High School Huddle

It's the final weekend of the winter sports season so AJ and Carl have a jam-packed show to celebrate, bringing in guests from all across New York to preview the state basketball tournament.

First, they recap the basketball Far West Regionals which saw six teams advance to the final four (2:00). They also break down the hockey state championships, with McQuaid and BND United both falling in the semifinals.

Then, we head to our experts to break down all the teams each of our Section V basketball squads will square off against.

First, Brian Reichert from Rivals and NYC Hoops joins the show to preview Wayne and Friends Academy in Class A (7:30).

Next, we head to Class C where Maddie Mustion of WSYR-TV talks all things Lyons and Moravia (13:15).

Finally, we head up north as Mel Busler from WWNY-TV breaks down Avoca/Prattsburgh and Sackets Harbor in Class D (19:00).

Then, we head to the girls side of things where our friend Jeff Mliner of Empire State Takeover joins the podcast. He analyzes the big showdown between Hilton and Averill Park in Class AA

Thanks to all of our guests for coming on the podcast and be sure to tune in next week when we put a bow on the winter sports season.

The bricks have been handed out and it's time to start chasing a state championship. AJ Feldman and Carl Jones have you covered after a busy week of basketball action.

First, they recap everything that went down at the Blue Cross Arena and Finger Lakes Community College. UPrep reigned supreme in Class AAA, while Victor finally knocked off Athena in Class AA boys (3:30). The girls action featured nothing but close games, with Hilton taking the premier showdown against Victor to earn the Class AA crown (10:30).

Then, they welcome Tom Prince from WNY Athletics to preview the Far West Regionals. They break down the Class AAA (13:35), AA (21:00), and A matchups for both boys and girls as the best of the best from Rochester and Buffalo prepare to square off (27:30).

Finally, we get you ready for the weekend when McQuaid and BND United hockey will try and finish their seasons raising a state championship trophy (38:30).

Sectional championship weekend is here for basketball and AJ and Carl are getting you ready for all the action.

After recapping how our fantasy teams are looking from the Primetime draft, Carl recaps all the hockey sectional action from Monday at RIT that saw two teams raise bricks in dramatic fashion and three teams advance to the state tournament (2:40).

Then, they dive into our basketball preview by handing out some superlatives. Carl and AJ each share the game they're most looking forward to watching (8:45), the player they want to see on the big stage (14:45), the underdog who could complete a Cinderella run (21:00), a small school standout ready to burst onto the scene (25:45), and the storyline they're watching in a busy weekend of action (31:00).

Be sure to follow AJ and Carl on social media for recaps on who won the fantasy draft after the weekend and check out News 8 and our website for all your basketball coverage this weekend.

The brackets have been released in Section V basketball and we brought in some special guests to break it all down.

Karen and Gerard Iglesia from Primetime 585 join AJ Feldman and Carl Jones in the Huddle to preview all the basketball action draft style.

Moderated by Thad Brown, everyone selected four teams that they think have what it takes to win it all. Each person had to select a top seed, a 2-4 seed, a 5+ seeded Cinderella, and a "wild card" they could use on any seed they liked.

Each team is awarded four points for winning a sectional title, two points for finishing as runner-up, and one point for falling in the sectional semifinals.

The first tiebreaker is most sectional titles, the second is most runners-up. If our drafters are still tied, whoever wins the most games in the regional round and beyond.

Hear our reasonings for each pick as everyone vies for the title of the most knowledgeable analyst.

The playoffs are here in Section V and AJ and Carl are back to talk about everything that's going down in the winter sports season.

First, Pittsford put in another impressive effort in the pool while Fairport and Arcadia took home girls bowling crowns. Plus, the Webster girls hockey team had a valiant effort in the state playoffs (0:45).

Then, they dive into the hockey brackets. In Class A, are Pittsford and McQuaid destined to meet in the sectional finals (7:30)?

Taking a look at Class B, BND United is the clear favorite. But what do the two talented teams from Webster, Victor, and Canandaigua have to say about that (14:00)?

Finally, they chat about the recent weeks of basketball as the playoff picture has changed in both Class AAA boys and Class AA girls (21:00).

In a special episode, Karen and Gerard Iglesia from Primetime 585 join AJ And Carl to discuss Section V basketball and Matt Trabold Week.

Matt Trabold Week was created three years ago to honor the life and memory of our friend who died by suicide in 2021. Trabold was an avid supporter of high school athletics and the week reminds people that "It's Okay to Not Be Okay."

Topics of discussion include the collaboration between News 8 and Primetime (2:10), surprising teams in boys basketball (7:30), Athena's undefeated season (9:30), parity in boys Class AAA (16:45), the best of small school hoops (19:25), and young stars in girls basketball (25:45).

Highlights of our mental health discussion include the legacy Trabold left (31:30), students leading the initiative (39:40), normalizing mental health conversations (45:00), the intersection of mental health and race (47:00), and having athletes set examples for other students (51:00).

It's almost crunch time in Section V season with two weeks left in the high school basketball regular season.

Carl stopped by Athena high school earlier this week and did a story on the Reaves brothers. This isn't the first time in Section V that the 'Reaves' last name has made noise on the basketball scene (2:35).

AJ was able to sit down with Pittsford's dynamic swimmer Cameron Stezter who has already qualified for every single event at the New York state championships (7:05).

Avon and Lyons boys basketball continued their dominant stretch with an impressive wins this week. They're our Teams of the Week (10:35).

Newark and Eastridge girls hoops are making some noise on the hardwood, but for different reasons. They're our Eyes on You teams (18:35).

Penfield-Victor and East-McQuaid will link up on the court this Friday for the second time this season (25:00).

The Bills season is finally in the books and it's time to fully turn our attention to the Section V season which is heating up.

Wayne boys basketball finally finished its game against Newark and captured a thrilling victory. Hilton hockey earned a statement win against Schroeder. They're our Teams of the Week (3:00).

Young Women's Prep and Gananda girls basketball are making noise for their standout players, they're our Eyes on You teams (10:05).

Finally, we're looking forward to big matchups between Irondequoit and Eastridge as well as Victor and Schroeder (17:15).

AJ's thawed out from a chilly evening in Orchard Park and is back to join Carl Jones in the Huddle. Carl had his own interesting experience with the weather and the News 8 sports car came out worse for wear (2:30).

Thomas boys basketball had an impressive week and Athena continues to show why they're the top team in Section V, they're our Teams of the Week (5:55).

Meanwhile, the Canandaigua girls have turned their season around while Batavia Notre Dame won a statement game against Pittsford, they're our Eyes on You teams (12:45).

Finally, a pair of rivalry matchups take centerstage on Roundball Roundup as Mendon and Sutherland battle as well as Fairport and Rush-Henrietta (20:45).

The winter sports season is heating up and AJ and Carl are back to break it all down.

The first Roundball Roundup of the season had some great games, however, first AJ and Carl had to deal with some pesky JV games. They recall their travels (00:45).

Fairport boys basketball and Hilton girls basketball each racked up statement wins against Victor recently, they are our Teams of the Week (6:15).

The Wayne boys and East girls are both rising up the standings, they are our Eyes on You teams (12:20).

Finally, Hilton/Schroeder girls basketball headlines our Roundball Roundup slate while Pittsford/Batavia Notre Dame United is one of the top matchups on the ice this season, they're our games to watch (18:15).