Can Academy keep its eight-year streak of undefeated Colonial Council dual matches and championships alive? How are the Cadets going to compete with Class A powerhouses Bethlehem and Shenendehowa? These are among the top questions for head coach Jak Bestle and co-captains Chris Savo and Matt Devito.
The Cadets are looking to win the Colonial Council championship for the ninth consecutive year despite losing 2009 captain Tim DiStefano, who represented the Cadets in the State Tournament in Ithaca last year. According to Coach Bestle the team has “players that are capable of performing at that level”. He also said that the great senior leadership of Devito and Savo can help fill the void left by DiStefano’s departure.
This year, the major threat for the Cadets is Class CD Voorheesville who Academy will play host to on Friday September 10th at 4 P.M. The Cadets face tough competition in Class A from Suburban Council powers Bethlehem, Niskayuna, Saratoga, Shaker, and Shenendehowa. The Cadets have finished 3rd in the section the past two years behind Bethlehem and Shenendehowa. Coach Bestle said that the Suburban teams are going to be very hard to overcome, but he believes, however, that “we could be the team to beat”.
Last year Academy was represented by Matt Devito, Austin Teal, and Justin Brock in the Class A Sectionals. This year there are three more spots on the sectional team for the remaining seven players looking to join Matt, Austin, and Justin this fall. Coach Jak Bestle said nobody is in the clear this year. “The six sectional spots are wide open … anyone can join them.”
The Cadets opened their season with a match at Queensbury, a non-conference match on Friday, August 27th, losing to a senior laden Spartans squad, who is expected to be a tough opponent for most teams this fall. The Spartans came away with a seven stroke victory at Hiland Golf Club, though neither team played their best. Matt Devito was the medalist for the day, shooting an even par 36.
Next up for Academy was their Colonial Council season opener on August 30th against Fonda-Fultonville. The very young Fonda team was no match for the experienced and veteran-led Cadets, as Academy came away with an easy 154-242 victory. Devito yet again led the way with a 4-over par 38. Junior Jay Puleo also shot a 38. Junior Justin Brock and Sophomore Thomas Cassidy both shot 39’s to complete the scoring for the Cadets.
The Cadets emerged victorious in their second league match on Thursday, September 2nd over Waterford at the Fairways at Halfmoon. The team was once again lead by Devito and Puleo, who shot a 2-under 33 and 1-over 36 respectively. Junior Matt Glazier’s 40 and senior Alex Cavert’s 43 rounded out the scoring for Academy.
Next, the Cadets play host to Voorheesville on Friday September 10th at 4 P.M. at Colonie Country Club. Coach Bestle views this match as a “huge threat” to break the eight year run of undefeated Colonial Council matches. Most High School Golf fans view the Cadets as in a rebuilding year, but according to Coach Bestle the Cadets are a “veteran team.” He also said that “guys who have been in the shadows for a year or two now have to step up their game and contribute.”