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Volume 30, Number 22 Tuesday, January 31, 2012 Seventy-Five Cents


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	Danica Svendensen goes over everone for a basket Photo by Bob Dunn

Red Raiders Fall in Championship Game to Mekeel Christian 72-62
	Mechanicville's small but gritty defenders managed to hold 6'7" Monmouth College-bound senior Collin Stewart to just five layups and one three-pointer, but long-range bombs by Ben Wager (four 3's) and Ohieno Miller's 12 points in the paint were too much for the Red Raiders in the championship game of the Mekeel Christian School's annual Holiday Classic Tournament last Friday. The Raiders lost by 10 points, 72-62, their first loss of the season. Stewart's 10 of 12 from the free throw line gave him a high score of 23 points on the night and earned him the Most Valuable Player trophy. Mechanicville's Jordan McBride matched him with 23 points, and Sam DeCelle hit for 13. They were both named to the all-tournament team along with Makeel's Caleb Stewart, Mayfield's Andrew Hashbytz and King's Christian School's Ternibe LaDipo. Fighting their way back from an early 15 point deficit, the Raiders got to within 4 points on several occasions, but fell short. Ryan McBride and Nate Hatalsky each scored 9 points, Adam Dunn and Mike Cannizzo had 3 points each and Seth Dunn 2. Three pointers were scored by Ryan McBride, DeCelle, Cannizzo, Adam Dunn and Hatalsky.


	Collin Stewart surrounded by four Red Raider defenders. Photos by Sandy McBride


	Ryan McBride, Mechanicville's tallest player at 6'1" guards Mekeel's 6'7" powerhouse Collin Stewart.. Photos by Sandy McBride

Waterford big 2nd half tops the Thunder Chickens 58-30
	Waterford improves to 7-3 overall and 6-0 in the CHVL. Waterford outscored the Thunder Chickens 46 to 18 in the second half to pull away for a 58-30 win at home. Waterford was paced by senior Jeff Carr's 15 second half points and senior Brett Givney's 18 second half points. Doan Stuart falls to 4-2 overall and 3-2 in the CHVL. Doan Stuart was led by Dan Hodgkinson's 9 points.


	Photos by Jim Merola

St. Gabriel's Holiday Tournament Champions
	The Hoosic Valley 6th Grade girls basketball team recently won the St. Gabriel's Holiday Tournament with wins over St. Matthew's and Niskayuna. The team opened the tournament with a 26-12 victory over St. Matthew's and then went on to beat Niskayuna 35-12. Ten of the teams 13 players scored during the tournament with Emma Irwin leading all scorers with 10 points over the two games. Kaitlyn Suschinski chipped in with 9 points, while Sophie Jensen and Lauren Paul added 8 each during the tournament. Defensively the team played extremely well throughout the tournament. The girls were busy during the Christmas break as they also participated in the St. Mary's-Waterford Holiday Tournament. Caitlyn O'Neill was selected by opposing coaches as the team MVP and Katherine Rice was awarded the Sportsmanship Award for the tournament.




	Left: Abby Fountain, Right: Erin Howe Photos by Jim Merola

Vliet Buzzer Beater
	In a battle of Colonial Council division leaders with no league losses on the season, Watervliet emerged victorious over Mechanicville Tuesday night as Antoine Johnson banked in a three-point shot as the buzzer sounded to give the Cannoneers a controversial 55-52 win. With the Red Raiders trailing by five with less than a minute on the clock, Adam Dunn nailed a three point goal to bring the score to 52-50. Jordan McBride's two free throws on the next possession tied the game. After a Vliet miss and a Raider turnover, a foul under the Connoneers' basket on an attempted layup stopped the clock with just 2 seconds to go in the game. The shooter missed both free throws and Raider defenders batted the loose ball away. A Vliet player retrieved the ball and passed it out to Johnson who took one dribble to his right and launched the game-winning shot from the left sideline. Jordan McBride led all scorers with 24 points. Ryan McBride hit for 9, Sam DeCelle had 7, Nate Hatalsky 5, Adam Dunn 3, and Seth Dunn and Sal Cimino 2 each. Jordan Gleason with 19, Johnson with 18 and Tyler McLeod with 10 led the Cannoneers.


	Left: Nate Hatalsky drives upcourt after a steal. Right: Jordan McBride goes up on defense against Vliet center Griffin Kelly Photos by Sandy McBride

Hoosic Valley Girls Soccer All-Stars

	Cassidy Chapko, Alicia Lewis, Smantha Carlo, Whitney Kugler, Allie Robert, Rachel Moore Wasaren 2nd team All-Star - Cassidy Chapko, Samantha Carlo Wasaren 1st team All-Star - Whitney Kugler, Alicia Lewis, Rchael Moore, Allie Robert Section 2, Class C All-Stars - Alicia Lewis, 5th team; Rachel Moore, 3rd team.



	L-R: Ben Ryan, Bobby Flike, Derek Rose and Evan Pafundi


Wasaren League All Stars
	Colin Balkwell, Hoosic Valley Sr. Co-MVP First Team: Ryland VanPraag, Alex Roullier Second Team: Andrew Halloran, Ron Morrello Honorable Mention: Zach Whitford, Teddy Medigan, Kyle Rosko


Hatalsky to McBride equals last second win for Red Raiders over Voorheesville 50-49
	Ryan McBride's layup off a pass from Nate Hatalsky with 11 seconds left in the game gave the Mechanicville Red Raiders the 50-49 wins over Voorheesville at Mechanicville on Tuesday. In a thriller that saw the lead change hands six times late in the second half, the Raiders had twice fought their way back from 8 point deficits in the third quarter. Even after the go-ahead shot by the hosts, the Blackbirds weren't done yet. Logan Hotaling launched a shot in the lane that would have spelled victory for the visitors, but a great defensive play by forwards Hatalsky and Ryan McBride knocked the ball out of bounds, and time ran out on the inbounds play. Jordan McBride led the Raider offense with 19 points, and Ryan McBride hit for 16. Hatalsky scored 9 points and Sam DeCelle added 6. Voorheesville's balanced attack was led by Clarke Bissell and Louis DiVirgilio with 10 points each.


Stillwater losses heart breaker in 3 overtimes to Hossick Falls 55-53
	Ryan Hyde hit two free throws in the third overtime period to carry the Hoosick Falls Panthers to a win over Stillwater Tuesday evening by a score of 55-53. The Wasaren League rivals battled through four quarters and two overtimes at Hoosick Falls before the contest was finally decided. Sharp shooting John Hoin led the Warriors with 19 points, including 5 shots from long range. Mark LaForest also hit double digits with 10 points. Brett Smith with 8 points, Ryan DeCota with 7, Shawn McNeil with 6, and Robert Stickney with a three-pointer rounded out Stillwater's scoring. Matt Gormley led Hoosick Falls with 17 points, aided by Randy Tutunian's 15 and Tanner Williams' 13.This is the first loss of the season for Stillwater.


Hoosic Valley big 4th Qtr. lead to win over Tamarac 55-42
	John Rooney leads the way for Hoosic Valley with 23 points for Hoosic Valley at Tamarac Tuesday December 20, 2011 7:30pm. Mac Anderson 2, Andrew Halloran 4, John Rooney 23, Ethan Ross-Hixson 10, Alex Roullier 7, J.T. Sawyer 9


Carr keeps Waterford undefeated in league play with 48-25 win over Germantown
	Jeff Carr led all scorers with 14 points as Waterford downed Germantown 48-25 in a Central Hudson Valley League game.


McBride drops 27 on Schalmont for big Red Raider win 66-54
	Mechanicville Red Raiders ran out to an early 21-7 lead and hammered out a 66-54 win in a foul-plagued game at Schalmont on Friday. Jordan McBride earned scoring honors with 27 points, including two 3-pointers and 13 for 19 from the free throw line. Adam Dunn scored 14 points, including a 3 pointer and Mike Cannizzo hit a pair of threes for 6 points. Sam DeCelle's two field goals and 4 for 4 free throw shooting earned him 8 points, while Ryan McBride added 7 points and Nate Hatalsky had 4.The Raiders hit 25 of the 33 free throws they took in the game. Mike Griesemer led the Sabres with 21 points, and Dan Bergami added 14.


Brett Smith 21 points lead Stillwater past Tamarac 65-47
	Stillwater earned a home court win against Tamarac on Friday, topping the Bengals by a score of 65-47. The Warriors raced out to a 36-12 lead at halftime and never looked back. Brett Smith paced Stillwater with 21 points, including one 3 pointer. Mark LaForest scored 13 points and Ryan DeCota added 9. Rounding out the home team's scoring were Robert Stickney with 7, Shawn McNeil with 6, Evan Pafundi with 3 and John Hoin, Jared MacMurray and Jake McCumber with 2 each. Mike Griesemer led the Sabres with 21 points, and Dan Bergami added 14.
Hoosic Valley Soccer

	Ryland VanPraag - Wasaren League 1st Team Colan Balkwell - Wasaren League Co-MVP, Class C Keeper of the year, and All State 4th team Ron Morello - Wasaren League 2nd team Alex Rouiller - Wasaren League 1st team Not pictured Andrew Halloran - Wasaren League 2nd team


Red Raider's place 5 in Glens Falls Matmania Tournament

	Matt Coreno 1st Place; Joe McBride 4th Place; Adam Erno 1st Place; Brandon Farrell 4th Place; Zach Perras 2nd Place


Stillwater All-Stars

	Wasaren League 2nd Team Allstars (L-R) Erica Nichols freshman defender, Ashley Strazzi senior goalkeeper, and Sarahann Mistretta senior midfielder.


Waterford Coaches vs. Cancer Tournament Raises $6,000

	Sunday, December 4, 2011, Waterford-Halfmoon High School presented Kate LePage (far left) from the American Cancer Society a check for $60,---. The money was raised during the coaches vs. cancer basketball tournament. Photo by Jim Merola



	(L-R sitting) Meg Yattaw, Deanna DeSantis (L-R standing) Carly Brazill, Ashley Lefebrve, Courtney Gardiner, Erin Howe, Emily Aubin, Abby Fountain Photo by Jim Merola
	On Thursday evening, December 1, family and friends gather at the Panera Bread in Clifton Park. The event was called Eat Bread to Raise Dough, a Waterford Halfmoon Fundraiser. 15% of food and beverage sales benefitted the coaches vs. cancer high school initiative and the American Cancer Society.


3 Mechanicville Wrestlers place at the Mohonasen Tournament

	(L-R) Zach Perras - Placed 4th, Adam Erno - Placed 2nd, David Minor - Placed 3rd


Basketball


	#31 Abby Fountain looks to pass the ball to a teammate	#22 Meg Yattaw


	Head Coach speaks with #15 Courtney Gardner


	Red Raiders' Ryan McBride out jumps Hawthorne Valley's center in tip off of the season opener at Mechanicville.
Soccer - Scholar Athlete Awards


	Ryan McBride and Abby Maielo, shown here at Homecoming, were named Scholar Athletes for the boys and girls varsity soccer teams at last week's annual awards dinner and ceremony.

	Scholar-athlete awards for Mechanicville High School's five soccer teams were presented Monday evening at the Soccer Booster Club's annual awards presentation ceremony at the Paul N. Luther Auditorium at the school. Principal Kevin Kolakowski and Athletic Director Richard Kimball presented certificates to five students who were recognized for their performance in the classroom as well as on the playing field. Top honors on the varsity level went to seniors Abby Maiello of the girls' team and Ryan McBride of the boys' team. Junior varsity girls' scholar-athlete is Jesalyn Claeys. For the modified teams, the awards were presented to Katie Higgs of the girls' team and to David Coreno of the boys' team. Abby Maiello was also honored by girls' varsity Coach Karl Gerstenberger for breaking two long-standing scoring records in soccer at MHS. With 45 goals this season, she topped the record set by Jenny Sparano Susko who scored 44 in her junior year back in 1988. In that season, Mechanicville won the NYSPHSAA state championship in Class C. Abby's 45 goals led all of Section II this season. Abby also topped the school's career scoring record with 144 goals in her five years of varsity play. The previous record was held by Jenny with 140 career goals. For Abby's achievements, Coach Gerstenberger presented her with two soccer balls bearing the record setting numbers. Also recognized at the ceremony were the Colonial Council All-Stars from both teams. For the girls, Abby, Alysa Russell and Marissa Skaczkowski were chosen for the first team; Danelle Haner and Mikayla Gowett made second team; and Amber Maiello and Samie Hayner were third team choices. Sam DeCelle was named to the first team on the boys' side. Certificates and gifts were presented to all players on behalf of the Booster Club by the coaching staff. Karl Gerstenberger is the varsity girls' coach, while Gary Barden is the varsity boys' coach, assisted by Josh McCarthy. Junior varsity girls' coach is Jill Karpovich. Michael Pearl coaches the modified boys while Teresa Barber is the modified girls' coach and was assisted this season by Kelsey Desadore.

Girls Volleyball

	Left: 1st Team All Star Alex Lefebvre Freshman, Outside Hitter and Setter 194 service points, 61 aces, 78 kills, 88 assists, 51 digs	Right: 2nd Team All Star Jessica Hogan Captain, Senior, Outside Hitter 190 service points, 35 aces, 61 kills, 11 assists, 62 digs


	Left: 1st Team All Star Megan Yattaw Captain, Senior, Waterford-Halfmoon 176 service points, 67 aces, 143 kills, 29 assists, 52 blocks, 51 digs	Right: 3rd Team All Star Jessica Pelcher Captain, Senior, Setter and Libero 30 kills, 90 assists, 55 digs

Waterford-Halfmoon Girls Varsity Volleyball 2011
	The Waterford-Halfmoon Volleyball team had an amazing season and finished the year with a 15-7 record. They Completed with some of the larger schools in the area that they have not played before and were able to pick up wins versus Albany High and Bishop Gibbons, while losing a heart breaker to Troy High. The Lady Fordians finished 3rd in the CHVL and were knocked out in the quarterfinals of sectionals by the eventual Class D winner Hartford. The girls made noise early by winning the Waterford Invitational with big wins over Middleburgh, Rensselaer and Bishop Gibbons. The girls also extended a helping hand by making Middleburgh dinner before their game trying to help them escape the damage from Hurricane Irene. In the only other tournament the Lady Fordians entered, they finished in 2nd place at the ACES for Cure tournament against some of the top competition in the northern part of Section 2. The Lady Fordians were led by 5 seniors: 1st Team All-Star Megan Yattaw, 2nd Team All-Star Jessica Hogan, 3rd Team All-Star Jessica Pelcher along with seniors Briana Lopez and DeAnna DeSantis, but the Lady Fordians will be returning 1st Team All-Star Freshman Alex Lefebvre, along with Freshman call-ups Abby Halderman, Emily Schumaker, and Emily Jones from a JV team that went 13-1 and only lost its last game of the year to Ravena. Waterford will also return Sophmore Michaela Miller and Juniors: Jordyn Forgett, Jessica Lennox, Kristine Kodadar and Caitlin Irla. Megan Yattaw (senior) broke the school Block Record previously held by JV coach Jenna Caulkins by 1 block, setting the new school record at 117. Tournament Awards: 1st Place Waterford Invitational: Jessica Hogan (Sr) MVP Alex Lefebvre (Fr) All-Tournament Team Megan Yattaw (Sr) All-Tournament Team 2nd Place Aces for Cure: Megan Yattaw (Sr) All-Tournament Team


Stillwater Battle Wins Superbowl by Sandy McBride / Team Photo by Bob Dunn

	In this football league where the running backs are only four feet tall and the linemen weigh 120 pounds or less, the Super Bowl, like all Super Bowls, is pure excitement! Just like the big boys in the pros, that final game is the pinnacle of the season, the reason for all the hard work and dedication. The Stillwater Battle Junior team, south division champions of the Northeast Youth Football League, defeated the northern division leading Schuylerville Colts Black team by a score of 31-24 in last Sunday's Super Bowl, and celebrated that victory with a Super Bowl-worthy parade through town. With quarterback Ryan Greene calling the signals behind Battle's strong offensive line, John Gannon ran for three touchdowns while single touchdowns were punched in by Sean Ryan and Luc Lescault. Luc also ran in an extra point conversion. Gritty play by the boys on the defensive team made the lead stand up for the championship victory. The coaches of this year's Super Bowl champs are Jay Peacock, Joe Greene, Ed Ryan, Brian "Boomer" McNeil, Scott Lescault and Tim Helms. It wasn't an easy road to the big game in 2011. These diminutive third and fourth grade students, all of whom attend Stillwater Elementary School, began practice back in August. Traditionally, the season kicks off with a Combine which gathers all the area's teams in a learning and get-acquainted session. The Combine in 2011 was scuttled by Hurricane Irene. But the teams soldiered on, playing their season's games through a series of often-rainy weekends on wet fields. The Junior Battle team won all their games in the regular season, going undefeated at 8-0. They were pumped for that Super Bowl scheduled for October 30. But it is, after all, 2011. Nothing has come easy in 2011. A major snowstorm the day before the game was to be played blanketed the entire northeast in the wind-whipped white and fluffy stuff. There would be no football that weekend. But the coaches continued to practice with the boys, getting ready for the big day that was to come in spite of it all. And on Sunday, November 13, there wasn't a whole lot of sunshine, but it was nearly rain-free and cool, perfect football weather. The boys of the Battle team hosted their rivals from Schuylerville Colts' Black team on the turf field at Stillwater High School, built an early lead and earned the win. And the celebration was on. Stillwater's youth football program is twenty years old, and in those twenty years on the gridiron a whole lot of kids have gotten a chance to be part of a team, to learn what it means to work together for a common goal and have fun doing it. Ross Barber started the program back in 1991. Here in 2011, 132 of the community's kids are part of Stillwater Battle. Beginning with flag football for kids in kindergarten through second grade, there were 35 playing. The junior team has 33 players and the senior Battle team, the level leading up to modified play. numbered 24 players this year. 40 girls are Battle cheerleaders, putting in their own hours of hard work all season long. Before every game, Coach Peacock exhorts his charges "Go Battle! Shut the door!" The boys of the Junior Battle team have shut the door on nine opponents this year. They ARE the 2011 Super Bowl champions. Congratulations to the players, the coaches. the cheerleaders, the parents and all the folks who support this fine program. You've done your community proud!

CHVL Boys Varsity Soccer All-Stars 2011
	Player..................School...........................Class.....Position Fre Breen.............Waterford.......................12..........Midfielder Dan Hodgkinson..Doane Stuart.................12..........Midfielder Noah Rhynhart......Doane Stuart.................12..........Forward First Team Seth Hawk............Berlin..............................12..........Midfielder Sakan Sadowsky.Berlin.............................10..........Defender Win Myint..............Doane Stuart.................10..........Forward Connor Mead.......Germantown..................12..........Defender Matt VanNatten....Loudenville Christian....12..........Midfielder Conor Walsh........Loudenville Christian....12..........Midfielder Connor Hogan.....New Lebanon................12..........Midfielder Ben Tavares.........New Lebanon...............12...........Keeper Don Emory...........Waterford......................10...........Forward Dave Fletcher......Waterford......................12...........Midfielder Second Team Kyle Elliott............Waterford......................10...........Defender Zach Howe...........Waterford......................12...........Keeper Josh Orton............Waterford........................9...........Defender

Congratulations on a Great Year, Lady Raiders!

	Left: Senior Amber Maiello controls a pass, Right: Abbey Maiello battles on the sideline for a loose ball.

Lady Raiders Fall in Sudden Death to the Panthers of Hoosic Falls
	When the Mechanicville Red Raiders and the Hoosic Falls Panthers met on Wednesday at Stillwater High School for the Section II Class C championship, it was a battle that went on for two forty-minute regulation periods, two ten-minute overtimes, a five-minute sudden death overtime and the better part of a second sudden death period before Hoosic Falls 8th grader Jordyn Haynes converted a pass from Grace DeLurey, scoring the game-winner for the Panthers. The second-seeded Hoosic Falls team, whose record stands at 18-1-1, advances to regional play on Saturday at Massena against Section X Champion Tupper Lake. Hoosic Falls took a first-half lead on Jordyn's first goal of the game and held the lead until midway through the seond regulation period. Three Red Raiders converged on the goal as Abby Maiello lofted a 40 yard direct kick, and senior Marissa Skaczkowski sent it home to tie the game at 1 each. Both teams put forth outstanding defensive efforts. Mechanicville, seeded fourth in the tournament, finishes its season with 17 wins and 3 losses.


	Left: Senior Hollis Zecca drives a kick downfield, Right: Kim Thompson makes a save.

Lady Red Raiders Hand Hoosic Valley First Loss of the Season
	The Mechanicville Red Raiders handed top-seeded Hoosic Valley their first loss of the season last Saturday in the Section II Class C semi-final game at Schuylerville High School, advancing to Wednesday's championship game against Hoosic Falls. Abby Maiello put the Raiders in front with a first-half goal, and the defense made it stand up as the Raiders took a 1-0 win. Kim Thompson stopped 22 shots for the Raiders while the Indians' Smantha Carlo recorded 13 saves. Hoosic Valley ends its season at 15-1-3.

Stillwater Boys Fall to Ichabod Crane 4-0

	Left: Senior Derek Rose looks up field for a team mate, Right: Senior Tyler Mullin passes to a team mate.


	Senior Robert Filke makes a flying stop on an opponents pass.

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