credit cards are not accepted. For a complete list of participating Stewart’s Shops locations, visit StewartsShops.com/NYRABets.com. 

PORTER CORNERS — Brookhaven Golf Course’s Head Golf Professional Anthony Therrien has been named one of the “top 10 PGA Jr. captains” by PGA.com.

The website, which represents the national golf professional association of more than 29,000 golf professionals and the leading experts on the game of golf, identified Therrien in its article “Ten PGA Jr. League Captains Who Inspired a Decade of Dominance” on Nov. 3. 

The article, written in celebration of the PGA Jr. League’s 10th Anniversary, celebrated the “rock star coaches who are the lifeblood of the program” that involved more than 64,000 kids nationally this year. Therrien’s PGA Jr. League had two teams with 24 kids this year, boys and girls ages 8-13 years old. The teams participated in 12 tournaments at Brookhaven and throughout the region. The Town of Greenfield also held “Learn to Golf” weekly sessions for approximately 100 kids over four weeks this summer. Brookhaven is one of the only local courses to offer free golf for ages 17 and under. 

Sign-ups for the 2022 PGA Jr. League and summer lessons begin in February. Therrien plans to add a PGA Jr. U17 program, for children 4-17, as well as adult clinics and a number of both recreational and competitive tournaments. For more information, visit www.brookhavengolfcourse.com or call 518-893-7458. 

Read the full story on Saratoga Business Report (www.saratogabusinessreport.com).

IVRING, TX — Kell Berliner (27) from the Glenville, NY based Jason Morris Judo Center (JMJC) enjoyed a stellar weekend at the 55th Annual Dallas Invitational Judo Championships on Saturday, Nov. 20, and then the USA Judo’s Presidents Cup on Sunday, Nov. 21, both held at the Irving Convention Center. Berliner went 5-1 to take an 81kg bronze at the Dallas Invitational, then climbed to the top of the podium the next day at the Presidents Cup, going 5-0 to capture the 81kg gold. Max Alaynick (21) had a great day going 4-1, losing only in the 81kg final to JMJC teammate Kell Berliner, to take silver in the Presidents Cup. Ramon Hernandez (20) took 5th place at the 81kg as the JMJC were represented well at that weight class. Melissa Myers went 3-1 at the Presidents Cup to win a bronze medal at 70kg. JMJC’s Zach Judy (28) went 2-2 each day to place 7th in both events at 60kg. Next up for the JMJC athletes is an in-house competition held at the Jason Morris Judo Center starting at noon on Saturday, Nov. 27 that all are welcome to check out. 

Black Horses Head to Semi-Finals

The Black Horses Varsity Football Team had another shutout win in post-season play – a 52-0 defeat against Ogdensburg Free Academy in the Class C State Quarterfinals on Saturday, Nov. 20. 

In the first quarter, R. Dow got the scoring started with a 1 yd. TD run, followed by a pass from O. Sherman to Z. Bowen for the 2 pt. conversion. 

O. Sherman threw five TDs to Dow – a 46 yd. pass and 34 yd. pass in the first quarter, a 34 yd. pass (2 pt. conversion completed by L. Sherman) and a 14 yd. pass in the second quarter (2 pt. conversion completed by O. Sherman to L. Cumm), and a 30 yd. pass in the third quarter (2 pt. conversion completed by Cumm). 

N. Abruscato rounded off their scoring in the fourth quarter with a 2 yd. TD run. 

Schuylerville had 434 total yds. (244 rushing). Top rushers for the Black Horses were: Cumm had 9 carries for 67 yds., M. Flanders had 14 carries for 55 yds., L. Sherman had 9 carries for 50 yds., and O. Sherman had 4 carries for 33 yds. Dow and Abruscato both rushed for TDs also. 

Quarterback O. Sherman was 8 for 9 for 190 yds. with 5 TDs. Lead receiver was Dow, with 7 receptions for 187 yds. and 5 TDs. 

On defense, Abruscato and C. Nastacie had fumble recoveries. 

Ogdensburg had 139 total yds. (65 rushing). Top rushers were A. Calton who rushed for 26 yds. on 3 carries, and K. England who rushed for 14 yds. on 2 carries. 

QB T. Lovely was 5 for 17 for 74 yds. 

D. Costello had 2 receptions for 39 yds., Calton had 1 reception for 20 yds., and J. McIntyre had 2 receptions for 15 yds. 

Schuylerville advances to the Class C State Semifinals on Saturday, Nov. 27 at noon at Middletown High School. They will face Dobbs Ferry, who beat James I. O’Neill 56-28. 

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Burnt Hills Falls to Somers 

Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake Varsity Football Team fell to Somers in the Class A State Quarterfinals. Final score: 48-14. 

D. Marcus scored the first TD of the game in the first quarter on a 4 yd. run. Marcus also opened up the scoring in the second quarter for the Tuskers with a 32 yd. TD run. M. Kapica added a 1 yd. TD run, and M. Fitzsimons also scored on a 1 yd. TD run to make the score 28-0 at halftime. 

In the second half R. Dass scored on a 36 yd. TD run and a 52 yd. punt return. S. Swee scored on a 44 yd. TD run to round off the scoring for Somers in the fourth quarter. L. Savino was 6 for 7 on extra point attempts.

Somers kept BH-BL off the board until the fourth quarter, when R. Mareno scored the first TD for the Spartans on 25 yd. fumble recovery. J. Joseph followed up with a 38 yd. TD run with less than three minutes remaining in the game. 

Tuskers QB Fitzsimons was 11 for 12 in the first half alone and ended the game 14 for 19 for 164 yds. and 1 TD. RB Marcus had 8 carries for 51 yds. and 2 TDs. 

BH-BL’s Head Coach Shell was on the sidelines for the game after his ejection during the Section 2 Class A Superbowl against Queensbury was rescinded; officials determined that Shell was not the individual who provoked the 2 unsportsmanlike conduct penalty flags. 

Somers advances to the Class A State Semifinals, a rematch against Rye. 

BH-BL v. Queensbury

Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake had a 21-0 shutout victory over Queensbury to be named Class A Section 2 Champions – the program’s 10th Section 2 title. 

BH-BL scored their first two TDs following forced fumble recoveries. In the first quarter, R. Mareno scored on a 28 yd. TD pass from T. Manning, after Mareno forced the fumble and it was recovered by S. Cable. In the second quarter, Cable had a 69 yd. fumble recovery, which was finished by a 3 yd. run from J. Joseph to make the score 14-0 at halftime. 

In the third quarter, Manning scored on a 10 yd. TD run; M. Sbuttoni was 3 for 3 on extra point attempts. 

In the fourth quarter, two unsportsmanlike penalties were called on the BH-BL coaching staff, which resulted in the ejection of Head Coach Matt Shell per NYSPHSAA rules; NYSPHSAA rules also state that after an ejection a one-game suspension will be assessed for the following game. 

BH-BL’s (9-1) next game is the NYS Regional Championship against 10-0 Somers, the Section 1 Class A Champions. The game is set for Friday, Nov. 19 at 6 p.m. at Mahopac. 

Schuylerville v. Fonda-Fultonville 

Schuylerville claimed the Class C Section 2 title for the third year in a row after an undefeated season. Schuylerville defeated Fonda-Fultonville in the championship game 26-16. 

Fonda scored the first TD of the game in the second quarter off J. Cusack’s 8 yd. pass to B. Melious, and O. Hick’s successful 2 pt. conversion. 

The Black Horses came back to score three times before the half. L. Sherman had a 20 yd. TD run and a 5 yd. run. TD. O. Sherman threw a 49 yd. TD pass to O. Bolduc, and the 2 pt. conversion was completed by L. Sherman to Bolduc. 

Fonda scored once more in the third quarter off G. DiCaprio’s 4 yd. TD, and the 2 pt. conversion was completed by Cusack. 

Schuylerville battled back with another TD in the fourth quarter, a 7 yd. run from L. Sherman. 

The Black Horses had 316 total yards. Top rushers were L. Sherman with 22 carries for 113 yds. and 3 TDs, L. Cumm with 2 carries for 14 yds., O. Sherman with 6 carries for 10 yds., and R. Dow with 4 carries for 9 yds. 

 Quarterback O. Sherman was 7 for 19 for 170 yds. and 1 TD. Receiving, Bolduc caught 3 for 66 yds. and 1 TD, and Dow caught 4 for 104 yds. 

Fonda had 220 total yards. Top rushers were Cusack with 16 carries for 108 yds., and DiCaprio with 13 carries for 27 yds. and 1 TD. 

Passing, Cusack was 8 for 24 for 59 yds. and 1 TD. C. Weaver was 2 for 5 for 13 yds. Lead receiver was Melious who caught 4 for 31 yds. and 1 TD. 

Greenwich v. Stillwater 

Greenwich’s 16th straight win was the Class D Section 2 Championship over Stillwater with a final score of 31-7. 

Greenwich got the scoring started in the first quarter on A. McPhail’s 2 yd. TD run. They scored again at the end of the first quarter on M. Conlin’s 11 yd. TD run. 

Stillwater’s only TD was in the first quarter, a 2 yd. run from J. Mueller and an extra point from L. Brady. 

Greenwich continued to score in each quarter. In the second quarter, J. Kuzmich scored on a 41 yd. TD run. In the third quarter, D. Kelleher kicked a 30 yd. field goal. In the fourth quarter, after a short delay for thunder, Conlin scored on a 16 yd. TD run. 

Greenwich had 372 total yards, 337 of them rushing. Conlin and Kuzmich was the Witches top rushers – Conlin had 21 carries for 185 yds. and 2 TDs and Kuzmich had 11 carries for 90 yds. 

Stillwater had 167 total yards. C.J. McNeil was the Warriors lead rusher with 24 carries for 155 yds. 

Greenwich is headed to the state quarterfinals on Friday at 7 p.m. at Mechanicville High School, and they will face Section 1 Champions Tuckahoe (8-1).