We're down to less than a month until the seedings are announced for sectionals. Many teams are hoping to make impressions on the Section 2 committee, and this could be the week to do so.
Week of January 19th - 25th:
Tuesday, January 20th
Spa Catholic (7-5) at Canajoharie (8-5)
Argyle (9-3) at Fort Ann (9-2)
Averill Park (8-3) at Shaker (6-4)
Guilderland (10-0) at Shenendehowa (12-0)
Scotia (11-0) at Queensbury (8-2)
Comments: Spa Catholic is having a rougher go this season, but could give themselves a little help with the seeding committee, and keep their chances for the WAC crown alive with a game at Canajoharie. -- Argyle fell hard against North Warren on Friday, which will give them trouble if they hope to return to the Adirondack League championship. They already spotted a game to Fort Ann, and a win for the Cardinals could help clinch them a spot in the championship game. -- Averill Park and Shaker are fighting for a better favorable playoff seeding at this juncture. -- Guilderland and Shenendehowa are tops in their division in the Suburban Council and the battle of the unbeatens could come down to basketball fundamentals. -- Scotia and Queensbury could be a preview of the inaugural Foothills Council championship come mid-February. Queensbury's two losses were against AA teams, one being defending state champions Green Tech and the other Saratoga Springs.
Wednesday, January 21st
Mechanicville (5-6) at Stillwater (8-4)
Loudonville Christian (8-3) at Waterford (8-3)
Comments: A local rivalry and battle for fourth in the Wasaren is on the schedule when Mechanicville takes on Stillwater. Mechanicville needs help if they're going to avoid a potential early round matchup against Hoosick Falls, Mekeel Christian Academy, Catskill or Schalmont, all poised to scooping a top seed come next month. -- Loudonville Christian (D) and Waterford (C) may be in different classifications, but are battling for second and third in the Central Hudson Valley League. Loudonville Christian could make the seeding committee's job very difficult with a win, as they would remain one of five potential teams battling for the second through sixth seeds in the playoffs. Waterford could use the seeding help as well in their 22-team classification to prevent an early trip to Lake George or Hoosic Valley.
Friday, January 23rd
North Warren (10-1) at Fort Edward (8-5)
Catholic Central (7-4) at Schenectady (8-4)
Guilderland (10-0) at Bethlehem (10-2)
Spa Catholic (7-5) at Northville (10-3)
Amsterdam (9-3) at Queensbury (8-2)
Comments: North Warren won convincingly over Argyle, now can further make an impression on the sectional seeding committee with the East Division's third place team. Likewise, Fort Edward needs to make the same impression, as right now they are stuffed behind five really good teams and could face an opening round game. -- Catholic Central and Schenectady are nearly even, and seeding in the Class AA bracket will be interesting this year without the Big 10 conference. This game could help the committee. -- The road for Guilderland doesn't get any easier after Tuesday's battle of the unbeaten, as they travel to Bethlehem. Guilderland won the first go-around on the first day of the season for both teams, and Bethlehem is playing better as the season has progressed. -- Northville won the first meeting against Spa Catholic, and could use another win against a C-classification opponent to keep their name in consideration for a top seed in Class D. -- Queensbury's road is tough this week, with Scotia on Tuesday and south division's second place Amsterdam on Friday. If the Spartans are going to make a deep run in February, a win this week would show that they have the power to do so.
Saturday, January 24th
Green Tech (9-0) at Schalmont (10-1)
Hoosick Falls (9-0) at Lake George (12-0)
Argyle (9-3) at Sect 7-Schroon Lake (9-1)
Comments: Schalmont will get a good indication on how good their team is with their Saturday matinee against Green Tech. Playing the defending state Class AA champions will give Greg Loiacono an idea of what things he needs to improve heading into Sectionals. -- A game that was postponed due to snow on January 3rd, it's good to see that what was going to be a battle of the unbeaten is still likely to be that way come January 24th. Both teams are favorites to be their respected class's number one seed, with Lake George in Class C and Hoosick Falls in Class B. -- Schroon Lake is a worthy foe in Section 7, with their only loss being at the hands of Fort Ann. Another challenge from a strong Section 2 foe will help them for their postseason up north. Depending on how their Tuesday game goes, Argyle may need a win against a non-conference foe to help settle their season down. A loss to Fort Ann may push Argyle down the ladder to a level they haven't seen in awhile, having to play an opening round game in order to play the quarterfinals in Stillwater.
A great week of games coming up. Let us know if you're planning on being at any, and be sure to use the #518Hoops hashtag to report scoring updates from any of these games!
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