The Albany Academy Cadets varsity basketball team is having a magical season. The Big Red is coming off an outstanding win against John Burke Catholic (Middletown) on a last-second three-point halfcourt shot by John Moutopoulos that made Sport Center, and another big win against Bishop Ludden (Syracuse), previously ranked number one in the state. The Cadets and head coach Brian Fruscio brought a 10-2 record into Sunday’s showdown against Green Tech at Siena College as part of the Coaches vs. Cancer tournament. There were games going all day, but the game of the day was Academy vs. Green Tech. Albany bragging rights were established when the Cadets pulled away at the end to win 79-68.
The two high school powerhouses battled neck and neck right up to the end of the fourth quarter. Green Tech’s Jamil Hood controlled the offense for the Eagles and kept them in the game. Academy controlled the tempo of the game through their two impressive guards, John Moutopoulos and Darrien White. In the fourth quarter the Cadets, with timely buckets and free throws, pulled away. With the game on the line, Jack Morrow, Teigue Donohoe, and White hit three pointers to hold off Green Tech.
John Moutopoulos led the Cadets with twenty-two points. Marcus Jackson played a great game in the paint grabbing rebounds and playing stellar defense. Also the three sophmores Ray Jermome, Rory Flaherty, and Andrew Dufort helped the Cadets capture the victory over the Eagles. The Albany Academy’s bench and assistant coaches played a significant role as always, inspiring the players in the game and letting them know off-court what they need to do to be successful.
The Cadets, now at 11-2, are ranked number one in the state for class A. The varsity and JV program will go down to New York City to play Long Island Lutheran this weekend and will have to battle to pull out the win against this highly ranked opponent that defeated Academy earlier in the season by two points. This game will be another big step in the team’s efforts to win the state championship at the conclusion of the season.