ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) — The Albany Academy girls basketball team was completely dominant in its 2024 divisional debut, looking like you'd expect from a reigning state semifinalist.
Finishing the regular season with a 16-3 record, the Bears advanced to the Class B section tournament as the top-seeded team for the second straight year. Their quest to defend their title began Wednesday night with a 76-28 win over No. 8 seed Watervliet in the quarterfinal round.
Head coach Brian Capitola's stifling defense was on full display from the start, creating numerous transition buckets for Academy and quickly taking a 31-7 lead at the end of the first quarter. Ten of those points were scored by sophomore Alex Leonard.
The Cannoniers responded well in the second quarter, outscoring Academy 14-12. However, the Bears' defensive pressure intensified again in the second half, holding Watervliet to just seven points in the final 16 minutes of the game.
Leonard led Academy's offense with 17 points. In the scoring column, captains Morgan Vien and Vera Vincent scored 14 and 11 points, respectively.
Albany Academy (17-3) now turns its attention to Sunday's semifinal matchup against No. 4 seed Stillwater at Hudson Valley Community College. Opening tip is tentatively scheduled for 7:30 p.m. That day will be the final of six games to be held at HVCC.
Watervliet's season has come to an end, with an overall record of 10 wins and 9 losses.
