Collegiate vs. Olean preview, Buffalo News

Federation at a glance

0 Comments | Buffalo News, Mar 27, 2008 | by Keith McShea

Schedule: Friday's Class B boys semifinals -- Olean (23-2) vs. Collegiate (24-6), 4:15 p.m.; PSAL-Secondary School (20-1) vs. CHSAA- St. Agnes (21-8), 2:30 p.m. Saturday's final -- 5:45 p.m. All games are played at the Glens Falls Civic Center.

Tournament of champions: The Federation brings together the best of the state's associations: Olean is the champion of the NYSPHSAA (public schools); Collegiate School is the champion of the NYSAIS (Alliance of Independent Schools); Brooklyn's Secondary School for Law, Journalism and Research is the champion of New York City's Public Schools Athletic League; Manhattan's St. Agnes is the champion of the NYSCHSAA (Catholic schools).

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Federation history: Since the Federation format went to three classes (AA, A and B) in 2004, the public school champ has made three of the four finals, winning two. Malverne won last year; Olean beat Malverne in this year's public school final.

Olean starters: Joe Palumbo (5-6 so.), Sean Donahue (6-3 sr.), Chris Weidt (6-0 sr.), Sam Moore (6-4 sr.), Jacob Houseknecht (6-8 sr.). Key reserves: Ryan Carney (6-1 so.), James Chatmon (6-2 jr.).

Scouting Collegiate: Collegiate is coming off a tremendous championship win over rival Poly Prep in the independent final. They're led in the post by 6-1 senior Mike Nelson while 6-5 sophomore wing player Will Bartlett is dangerous, along with 6-2 junior off guard Harrison Green. Canisius High grad Ben Batory has been a volunteer assistant for Collegiate all but one year since 2000 -- that was the 2003-04 season in which he coached Canisius High.

Bracketology: St. Agnes might sound familiar to local fans -- it beat Bishop Timon-St. Jude in the Catholic school final, 54-40. Secondary School won the PSAL title from the third seed with a 47- 45 win over top-seeded Acorn School for Social Justice.

More on the Web: Check out the buffalonews.com Prep Talk blog for more information and to discuss Olean's chances.

Copyright 2008