Upstate NY Midseason Report Pt. 1

Chad Boyles | Wednesday, January 14th, 2026

Hard to believe that we are already around the midway point of the high school basketball season here in Upstate NY. While each season presents different obstacles such as player retention and transferring, re-classification, coaching changes, etc., the 2025/26 season has been consistently compelling. We’re seeing more tournaments, more out of section and neutral site contests, more youth, and now things are starting to tighten up among each class in each section. This article will feature as the first of a two-part midseason report, focusing primarily on Class A and above in Upstate NY.

Class A:

In Section 2, Class A seems to be a two-horse race between back-to-back State Champion Glens Falls and Hudson, led by unsigned senior Keith Robinson who in early December surpassed 2,000 points for his high school career, all with the Bluehawks. While the Black Bears are missing the likes of Aiden Prunty, Oscar Lilac, and Kellen Driscoll from last year's team that steamrolled to the State Championship win, they have cemented themselves as one of Section 2’s consistent contenders. Glens Falls is led by sharp-shooting sophomore Brady Girard but remains deep, well-rounded, and capable of yet another sectional championship.

Elsewhere, Westhill remains undefeated (11-0 through 1/9) and has had just two games decided by single digits. The experienced Wolf Pack are led by Eli Prince (24 PPG), who had scholarship interest before recently reclassifying into the Class of 2027 and announcing a move to Cushing Academy for next season. In Section 3, Westhill's biggest threats among the class appear to be Jamesville-Dewitt, who are 6-1 in their last seven games following an 0-2 start, and CVA, led by unsigned senior guard Calvin Jacquays who’s averaging four made threes per game, along with junior wing Brayden Smalls.

Section 5 provides another tight race at the top of the class with East High, Geneva, Batavia, and Monroe all with one loss on the year, while Section 10’s Malone seems to be the team to beat in the North Country, undefeated up to this point with relative ease.

It’s going to be fun in Section 4 as well, given that rivals Norwich and Oneonta are leading the way to this point. The Purple Tornado are a well-oiled machine. Oneonta has talent, most notably the school's all-time leading scorer Brady Carr, who will almost certainly be playing either at the college or prep level a year from now.

Class AA:

Starting again in Section 2, Niskayuna lost some key pieces from last year's team that won the section and eventually fell in the state championship game. Though they remain well-coached and are led by Daemen commit Brady Olsen, who continues to stand out in the area.

Their biggest threat appears to be Bethlehem, who are off to a great start this season. Towering and versatile junior big men Joey Whiting and Myles Irvis are a handful defensively, and unsigned senior guard Kieran Barnes continues to operate as the engine on both sides of the floor.

Barnes came up big in the Eagles’ win over Amsterdam a couple of weeks ago, with the Rams being another team capable of a Section 2 title. Unsigned seniors Aundray Fowler and CJ Miller make for a duo strong enough to carry Amsterdam to a deep run in this year's sectional tournament. The last team to keep an eye on in Albany is Troy, who have yet to lose and are playing a fast-paced game led by senior force Jordan Hood and guards Xaul (’26) and Xavjon (’27) Arroyo.

Nottingham looks the strongest in Section 3. Led by senior guard Avi Camby, sophomore Deyor Smith, and lengthy junior Bol Garang, the Bulldogs possess all the talent and coaching necessary to win the section. They will almost certainly be challenged by the likes of West Genesee and East Syracuse Minoa.

ESM handed Nottingham their first and only loss of the season to this point and has gotten great production from versatile senior guard Anthony Bryant, junior forward Robbie Clifford, and sophomore Ezra Wilson-Hefti. Featured in our underclassmen standout article was Aiden Prunty, who has Carthage now 9-1 and worthy of dark horse consideration.

Penfield, ranked top of the state in the latest NYSSWA poll, recently suffered their first loss of the season at AAA Fairport. They remain the favorite out of Rochester, led by Jake McCarthy, Jackson Green, and CJ Johnson, who we’ve also featured previously.

Make no mistake though, there are worthy opponents in Rochester come sectional season. Irondequoit and Victor are often at their best late into the season, and Pittsford-Sutherland is undefeated up to this point and ranked top 10 in the state as well.

In Section 4, Seton Catholic, who won Class A a season ago, looks the most capable of cutting down the nets, having gotten consistently strong contributions from juniors Allan Eagles and Malik Wimberly, as well as senior and Maryville commit Brian Dempsey.

Reigning state champions Binghamton were adjusting to the new makeup after some key losses from last year's team, but have gotten better as the season has progressed and will continue to be a threat as they hope to repeat their accomplishments from a year ago.

Class AAA:

Class AAA feels as open as ever, and while Shaker, who won the state championship in 2025, returns its core in Bless Demand, Marcelin Mukendi, and Mel Brown, even their path to Section 2 glory won’t be an easy one.

CBA is loaded with talent and undefeated through eight games. JJ and Austin Osinski, 6’7” Jacob Bowden, and hard-nosed guard JT Vogel make the Brothers more than capable of keeping Shaker from repeating as sectional representatives.

Shenendehowa, though maybe not as eye-popping with talent, is 8-1 and coming off a convincing win against Niskayuna. Unsigned senior Jacob Stewart continues to impress and should firmly be on coaches’ radars by now. He leads the Plainsmen, a team capable of winning any game on the right night.

Section 3 will likely be decided between Liverpool and Bishop Ludden-Grimes. In an earlier matchup between the two, Liverpool had the edge behind 27 points from unsigned senior Alex Trombley, while Jahzar Greene had 28 for Bishop Ludden-Grimes. Greene is averaging just under 24 per contest and was reportedly offered by Manhattan just prior to the new year.

The athletic guard is exactly the type of player you want during championship season. The same can be said for the sharpshooting Trombley, who has elevated the youthful talent around him. I wouldn’t be surprised if CBA, with its young talent, makes a case to be involved as the season rolls forward.

Fairport remains undefeated and is looking to lock down Section 5. Noah Meabon, committed to USC for volleyball, shines on the court alongside talented seniors Alex Grejda and point guard Gannon Culver. UPrep, albeit young, looks to be the biggest threat to Fairport. If you’re looking for excitement, human highlight Gavin White is worth watching as the Griffins look to challenge for a title.