Lori Mahan

Lori Mahan

Thursday, 17 May 2018 14:49

Local All-Star Moments

Saratoga Regional YMCA Over 25 Basketball League:

TEAM LOMBARDO 127 - TEAM REED 60
Two weeks after Team Wink set the record at the Saratoga Regional YMCA for most points (107) scored at the gym, Team Lombardo smashed the record by scoring 127 points on the way to their first win of the season. With everyone on the team scoring in double figures led by Chris Perone with 33 points and Doug Lange with 32 points, Tim Herrick with 28 points. Team Reed got 18 points from Vonzel Legal and 15 points from Taylor Wilson.


TEAM WINK 98 –  TEAM EMERY 66
Team Wink used J.R. Michael’s 12 three pointers to a 98 to 66 victory over Team Emery. J.R. ended up being the game high scorer with 38 points while teammate Matt Scoons added 17 points. Team Emery were led by Blake Rizzi’s 34 points along with 15 points from Andrew Armstrong with Travis Ramsey getting 11 points.


TEAM DUFF 83 –  TEAM SIKORA 75
In the only close game this week, Team Duff and Team Sikora battled back and forth until five minutes left in the game when Team Duff scored 10 straight points and kept the lead that they never relinquished. The winners got 31 points from Corey Harkins while Ryan Duff had 20 points, Tim Bush 19 points, and Rich Duff with 14 points. Camdon Spencer 33 points, Jason Armstrong 19 points, Kevin Lindsey 15 points, and Renny Sikora 10 points in the loss.

Saratoga Springs Girls Lacrosse:

SARATOGA SPRINGS - On Tuesday, May 8, the Saratoga Blue Streaks defeated Schenectady High School, 15-1, scoring 11 goals in the first half and four goals in the second half. Schenectady had their only goal in the second half. For Saratoga: Sylvie Waters had three goals and three assists; Katie Wendell had two goals and one assist; Grace Purdy and Megan McCoskey each had one goal; Jackie Sauer and Kelsey Skaine each had one goal and two assists; Reilly Hogan had one goal and one assist; Sofie Mangino, Eva McCauley, Katie Silver, and Mady Kolligian each had one goal; and Abigail Searles had five saves. On Friday, May 11, Saratoga Springs defeated Niskayuna by one goal in a nail-biter, Saratoga scored six goals in the first half and four in the second half. Niskayuna was close behind, scoring four goals in the first half and five in the second half. Saratoga won, 10-9. For Saratoga: Katie Wendell had five goals and two assists; Lindsey Frank had two goals and one assist; Sophia Burke had one goal and four assists; Sylvie Waters and Reilly Hogan each scored one goal; Ella Payer had one assist; and Abigail Searles had 14 saves.

Thursday, 17 May 2018 14:44

Adirondack Sportman’s Alliance

[Photos provided]

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Adirondack Sportman’s Alliance brings their total scholarship donations to $43,000 to date. This year’s recipients are as follows: Ian Conlon: Ian is currently a senior at Johnsburg High School and will be attending SUNY Adirondack in the fall for two years and will eventually further his education, working towards a Bachelors Degree. Ian will be taking classes concentrating his major in Computer Hardware and Business.

The Mike Suriano III Scholarship: This scholarship is named in honor of one of the founding club members, Mike “Mitch” Suriano, who passed away in 2009. This year’s recipient is Grace Fornabia, a senior at Saratoga Central Catholic. Grace has been accepted at St. Michael’s College in Colchester, VT and will be concentrating her studies on Biology.

The Mike Suriano Jr. Scholarship: This scholarship is named in honor of another founding member of the organization, Mike “Mickey” Suriano, who passed away in 2016. This year’s recipient is Seth Cooper. Seth is a senior at South Glens Falls and will be attending Full Sail University in Orlando, FL to major in Sports Broadcasting.

Thursday, 17 May 2018 14:39

Athlete of the Week: Luke Gold

[Photos provided]

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Luke Gold, 17-year-old junior at Ballston Spa, has been playing baseball since the age of four and is a true-blue Yankees fan.

“My dad, Eric, played his whole life and I’ve liked sports ever since I was young, and my dad taught me everything he knew, pretty much,” Gold said, explaining how he got involved with baseball.

On the field, Gold is a star shortstop and pitcher, off the field, he plays the violin in the orchestra at school. Academically, he is in the top 10 percent of his class and attends all honor and AP classes. In the off season, his biggest focus is overall strength and agility and speed work because, “that all helps in a bunch of different parts of the game,” he explained.

In the summer, fishing is his second love. He also plays on Adirondack Heat baseball team in the summer and loves volunteering his time at baseball camps for youth.

“I just love volunteering and helping younger kids at camp because I was in that same position as them at one point. I love being able to pass on knowledge to kids, that’s one of my favorite things to do outside of playing baseball,” Gold said.

He volunteers at All-Stars Academy in Latham and for the camps that are run through his high school. Gold has committed to Boston College with a baseball scholarship.

“I loved everything about the school. I wanted to go somewhere with good academics, because I’ve always been a pretty good student, and I really like their coaches and the philosophies that they preach there. They are also in a really good baseball conference, so I’ll be really challenged in a lot of different aspects there,” he explained.

He is unsure which major he will pursue, but both of his parents, Eric and Julie, are doctors so that may be where he is also headed. He has seen lots of support throughout his baseball career, including his grandfather, Will Gold.

“My grandfather is a big supporter. He goes to every one of my games that he can. We’re going to Georgia this summer for a tournament with my summer team and he’s planning to fly down with us. He just loves watching my siblings and I play as much as he can. It’s awesome,” he said.

Above all, he cites his parents as being his biggest fans.

“They give me everything I need to succeed, whether its material goods or motivation. They’re always giving me advice and helping me and trying to do what’s best for me,” Gold explained.

Thursday, 17 May 2018 14:33

Four New Hall of Famers

[Photos provided]

SARATOGA COUNTY — At 4 p.m. on Sunday, May 20 at the Hilton Hotel in Troy, the Upstate New York Basketball Hall of Fame will be inducting 15 people into the basketball hall of fame. Four of the inductees are local to the Saratoga Springs area: Tim DeGregory, Carl Luciano, Dan Tallman, and Rich Johns.

Rich Johns, a long-time educator and coach at Saratoga Springs Central School District, is receiving the John Cahill Community Service Award.

“I’m honored by the induction. I’m looking forward to it. Johnny Cahill was one of the top referees in the country for years. I got the call and I sent a letter to a buddy of mine and I said, ‘I’m getting in, but not for my basketball skills,’” Johns laughed.

“I’m honored by it, community service has always meant so much to me, but to do it in this arena with so many athletes and coaches, what an honor,” Johns said.

Tim DeGregory, a former local player from Saratoga Central Catholic, now working in the IT industry, had a very successful basketball career via Spa Catholic and RPI.

“I had a pretty successful career at Spa Catholic playing basketball. I had very good seasons my junior and senior year. I went on to RPI where I played on the varsity team four years and was the leading scorer my junior and senior year of college. When I graduated, I was second on the all time scoring list,” DeGregory said, explaining some of his basketball accomplishments.

DeGregory and his wife, Brenda, have three children in the Saratoga Springs Central School District; Mira, Abby, and Andy.

“Mostly I want to thank my parents and brothers as well as various coaches, like Bob King at Spa Catholic, coach Griffin at RPI, and those that helped me along the way,” DeGregory said.

Dan Tallman is a former local player, playing at Saratoga Springs Central School District and Skidmore College.

“I was at a Spa Catholic game when Rene LeRoux had mentioned that they were going to put me in next year’s class, 2019, and then I got a call a few months later that a gentleman who was supposed to be inducted this year could no longer make it due to health reasons. So, they wanted to know if I wanted to get inducted this year,” Tallman explained.

Tallman played basketball his entire life; he was a center in high school, a forward in college, a threespot at the semi-pro level. He was also voted MVP his senior year at Saratoga Springs High School.

“My moms age is 82 and life has no guarantees. Mom would be very happy to see that, this is a proud moment for her. Without her, none of this is possible. She’s the best,” Tallman said of his mother, Mary Verns Tallman.

During college, Tallman attended Utica College his first year, then SUNY Adirondack for his sophomore year, “it’s still the best basketball year ACC ever had,” he explained.

He went back to Utica for his junior year and then finished his college career at Skidmore College under Damian Fantauzzi, his high school coach.

“He is actually the man who got me impassioned to play the game, he was my idol. I looked up to him and his word was gospel. I wanted to be just like coach,” Tallman said of Fantauzzi.

Carl Luciano has been refereeing for the last 25 years and still has plans to continue.

“I had done a Division III National Championship game back in 2013 in Atlanta, Georgia and I think Rene LeRoux was there for that and I think he’s gone to a lot of local games so throughout the years he’s seen me referee a lot of high profile games. I’ve been very fortunate to work a lot of high profile games and I’ve done a pretty good job on them. I haven’t been on ESPN for the wrong reasons,” Luciano laughed.

Luciano has been teaching second grade at Division Street School for the last 20 years and is an alumnus of Ballston Spa High School.

“It’s a great honor. Some of my former mentors are in there so it’s nice to be recognized even though I’m still currently a ref. Hopefully I still have a few years left. There are a lot of fellow referees that are just as good as me. I don’t think I’m better than any of them, I just think I’m fortunate enough to work a lot of the games that I’ve done. It takes a good person to be a referee,” Luciano said.

[Photo provided]

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Trinity Hogben, grade 10, and Tiffany Weiler, grade 12, were selected to be part of the Special Olympics New York delegation and to attend the 2018 Special Olympics USA Games this summer in Seattle, Washington, participating in the first ever Youth Leadership Experience.  The Youth Leadership Experience will give students with and without intellectual disabilities a chance to serve a meaningful role in their state’s delegation, while also learning and experiencing what it takes to put on a largescale event and all of the key roles played by volunteers. 

“Special Olympics New York is excited to have Trinity and Tiffany representing us and all of the youth leaders involved in our Unified Champion Schools program. They are great examples of what it means to live unified,” according to Nathan Johnson, Director of Unified Sports, Special Olympics New York.

Each day, Youth Leadership Experience participants will have different service learning experiences including volunteering in the Fan Zone, reporting through social media from the competitions, leading Special Olympics Youth Athletes activities, shadowing key volunteers or delegation staff and learning more about interscholastic and collegiate Unified Sports.  In addition, Youth Leadership Experience participants will take part in all ceremonial events with their state delegation, Team New York! Trinity and Tiffany will be joined by Colleen Belanger, Saratoga Springs High School Physical Education teacher as part of the 80-person New York delegation.

The 2018 Special Olympics USA Games will be held in Seattle, Washington July 1-6, 2018. More than 4,000 participants representing all 50 states and the District of Columbia, along with the support of tens of thousands of volunteers and spectators, will compete in 14 Olympictype team and individual sports. The 2018 Special Olympics USA Games will celebrate the Special Olympics movement and its 50th anniversary; promote the ideals of acceptance and inclusion through sport; and showcase athletes from throughout the U.S. and the abilities of people with intellectual disabilities. The 2018 USA Games will also highlight Special Olympics’ work in sport, education, health and community-building. 

[Photo provided]

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Dr. Joseph Greco, K-12 Director of Math, Science and Technology Integration in the Saratoga Springs City School District, has been named the 2017-2018 ACT College and Career Readiness Champion for New York State. The award recognizes individuals who are making a positive impact in their communities through their efforts to advance college and career readiness. The ACT Council selected Dr. Greco from a strong applicant pool due to his involvement with K-12 STEM education, P-TECH and the Early College Career Academy, the expansion of Project Lead the Way in the elementary and middle levels, as well the partnerships he continues to create between the school and the surrounding community.  Dr. Greco’s focus has been on creating equity of outcomes, so all students can access, and be successful in, rigorous STEM programming leading to college and career readiness.

“While the spotlight is currently on our STEM programming, we should be proud of our entire district’s work towards creating learning experiences that strengthen our students’ ability to communicate, collaborate, and persevere in their efforts to solve unstructured problems. That is truly why we are being recognized as New York’s K-12 Champion for College and Career Readiness,” said Dr. Joseph Greco, K-12 Director of Math, Science, and Technology Integration.

The ACT College and Career Readiness Champions are individuals across the country who support ACT’s mission of education and workplace success. They are high school seniors, K-12, postsecondary, and workforce professionals, who have demonstrated exemplary behavior and contributions in support of college and career readiness in their respective communities. 

Thursday, 17 May 2018 13:09

Ballston Spa Announces Top Students

[Photo provided]

BALLSTON SPA — Principal Kristi Jensen recently announced Veronika Hughes as the Valedictorian and Samantha Paley as the Salutatorian for the Ballston Spa High School Class of 2018.  They will both receive a NYS Advanced Designation Regents Diploma with Honors and Mastery in Math and Science. Veronika is a member of the varsity soccer team, the National Honor Society, Tri-M Music Society, and Science Olympiad team, in addition to being the treasurer for Interact club.  She gives back to the community by coaching an under eight soccer team and volunteers to play music at events with the Tri-M Music Honor Society. As the treasurer of the Interact club she volunteers for blood drives and community events.

Veronika plans to major in Biology at the University of Virginia. Samantha is the captain of the varsity swim team and has been swimming competitively since 3rd grade.  She is a member of both the National Honor Society and Tri-M Music Honor Society. Samantha is an accomplished flautist, achieving the highest NYSSMA audition level, All-State. She plays the flute at many community events and is a volunteer at Glens Falls Hospital. Samantha is also vice president of the Interact club and Students Helping Students.  Samantha plans to pursue a career in medicine and plans to major in Biology at Binghamton University.

The BSHS Class of 2018 is currently completing their final days of their senior year and preparing for graduation on June 21. Please visit the school website for additional information at www. bscsd.org or call 518-884-7195.

Thursday, 10 May 2018 14:28

Bird Town Delivers Filly

[Photo provided]

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Bird Town, a mare owned by Marylou Whitney and the recordholder for the fastest Kentucky Oaks of all time, delivered the seventh foal of the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame’s Foal Patrol project on May 3 at 2:10 a.m. at Gainesway Farm in Kentucky. The foal, a filly by Empire Maker, was a few days past her expected due date of April 26. Bird Town, a multiple Grade 1 winner during her racing career, and the foal are both in excellent health. The live feed of Bird Town and her foal can be viewed at www.foalpatrol.com. “It’s great to welcome Bird Town’s foal,” said Cathy Marino, director of the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame. “We want to thank Marylou Whitney and her husband, John Hendrickson, for allowing all of us fans the opportunity to get to know Bird Town as part of the Foal Patrol project. We look forward to seeing this filly develop and hopefully become a great racehorse like her mother,” Marino said. The final Foal Patrol mare scheduled to deliver is Arravale at Chanteclair Farm in Kentucky. Owned by Merriebelle Stable and in foal to Triple Crown winner American Pharoah, Arravale is expected to give birth around May 24. About Foal Patrol: The National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame launched Foal Patrol on Dec. 19, 2017 at www. foalpatrol.com. The project is a one-of-a-kind collection of live web cameras where people can view real-time streams of several in-foal mares during their pregnancy through the actual foaling and beyond. The website is optimized for viewing across all media platforms, including tablets and smart phones. 

Thursday, 10 May 2018 14:21

Local All-Star Moments

[Photos provided]

Saratoga Springs Girls Lacrosse
SARATOGA SPRINGS — On Thursday, May 3, Saratoga Springs played Guilderland and won, 16-10. In the first half, Saratoga scored 12 versus Guilderland’s four, in the second half, Saratoga scored four versus Guilderland’s seven. On Saratoga’s team Lindsey Frank had four goals and one assist; Reilly Hogan had four goals and two assists; Ella Payer and Katie Wendell each had two goals and two assists; Katie Silver had two goals; Sophia Burke had one goal and two assists; Sylvie Waters had one goal; and Abigail Searles had 12 saves.

On Saturday, May 5, Saratoga Springs played Queensbury and won, 16-15, a close match. In the first half, Saratoga scored 11 versus Queensbury’s four, in the second half, Saratoga scored five versus Queensbury’s 11. On Saratoga’s team Katie Wendell had six goals and two assists; Lindsey Frank had five goals and one assist; Reilly Hogan had two goals; Sophia Burke had one goal and three assists; Lauren Duffy and Sylvie Waters each had one goal; Jackie Sauer, Elizabeth McGinn, and Catherina O’Hara each had one assist; and Abigail Searles had 17 saves.
On Monday, May 7, Saratoga played Shenendehowa and won by a landslide, 19-8. In the first half, Saratoga had 11 goals and Queensbury had four goals, in the second half, Saratoga dominated with another eight goals to Queensbury’s four. On Saratoga’s team Katie Silver had four goals and two assists; Katie Wendell had three goals and five assists; Jackie Sauer had two goals and three assists; Ella Payer had two goals and two assists; Lindsey Frank, Reilly Hogan, and Sylvie Waters each had two goals and one assist; Sophie Burke and Lauren Duffy each had one goal; and Abigail Searles had 14 saves.

Spa Catholic Softball
SARATOGA SPRINGS — On Wednesday, May 2, Saratoga Central Catholic played Waterford and won, 20-2. Ani Crocker hit a homerun and three runs; Emy Murray had a double and 3 RBIs; Molly O’Reilly hit a triple; Ryleigh Dempsey had two runs; and Ria Walsh had one double. On Friday, May 4, Saratoga Central Catholic played Berlin
and won, 15-0. Victoria Alvord had 3 RBIs; Sara Custer had one RBI; Elise Browell went 2-2. On Monday, May 7, Saratoga Central Catholic played Cambridge and won, 9-7. Emy Murray had one double and 2 RBIs; Cassidy Hayner had two RBIs; Molly O’Reilly had a homerun and 3 RBIs; Julia Murdick had two RBIs.

On Wednesday, May 9, Spa Catholic clinched the Battenkill Division and earned the right to play for the league championship by winning 8-5 against Hoosic Valley in their senior game.

Saratoga Regional YMCA Basketball  [ OVER 25-YEAR-OLD LEAGUE ]
TEAM EMERY 70 - TEAM LOMBARDO 641 Team Emery took the lead early in the game and held off a scrappy Team Lombardo 70 to 64. Blake Rizzi led his team with 39 points and with the help of teammates Andrew Armstrong’s 13 points and Brendon Emery’s 10 points, they got the win. Team Lombardo had four players in double figures topped by 22 points from Chris Peroni, Dave Lombardo added 16 points, Tim Herrick with 15 points and Mike Ventre with 12 points.

TEAM WINK 64 – TEAM SIKORA 53 Team Wink used 24 points from Brian Travis including a half court buzzer beater at the end of the half, J.R. Michael continued his threepoint shooting with five three-pointers and Dallas Wells contributed 13 points in the victory. Camdon Spencer kept his team in the game with 33 points in the loss.

TEAM DUFF 69 – TEAM REED 54 Team Duff remained the only undefeated team in the league and ran their record to 5 and 0 with a 69 to 54 win over Team Reed. Team Duff’s Carter Flanigan had a game high 31 points while Tim Bush had 22 points, Josh Demarais 14 points and Rich Duff 11 points in the win. Team Reed was led by Colin Fuller and Taylor Wilson with 15 points each.

Thursday, 10 May 2018 14:18

Athlete of the Week: Brandon Camaj

[Photos provided]

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Brandon Camaj, a 16-yearold junior at Saratoga Springs High School has been playing football for only four years and will be traveling to Australia on June 23, starting June 24, for 10 days for the opportunity of a lifetime: to represent New York State through Down Under Sports, a company founded in 1989 by New Zealander George O’Scanlon, whose mission was to “use the common language of sports to bridge the  continents and provide a forum for athletes around the globe to compete head to head in the sports they love.”

“I received a letter mailed to the school that my coach gave to me. The letter said that I was invited to represent New York State in Australia to play football. It’s a fourgame tournament with seeding games and then playoffs and then the championship,” Camaj explained.

On the field, he is an offensive guard and defensive tackle.

“I’ve always wanted to play football but my parents wouldn’t really let me because they thought it was too dangerous and so I started my freshmen year of high school and I’ve loved it ever since,” he said.

In the off season, Camaj runs track to stay fit and train in his spare time at Saratoga Peak Performance.

“We’re doing a fundraiser where I hand out sponsorship letters and whoever wants to sponsor me can donate through the website. You can also email us,” Camaj said, explaining how he would be fundraising the trip.

Contact Frank Camaj at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for a sponsorship letter or visit www. DownUnderSports.com/payment/ A518-0D81-10C9, make check payable to Down Under Sports and mail check with the sponsorship letter provided by the Camaj family.

“I don’t really know how they found me, but I got the letter and they broke it down like college recruiting. My parents were actually as shocked as I was [at the opportunity]. They were on board though. They said, ‘do you want to do it?’ I said, ‘I’d love to,’” he explained.

He credits his parents, Lucjana and Frank, as his biggest supporters, along with his three younger siblings, Bryan, who also plays football, Tommy, and Isabela. In his free time, Camaj works part-time at his family’s restaurant, I Love NY Pizza in Ballston Spa and enjoys hanging out with his friends.

“My friends and I just like to hang out with each other. When we’re together mostly we just play sports,” he said.

As far as academics go, Camaj said his grades are “decent, they could be better,” he laughed.

He plans to play football in college and favorite team is the New York Jets. He is grateful for his opportunities and wishes to thank the coaching staff at Saratoga Springs High School.

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