ROCHESTER, NY -- Sophomore forward Kayla Wheeler (Clifton Park, NY/Shenendehowa), of the RIT women's basketball team, was named Liberty League Women's Basketball Co-Players of the Week for the week ending December 4, 2011.

Wheeler helped RIT to their best (4th) finish in 19 trips to the Wendy's College Classic last week. The sophomore forward averaged 12.3 points, 9.3 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.3 steals and 1.6 blocks in three games. In the opening round game, Wheeler scored 17 points, grabbed nine rebounds, dished out eight assists and had three steals as RIT defeated St. John Fisher 62-60. Her bucket and free throw with 10 seconds remaining in regulation, gave the Tigers a two-point lead. Her steal on Fisher's next possession sealed the win for RIT and advanced the Tigers to the semifinals for the first time in 19 tries at the Wendy's Classic.

In the semis versus Roberts Wesleyan, Wheeler tallied nine points and grabbed nine rebounds.

She wrapped up the week with 11 points and 10 rebounds in the third place game versus William Smith. For the week, Wheeler shot 40.6 percent from the floor and was 11-of-13 (84.6%) from the foul line for the the Tigers.

Wheeler is third on the team in scoring averaging 11.0 points per game and averages 7.3 rebounds per game for the Tigers who are 2-4 on the season.

The Tigers return to action on Sunday, Dec. 11 with a non-conference road game at St. John FIsher. Tip-off at Fisher is 2 pm.

Tags: Kayla Wheeler Rochester Institute of Technology

Modest Scotia guard is tough on her opponents
By JAMES ALLEN, Staff writer
Published 11:35 p.m., Saturday, December 3, 2011

SCOTIA — Asking Cassie Broadhead to talk about her basketball exploits is not an easy proposition, but covering the Scotia junior guard may be the more daunting task.

Broadhead, who is beginning her fourth varsity season with the Tartans, has already provided Brigham Young University coach Jeff Judkins her oral commitment to compete for the Cougars in the 2013-14 season. BYU went 25-9 in 2010-11.

"I'm very relieved. It was so stressful. It is nice to know your future is already set," Broadhead said. "My sisters are out there in Utah and so are so many family members. It is a very nice campus."

Just a junior, Broadhead opened her season Friday night with a game-high 22 points in a 54-31 nonleague victory at Stillwater. That pushed Broadhead's career total to 1,001 points. She is on pace to become one of the top 20 scorers in Section II girls' basketball history. Read More...

Tags: Cassie Broadhead Lashana Tolliver Alyssia Marsal Sydney Rosales

The Sparks are extremely happy to announce that Sydnie Rosales will be playing her college basketball at Siena.  Sydnie has verbally accepted a full scholarship to play basketball for the Siena Saints. The 5'-9" shooting guard from Colonie will bring her considerable skills to help Coach Castelli's Saints starting in 2013.

She has been a varsity player since the 7th grade. Her basketball accomplishments include being a first team Suburban Council All-Star and MVP of the Gym Rats Tournament.

Rosales has had an outstanding career with the Sparks. She's played on two National top ten teams. She was elected a team captain and finished first on the team in scoring and three point shots. She was also a leader in rebounds, assists and steals. Her desire, competitiveness and leadership were noticed by numerous D-1 coaches throughout the country. At least 40 D-1 coaches contacted the Sparks regarding Sydnie.

Although basketball is a priority for Sydnie, she has more than that going for her. Her goal is to study law and become an attorney and with a 94% GPA she is well on her way to achieving that goal.  Besides basketball Sydnie enjoys spending time with her family and friends. This interest in family and friends is one reason she decided to stay local for college basketball.

With her sharp leadership skills and analytical mind, after basketball is done, she will make a fine lawyer.

Tags: Sydney Rosales Siena College

The Sparks are proud to announce that Cassie Broadhead will be achieving her dream by heading to Division I Brigham Young University. She has been offered a full scholarship to play basketball which she has verbally accepted. The 5'8" point guard from Scotia has led her high school in scoring and assists for the last two years. She has been a varsity player since the 8th grade. She is also a two time News Channel 13 All-Star.

Broadhead has had an outstanding career with the Sparks. She's played on two National top ten teams. She was elected a team captain and finished second on the team in scoring, assists and steals. Her desire, competitiveness and leadership were noticed by numerous D-1 coaches.

Although Cassie has  played basketball since she could walk, she has more than that going for her. She has not announced a major yet but she is interested in animal husbandry. Currently she cares for horses, cows and chickens on the family farm. Cassie is also very active in her church, Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

What is clear is that Cassie will bring all of her considerable skills and talents to work for BYU and whatever she decides to do.

See more about Cassie by visiting CBS 6 Story

Tags: Cassie Broadhead Brigham Young

The Saratoga Sparks are thrilled to announce that Ashley McCaughan will be attending Brooklyn College this fall and will be playing college basketball for the Bulldogs.

The 5’-3” pesky point guard from Niskayuna HIgh School lead her Sparks team last season in scoring, averaging nearly eight points per game, she also finished second in rebounding.

McCaughan had a memorable career with the Sparks. Her efforts last season during the USA Invitational at Penn State University helped the Sparks secure an 11th place finish while she was recognized twice as game MVP.

Ashley will be studying Broadcast Journalism come August which is right up her alley. Her positive attitude, focus on self improvement and gift of gab were strengths on the basketball court that will most certainly help her through school and beyond, perhaps even one day “Live, from studio 1A” Congratulations to Ashley and her family, we all look forward to watching her excel at the next level, both on the court and in the classroom.

Tags: Ashley McCaughan Brooklyn College

The Troy Record All Area Girls Basketball Team was announced on Monday May 2nd and three Saratoga Sparks received honors.

Third Teams Selections, All-Area, Sophomore Sydnie Rosales from Colonie High School, Junior Amanda Batzold from Columbia High School and Junior Christina Spicer from the Academy of the Holy Names.

The Sparks organization is proud of their achievements and wishing our young athletes continued success on and off the basketball court.

Tags: Sydney Rosales Amanda Batzold Christina Spicer

The Saratoga Sparks 13U Orange team has gelled quickly this season and recently went 4-0 to win the Zero Gravity Championship held at LeMoyne College in Syracuse.

After breezing through their first two games and pulling out a nail-biter to improve to 3-0, the smaller, but very athletic Sparks were pitted against the well polished and physically larger foe in the Lady Knuckleheads of Binghamton, New York. Tenacious defense and quick and skillful drives to the basket, along with and great foul shooting brought the girls back from a double-digit hole. Coach Pleasure's plan to have the girls take the ball hard to the hoop resulted in foul shot opportunities and eventually two less Knuckleheads.   Bodies were hitting the floor at both ends of the court and the Sparks rallied to a 49-47 victory.
 
Pictured above: from upper left-Coach Pleasure, Talia Segal, Macie Holmes, Camryn David, Lauren Canterbury, Nicole Conley, Maggie Stalter and Asst. Coach Hopkins. From lower left-Taylor Murphy, Emily Patchell, Maya Lewis and Amanda Lee. Missing were Mikayla Lansing and Meghan Malone.

Tags: Coach Pleasure Tallia Segal Macie Holmes Camryn David Lauren Canterbury Nicole Conley Maggie Stalter Taylor Murphy Emily Patchell Maya Lewis Amanda Lee

The organization would like to congratulate long time Saratoga Spark Taylor Whyte. The 6’1” center from Ballston Spa will be shipping off to Boston this fall to attend the University of Massachusetts. Taylor will be studying hard towards earning a degree in psychology, skills that would have been handy to have during her last AAU season while dealing with a coach with bipolar disorder.

Next season she will be playing for a different coach as she dons the blue and white of the University of Massachusetts Beacons.

We are all proud of Taylor's accomplishments as a member of the Saratoga Sparks and wish her the best as she starts the next chapter of her education while kicking off her college basketball career. We would also like to thank her parents, Donna and Mark, who have donated their time and talents over the years. Mark is responsible for many of the action photos that we proudly display on this website. The next generation of Sparks will probably be hand drawn.

Tags: Taylor Whyte

The Foothills Council released the names of their girls basketball all-stars and three Saratoga Sparks received honors. The Organization is very proud of their individual achievements this past season and would like to congratulate each of the players and their families on their selections.

Sophomore Cassie Broadhead of Scotia High School was named league MVP while senior center Danielle Conley and senior guard Kaila Sanboeuf each received notice. Conley was selected to the First Team while Sanboeuf received honorable mention. All three of these talented young ladies were teammates last season with Scotia High School and they lead the Tartans to a near perfect 19-1 record.

Once again, the organization would like to congratulate each of the players selected, we are all looking forward to hearing more about their accomplishments during the upcoming AAU season and within the college ranks.

Tags: Cassie Broadhead Danielle Conley Kalia Sanboeuf

The Troy Record All-City Girls Basketball All-star team was announced recently and six Sparks received honors. The Organization is proud of their achievements this past season and would like to congratulate each of the players and their families on their selections.

First team selections included sophomore Ailayia Demand of Watervliet High School and senior Bailei Tetrault of Cohoes High School. Second team selections included junior My’Asia Alston of Cohoes High School and sophomore Lashana Tolliver of Watervliet High School.

Sophomore Mikayla Deguire of Watervliet High School and senior Danielle Beauchamp of Cohoes High School each received Honorable Mention.

Once again, congratulation to each of the players selected, we are all looking forward to a hearing more about these young ladies during the upcoming AAU season and beyond.

Tags: Bailei Tetrault Ailaiya Demand My'Asia Alston Lashana Tolliver Mikayla Dequire Danielle Beauchamp

The 2010-11 Suburban Council Girls Basketball All-star team was announced this past week and four Sparks received honors. The Organization is proud of their achievements this past season and would like to congratulate each of the players and their families on their selections.

First team selection sophomore Sydnie Rosales of Colonie High School. Second team selections were junior Amanda Batzold of Columbia High School and sophomore Bridget Murphy of Bethlehem High School.

Once again, congratulation to each of the players selected, we are all looking forward to a hearing more about these young ladies during the upcoming AAU season as Saratoga Sparks.

Tags: Sydney Rosales Bridget Murphy Amanda Batzold

The Saratoga Sparks are very proud to announce that Alexis Perryman will be heading to Elmira College this fall. The 5'-10" guard from Queensbury HIgh School will be studying to become a teacher while helping the Souring Eagles complete in the Elite 8 Conference.

Perryman had a fantastic career with the Sparks averaging almost nine points while collecting 3.2 steals per game. Her efforts during the USA Invitational at Penn State University helped the Sparks secure an 11th place finish. Elmira College is getting one of the best all a round guards in the Capital District.

We wish Alexis well as she starts her college career and thank her and her family for their contributions and dedication to the Sparks program.

Tags: Alexis Perryman

The Saratoga Sparks organization would like to recognized the efforts Kalia Sanboeuf, Danielle Conley and Cassie Broadhead who were all featured in an article this week by the Schenectady Gazette. If you subscribe to the Gazette you can enjoy the story.

The trio of Sparks have lead the 7th ranked Class A Tartans to a 12-0 start during the 2010-2011 campaign. Sanboeuf and Broadhead led the Tartans with five steals apiece, and Danielle Conley had four of Scotia-Glenville's six blocked shots. Their efforts helped the Tartans pin down the South Glens Falls Bulldogs for a second time, following a 49-31 season-opening triumph over their longtime rival.

Tags: Cassie Broadhead Danielle Beauchamp Kalia Sanboeuf

Cohoes girls' basketball team has won nine straight
By JAMES ALLEN Staff Writer
Published: 12:27 a.m., Thursday, January 20, 2011

COHOES -- The opening night of the season for the Cohoes High girls' basketball team proved to be an eye-opening experience as perennial small-school power Hoosic Valley's suffocating man-to-man defense helped the Indians post a 54-34 win Nov. 30.

"It was a really tough way to start. We thought we'd give them a better battle than that," Cohoes senior Bailei Tetrault said. "They have the best defense around." Things didn't get much better for Cohoes three nights later in its Colonial Council opener against defending league champion Holy Names as the Tigers dropped a 41-34 decision.

The team, which spent six nights a week together throughout the summer competing in four leagues and working together in two open gym nights, hoped for better than an 0-2 start. All the difficult beginning did for the Tigers is make them work even harder. That resolve, and the subsequent results, speak for themselves.

The Tigers (9-2, 8-1) have climbed to the No. 8 ranking in the latest state Class B poll on the strength of a nine-game winning streak. Cohoes looks to make it 10 in a row Friday when it hosts Holy Names (10-1, 8-1) in a showdown for first place in the Colonial Council Patriot Division. Game time is 7. Cohoes has captured those nine games by an average margin of victory of 28 points. The only close contest during that span was when the Tigers edged Watervliet -- ranked No. 3 in the state Class B poll at that time -- 54-53. Read More...

Tags: Danielle Beauchamp Bailei Tetrault My'Asia Alston Roxanne Gibbs

The organization would like to congratulate long time Saratoga Spark Megan Rogers. The 5’11” forward from Shenendehowa will be moving to Williamstown Massachusetts to attend classes and play basketball for Williams College. Williams is currently ranked 8th in a USA Today ESPN poll and has moved up from 13th to 12th in a D3Hoops national poll.

Rogers has excelled both on the hardwood and in the classroom in order to earn her opportunity to wear the purple and gold next season. Megan has a brilliant basketball resume which includes winning a Section II Championship in 2009 and playing a huge role in the Class AA State Championship game in 2010. She also lead her 2010 Sparks team to an eleventh place finish at the USA Invitational at Penn State University last summer.

We are all proud of Megan’s accomplishments as a member of the Saratoga Sparks and wish her the best as she moves into the college ranks. We would also like to thank her parents, Eileen and John, who have donated their time and talents over the years to help our organization grow in the right direction.

Tags: Megan Rogers

Broadhead, Conley and Janson have Scotia thinking Class A title
By JAMES ALLEN Staff Writer

SCOTIA -- Cassie Broadhead earned the Foothills Council Most Valuable Player award as a freshman guard in 2010, and naturally that meant she was going to earn even more attention from opponents this season.

Broadhead is not scoring as much as she did during the 2009-10 campaign, but it has very little to do with any new defensive scheme or the added attention she now receives. It has everything to do with the improved play of senior center Danielle Conley and junior guard Sarah Janson. "The last few years, we were a strong team. I think our experience is helping us as Sarah, Cassie and myself are all in our third year," Conley said.

"Our teamwork has really stepped up this year. Everyone is so unselfish," Broadhead said. "Our main goal is to win. One of the easiest and best ways to do that is pass the ball."

The Tartans (11-0, 7-0) lead the Foothills Council standings and are ranked No. 8 in the state Class A poll.

Broadhead is on pace to score her 1,000th career point before the end of the season. She leads the team with averages of 16.5 points and 4.6 assists per game. Broadhead is also averaging 6.5 rebounds and 3.3 steals per outing.
Read More...

Tags: Danielle Conley Cassie Broadhead

Sophomore center is emerging as a top player for Watervliet
By JAMES ALLEN Staff Writer
Published: 03:17 a.m., Thursday, January 6, 2011

WATERVLIET -- Lashana Tolliver has been a vital part of two Section II girls' basketball championship basketball teams at Watervliet, yet the talented 6-foot-1 sophomore center was never as committed to the team as she is this season.

"My first two years, I was immature and I wasn't really focused on basketball. I wanted to hang out with my friends and I didn't want to be in practice," Tolliver said. "Now every day, I'm ready to be in practice. I'm doing all my work in school just thinking about practice."

"It is just maturity. That is all it is," Watervliet coach Gordie Johnson said. "She is still only a sophomore playing on the varsity basketball team. She was a big part of what we did the last two years, but she didn't always understand she needed to work every single minute. Now she does. When she comes in here, she works every single minute."

Hard work first paid off over the summer for Tolliver, who played along with Watervliet sophomore guard Ailayia Demand on the Saratoga Sparks' squad that finished sixth in the country in July at the AAU Nationals in Orlando, Fla.

Read More...

Tags: Lashana Tolliver Sydney Rosales Jackie Welch Cassie Broadhead Kelsey Cowell

Scholastic Profile
Sunday, October 31, 2010
By Jim Schiltz (Contact)
Gazette Reporter

Megan Rogers is an offensive threat with a stick in her hands, and a defensive force without one. It just depends on the season, and the sport she’s playing. “I have different roles. In field hockey, I’m a scorer. In basketball, my game is defense. That’s what I’m good at,” the Shenenendehowa High School senior said. “I love doing the dirty work.” That willingness to dig in has been a big part of her success this fall. Despite constant harrassment and some double-team eforts, Rogers has piled up 21 goals, including 12 in Shenendehowa’s last seven games.

“She worked a lot in the offseason to become better and stronger, and it’s paid off. She’s having a great year, an unbelievable year,” said Shenendehowa field hockey coach Jeanne Frevola. “Imagine if she concentrated on just field hockey. She’d be scary.”
 
Rogers’ grit and court smarts helped Shenendehowa win a Section II basketball title last winter, and the 17-year-old is doing her best to lead the school to another crown this fall with hard, accurate drives and feeds to her teammates. The forward scored two goals and set up another Thursday, and the Lady Plainsmen took their first step with a 7-0 sectional quarterfinal win against Bethlehem. Read More...

Tags: Megan Rogers

Colonie star returns from surgery and playing well
By James Allen Staff Writer
Published: 12:00 a.m., Saturday, December 25, 2010

COLONIE -- Sydnie Rosales never envisioned basketball not being No. 1 for her, but the Colonie High standout also never dreamed she could ever be in so much pain. As an eighth-grade starter for the Garnet Raiders, Rosales went on a run during the second half of the season when double-doubles in points, rebounds or assists were the norm. Rosales was beginning to dominate in the area's best league, and doing so against state-ranked opponents filled with senior and junior stars. She was already special. But everything suddenly changed for Rosales. Read More...

Tags: Sydney Rosales

Long time Saratoga Spark Kayla Wheeler will be playing college basketball at the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT). The 5’11” forward graduated from Shenendehowa High School with grades that placed her at the top of her class. Her college choice was very simple, “All I want to do is get a great education and continue to wear the colors that have helped me become a better player, teammate and citizen” shared the lanky soon to be college freshman. Kayla will soon be starting her college career wearing Sparks orange for the TIgers of RIT.

Local fans and family where thrilled to learn that RIT will soon be competing in the Liberty League against local power houses RPI, Union and Skidmore.

Not only did Kayla play six seasons with the Saratoga Sparks, but she also spent her senior year as an assistant coach, helping the Sparks 16U team to a very successful season. We wish Kayla and her family the very best and look forward to rooting for RIT when they are in the area.

Tags: Kayla Wheeler Rochester Institute of Technology RIT

Shenendehowa High School’s Marissa Ray has decided to attend Union College this fall. The 6’0” guard will be playing basketball for the Dutchman next season and is looking forward to playing college ball in front of the home crowd. While long time Sparks teammate and Niskayuna center Katie Cocca will be packing her bags and heading off to play basketball for the College of Saint Benedict in St. John’s Minnesota.

The dynamic duo have played together with the Sparks since the 5th grade and they have clearly hit the books, both attending fine institutions with great reputations for academics.

We wish Marissa, Katie and their families the best of luck and thank them for their contributions to the program.

Tags: Marissa Ray Katie Cooca Union College Saint Benedict

Gym Ray Challenge Website: Congratulations to Sydnie Rosales (not pictured) for being named the 2010 Most Valuable GymRat. She brought calm to the court, particularly against a pressing defense applied by the New York Gauchos in the event's championship game. Her smooth play was on display here. She is good in transition, advancing the ball very well. Has exceptional range, even beyond the 3-point stripe.

Coming off an injury plagued season at Colonie, but looks to be back to full health. Showed an ability to dominate games when she plays with intensity. Her size and ability she exhibits marks her a potential future Division I recruit. Read More...

Tags: Mary Kate Cusack Allayia Demand Cassie Broadhead