shaker high school

Shaker High School graduate, Tommy Kanhle is entering his 9th season in Major League Baseball. The right-hander from Latham has pitched well enough to earn a 2-year/$11.5 million contract with the New York Yankees through the 2024 season. However, Kahnle's second stint in pinstripes has gotten off to a slow start.

It's been a long road for former Shaker High School pitcher, Tommy Kahnle, since he became one of the most valuable middle relievers in all of Major League Baseball in 2019. That year, the Latham native pitched in 72 games for the New York Yankees amassing 27 "holds" with an impressive 3.67 ERA. Kahnle's money pitch, the knee-buckling change-up, was amongst the best in baseball. Then after only one game in the COVID shortened 2020 season, injury struck his valuable right elbow and his relationship with the Yankees ended.

There were 24 games on the Section 2 high school football schedule for the final Friday of September. Big road wins, close games and upsets highlighted the halfway point of the gridiron season. Other games saw some of the Capital Region's most highly ranked teams continue to roll in 2022.

It was definitely fall football last night with temperatures at some fields in Section 2 dipping into the 40's as the sun fell on Friday evening. 24 teams suited up for 12 games in the Capital Region. There were a number a blowouts, some excitingly close games and some upsets. Something for everyone.

As the first week of school was behind the students and the realities of the fall season began to sink in, fifty-two Section 2 high school football teams were preparing to play! There were 19 Friday night match-ups with another 7 on Saturday. For most programs, it was their first week of game action.

In the upcoming mid-season trade bonanza that will begin over the next few weeks, the New York Yankees and Mets will be searching for ways to improve their bullpens. With the second best bullpen in Major League Baseball, the Pinstripes will be fine tuning. With the 11th best bullpen in MLB, the Amazin's will need a few pieces, if they hope to hold off Atlanta in the National League East. From the looks of it, both teams can use a player that used to climb the hill for the Shaker High School Bisons.

I like the format change for the Class AA baseball finals. For the first time, it’s a best of 3 series at Joe Bruno Stadium to determine the Section 2 Champion.

As the temperature drops, the rivalries in high school hoops heat up. Tuesday night was no different on basketball floors in the Capital Region. There were 29 boys games on the docket and another 22 for the girls. A big shout out to Tamarac boys basketball for their #1 ranking in Class B in New York State. Congrats to Coach Eric Medved and the Bengals!

It was a typical mid-January Friday night in Capital Region high school basketball. Single digit windchills were dropping to negative numbers, road teams kept the buses running. However, that didn't deter some road warriors from dropping the heat on this Friday night in Section 2 hoops. 38 match-ups on the schedule in boys basketball and another 29 on the girls basketball slate.

It was a busy schedule for Section II high school basketball on Tuesday evening. Sub-zero windchills cancelled school in some districts and challenged even the bravest of road teams. 27 games were on the slate for boys basketball and 22 for the girls.

It was a busy schedule in Section II Friday night with 34 games on the schedule for boys basketball and another 29 match ups for the girls. A big shout out to everyone new that has included us in your score distributions this week. We greatly appreciate it.

With some NBA teams playing with playing with abbreviated rosters in limited capacity arenas, Section II high school student-athletes are doing the same thing. Tuesday night was no exception in the Capital Region. There were 27 scheduled match-ups in boys hoops and another 14 for the girls.

Each day, we watch the NBA and NHL shuffle another season of games. Canadian franchises are now playing in front of empty arenas. How will these stoppages effect the high schools and colleges in upstate New York? Will the expected surge of positive COVID 19 test results shut down games to fans or even worse cancel games?

As holiday shoppers were navigating for that perfect parking space, local boys and girls high school hoops teams were on the hardwood courts Tuesday. It is certainly an unsettling time for these young student-athletes, as they observe major league sports pausing games. Many of these high school players remember their older classmates competing in empty gyms, while others didn't play at all. Memories that we'd all like to forget. On Tuesday, it was great opportunity to get out there and enjoy some holiday season hoops.

Tamarac High School boys basketball coach Eric Medved ran an 18 game weekend basketball tournament like he coaches, to win. Medved got his win this weekend, on the court and off. The Tamarac coach's weekend effort, besides two basketball games for his team, was running a Coaches vs. Cancer high school tournament at Hudson Valley Community College. How did it go? Well, we'll get to the basketball in a second but the tournament raised over $10,785 so far!

Wednesday on The Drive with Charlie & Dan, we had the pleasure of hanging out with the Tamarac High School boys basketball coach, Eric Medved, the organizer of this weekend's tournament. Yes, we talked about Tamarac getting off to a 3-0 start and how great the kids on his team are but this Friday, Saturday and Sunday, mean way more to Coach Medved than a couple of basketball games.

Tuesday was a typical busy night in high school hoops with 28 games on the boys schedule with an additional 14 in girls basketball. A big thank you to Bethlehem High School athletic director Len Kies and BCHS student Sasha Jo for the awesome photographs. All athletic department contributions are enthusiastically accepted by our 104.5 The Team sports crew!

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.

Tuesday our American Idol, Madison Vandenburg, came home to an amazing celebration as she is one of the final three to win the show. There was a pep rally at her high school and she put on a free concert at the Crossings. Her reaction to it all was priceless.

Girl on Fire! Madison VanDenberg our local teen American Idol hopeful, brought fire, a rockin' new look and impeccable vocals to the stage during "Queen" night last evening on another live show of American Idol.  Proving once again that she literally can sing anything, the humble teen from Shaker High School now has just five other contestants to beat and a few shows left before she's of

Madison Vandenberg did not disappoint when she belted out Queen's "The Show Must Go On". After her performance, Ryan Seacrest asked her about her high school friends and her favorite teacher. Here's what she said.

If you're watching American Idol this season, you may see a familiar face on the show on Sunday. She's from Latham!