Albany Events

Tuesday is always a fun night in high school basketball. One thing I learned very early in coaching, kids love taking the bus to other schools. It's fun to play at home in front of your friends and classmates but the bus rides with your teammates was even better. Another thing that I learned, score reporting is sometimes done the following day. So, be patient as we try to get you all of the scores and more game details this season.

Each year organizations in Major League Baseball draft select players from high schools and colleges from around the country to fill their minor league rosters. Often, the players that are drafted #1 come from California, Texas, Florida, Georgia and other warm weather states. Therefore, New Yorkers at the top of the MLB draft are few and far between. That is was another thing that made Rexford, NY native, Ian Anderson special being selected by the Braves as the third overall pick. The number one pick overall, that has been illusive for New Yorkers.

Most high school basketball players didn't get to play in front of their friends and family last season, some didn't get to play at all. Though wearing masks is being required at most schools, at least these seniors will be able to play with fans in the stands. Tuesday night features two of the Capital Region's better boys basketball teams meeting up. One played last year. One did not.

It's a long road to get to play at the Carrier Dome Last weekend for a New York State Public High School football championship. There were some close games and strong performances. Section IV won all three of their match-ups while Section I won only one.

This week's 104.5 Student-Athlete of the Week has been extended to a team this week. The lone remaining team from Section II high school football is the Schuylerville Horses.

Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Ian Anderson of Rexford will be appearing for an autograph signing in Halfmoon on Saturday. One of the cool things about Anderson, not only was he part of the Braves World Series Championship, he was a star in the series. The Shenendahoah High School graduate is becoming one of the very best pitchers in baseball, so it may be a good time to meet him.

Needless to say, the weather conditions for the opening of ski & snowboarding season in the northeast has been less than ideal. The up and down weather temperatures combined with some ferocious rain storms have generated difficult snowmaking conditions. However, there are some awesome trails open out there and the next few days should be prime for snowmaking.

For decades, student-athletes that were competing for the United States Military Academies had to complete their active duty military service time before they could pursue their professional athletic careers. Some famous ones over the past few decades have been NBA Hall of Famer David Robinson, former New York Giants wide receiver Phil McConkey as well as Dallas Cowboys legendary quarterback, Roger Staubach. McConkey spent 5 years as a Navy helicopter pilot before he put the shoulder pads back on. Well, a new New York Jets player may have helped change that situation.

As the snow begins to fall on an almost daily basis in the Adirondacks, hunters still on the search for that perfect prize big game of the season are beginning to count their sunsets. 30 minutes after the big bright ball falls this Sunday, December 5th, a large section of New York's premier white tail deer and bear terrain will be shut down for regular hunting for another season.

The New York State Public High School football championships are set this weekend for the Syracuse Carrier Dome. It's down to 10 teams from high schools across New York State, not including Long Island or New York City. The five match-ups this Friday and Saturday will feature 3 teams from Sections I and IV each, with one representative from Sections II, III, VI and VII filling out the bracket.

The Holiday Season seems to bring out the best and the worst, in some cases, but let's focus on the best. The 'Best' is the category that I put Cicero-North Syracuse boys basketball coach Kyle Martin in this season. No, I am not talking about winning basketball games. I am talking about winning in life.

Much of America wakes up to see Michael Strahan's smile greeting them, as they ready for their work day on Good Morning America. Yes, football fans know him a little better, seeing him as part of the Fox Sports halftime team each Sunday. Strahan is a natural on television. He was also a natural on the football field. Sunday, the New York Giants franchise declared that he was so good, no player will ever where his iconic number 92 again.

Joe Judge's second season as head coach of the New York Giants didn't exactly start where last season ended. Big Blue won 5 of their last 8 contests to end the season, culminating with a 23-19 victory over the Cowboys to end the head coach's rookie year. This season has not been so kind to the Giants head coach.

Most years you could save 30% percent and get Free Shipping when shopping mets.com on Black Friday. Who cares? When your team disappoints you, do you really want to spend more money on a friend that continually kicks you when you're down? This Black Friday was different for Mets fans. The enjoyment of being a blue & orange loyalist was free, 'free agents' that is.

Anytime you notch that first win of the year, it's a big sigh of relief for that head coach or manager. It just is. It's something that you want to get out of the way. Monday night, Siena men's basketball coach Carm Maciariello's team got their first win. It was an important step in Coach Carm's process.

As millions across New York stuff their turkeys and their faces, while preparing to shop until they drop, others will set out this weekend on very different trips. Thanksgiving has always been a marked holiday weekend for hunters, as for many, it is the only long weekend they have during 'Big Game Season' in the Empire State. As many as 700,000 residents hunt in New York State and nearly 50,000 non-residents come here to do the same.

Nobody told Dwayne Killings that it would be easy taking over a Division I basketball program. Add in 9 new student-athletes to the program and an entirely new coaching staff, and the equation appears tougher in front of the rookie head coach. That's the way that the 40 year old head coach appears to like it.

It's no secret that Tom Brady likes to win and he's good at it, maybe the best. The 7 time Super Bowl champion could have as many as 9, if not for one particular franchise. Does that still eat at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' 44 year old quarterback? Yup, Brady himself admits he is not a fan of the New York Giants, whom his Bucs face on Monday Night Football this week.

The Cross Island Parkway was experiencing delays on Saturday from about 3:30pm until about 7:30pm. It was not a surprise with the New York Islanders opening the doors to their new facility. The wait was finally over. The puck was dropping at the UBS Arena located at Belmont Park at 7pm.

Congratulations to Mayfield High School's Britain Goodemote for being this week's 104.5 The Team Student-Athlete of the week! Goodemote is a senior and a three sport varsity athlete at Mayfield High School. According to Mayfield High School athletic director and boys varsity soccer coach, Jon Caraco says that "academically, Britain is on course to be the valedictorian and has a 100+ average, taking all of the most challenging courses that the Mayfield school district offers. Goodemote has played four years on the varsity soccer team, three years on varsity basketball and will compete in track for the fourth year this spring." That is an impressive resume for the Mayfield senior!

OK, on Thursday we talked about the Class A & AA games. Now let's get to our Class B, C and D Section II high school football champions playing this Friday and Saturday. This is their road to the Carrier Dome in Syracuse to play for a New York State Public High School Championship. That is really cool for all teams involved. So, what do we know about the teams that Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk, Schuylerville and Greenwich are facing?

The New York Jets continue to have dirt thrown on them, even through the actions of their former players. According to reports by New York Daily News reporter Dennis Young, "Zac Stacy, a former Jets running back, violently assaulted his ex-girlfriend on Saturday, punching her in the head and then throwing her against a television and their son’s chair. The woman said Stacy was visiting her and their five-month-old son, who can be seen in the video."

The American League Cy Young Award winner was announced on Wednesday night and the winner was not a member of the New York Yankees. Toronto left-hander pitcher, Robbie Ray snagged the 2021 award given to the best pitcher of the year in their respected leagues, as voted on by the Baseball Writers Association of America. But was that the right choice? The pitcher with the most wins in the American League wore pinstripes?

There are 5 Section II high school football champions playing this Friday and Saturday on their road to the Carrier Dome in Syracuse to play for a New York State Public High School Championship. That was the goal for each of these programs to start the season. They are the only 5 teams left from Section II. So, what do we know about the teams they are facing? We'll start with the A & AA matchups.

The awards, recognitions and hardware keep piling up for the 23 year old right-hander, Ian Anderson. The Shenendehowa High School graduate met with the media last Thursday. The tall, bearded World Champion greeted every person in the room with a humble handshake and a smile. One of the people in attendance was NYS Senator Jim Tedisco. Tedisco a former student-athlete himself, had a proclamation from New York State for the Atlanta Braves pitcher.

Well over a 500,000 big game hunting permits are issued by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation each year. NYS hunting licenses cost $22 for residents from 16 - 69 years old. A non-resident license costs $100. Hunters can purchase additional privileges, like bowhunting, muzzleloading or turkey permits for between $10 and $15. However, most that purchase those permits are going for big game and that starts on Saturday and there are some new rules you need to know before you get out there.

With last weekend's sectional championships complete, the New York State Public High School football state quarterfinals field is set. The five Section II champions from last week will all compete. Burnt Hills, Ravena and Greenwich will play on Friday, while CBA and Schuylerville will compete on Saturday. The best of luck to all of our Section II teams competing from everyone at 104.5 The Team.

As New Yorkers ease into the thick of deer hunting season, the questions on their minds are usually ones that have to do with location and weather. Certainly few have had to ponder, 'does this deer that I am aiming at have COVID-19?' Well, one study done by researchers at Penn State University says hunters may want to think again.

Donald is the owrer of the Blue Line Deli in Huntington. His family owns Bagel Boss, a Long Island bagel chain that pretty much knocks it out of the park at every location. In March of 2020, no I am not kidding you, Donald Rosner decided to take his family knowhow and go out on his own. Just as the pandemic started, he opened his "New York Islander themed" deli. Rosner is a huge Islanders fan and huge is probably an understatement.

Congratulations to Rachel Love of Saratoga High School's varsity girl swimming team. Rachel has been selected as the 104.5 The Team Student Athlete of the Week. Thursday was a big day for our 104.5 The Team Student-Athlete of the week. The standout senior signed her National Letter of Intent to attend Texas A&M in the fall. Congratulations to Rachel for being able to continue her standout athletic career at the highest of collegiate levels.