(Tanavia Turpin of Catholic Central driving to the hoop in last year's state tournament. The Crusaders move up from Class from A to AA this season after winning the 2023-24 state title. Photo by Ed Bemiss.)
Bracket graphics sent to us from Mark Bubniak, Section 2 girls coordinator.
Every tournament takes into account each team’s current ranking and their current path to the title. Teams are broken down into 4 different categories based on their overall chance to win it all according to the rankings. They are as followed:
Each team is automatically classified into four categories based on their pre-tournament odds of winning their respective bracket. Here’s the key:
>= 25% chance to win= Favorite
>= 10% & < 25% chance to win= Contender
>= 5% & < 10% chance to win= Dark Horse
< 5% chance to win= Long Shot
Class AAA
Sectional brackets. Predictions for each tournament generated by the season long computer rankings and thoughts on each classification.
Full Bracket Projections
| Class AAA Girls | Winning | Winning | Winning | Computer |
| QT. Final | Semi | Champ | Projection | |
| Shaker-1 | 100.00% | 65.16% | 34.50% | Favorite |
| Colonie-2 | 100.00% | 57.92% | 31.11% | Favorite |
| Albany-3 | 88.97% | 41.06% | 20.50% | Contender |
| Shen-4 | 68.91% | 27.71% | 11.96% | Contender |
| Guilderland-5 | 31.09% | 7.13% | 1.81% | Long Shot |
| Saratoga-6 | 11.03% | 1.03% | 0.12% | Long Shot |
(Azera Gates of Albany High. Photo by Ed Bemiss.)
A few questions based on the numbers:
Are there any clear cut teams that are the favorite to win the title?
Yes. Shaker and Colonie. These two teams met in last year's sectional final with the Wolf Pack taking home the crown. This year the Blue Bison grabbed a close win at Colonie, 49-46, on 1/17/25. Good things happen for Shaker when Division 1 prospect Peyton Hoblock touches the ball in the offense, but she's not the only Shaker weapon. Jayla Geter, Sofia Lanni and Malia Jackson all average double figures in scoring along with Hoblock. Jackson, who played for Hudson last season, is a force on both ends of the court with her defense down low and rebounding. Giada Lanni is averaging close to double digit scoring as well.
Colonie won the title last year and feature key contibutors: Ella Trimarchi, Olivia Hoffman, Aliyah Pearson, and Aliana Payne.
Is there a team seeded #4 or below the top contenders that could that could win a couple games, reach the final or win the classification?
Albany and Shen are in the next tier below the top teams. Albany has won eight of nine games under coach Decky Lawson and are playing their best basketball of the season. Jasanii Francis-Torres leads the team in scoring along with Azera Gates. Other players that are crucial for the Falcons are Gabby Taylor, Nyonah Austin and Mia Corazzini. Shen finished the regular season at 14-6 led by Joe Murphy and look to get back on track after dropping three of their last six games. Kate Milham, Gianna Winter and Kailey Weber lead the team on offense.
Additional thoughts:
Guilderland owns a win over top seeded Shaker earlier in the season, so their best effort can give any of the top seeds problems. Brooke Lilley is averaging over 16 points a game for the Lady Dutch.
Click team name for season results.
| Albany | AAA |
| Colonie | AAA |
| Guilderland | AAA |
| Saratoga | AAA |
| Schenectady | AAA |
| Shaker | AAA |
| Shen | AAA |
Class AA
Sectional brackets. Predictions for each tournament generated by the season long computer rankings and thoughts on each classification.
Full Bracket Projections
| Class AA Girls | Winning | Winning | Winning | Winning | Computer |
| Rd 16 | QT. Final | Semi | Champ | Projection | |
| Catholic Cent.-2 | 100.00% | 80.96% | 49.32% | 27.28% | Favorite |
| Columbia-1 | 100.00% | 83.54% | 48.34% | 26.25% | Favorite |
| Averill Park-4 | 100.00% | 73.90% | 39.22% | 20.35% | Contender |
| Bethlehem-3 | 100.00% | 77.12% | 39.04% | 19.56% | Contender |
| Niskayuna-5 | 79.89% | 24.32% | 8.34% | 2.73% | Long Shot |
| Ballston Spa-6 | 65.48% | 17.55% | 5.00% | 1.37% | Long Shot |
| Queensbury-7 | 64.86% | 14.57% | 4.78% | 1.31% | Long Shot |
| Troy-8 | 60.61% | 11.51% | 2.97% | 0.68% | Long Shot |
| Mohonasen-10 | 35.14% | 4.48% | 0.94% | 0.16% | Long Shot |
| Burnt Hills-11 | 34.52% | 5.33% | 0.93% | 0.15% | Long Shot |
| Amsterdam-9 | 39.39% | 4.95% | 0.90% | 0.14% | Long Shot |
| South Glens Falls-12 | 20.11% | 1.78% | 0.21% | 0.02% | Long Shot |
(Alivia Landy of Columbia. Photo by Ed Bemiss.)
A few questions based on the numbers:
Are there any clear cut teams that are the favorite to win the title?
No. Four teams are separated by 4 points or less in the latest computer ratings. Catholic Central, Columbia, Bethlehem and Averill Park. This is probably my favorite classification this season of all 12 boys/girls brackets. Catholic Central won a state title last year in Class A led by coach Audra Dibacco and they return two stars in El'Dior Dobere and Tanavia Turpin. They also feature two other double figure scorers: Akarri Gaddy and Kristen Foglia.
Columbia is looking for their first sectional title since the early 90's. Alivia Landy is a Division 1 player heading to Wagner. Kendyl Ouimette, a recent 1000 point career scorer, and Sarah Rainville both average over 14 points a game for head coach Shay Harrison. Bethlehem is playing great, winning six of their last seven with the only loss vs Shen in OT. Kaitlyn Robbins and Hanna Lauenstein lead the Eagles. Averill Park is looking for their 11th consecutive sectional title, just incredible. They just had sharp-shooter Kayleigh Ahern return from injury and recent 1000 point career scorer Arianna Verardi runs the show on offense. Lillian Wohleber averages close to double digit scoring and is a tough competitor down low for coach Sean Organ.
Is there a team seeded #4 or below the top contenders that could that could win a couple games, reach the final or win the classification?
Yes, four teams can make some noise. Niskayuna, Ballston Spa, Queensbury and Troy are in a group slightly below the top four teams.
Additional thoughts:
Games to watch: All four opening round outbracket games have the potential to produce close games.
Click team name for season results.
| Amsterdam | AA |
| Averill Park | AA |
| Ballston Spa | AA |
| Bethlehem | AA |
| Burnt Hills | AA |
| Catholic Cent. | AA |
| Columbia | AA |
| Mohonasen | AA |
| Niskayuna | AA |
| Queensbury | AA |
| South Glens Falls | AA |
| Troy | AA |
Class A
Sectional brackets. Predictions for each tournament generated by the season long computer rankings and thoughts on each classification.
Full Bracket Projections
| Class A Girls | Winning | Winning | Winning | Winning | Computer |
| Rd 16 | QT. Final | Semi | Champ | Projection | |
| Albany Academy-1 | 100.00% | 92.74% | 70.15% | 47.43% | Favorite |
| Broadalbin-Perth-2 | 100.00% | 88.73% | 66.61% | 32.08% | Favorite |
| Holy Names-4 | 100.00% | 63.17% | 20.16% | 9.35% | Dark Horse |
| Schalmont-3 | 100.00% | 62.82% | 21.04% | 5.94% | Dark Horse |
| Glens Falls-5 | 100.00% | 36.83% | 8.02% | 2.74% | Long Shot |
| Scotia-6 | 100.00% | 37.18% | 8.66% | 1.64% | Long Shot |
| ICC-7 | 81.53% | 10.85% | 3.65% | 0.51% | Long Shot |
| Ravena-8 | 55.44% | 4.48% | 1.10% | 0.22% | Long Shot |
| Cohoes-9 | 44.56% | 2.78% | 0.57% | 0.09% | Long Shot |
| Lansingburgh-10 | 18.47% | 0.41% | 0.04% | 0.00% | Long Shot |
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(Albany Academy's Eva Gitto, a recent 1000 point career scorer, is a key member of the Bears squad. Photo by Ed Bemiss.)
A few questions based on the numbers:
Are there any clear cut teams that are the favorite to win the title?
Albany Academy and Broadalbin Perth are the top two power rated teams in this bracket. Academy, who lost in the state final championship game last season, is looking for another run through the section and regionals. They are led by a group that includes Eva Gitto, Alex Leaonard, Liana Williams, Morgan Vien, and Emily Thorton. Broadalbin Perth's only loss this year is to Queensbury. Molly Russom, Summer Perry and Macie Perry all average over double digits for the Patriots.
Is there a team seeded #4 or below the top contenders that could that could win a couple games, reach the final or win the classification?
Holy Names, Schalmont, Glens Falls and Scotia are just below the two main contenders and could put a scare into the top seeds.
Additional thoughts:
The way the bracket is setup it's going to be tough for any other finals matchup that isn't Albany Academy vs Broadalbin Perth. I thought Holy Names was clearly the third best team in the classification but they are seeded #4 and Schalmont is # 3 who Holy Names beat head to head. A potential third matchup vs. Academy in the semi-final round, who beat them twice already, is going to be tough for the Panthers. Can Albany Academy or Broadalbin Perth get beat on the way to the final, sure they can? It's just not likely unless there is an outlier of a performance from one of the lower seeds based on previous matchups on both sides of the bracket.
Click team name for season results.
| Albany Academy | A |
| Broadalbin-Perth | A |
| Cohoes | A |
| Emma Willard | A |
| Glens Falls | A |
| Gloversville | A |
| Holy Names | A |
| Hudson | A |
| Hudson Falls | A |
| ICC | A |
| Lansingburgh | A |
| Ravena | A |
| Schalmont | A |
| Scotia | A |
Class B
Sectional brackets. Predictions for each tournament generated by the season long computer rankings and thoughts on each classification.
Full Bracket Projections
| Class B Girls | Winning | Winning | Winning | Winning | Computer |
| Rd 16 | QT. Final | Semi | Champ | Projection | |
| Voorheesville-1 | 100.00% | 68.36% | 39.82% | 22.12% | Contender |
| Catskill-3 | 89.35% | 57.36% | 33.49% | 18.69% | Contender |
| Mechanicville-2 | 100.00% | 58.81% | 29.93% | 15.21% | Contender |
| La Salle-4 | 76.98% | 44.32% | 22.98% | 11.84% | Contender |
| Coxsackie-Athens-5 | 76.51% | 41.98% | 21.18% | 10.62% | Contender |
| Tamarac-6 | 71.52% | 32.95% | 16.45% | 7.79% | Dark Horse |
| Cobleskill-7 | 59.70% | 26.87% | 12.38% | 5.68% | Dark Horse |
| Watervliet-9 | 50.90% | 16.30% | 6.57% | 2.46% | Long Shot |
| Corinth-8 | 49.10% | 15.34% | 6.06% | 2.22% | Long Shot |
| Greenville-10 | 40.30% | 14.32% | 5.27% | 1.93% | Long Shot |
| Chatham-11 | 28.48% | 7.56% | 2.16% | 0.58% | Long Shot |
| Hoosick Falls-13 | 23.02% | 6.99% | 1.75% | 0.43% | Long Shot |
| Schuylerville-12 | 23.49% | 6.72% | 1.64% | 0.39% | Long Shot |
| Johnstown-14 | 10.65% | 2.13% | 0.33% | 0.05% | Long Shot |
(Ava Edmund of Catskill, during summer league action, driving to the basket. Photo by Ed Bemiss.)
A few questions based on the numbers:
Are there any clear cut teams that are the favorite to win the title?
No. Seven teams separated by less than 10 points in the computer rankings. Should be a fun tournament with some possible upsets along the way with not much separation among the top half of the bracket. Voorheesville the #1 seed is led by Mia Carmody and Lana Orietas. #2 Mechanicville is coming off an appearance in the Wasaren League title game and has a solid core of Tanner Eiseman, Elle Richardson, Ava Gaspie and Molly DiSiena. #3 Catskill, the Patroon conference champs guided by coach Chris Quinn, are led by 1000 point career scorer Ava Edmund who is also one of the best rebounders in the section, along with sharp shooter Alessia Salierno. #4 La Salle spit two non-league contests vs. #2 Mechanicville and have a 20+ point a game scorer in Kate Gilooly. #5 Coxsackie Athens is paced by 1500+ career scorer Baileigh Briski.
Is there a team seeded #4 or below the top contenders that could that could win a couple games, reach the final or win the classification?
Cobleskill, Tamarac, Corinth, Watervliet and Greenville are just below the top tier teams. Any of these teams could win a couple games.
Additional thoughts:
Early round games to keep an eye on: Corinth vs Watervliet, Cobleskill vs Greenville, Tamarac vs Chatham.
Click team name for season results.
| Cairo-Durham | B |
| Canajoharie | B |
| Catskill | B |
| Chatham | B |
| Cobleskill | B |
| Corinth | B |
| Coxsackie-Athens | B |
| Greenville | B |
| Hoosick Falls | B |
| Johnstown | B |
| La Salle | B |
| Mechanicville | B |
| Schuylerville | B |
| Taconic Hills | B |
| Tamarac | B |
| Voorheesville | B |
| Watervliet | B |
Class C
Sectional brackets. Predictions for each tournament generated by the season long computer rankings and thoughts on each classification.
Full Bracket Projections
| Class C Girls | Winning | Winning | Winning | Winning | Computer |
| Rd 16 | QT. Final | Semi | Champ | Projection | |
| Greenwich-1 | 99.51% | 95.77% | 84.49% | 63.60% | Favorite |
| Stillwater-2 | 98.12% | 86.89% | 65.09% | 24.64% | Contender |
| Berne-Knox-3 | 88.35% | 66.39% | 24.78% | 5.66% | Dark Horse |
| Maple Hill-5 | 70.76% | 40.69% | 6.68% | 2.44% | Long Shot |
| OESJ-4 | 74.44% | 40.78% | 6.39% | 2.26% | Long Shot |
| Whitehall-6 | 72.20% | 25.04% | 5.21% | 0.59% | Long Shot |
| Galway-7 | 55.27% | 7.68% | 2.62% | 0.25% | Long Shot |
| Cambridge-12 | 29.24% | 10.78% | 0.78% | 0.15% | Long Shot |
| Warrensburg-10 | 44.73% | 5.07% | 1.51% | 0.12% | Long Shot |
| Lake George-8 | 52.00% | 2.25% | 0.67% | 0.11% | Long Shot |
| Mayfield-9 | 48.00% | 1.88% | 0.53% | 0.08% | Long Shot |
| Hoosic Valley-13 | 25.56% | 7.74% | 0.44% | 0.07% | Long Shot |
| Duanesburg-11 | 27.80% | 4.88% | 0.45% | 0.02% | Long Shot |
| Waterford-14 | 11.65% | 3.70% | 0.31% | 0.01% | Long Shot |
| Mekeel C.A.-15 | 1.88% | 0.36% | 0.04% | 0.00% | Long Shot |
| NDBG-16 | 0.49% | 0.10% | 0.01% | 0.00% | Long Shot |
(Greenwich's Brooke Kuzmich. Photo by Ed Bemiss.)
A few questions based on the numbers:
Are there any clear cut teams that are the favorite to win the title?
Yes, Greenwich at 20-0. They just finished their fourth straight undefeated regular season, amazing. They are led by Brooke Kuzmich, Bailee Wolfe, Jordan Wolfe and Grace Autiello. They own two wins over #2 seed Stillwater, both by the exact scores of 54-34. Knocking off the Witches in this tournament is a tall task for the rest of the bracket.
Is there a team seeded #4 or below the top contenders that could that could win a couple games, reach the final or win the classification?
Stillwater, 18-2, is having a great season and clearly the second best team in the classification. Their only two losses are to #1 Greenwich. Coach Cassidy Chapko has Stillwater playing great basketball led by Miranda Price, Addison Thorton, and Maddie Chatt. Berne Knox Westerlo just won the WAC title game, under coach Tom Galvin, and are 16-4. Maple Hill has a couple impact players that will make some noise in Addison Loszynski, Sydney Rogers and Rosilee Forrest. OESJ, out of the Western Athlethic Confernce, finished the regular season at 14-5.
Additional thoughts:
Enjoy some of the quarter-final round of eight games, they will be good. However, I just don't see another scenario where this doesn't up with round three of Stillwater vs Greenwich in the title game.
Click team name for season results.
| Berlin-New Lebanon | C |
| Berne-Knox | C |
| Cambridge | C |
| Duanesburg | C |
| Galway | C |
| Granville | C |
| Greenwich | C |
| Hoosic Valley | C |
| Lake George | C |
| Maple Hill | C |
| Mayfield | C |
| Mekeel C.A. | C |
| Middleburgh | C |
| NDBG | C |
| North Warren | C |
| OESJ | C |
| Schoharie | C |
| Stillwater | C |
| Warrensburg | C |
| Waterford | C |
| Whitehall | C |
Class D
Sectional brackets. Predictions for each tournament generated by the season long computer rankings and thoughts on each classification.
Full Bracket Projections
| Class D Girls | Winning | Winning | Winning | Computer |
| QT. Final | Semi | Champ | Projection | |
| Northville-1 | 100.00% | 94.87% | 77.62% | Favorite |
| Hartford-2 | 100.00% | 57.35% | 12.68% | Contender |
| Saratoga Catholic-3 | 83.77% | 40.21% | 8.35% | Dark Horse |
| Salem-5 | 50.15% | 2.58% | 0.62% | Long Shot |
| Argyle-4 | 49.85% | 2.55% | 0.61% | Long Shot |
| Germantown-6 | 16.23% | 2.44% | 0.11% | Long Shot |
(Hailey Monroe driving to the hoop in last year's sectional final. Photo by Ed Bemiss.)
A few questions based on the numbers:
Are there any clear cut teams that are the favorite to win the title?
#1 seed Northville is a big favorite to repeat as sectional champ. Hailey Monroe averages over 23 points a game and has help with Lily Klippel, Keira Mackey, Izzy Colon and Ellen Flickinger. Their only losses have come to Class B Cobleskill and Class C Berne Knox at the buzzer. It would be a huge upset if the Falcons don't go back to back in the section.
Is there a team seeded #4 or below the top contenders that could that could win a couple games, reach the final or win the classification?
Hartford and Saratoga Catholic pose the biggest threats to Northville. Hartford owns a win over Saratoga Catholic but fell to Northville 59-35. Saratoga Catholic has Sophia Ryan averaging over 23 points a game and Addison Whitbeck 14 points a game to lead their offense.
Additional thoughts:
In such a small bracket with three teams that seem to be above the rest of the bracket it would be a long shot for one of the lower seeds to make some noise and get to the finals. A semi-final rematch, if the seeds hold, from a game earlier in the season between Hartford and Saratoga Catholic should be a great game.
Click team name for season results.
| Argyle | D |
| Fort Ann | D |
| Germantown | D |
| Hartford | D |
| Northville | D |
| Salem | D |
| Saratoga Catholic | D |
