James Allen

Albany

Sports Writer at Times Union (Albany)

I have covered Section II athletics since 1989. (S.F. Giants, Cleveland Guardians, S.F. 49ers, Golden State Warriors, N.Y. Rangers, U. of Florida, Army FB, F1).

Featured in: Favicon

timesunion.com Favicon

wsj.com

billboard.com Favicon

motor1.com (+1) Favicon

irishexaminer.com Favicon

dailykos.com Favicon

couriermail.com.au Favicon

autosport.com Favicon

theroar.com.au Favicon

lmtonline.com + 51 more

Articles

Ballston Spa holds off Niskayuna to claim the Section II Class AA baseball title

3 days ago | timesunion.com | James Allen

TROY — The line used all season by the Niskayuna baseball team to describe how it operated daily was "resiliency." The top seed for the 2025 Section II Class AA tournament certainly showed it would not go down quietly Tuesday evening after a disastrous first inning. In the end, a persistent group from Ballston Spa playing for something bigger than itself had enough to hang on.
Saratoga Springs sweeps Colonie to claim Section II Class AAA baseball title

4 days ago | timesunion.com | James Allen

TROY — The Blue Streaks collectively decided Monday evening that another three-game championship series was not for them. After falling in back-to-back championship series in three games in 2023 and 2024, Saratoga Springs completed Monday the sweep of Colonie in this year's Section II Class AAA baseball best-of-3 championship series with a 5-1 win. In 2023 and 2024, the Blue Streaks beat rival Shenendehowa in each Game 1, only to lose the next two contests.
Ballston Spa beats Niskayuna 7-3 to force a third game in best-of-3 Class AA series

4 days ago | timesunion.com | James Allen

TROY — When the last game of the Suburban Council baseball season was completed, Niskayuna and Ballston Spa each finished atop the standings with 9-2 league records, with Niskayuna narrowly gaining the No. 1 seed over the Scotties for the Section II Class AA playoffs. The gap between the teams remains a small one. Article continues below this adAnd, Monday evening, Ballston Spa made sure the best-of-3 title series between the two teams required a third game to determine a champion.
Green Tech boys' basketball team embraces opportunity to play in Poland

5 days ago | timesunion.com | James Allen

ALBANY — Being denied a fourth straight Section II boys' basketball title back in March didn't sit well with Green Tech. And, under most circumstances, that Class AAA championship game loss to Shaker would've represented the last time the team's senior stars competed for the Eagles. Thanks to a relationship forged with a team it competed against earlier this season, it wasn't.
Best of the Week in Section II athletics for May 26-June 1

5 days ago | timesunion.com | James Allen

Saida Assabahi, Guilderland: The senior earned wins in the 100 (12.54), 200 (24.60) and as part of the 1,600 relay, plus finished second in the 400 (56.14), to help lead her team to the title at the Group 1 championships. Article continues below this adParker Steele, Guilderland: The junior finished first in the 100 hurdles (14.41) and was part of the winning 1,600 relay at the Group 1 championships. Steele also came in second in the 400 hurdles (1:04.01) and third as a member of the 400 relay.
Mechanicville captures first sectional baseball title by beating Cobleskill-Richmondville

5 days ago | timesunion.com | James Allen

AMSTERDAM — So many players competing at Shuttleworth Park are enticed to swing for the fences upon seeing the short porch down each foul line. Mechanicville's Chris Couser prefers a different approach. Article continues below this ad"I don't have that much power. I try to keep it simple," Couser said.
Saratoga Springs defeats Colonie in Game 1 of Class AAA baseball final

1 week ago | timesunion.com | James Allen

GUILDERLAND CENTER — There are so many subtle nuisances involved with the game of baseball. Often times, there are parts of a play that may not be noticed by fans watching a game. One such instance occurred in the top of the eighth inning in Game 1 of the Section II Class AAA title series between Colonie and Saratoga Springs at Dutchmen Field. With one out and runners on first and second, Colonie attempted to engineer a double play to escape danger.
Niskayuna rallies to produce a 3-2 victory over Ballston Spa in Class AA baseball

1 week ago | timesunion.com | James Allen

GUILDERLAND CENTER — Christian Bixler created a mess for himself in the sixth inning Friday afternoon. The Niskayuna senior pitcher managed to extricate himself from his own peril to minimize the damage. Bixler then watched with joy as his teammates produced two runs in the bottom of the inning to retake the lead.
La Salle ends turbulent month by claiming the Class A sectional baseball title

1 week ago | timesunion.com | James Allen

TROY — Ryan Ruddy was not with his La Salle baseball team Thursday evening. The Cadets, however, were clearly with their coach in spirit as they took on top-seeded Ichabod Crane for the Section II Class A championship. Ruddy, who was not allowed to coach the team for the postseason after the school's fifth athletic rule violation since 2022, could not even attend the game at Bruno Stadium. His Cadets made sure they have plenty to talk about going forward.
Saratoga Central Catholic baseball defeats Granville for Class C championship

1 week ago | timesunion.com | James Allen

TROY — Gloves and hats were sent skyward after the final out had been recorded Thursday afternoon as the long title wait for the Saratoga Catholic Central baseball team had just ended at Bruno Stadium. A few of the Saints' players were poised and ready to douse long-time head coach Phonsey Lambert with the water bucket following the awards ceremony.