Catholic Central's Colleen Dignum (4) looks to move the ball past Saratoga Springs' Kayla Crawford in Wednesday's Section II Class AA opening round game at Monsignor Burns Gymnasium in Troy. Dignum scored the Crusaders' only points of the third quarter and bloodied her nose on the play, but the drive inspired a fourth quarter rally by the rest of her senior teammates. Catholic Central held on for a 42-39 victory. (All photos by Mike McMahon - The Record).

Carly LaBombard (10) aims a shot as Saratoga's Kathleen Hannan defends in Wednesday's game. LaBombard scored eight of her 11 points in the fourth quarter as the Lady Crusaders rallied from three down to claim a vicory in what was the final game on the home floor for the CCHS seniors. Dignum also finished with 11 points.

Catholic Central's Olivia DeMarco (center) fights for the ball between Saratoga's Marie Davison (l) and Staci McElroy (r). DeMarco did not play in the first meeting between these teams, a 42-40 victory for the Blue Streaks on Nov. 29. The New Haven University-bound senior center grabbed 10 rebounds, scored eight points and made three blocks.

Technical difficulties prevented the CCHS staff from playing a recorded version of the national anthem, so Davison stepped up to the microphone to give her rendition. It was a great display of sportsmanship and the CCHS fans gave her a great round of applause.

Saratoga's Staci McElroy (10) goes to the hole as Catholic Central's Taliah Pounds gets a hand on the ball. Pounds, a sophomore, grabbed five rebounds and scored three points in limited minutes, but provided valuable backup in the post for DeMarco.

After losing their first three games this season, the Lady Crusaders have won 14 of their past 17 and ride a six-game winning streak into the Section II Class AA quarterfinals.
Big 10 No. 3 Catholic Central advances to face Bethlehem (15-6), the Suburban Council No. 2 seed. The teams will play at Schenectady High School on Saturday at 6 p.m. Admission is $3.

Look for the full game recap in Thursday's edition of The Record, as well as the juicy details about the Bethlehem-CCHS rivalry.

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Loudonville's Christian's Cullen Overholt (11) smooshes the ball into the floor at Shaker High School during a Section II Class D opening round game on Wednesday night. The No., 6 seeded Eagles used 17 points from Overholt, the 2008-09 Central Hudson Valley League Co-MVP, to defeat a CHVL foe, No. 11 seed New Lebanon, 46-41.

Loudonville Christian's Jared Rebeor (33), a second team All-CHVL selection, scored eight points in the victory. The Eagles advace to take on No. 3 Sharon Springs in a Class D quarterfinal game Saturday at Saratoga Springs High School. Tip-off is set for 3:30 p.m. and admission is $6.

Updated girls basketball brackets

Updated boys basketball brackets