NY Phoenix takes third game of Route 5 Rivalry, 114-105

This is what we need for local basketball fans.

The TBL’s top two teams – whose only losses this season have been in games against each other – are now facing off in the third game of their four-game regular season “Route 5 Rivalry.”

And in this matchup, the New York Phoenix drove down from Schenectady and fought off the Albany Patroons 114-105, in a game that was as close as you could expect – with over 1,700 fans packing the Armory. On a Tuesday night. Yeah. Here’s the box score.

Before the game started, though, there were some special awards to distribute, as TBL Commissioner Evelyn Magley honored the Phoenix and Patroons for their participation in last week’s All-Star Game – the Phoenix’ Shadell Millinghaus took All-Star Game MVP, while Albany’s Trahson Burrell claimed the 3-point shooting contest title. And in addition to that, a three-man team of Millinghaus, Burrell and Arsenio Arrington snagged the 3×3 game title during All-Star Weekend. Yeah. That’s how it’s done.

The Phoenix were led in scoring by AJ Mosby, who played for the Patroons in the 2021-22 season; Mosby had 23 points, while Arrington added 14 and Mustapha Traore took an 11-point, 12-rebound double-double. Unfortunately for the Schenectady crew, their captain Shadell Millinghaus left the game in the first quarter with what appeared to be a leg muscle injury, and hopefully he will recover quickly.

Meanwhile, the Patroons did have solid scoring from Ja’Quaye James with 33 points and 8 assists; add 18 points from Trahson Burrell and 17 points from new teammate Zion Styles, but Albany was short one of their 3-point aces, Phil Flory, who was out with a groin injury. And hopefully HE will recover quickly.

So what happens from here?

The Phoenix, who are now atop the TBL’s North Atlantic Division with an 11-1 mark, will have two games at Armory Studios in Schenectady this weekend; Friday night hosting the Reading Rebels, and Saturday against the Rochester Kingz Jersey Shore Breaks. Meanwhile, the Albany Patroons head north for their mid-season Maritime road swing, with two games against the Tri-City Tide and one facing the Halifax Hoopers.

Oh, and if you’re wondering about when the Patroons and the Phoenix will handle other quality opponents that are NOT from the Capital District, word has it that the TBL has adjusted their schedule so that both the Phoenix and the Patroons will now have visits from the top team in the TBL’s Mid-Atlantic Division, the Frederick (Md.) Flying Cows – who currently sport a 13-0 record and could theoretically run the table to the postseason.

Which means this season just went from good … to really good … for both 518 squads.

Yeah. I’m enjoying this. For sure.