TROY — Azera Gates neared midcourt Friday night and glanced ahead to see teammate Shonyae Edwards just ahead of two defenders. Gates, Albany’s sophomore point guard, promptly whipped a perfect 40-foot pass high enough for Edmonds to simply catch and finish midway through the fourth quarter of the Section II Class AA championship game at Hudson Valley Community College.
“It is something we do all the time. We have a great connection,” Gates said.
“Once I give her that look, she is going to find me,” Edmonds said.
Just like in 2022 when they were the two lead components, Edmonds and Gates were vital to the Falcons once again claiming the area’s top prize in the largest classification as second-seeded Albany captured its second straight sectional title with a 57-49 triumph over top-seeded Bethlehem.
“Going back-to-back is what they said they wanted to do. We’re here,” Albany coach Decky Lawson said. “Going back-to-back means so much for our school, our team, our community and we wanted to do it for us. We wanted to earn the respect from our community.”
Edmonds garnered MVP honors like she did last year, this time producing 22 points (7-for-11 shooting), nine rebounds and two steals in the championship game. She and Gates were the only repeat members of the Class AA all-tournament team.
“It is amazing. Winning back-to-back means a lot,” said Gates, who delivered 10 points, six assists and five rebounds. “At the beginning of the season, we were working hard and running full sprints. We did what we had to do.”
Albany (20-3) returns to state quarterfinal play on March 11 vs. the Section III champion, to be determined Saturday night between Cicero-North Syracuse and Liverpool, at Onondaga Community College.
The Falcons dropped two games in Suburban Council play during the season. One came on Senior Night with a 58-54…
Read the full article here