You don’t need¬†The Fizz to tell you Albany has screwed a lot of people over with its late budgets and cuts across the board. That’s why we endorse Pedro Espada for State Senator (assuming he isn’t indicted in the next six months).
One budgetary slash, though maybe not recognizable to those out of the area, are the Empire State Games.
This was one of the coolest displays of athletics in the state. All sports, all athletes and a heck of a recruiting pool
Who can forget¬†Terrence Roberts’ domination at the games when he played for the Central team while still at SU? Look at that box score again: he hit four threes and made all his free throws!
Sure, he was playing against mostly D-3 talent, but who cares. We can only imagined it went something like this:
Lacrosse specifically uses the games more than any other to scout good talent. Just check out the 2004 rosters.
It includes the ’09 Tewaaraton Trophy winner in both men’s and women’s lax (Max Seibald and Jillian Byers) intertwined among some randoms like Matt Abbott, Kenny Nims, Dan Hardy and Brandon Corp.
So how do you reward one of the best talent showcases in Central New York? You cut it of course!
But after a whole lot of worry, the kids have a savior. Coincidentally enough, it’s the folks over at Nike (remember their ‘acquisition’ of the Lebron dunk?) who will be¬†sponsoring the New York State Shootout.
Held at Henninger High School in Syracuse this Saturday, it’ll be a new showcase, with coaches to take in all of the recruiting glow of a regional round-robin tournament. Good to see even corporate conglomo stepping up to help get kids exposure.
This Fizzster will be covering the games for insidelacrosse.com (look for a podcast from the days events right here in the near future).
Sorry Albany, looks like this was one thing even you couldn’t screw up.
