Madison Rowland
Blue Bison working to take next step
Saturday, December 11, 2010 Sparks News Player Information
Class AA runner-up finish has Shaker wanting more
By JAMES ALLEN Staff Writer
Published: 12:53 a.m., Saturday, December 11, 2010
LATHAM -- The transformation from also-ran to contender status yielded 11 more wins and nearly a Section II Class AA title for the Shaker High girls' basketball team in March.
Coach Emily Caschera's second season with the Blue Bison saw them go from 6-15 in 2008-09 to 17-5 in 2009-10.
"It is really great how we came along. Coach Caschera has turned this program around," said Shaker junior center Lauren Woods, one of four returning starters. "As a team, we have very high expectations."
Shenendehowa ultimately was the obstacle the Blue Bison could not overcome in 2009-10 -- losing all three meetings in close contests, including a 47-42 verdict in the Class AA title game.
And the Plainsmen beat Shaker again Tuesday, 50-42, in the 2010-11 season opener. The Blue Bison have already compartmentalized Tuesday's loss, and, unlike New York Jets coach Rex Ryan, Caschera and her players didn't bury Tuesday's game ball behind the school. Read More...
By JAMES ALLEN Staff Writer
Published: 12:53 a.m., Saturday, December 11, 2010
Coach Emily Caschera's second season with the Blue Bison saw them go from 6-15 in 2008-09 to 17-5 in 2009-10.
"It is really great how we came along. Coach Caschera has turned this program around," said Shaker junior center Lauren Woods, one of four returning starters. "As a team, we have very high expectations."
Shenendehowa ultimately was the obstacle the Blue Bison could not overcome in 2009-10 -- losing all three meetings in close contests, including a 47-42 verdict in the Class AA title game.
And the Plainsmen beat Shaker again Tuesday, 50-42, in the 2010-11 season opener. The Blue Bison have already compartmentalized Tuesday's loss, and, unlike New York Jets coach Rex Ryan, Caschera and her players didn't bury Tuesday's game ball behind the school. Read More...
Tolliver gets the message
Thursday, January 06, 2011 Sparks News Player Information
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...
By JAMES ALLEN Staff Writer
Published: 03:17 a.m., Thursday, January 6, 2011
"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...
Sparks 14’s Finish 6th at the AAU Nationals
Saturday, July 24, 2010 Tournaments
The Saratoga Sparks 14U basketball team took sixth place in the 2010 AAU Girls Basketball National Championship Tournament held July 6-10 at ESPN’s Wide World of Sports complex in Orlando, Florida. The team is comprised of Section II freshmen players who finished their regular AAU season undefeated with 30 wins. At the National Tournament, the Sparks were 5 and 3 against a field of 40 of the best teams in the United States. The Sparks are the first local team in recent memory to finish this high in the AAU National Championship Tournament. The Sparks advanced all the way to the Elite Eight round.
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Sparks Grab Honors at The GymRat Challenge
Saturday, June 26, 2010 Player Information Sparks News
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...
Welcome to the Internet Home of the Saratoga Sparks
The Saratoga Sparks AAU Basketball organization offers the AAU basketball experience for girls ages 10 & up. We are based in Clifton Park, New York but we have girls participating from throughout New York's Capital District. Our teams play in AAU and NCAA sanctioned tournaments throughout the Northeast.Video Snippet - Mike Krzyzewski talks about requiting players, he shares insight into what college coaches are looking for as they watch young players.
Niskayuna's Ashley McCaughan leaps for two against the Connecticut Roughriders during the Sparks 50-32 victory in Springfield at the New England Elite College Showcase.
Once a Spark... Always a Spark...
Signup today for the 2011 Thoroughbred Classic. This event has sold out the last three years and has drawn college coaches from all over Upstate New York.
Signup today for the 2011 Thoroughbred Classic. This event has sold out the last three years and has drawn college coaches from all over Upstate New York.