Leading off today: Shenendehowa advanced both its basketball teams to the NYSPHSAA tournament with wins Tuesday in Section 2 championship games.
The Shen girls scored the final seven points of the game to edge Albany 67-62 for the program's 12th title.
The Plainsmen scored their final seven points at the free-throw line -- including four by junior Sydney Brown (23 points) -- after Albany senior forward Leah Dollard scored in transition for a 62-60 advantage.
Shenendehowa's boys improved to 23-0 with a 64-46 win over Green Tech. The defending NYSPHSAA champions closed the first half on a 9-0 run to grab a 31-29 lead. The Plainsmen drew away in the third quarter as Luke Hicks (25 points), Kevin Huerter (15 points) and Mike Pizziketti (12 points, 11 rebounds) paved the way.
Shenendehowa will face Section 3 champion Bishop Ludden in a state quarterfinal Saturday at Hudson Valley Community College. Tipoff has changed to 1:45, immediately following the girls quarterfinal between Shenendehowa and Cicero-North Syracuse.
Northstar eliminated: Junior Tajmin Holt hit a 3-pointer at the buzzer as Rochester Early College won Section 5's state qualifying game over Northstar Christian 55-52.
Holt's winning shot came after a timeout with 4.1 seconds to play.
Northstar entered the game ranked first in the state in Class C and Early College was No. 7.
The Cobras advance to face Buffalo Middle College in the NYSPHSAA quarterfinals Saturday. "It feels amazing to play in states," Holt said. "It's a big accomplishment, not many people get to do it."
More boys basketball: Olean improved to 24-0 with a 54-45 win over Fredonia in the Section 6 Class B state qualifier. The Huskies were 3-0 vs. Fredonia this season.
The Huskies broke to a 23-12 lead with the help of six 3-pointers in the first nine minutes, including three by Monty Shoemaker.
Brushton-Moira squeaked past Saratoga Catholic 68-65 in the first round of the state Class C tournament. A 9-0 run gave Saratoga Catholic a 60-56 lead before Brushton-Moira got its second wind.
Alex Burnett scored 18 points and grabbed nine rebounds on his birthday. Chase Bassett and Taylor Tallman finished with 15 points apiece.
Bridgehampton rode 10 3-pointers to a 67-50 win over Eldred to open defense of its state Class D crown. Elijah Jackson made four from beyond the arc for his 12 points, and Matt Hostetter sank three.
"I don't like that many threes, but it was there. We had to keep shooting them," coach Carl Johnson said.
Josh Lamison led the winners with 19 points.
More girls basketball: Three-time defending state champion Ossining opened NYSPHSAA Class AA action with an 86-67 win over Binghamton. The Pride outscored Binghamton 24-7 to close out the first half.
Seton Hall recruit Shadeen Samuels scored 37 points and freshman teammate Aubrey Griffin 35 for the winners.
In Class C, Madrid-Waddington beat Lake George 51-50 in overtime as Danielle Hough finished with 17 points and five assists, and Olivia Parmeter added 17 points and seven rebounds.
Freshman center Graceann Bennett scored 21 points to
