Few extra notes from Saratoga's 56-51 win over Niskayuna on Feb. 7 ...

• First of all, it was too bad the game was so lightly attended, though because of the circumstances of the night — hockey showdown against rival Shenendehowa and that the basketball game was a make-up contest — a heavy crowd was likely unattainable. Really well-played and exciting game — several dunks, back-and-forth action, and a lot of intensity from both squads. Most importantly, with the win, Saratoga moved a half-game ahead of Niskyauna in the Suburban Council's North Division.
  
• Couple of odd calls in the fourth quarter marred the game's finish, leaving Niskayuna coach Mike Black pretty upset. Black's team had two questionable flagrant fouls called on them in the final quarter. I couldn't get a great look at the second of the two fouls — it was in a scrum on the other side of the court from me — but the first one was pretty bad; on a Blue Streaks fast break, Niskayuna's A.J. Akpanikat first tried to make a play on the ball from behind and then ended up wrapping up Dan Keehn. Akpanikat did grab Keehn from behind, but did so in a way that Keehn never fell to the ground. Black offered a quick "No comment" after the game in response to his thoughts on the calls.
• Had not seen the Blue Streaks personally yet this season and I came away pretty impressed with Mikey McElroy. I knew he could score a bunch of baskets, but often times I am wary of guys who are scoring a lot for a team mostly losing its games because usually it indicates someone who might be out for themselves; however, McElroy only forced one (maybe two) of his shots on Monday night and really let the game come to him through coach Mitch Snyder's offense. Very impressive.
• Did not get to talk a lot about the game Keehn had in the actual story, but he was a great steadying influence for the Blue Streaks. Each of his 18 points seemed to come at a time when Saratoga really needed a basket. It was fitting that he hit a pair of free throws with just a couple of ticks left to seal the win. Keehn is definitely playing his best ball of the season.
  
• As a whole, the Blue Streaks are playing their best basketball of the season, too. They started off 3-7 but have been able to even up their overall record and just seem to be a confident bunch. Snyder said after the game that the team's practices have been a lot better in the past couple of weeks and that he feels like his team is improving every day, something he felt was not happening in the season's early going. Saratoga has three more regular season games — @Shaker, Burnt Hills, Shenendehowa — to try and improve its sectional seeding.

--Michael Kelly

Saratoga and Shenendehowa headline the Section II representatives in the latest girls soccer poll released by the New York State Sports Writers Association.

The Blue Streaks checks in at No. 8 with a 4-2-0 record on the season. Shenendehowa was second in the AA rankings off to a perfect 5-0-0 start.

Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake led Saratoga County teams in the Class A rankings, at No. 2, with a 5-0-0 record and a win over Saratoga on the season. South Glens Falls, also 5-0, is No. 20 in the rankings.

Mechanicville is off to a great start this season with three wins and one loss, and ranked second in Class B. Schuylerville is 15th.
In Class C, the Galway Eagles lead Section II, ranked 11th.

Full rankings, below.

Class AA
1: 2-0-0 West Islip-11
2: 5-0-0 Shenendehowa-2
3: 3-0-0 North Rockland-1
4: 5-0-0 Baldwinsville-3
5: 3-0-1 Vestal-4
6: 4-0-1 Union-Endicott-4
7: 3-1-0 Webster Thomas-5
8: 4-2-0 Saratoga-2
9: 0-0-1 Massapequa-8
10: 5-1-0 Kenmore West-6
11: 0-0-1 Northport-11
12: 2-1-0 John Jay East Fishkill-1
13: 4-1-0 Bethlehem-2
14: 3-0-1 Washingtonville-9
15: 1-0-1 MacArthur-8
16: 1-0-1 East Islip-11
17: 1-0-1 Connetquot-11
18: 3-1-1 Brockport-5
19: 3-2-0 Williamsville North-6
20: 2-1-2 Warwick-9

Class A
1: 0-0-0 Rockville Center South Side-8
2: 5-0-0 Burnt Hills-2
3: 6-0-0 Mercy-5
4: 2-0-0 Rye-1
5: 0-1-0 Islip-11
6: 6-0-0 Grand Island-6
7: 5-0-0 Owego-4
8: 1-0-0 Garden City-11
9: 1-0-0 Shoreham-Wading River-11
10: 6-1-0 Williamsville East-6
11: 4-0-0 Schalmont-2
12: 6-1-0 Jamesville-DeWitt-3
13: 2-1-0 Cornwall-9
14: 1-0-1 Byram Hills-1
15: 1-0-0 New Hyde Park-8
16: 4-0-0 Pearl River-1
17: 5-0-0 Whitesboro-3
18: 5-0-0 Scotia-Glenville-2
19: 4-0-0 Homer-3
20: 5-0-0 South Glens Falls-2

Class B
1: 3-0-0 Briarcliff-1
2: 3-1-0 Mechanicville-2
3: 7-0-0 Greece Odyssey-5
4: 5-1-0 Oneonta-4
5: 4-0-0 Lansing-4
6: 0-0-0 Center Moriches-11
7: 6-0-0 Potsdam-10
8: 0-0-0 Mattituck-11
9: 2-0-0 Bronxville-1
10: 0-0-0 Cold Spring Harbor-8
11: 6-1-0 Marcellus-3
12: 6-0-0 Watertown Immaculate Heart-3
13: 6-1-0 Nichols-AIS
14: 5-1-0 Chenango Forks-4
15: 4-0-0 Schuylerville-2
16: 6-0-0 Midlakes-5
17: 6-0-0 Allegany-Limestone-2
18: 3-0-0 Highland-9
19: 6-0-0 Seneca Falls Mynderse-5
20: 4-0-0 Burke Catholic-9

Class C
1: 0-0-0 Stony Brook-11
2: 5-1-0 Elmira Notre Dame-4
3: 3-0-0 Sauquoit Valley-3
4: 7-0-0 Maple Grove-6
5: 1-1-1 North Salem-1
6: 5-0-1 Addison-5
7: 4-0-0 Albany Academy-2
8: 4-0-0 Ausable Valley-7
9: 3-0-0 Florida-9
10: 2-0-1 Marathon-4
11: 5-0-0 Galway-2
12: 5-0-1 Alexander-5
13: 7-0-0 Marion-5
14: 3-0-1 Voorheesville-2
15: 6-0-0 Tully-4
16: 5-0-0 Randolph-6
17: 6-0-0 Bishop Ludden-3
18: 5-1-1 Walton-4
19: 2-1-0 Tri-Valley-9
20: 0-0-0 Friends-8

Class D
1: 5-0-0 Chazy-7
2: 5-1-0 Wheatland-Chili-5
3: 7-0-0 Belfast-5
4: 5-1-0 Davenport-4
5: 7-0-0 Remsen-3
6: 5-0-1 Heuvelton-10
7: 3-1-0 McGraw-3
8: 4-1-0 Genesee Valley-5
9: 3-0-0 Livingston Manor-9
10: 3-2-1 Chateaugay-10
11: 6-0-0 Edwards-Knox-10
12: 4-1-0 Poland-3
13: 4-1-2 Morris-4
14: 5-2-0 Gilboa-Conesville-4
15: 0-0-0 Smithtown Christian-11
15: 3-1-1 Northville-2

Today is opening day at the Saratoga Race Track, and I am proud to bring you my first picks of the season. Each horse is run through a formula designed to rank it against its peers in each race. I will give you the top four horses as they are ranked. The goal is to hit the trifecta in each race, so the fourth horse is listed in case one scratches. At the end I'll give my lock of the day and the long shot pick of the day. Good luck!

Race 1
1) Seattle Mission
2) Steal the Shot
3) Leatherhead
4) Mr. Enrico

Race 2
1) Home Rule
2) Holy Place
3) Simply Carina
4) Remark

Race 3
1) Mad For Smarty
2) Bank Merger
3) Bimini
4) Footcandles

Race 4
1) Chef Eric
2) Cozy Lion
3) Morethan Fourhours
4) Sharif Al Medina

Race 5
1) Roderick
2) Whateverittakes
3) City Train
4) Good to Be Me

Race 6
1) Unaccountable
2) African Diamond
3) Stealth Missle
4) Miner Bird

Race 7
1) With the Current
2) Playing Pirates
3) Heavenly Pride
4) Malibu Cougar

Race 8
1) Vinyard Haven
2) Cool Coal Man
3) Discrete Treasure
4) You and I Forever

Race 9
1) Final Mesa
2) Let's Get Fiscal
3) Dos Lunas
4) Show Me the Bling

Race 10
1) Unbridled Fury
2) Adams Circle
3) Hillswitch
4) In Just We Trust

Lock of the Day: Seattle Mission, Race 1
Long Shot Pick of the Day: Unbridled Fury, Race 10
Advice of the day: It is expected to rain at some point tomorrow, and if it does, don't be afraid to bet the longer shots.

Best of luck at the track today. We'll see you tomorrow.

The first annual Adirondack Crappie Tournament sponsored by the Adirondack Bass Club will be held 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, May 1 on Saratoga Lake, coming out of the South Shore Marina, 113 Route 9P.

The cost is $50 per boat and there is a 10 fish limit per boat, live bait is permitted.

Payout with 50 boats participating is $480 for first, $350 for second, $280 for third, $210 for fourth, $165 for fifth, $125 for sixth, $90 for seventh and $50 for eighth.

Registration and launch will be held from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.

For the more daring, the 10th annual Michael D. Ciccolella Memorial Pike Tournament will be held May 23 out of the South Shore Marina on Saratoga Lake.

Entry fee is $100 per boat for a two-man team. $5 from each entry will be donated to the Red Cross in the name of Michael D. Ciccolella. There is also an optional $10 lunker pool with 100 percent payback.

Fishing will be held 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. with a three-fish limit per boat with any combination of Pike, Pickerel and Walleye. Live bait is permitted.

Expected payout with 50 boats registered is $1100 for first, $800 for second, $640 for third, $480 for fourth, $380 for fifth, $280 for sixth, $200 for seventh and $120 for eighth.

For more information, contact Joel Marcotte at 654-7210, Scott Franck at 632-5232 or visit their website at www.adirondackbassclub.com.

Saratoga Pop Warner Golf Outing May 14

The annual Saratoga Pop Warner Spring Golf outing 2-person scramble will be held May 14 at the Saratoga Lake Golf Club at noon.

Cost is $85 per golfer and includes: 18 Holes of golf with cart, lite lunch, closest to the pin & longest drive contests, prizes and giveaways.

Contact committee embers Matt Riker (matthew.riker@gmail.com), Kay Cairns (kcairns3@nycap.rr.com) or Dave Karcher (davekdesign@aol.com) for more information.

The Saratoga Convention and Tourism Bureau is holding their annual golf classic on May 19 at Saratoga National Golf Club.

This year’s event is offer ing the opportunity to make a monetary contribution to sup
port the Saratoga Backstretch Workers at the Saratoga Race Course.

The golf classic is a networking opportunity for Bureau members and brings meeting planner clients to Saratoga to experience all the city has to offer as a destination.

Business support comes in the form of sponsoring a hole, donating a prize/gift certificate and making a monetary donation to Backstretch Employee Service Team of New York, Inc. (B.E.S.T.), an organization supporting back stretch workers.

The Bureau is committed to helping the community and would like to recognize all the hard working employees of our city’s historic landmark racetrack.

Registration for the tournament opens at 11 a.m., shotgun tee-off at 1 p.m., and concludes with a reception featuring awards and prizes from 6 to 7:30 p.m.

The entire event is open to Bureau members and non-members. You can choose to attend the golf portion, the reception only, or both.

The tournament will proceed rain or shine unless the course is closed.

To register for the annual golf classic online, visit www.discoversaratoga.org or to request a printed invitation, call the Bureau at (518) 584-1531. Kindly R.S.V.P. by May 12.

Day 2 coverage of the Saratoga Invitational Rowing Regatta

Saratoga Women’s Rugby is recruiting players for our spring season, and you don't need any rugby experience – we will teach you how to play. All you need is a desire to have some fun and be part of a team! Age and fitness level do not matter. We will get you into shape and teach you what you need to know to play!

Or join us for a team practice at Fireman’s Grove Field, 12 Fireman’s Lane (also 15 Main Street), Ballston Lake, NY, just off of Route 146A, on Mondays and Thursdays from 6pm – 8pm. At some point in April when the weather is better we will switch our practice site to The Shenentaha Creek Park on East Line Road in Ballston Spa (exit 12 off the Northway (I-87)). New players are always welcome.

For more information, please visit our website: saratogawomensrugby.com or send us an email at info@saratogawomensrugby.com.

It's hard to imagine after a 16-5 boys varsity lacrosse contest that BOTH coaches would be steaming...

Saratoga Springs coach Jon Coons had plenty of reason to be seeing red, well not the red of the Niskayuna Silver Warriors, but at the disappointing play of his Blue Streaks. The squad just couldn't connect with one another, lost the ground ball battles and were schooled by Niskayuna, 16-5.

So what about the other side? Niskayuna coach Mike Vorgang also lit into his squad after the contest and probably with good reason. Fellow sportswriter from the Gazette, Jim Schiltz, who agreed that the Silver Warriors didn't look as sharp as they did the last game he covered him.

Wow!

If there is any positive it's that the Blue Streaks won't see Niskayuna until May 20 and have a lot of time to get their timing together and with the Silver Warriors in Class B for classification, the Section II Class A title remains in the air.

Field notes: Monday's contest was held at Gavin Park in Wilton, moved from the Blue Streak's former home at East Side Rec. According to Saratoga Springs Athletic Director Peter Sheehan the demolition of the grandstands adjacent to the football/lacrosse field and timing of it was too close to the scheduled contest.

Saratoga will host Guilderland Friday afternoon once again at Gavin Park before moving the remainder of its games to the high school and under the lights on the football field.

Also the Blue Streaks game versus Shenendehowa on April 30th will now be on the road, under the lights on the Shen turf. In turn, the May 18 contest versus Shen will be at home under the lights at 7 p.m.

The May 18 date is the Suburban Council track championships at Shen and the chances of that finishing prior to a night lacrosse game was too close for anyone's comfort.

-- Stan Hudy

The Saratoga Pop Warner program will host its 2-person scramble at Saratoga Lake Golf Club beginning at noon, Friday, May 14.

The $85 entry fee includes 18 holes of golf with a cart, a light lunch along with contests, prizes and giveaways.

For more information, contact Matt Riker at matthew.riker@gmail.com, Kay Cairns at kcairns3@nycap.rr.com or Dave Karcher at davekdesign@aol.com.

Here is the entry form for the golf outing, including sponsorsship opportunities with the Saratoga Pop Warner program.

Pop Warner Golf Outing_Registration

It's also never too early to register for Pop Warner, that registration form is also attached.
-- Stan Hudy

Well, spring has officially sprung with the baseball and softball players have finally been freed from their gymnasium purgatory with the blessing of Mother Nature and along with unblemished records for all the Saratoga Springs varsity baseball squad has a new head coach, Dean Bailey.

I caught up with Bailey prior to the Blue Streaks scrimmage against Lake George Thursday afternoon in a short video and you can read the full story in today's Saratogian.

Bailey has been with the school district and the baseball program for the past nine years and brings a lot of positive energy and enthusiasm to the program. He will be joined by former head coach, Rich Lofink, who stepped down to spend more time with his family, but applied for the assistant position to remain close to the program.

A win-win for everyone.

-- Posted by Stan Hudy

A late e-mail arrived regarding a confirmed case of whooping cough (pertussis) at the New York State Public High School Athletic Association ice hockey championships at the Utica Memorial Auditorium last weekend.

No details have been released if the person was an attendee, official or employee of the facility, but the release does state two specific days, March 12-13 of the event.

Here is the link to the story and release from the New York State Department of Health here.

The Adirondack Phantom will be honoring two local high school ice hockey teams that advanced to the New York State Public High School Athletic Association title games at 7:30 on April 2 when the Phantoms face the Syracuse Crunch.

The Saratoga Springs Blue Streaks (Division I) and Queensbury Spartans (Division 2) squads will be honored during the first intermission out on the ice in front of fans and friends.

For players on the squad, a "champions" discount will be available for $13 for adults and $11 for children, both include the $1 arena fee.

Contact Dawn Price at 480-3355 for tickets.

The Saratoga Pop Warner cheer teams need a home to practice their craft.

I received a request from the organization's president, Matthew Riker, asking for help.

He wrote that the squads are looking for an available facility that is well-lit with open space, similar to a warehouse or a large storage garage or facility. They could probably utilize a conference or banquet room with high ceilings.

Obviously as a 501c3 organization they are hoping someone might be able to donate the space for practices or rent it at an agreeable, inexpensive, "for the kids" type of rate.

If anyone has any ideas, feel free to e-mail me at shudy@saratogian.com and I will be happy to pass it along.

Saratoga Springs senior hurdler Madalayne Smith was selected as one of Sports Illustrated's Faces in the Crowd for its Feb. 1 issue.

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. > Track and Field
Madalayne, a senior at Saratoga Springs High, won the 55-meter hurdles in 7.90 seconds at the Yale Interscholastic Track Classic, breaking a 22-year-old meet record. It was the fastest time in the country this season. She was the New York Division I indoor champion in the event in 2009, when she also won the 55-meter dash plus the outdoor 100 hurdles.

See the post here.