ICE WIPES OUT BIG GAMES IN EARLY SEASON

Greg Dedrick
ccSCOOP Sports Editor

Certainly not uncommon for this area, the entire slate of games scheduled for Thursday was wiped out due to weather-related school closings. Although a bit early in the season, the weather wreaked havoc with a number of high-profile boys’ basketball games that will now be rescheduled for later dates. Here is a look at the games that were cancelled and what they mean to the teams.

CHATHAM AT CATSKILL
The young Panthers are still dealing with the adjustment to varsity by a number of players, not to mention the fact that Parker Niles is still out with a football injury. Despite all that, Chatham is still sitting at 1-1 in the league after defeating Taconic Hills before losing to Hudson, in Hudson, by just one point. This a team with a lot of talent, and it’s only going to get more dangerous as the season goes on. Right now, Will Gauthier, Brian Gauthier, and Josh Keyes are really leading this team. If either of their young big guys, Brandon Johnson or Sebastian Acheson, can start scoring consistently, this will be a scary team. The return of Niles can only help with size, shooting, and scoring.

The trip to Catskill will be a big one whenever it happens. Catskill has a load of talent, has started the season well, and is putting up a lot of points. Putting up points has not been the Panthers’ strength so far in this season, but if they can keep up their defensive intensity, the Panthers have a shot. Beating Catskill would be considered an upset even this early in the year, but it could be a huge shot in the arm for Chatham if they can pull it off.

ICHABOD CRANE AT CAIRO-DURHAM
The Riders may have the toughest schedule in the entire league after the three-time defending champs had to host rival Hudson in their opener. A trip to Taconic Hills, followed by a home game against Maple Hill didn’t make things any easier. Sean Shattenkirk has taken over the long line of seniors to lead the Riders when it’s their turn, and he’s getting help from seniors Ben Gevlin and Dan Earley. Despite the returning experience, this team is still pretty young, with a lot of young guns lying in wait, such as big men Chris Larm and Derick Horn and guard Josh Ingham. Their recent loss to Maple Hill at home was a tough one, but this team has as much talent as anyone in the league, and they are well coached.
The game against Cairo-Durham is huge since the Mustangs opened the league schedule 2-0. Hunter Phillips is one of the top players in the league, and the team always plays hard. The long trip to Cairo is always a tough one for the Riders, but this is an important game for both teams. It’s a big statement game, and the winner is going to notch a big win.

HUDSON AT MAPLE HILL
Hudson’s big three is as good as any in the league. Jacori Anderson might be the most athletic player in the league, and at 6’ 4”, he’s got plenty of height. Barry King is one of the purest scorers in the league, and Justin Brantley is a safe and steady point guard who can defend and is a big-time three-point shooter. The continued emergence of their bench can only help the Bluehawks. Nevin Sheldon is a slick point guard who plays tough, while Larell Roberts is starting to play better and better. Their early season loss to ICC was tough, but it looks like the Bluehawks are finding their groove after a 56-43 win over Coxsackie-Athens.

Maple Hill has started the season undefeated and is clicking on all cylinders, plus the Wildcats will be at home. This game is going to be tough for Hudson, but they certainly have the talent on the roster to win this game. With consistent effort from the entire team, Hudson can take this game and make its play for a share of the league lead if things fall their way.

TACONIC HILLS AT GREENVILLE
The Titans lost almost everyone from last year’s team, and so far their inexperience is showing. Charlie VanDeven has returned and is leading this team in scoring, while AT Turner and Dylan Ruffner are contributing. Still this team is struggling to score and needs to find ways to get other young players going.

Neither the Titans nor Greenville has a league win yet, so this will be the game that gets one of them over the hump. Greenville has lots of size, so the Titans will have to use their speed to run if they want to pick up a win in this one.