Albany Wins Emotional Season Finale 64-59 over Colonie; Rematch in First Round of Sectionals.

Photo By: Dylan Friebel Photography

By: Dylan Friebel

COLONIE N.Y. - Friday February 10th, 2023. 5:05 left in the second quarter of a Class AA Suburban Council Matchup between Colonie and Albany. Then Bang. 

It was at that moment that play stopped, the energy in the gym left and concern and sadness took over. Teams rushed back to their perspective locker rooms and play was suspended for a makeup date. 

In just four short days both teams had games. Albany beat Shenendehowa 71-43 and Colonie took down Mekeel Christian Academy 63-56 on Monday evenings. 

It was then at 6pm Tuesday that the game resumed with 5:05 left on the clock in the second quarter and Colonie leading 24-20.

However there was still emotion in the gym as just four days prior Colonie Assistant coach collapsed on the bench, creating all the emotions. He was there on the bench to help his boys through the last game before sectionals. That’s just what everyone wanted to happen. 

However there was an embrace between the two teams prior to tip off as the classic handshake line formed. 

“It’s hard to resume a game the way we did.” Albany Coach Sean Brown said. “The kids were distraught. We have an example of what we just saw in the NFL season, and part of my job was to tell the kids to keep their energy here and focus here.” 

“We didn’t know if we were going to play again that night and once we got word we weren’t we just said keep your thoughts and prayers with coach.”

When the game resumed, it was just as it had been left, feverish pace just four days later. 

It’s tough the to restart cold in the second quarter for any team in any sport and with the emotions running so high for so many days, Coach Brown knew he had to find a way to keep his team in the game. 

“We had to figure out how to get our kids into a rhythm. We rely on our toughness and defense.” 

It was that toughness and defense that kept Albany in the game and hanging around. Colonie busted out four quick points to start the game back up but Albany responses. When colonie went back up eight in the third and seven to start the fourth, Albany knew they could do it, they needed some outside shooting to beat the zone. 

“At times it looked like we didn’t have any toughness or play defense.” He said. “We know though we have the ability to score the ball once we get settled. Now Coach (Dags) does a phenomenal job with his zone for years and they pack it in and say ‘make some outside shots’. We are fortunate enough to have a young kid on our team who can make outside Shots.” 

That youngster who can make outside shots is a 15-year old freshman by the name of Sincere Allah who hit three huge outside shots in the closing minutes of the game to give Albany a slim one point lead at 57-56. 

For a freshman he was as cool as a cucumber when his number was called in the corner time after time. 

“This doesn’t intimidate me at all.” Allah said. “I’ve been playing basketball since I was two years old and I’ve always played older. Wether it be AAU playing up in age group or in school. I’ve been working all my life for the moment so I was ready for it.” 

Another key to the Albany attack all game long was their main ball handler in No 3 Davion Springsteen. With the long arms that Colonie has this year it was not an easy task all night, especially when you have to play behind. 

“We had to move the ball all the night.” Davion said. “Their arms are going to get tired eventually. We got two big guys down low that can play and we will dominate the middle. If we can’t hit down low let’s tap it back out and get second chance points and shooters.” 

When it was all said and done Albany took punch after punch from Colonie and even responded with punches of their own in the flow of the game. They came away with the season finale win 64-59 in what was an emotional four days. 

For Albany, having a rematch against a team they just won against and coming off two big wins going into next weeks sectional games is a huge boost. 

“It’s big.” Coach said. “We have four seniors who made it to the sectional semifinals last year. That was our goal to repeat as Gold Division champs. We had some adversity along the way but these kids are still playing for their goal, one game and you’re done.” 

“It’s feels good.” Springsteen said. “Momentum is high right now. We just to keep our guys level headed right now. We had two great games but need to just stay even. Go or go home now.” 

Albany will play Colonie on Wednesday, February 22nd, in what might be an even bigger game, if that’s even possible.