“It was a really good season coming off the sectional championship, but we wanted the state chip,” Niskayuna junior guard Daniel Smalls said. “We were sad we didn’t get it, but that’s the motivation for this year. We are delighted with our success so far and are now motivated for more.”
Last season, Niskayuna earned a shot at the Section 2 Class AA title with an overall record of 19-5. After wins over Columbia, Bethlehem and La Salle, they earned the top seed in the AA tournament for the program’s first win since 1978.
“We have a goal in mind and now it’s just a matter of taking steps to get there,” senior guard Ethan Gilson said. “We have more experience. Obviously, Nisky hasn’t won a section championship in 46 years. Being able to be in that environment and play in (Cool Insuring Arena) is something we can learn from.”
Since his season ended in the regional championship against West Genesee on March 9, Smalls has been focused on his comeback.
“This is what you expect throughout the offseason.” Smalls said. “Every time we won or lost our last game last season, we look at our first game on December 10th as motivation.”
Niskayuna opens the season with a tournament game against Cardinal O’Hara on Saturday at Colonie High School and opens league play against Saratoga Springs on Dec. 10.
In addition to the regular Suburban Council schedule, Niskayuna is scheduled to face Liverpool in another tournament on December 22. Non-league games are also scheduled against Amsterdam on December 27th and Kingston on January 3rd.
In addition to Smalls and Gilson, Niskayuna returns Garrett Gillooley and Brady Olsen, key members of last season’s team.
But Gilson is taking strides as he recovers from a broken collarbone he suffered during football season.
“It’s really about getting on my feet and getting back in shape,” Gilson said of his recovery. “I’ve been playing with these guys long enough that chemistry isn’t really a concern.”
“We have known each other since we were kids. We’re all best friends and we hang out with each other, so we just come in and have fun,” Smalls added of the team’s chemistry. “There are speakers there and it’s a great atmosphere every time we practice. “We fight sometimes, but we all know it comes from a good place.”
During Gilson’s sophomore and junior soccer seasons, Niskayuna won the Section 2 Class A title and advanced to the state semifinals both years. This year the program moved up to Class AA.
With Gilson struggling with injuries, Niskayuna was unable to make the playoffs in its new division.
Gilson, who was accustomed to the football season starting in late November, said, “Getting injured was a new experience. “It’s actually my first time participating in a basketball preliminaries,” he said. “Speaking of Thanksgiving, I’m grateful to have been a part of a winning culture, sectional championships and state semifinalists in my first two years. “This is something I will always be grateful for.”
“I’m looking forward to playing again with my teammates.”
There will be new teammates on the basketball court this season, including sophomores Chase Meisner and Poem Staten.
“I would say poetry,” Smalls said of the new players he expects to make an impact. “He is a sophomore and this is his first year on the varsity team. We need to replace dome guys like Gavin (Olsen) and Jadan Hood. I think he’s going to have a really good year this year.”
For the team’s seniors, the start of basketball season is an opportunity to add another title to their growing collection.
