Moore, Mulhern top choices

The latest edition of the New York State Sportswriters boys’ basketball rankings has a total of 19 area squads rated among the six classifications, including a trio listed in the top five in Catholic Central (No. 3, Class A), Glens Falls (No. 5, Class A) and Stillwater (No. 2, Class B).

Through the first half of the regular season, four area squads enter play Wednesday undefeated: Colonie (Class AAA), Mekeel Christian Academy (Class AA), Glens Falls (Class A) and Stillwater (Class B).

Colonie handed Niskayuna its first loss Friday with a 72-55 decision and Shaker suffered its first defeat Tuesday with a 63-59 setback against Bethlehem.

Here is a look at the first half of the boys’ basketball season.

Large schools

Emerging star: Niskayuna sophomore guard Daniel Smalls has been the lead component for a team with a 9-1 overall record following Tuesday’s 51-36 victory at Shenendehowa. He is averaging 15.5 points, 4.9 assists and 2.5 steals per game.

Player of the half: CCHS sophomore star Darien Moore has already accomplished a great deal in a three-year varsity career for the Crusaders. The 2023 Times Union Small-School Athlete of the Year is competing in Class A this season and is averaging 23.8 points, 11.1 rebounds, 4.5 steals and 4.0 assists per game.

Coach of the half: Colonie coach Greg Davis is in his first season coaching at his alma mater after successful previous stints at Troy High and La Salle. This season, Colonie is 10-0 overall, 6-0 in Suburban Council play and ranked No. 21 in the Class AAA state poll.

Small schools

Emerging star: Greenville junior guard Jack Giarusso leads the Spartans (6-4 overall, 5-2 Patroon Conference) in scoring at19.8 points per game. He matched his season high Friday with 29 points in a 60-50 win against Chatham. Giarusso is tied for the Section II lead with 37 3-pointers.

Player of the half: Duanesburg junior standout Jeffrey Mulhern is the top scorer in Section II at 30.0 points per game. He has eclipsed 35 points four times, paced by a 41-point performance in a 95-51 victory against Middle-burgh.

Coach of the half: Bruce Lilac has guided Still-water to an 11-0 overall record and a No. 2 state ranking in the Class B poll. The top team in the Wasaren League has a dynamic starting five led by a trio of seniors in Jaxon Mueller, Lukas Lilac and Kaelan Leak.

Noteworthy items: Glens Falls junior standout Kellen Driscoll surpassed the 1,000-point plateau for his career last week when the Black Bears defeated Cohoes 96-61. … Daniel Covington, who previously played at Troy High, ranks 12th in Section II in scoring for Albany at 21.7 points per game. … Two of the three top scorers for Christian Brothers Academy are freshman in JJ Osinski and JT Vogel. Osinski tops the Brothers at 21.6 points per game, followed by senior Matt Sgambati (16.9 ppg) and Vogel (12.9 ppg). … Aayden Green and Markous Green from Lansingburgh rank 18th and 19th, respectively, in Section II scoring at 20.0 ppg and 19.9 ppg.

Games to watch

Shaker at Colonie, Friday: The crosstown rivals meet in a Suburban Council contest that carries both league and sectional seeding implications.

Our Lady of Lourdes vs. CCHS at La Salle, Sunday: The Crusaders, ranked third in the Class A state poll, take on Section IX power Our Lady of Lourdes (No. 14 Class AA) at noon.

Lansingburgh at Still-water, Jan. 22: A pair of state-ranked squads from different leagues and classifications collide in what should be a hotly contested game.

Niskayuna at West Genesee, Jan. 27: Niskayuna is ranked No. 28 in Class AA and can help its state standing with a road win against the Wildcats (8-2), rated No. 15 in Class AA.

Albany Academy at Long Island Lutheran, Feb. 24: The Cadets get the chance to test themselves next month against a Long Island Lutheran squad ranked No. 2 in the country.