One Schenectady County boys basketball team has already started its season, while another is about to.
Schalmont began its season Tuesday with a non-league game at Queensbury. Meanwhile, Scotia-Glenville hosts Ichabod Crane in the first part of its Holiday Tournament Saturday the second half of which won’t be played until Dec. 30. Schalmont and Scotia-Glenville then participate in the Tartan Tournament Dec. 2 and 6 at Scotia.
Here is a look at Schalmont, Scotia-Glenville and Schenectady Christian:
Small Sabres try to bounce back
Schalmont is coming off a 1-19 season, but with four starters back, coach Kevin Curtin said he is hopeful for more wins this time.
I hope the experience we gained last year will help us this year,` said Curtin.
One of the Sabres’ problems is that they don’t have any big bodies down low. `Our tallest guy is 6-3,` said Curtin.
Another problem is that Schalmont is still searching for someone to be a consistent scorer.
`We don’t even have to light (the scoreboard) up because we play good defense,` said Curtin. `We just need to be more consistent offensively.`
There is some promise for the Sabres with the return of guards Bobby Sheehan and Mark Bellis, as well as forwards Chris Hotaling and Dan Bonitatibus. Newcomers Aaron Pommer and Connor Hart could also give Schalmont a lift.
`We just want to be competitive in every game,` said Curtin. `We don’t want to be in a position where we’re out of (a game) early on.`
Schalmont opens its Colonial Council season Dec. 5 against Mechanicville.
Tartans ready to rumble
At Scotia-Glenville, coach James Giammattei’s Tartans are looking to return to the top of the Foothills Council heap.
`It’s going to be a very competitive league,` said Giammattei. `I would think that the clear favorites are Hudson Falls, Broadalbin-Perth and Gloversville.`
The Tartans have five returning players including 6-10 center Jim Jansen and 6-3 forward Joe Ferrari.
`We’re going to go where Jim Jansen goes, that’s for sure,` said Giammattei.
Guards Nick Alescio and John Kinum are back, as is forward Andy Bissonette. The rest of the roster is loaded with players up from last year’s junior varsity team including guards Tyler Ackley, Mike Davenport and Nate Jerard, along with forwards Terrell Winney and Connor Shapiro.
Scotia-Glenville’s first Foothills Council game isn’t until Tuesday, Dec. 9, when it hosts Gloversville.
Falcons fly into new gym
At Schenectady Christian, the big news is the new gym at the Scotia-based private school. The full-sized gym gives the Falcons their first true home court since leaving the cramped confines of their old gym nearly a decade ago.
`Our school is academically very strong, and we wanted our athletic program to be very strong,` said coach Chad Bowman. `The one thing we lacked was the (gym) facilities, so this brings us up to the level we want to be at.`
The team Schenectady Christian will have in its new gym is vastly different from the one that went to the Section II, Class CC semifinals last year. Three starters graduated including 1,000-point scorer Jake Bowman.
`It’s going to be an adjustment playing without the three guys we lost,` said coach Bowman. `But I like the group that we have, and I think we’re up to the challenge.`
Point guard Kelsey Collins and forward Steve Brundage head up the list of returning players. Bowman said he expects Collins to pick up his scoring average this season, while Brundage and Chris McCarty will be looked upon to be contributors in the foul lane.
Guards R.J. Gallup and Ian Compton are also back this year, while forward Tommy McClain comes in from the junior varsity squad.
Schenectady Christian opens its season at its new gym Friday, Dec. 5, against Western Athletic Conference rival Canajoharie.“