2026 NYSPHSAA Section 2 Tournament Top Performers

By David Cordova,

This weekend, March 7-8, we headed upstate to the Harding Mazzotti Arena in Glens Falls, NY for the Section 2 Tournament, where the teams from the Capital Region compete against each other for the chance to advance to the NYSPHSAA (New York State Public High School Athletics Association) Regional Tournament. We were able to see four games in the tournament with multiple teams from the AAA, AA, A and B divisions. A lot of the players showed that there was plenty of talent in the Capital Region. Here are the standouts from the Section 2 Tournament.

 

Keith Robinson, Hudson High, Class of 2026 - A guard that is very lethal offensively and is able to dominate. Is able to get to the basket with his quickness and is able to create off the dribble. Has a nice jumper and has the ability to distribute the ball to his teammates when the opportunity presents itself.

Josiah Acevedo, 5-8, Point Guard, Lansingburgh High, Class of 2026 - A guard that has excellent court vision and is able to make heady plays on the court. Uses his quickness an as an asset when it comes to the fast break and is able to draw fouls when going to the basket. Is able to distribute the ball to his teammates when they’re open at all times. Is able to force the opposition into turning over the ball with his superb defense.

Kornell John, 6-7, Forward, Lansingburgh High, Class of 2026 - A forward that was a solid presence in the paint area and has the ability to be a force. Has great hands and good footwork when moving around in the post area. Has a penchant for muscling his way to the basket and is also a good shot blocker on the defensive end, as well as a good rebounder on both ends of the court.

Ayden Taylor, 6-0, Shooting Guard, KIPP Capital Region School, Class of 2026 - A guard that is able to hold his own when on the floor, as he is able to flourish on the offensive end. Has the ability to obtain steals by playing tough defense and then converting it to a fast break on the offensive end. Is able to drive to the basket and finish strong. Is great for making mid-range jumpers.

Indavier Barnes, 6-3, Shooting Guard, KIPP Capital Region School, Class of 2026 - A guard that has the ability to score at a high level in multiple ways on the court. Is a solid defensive player that is known to force turnovers and also can start a fast break. Is able to drive to the basket and is an efficient finisher. Is able to pull up and shoot from long range.

Chance Harris, 5-9, Shooting Guard, Catskill High, Class of 2028 - A guard that is a strong and defensive-minded, but is also able to score in bunches. Is able to run on a fast break and is very deceptive and quick with the ball on the offensive end. Has the ability to get to the basket and finish efficiently.

Kobe Neilsen, 6-3, Forward, Catskill High, Class of 2026 - A forward that is undersized for his height but is very mobile and brings a lot of energy to his team. Has the ability to be an anchor on the defensive end and is prone to blocking shots and outworking taller players for rebounds. Has great footwork, which aids him on both ends of the court. Is a great finisher when going to the basket.

Rocco Natale, Jr., 5-8, Point Guard, Amsterdam High, Class of 2027 - A guard that is known for being the engine, the key to his team’s offense. Has plenty of quickness, which aids in him being able to speed up the offense on a fast break. Is always able to find his teammates when they’re open, which could lead to potential baskets. Is fearless when going to the basket, where he is able to finish in transition. Has a nice shooting touch from mid-range and from three-point range.

Aundray Fowler, 6-3, Shooting Guard, Amsterdam High, Class of 2026 - A guard that has the ability to make crucial plays for his team at the right moments and can step up during clutch time and rise to the occasion. Has the ability to get his shot off efficiently from three-point range and is known for finding his teammates that are open, so that they’re put into position to score. Is able to attack in transition and can finish efficiently when going to the basket.

C.J. Miller, 6-8, Forward, Amsterdam High, Class of 2026 - A forward that is very strong and mobile in the post area and is able to dominate on both ends of the court. Uses his strength as a way to outwork the opposition and can muscle his way to the basket, where he is able to score efficiently. Is able to step out to the mid-range area or from three-point range, where he is able to sink jumpers.

Brady Olsen, 6-5, Forward, Niskayuna High, Class of 2026 - A forward that is able to play the low post and can also step out and play on the perimeter. Has a penchant for distributing passes to his teammates that can put them in position to score. Has the ability to get his shot off when he’s on the wing & can drive to the basket and finish in the lane.

Will DiCaprio, 6-4, Shooting Guard, Niskayuna High School, Class of 2027 - A guard that has a very smooth game and is able to use his skills to his advantage. Has the ability to distribute the ball to open teammates when they’re open and when there’s a chance for them to score. Has the ability to get to the basket and score efficiently.

J.J. Osinski, 6-5, Shooting Guard, Christian Brothers Academy, Class of 2027 - A guard that is a true playmaker when on the court, as he is able to show off his skills in a variety of ways. Has the ability to make passes that aid in his teammates being able to score in transition. Has plenty of athleticism, which is he uses to his advantage when goin to the basket. Is able to drive to the basket and can even hit floaters and can also shoot jumpers from outside.

Amare Coffil, 5-8, Point Guard, Christian Brothers Academy, Class of 2026 - A guard that has jet-like quickness and brings plenty of energy. When not guarded heavily, he can be difficult to stop, as he is able to get past defenders with plenty of ease. Is able to step out and can shoot from mid-range. On the defensive end, he is prone to obtaining steals and is able to hold his own with the opposition.

Melvin Brown, 6-1, Shooting Guard, Shaker High, Class of 2026 - A guard that has plenty of toughness in his game and is very poised when he is on the court. He is able to find his teammates when they’re open or when he knows they can score easily. Has the ability to drive in transition and is able to finish efficiently and can get to the free-throw line easily by drawing fouls.

Bless Demand, 5-9, Point Guard, Shaker High School, Class of 2026 - A guard that has the ability to be a true leader on the floor and has the skills to be a facilitator and a scorer. Has the ability to break down defenses and finds ways to score, especially when going to the basket. Has a penchant for picking off the opposition for steals and then turning it into a fast break situation at the other end. Is also a player that is great at finding his teammates and giving them opportunities to score.