The 2025 TBL basketball season featured three games for the Albany Patroons and New York Phoenix, the Capital District’s two minor league pro hoops outlets. And both teams came out with dominating wins to start the season.
Last Friday, the Albany Patroons dominated the visiting Halifax Hoopers in front of 3,000 people at the Washington Avenue Armory, 128-101. Albany’s new forward Trahson Burrell led the Pats in scoring with 24 points, with the returning Ja’Quaye James adding 21 (including an acrobatic three-pointer “and one” at the end of the half). Other Patroons stars included Philip Flory notching 18. Rookie Josh Morris came off the bench for 17. The box score for the game is linked here.
Not to be outdone, that same Friday evening the NY Phoenix picked up their first win of the year, 104-94 over the Connecticut Crusaders in front of 1100 at Armory Studios. Three former Patroons veterans paced the Phoenix, with Shadell Millinghaus leading the Schenectady crew with 20; AJ Mosby added 18, and Mustapha Traore scored 17. Millinghaus was one rebound and five assists shy of an opening night triple-double. The box score for that game is linked here.
On Saturday evening, I drove to Armory Studios NY in Schenectady for the Phoenix’ second game of the year, where they faced the Halifax Hoopers. And let me say this – the Phoenix operations are top-notch. The Armory Studios NY venue is spacious, not a bad seat in the house. And the Phoenix team itself jumped out to a 35-16 first-quarter lead, and kept going from there. The Schenectady crew destroyed the Hoopers 122-99 in a game that wasn’t even THAT close. Joshua Montgomery led the flaming flyers with 25 points, while Shadell Millinghaus was not far behind with 24 points, 8 rebounds and two blocked shots. Trust me, I haven’t seen Halifax get destroyed that badly since the SS Mont-Blanc crashed into the SS Imo. And yes, I have the full box score right here at this link.
Next week, the Patroons have their own back-to-back doubleheader on March 7 against the Reading Rebels, and March 8 against the Connecticut Crusaders, while the Phoenix head west for a road game against the Rochester Kingz. Yes, Kingz. With a Z. Trust me, I don’t name theze teamz. Itz not my pozition.
Right now, the two Capital District hoops teams are 1-2 in the division standings. And in case you’re curious … the first “Route 5 Rivalry” game takes place on April 13, when the Patroons visit Schenectady for what must assuredly be an epic showdown on the hardwood.
Yeah. Can not wait.
Chuck The Writer 
You must be logged in to post a comment.