ALBANY — Playing a game for the first time during March since 2019 is not the fault of the current roster for the Albany Academy boys’ basketball team or that of its previous squads as the coronavirus pandemic caused the cancellation of the 2020 and 2021 Federation Tournament of Champions. Last year, scheduling conflicts prevented the event from returning.
Saturday, the 12th-ranked Cadets (14-6) will play their first game in nearly five weeks when they face New York State Public High School Athletic Association Class A champion Tappan Zee (26-2) in semifinal action at Guilderland High School. Game time is 11 a.m.
From 2013-19, Albany Academy competed in six Federation title games and claimed championships in 2013, 2016, 2017 and 2019. The Cadets, who last played on Feb. 18, look to maintain their run of success in the event against the third-ranked Flying Dutchmen.
“It is a long layoff,” Albany Academy first-year coach Jim Driggs said. “We’ve had good practices, but this is new for everybody. I think they understand the tradition here. This is our Super Bowl and the culmination of our season. The scrimmage was good for us to tighten some things up. It is difficult to have four weeks off.”
Tappan Zee is a squad enjoying a major run of success as well. Under the tutelage of coach George Gaine, the Flying Dutchmen have gone 266-46 since 2010. This season’s squad, one that does not feature a starter over 6-foot and is predominately only playing five players, has been a defensive juggernaut during postseason play. Tappan Zee held Somers to 15 points in winning the Section I title and has limited its past five opponents to an average of 35.8 points per game.
The trio of senior Sean Berrigan (20 points), senior Jack Maloney (18 points) and sophomore Tommy Linehan (11 points) produced all of their team’s points in the state final against Irondequoit. The…
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