by Gary Danforth
When the 2008-09 Hoosick Falls Central School varsity girls basketball team tips-off its 2008-09 season on Friday, November 28, at the Mechanicville High School Tip Off Tourney the Panthers will be under the guidance of a new coach. Kerry Branigan has taken over for long time varsity hoop boss Denise Campbell. Campbell was a 1991 Hoosick Falls graduate and a member of the Panthers’ last sectional title team in that same year. Campbell led the HFCS varsity to the WASAREN League basketball title during the 2003-04 season. Now, Branigan will lead a new era of girls basketball at Hoosick Falls.
HFCS will have thirteen players on its varsity roster. Five seniors will lead the way. Carly Pine, Kristi Bennett, Nicole LaCroix, Sarah McMahon and Kim Pelkey should provide senior leadership. Juniors Jenna Priore, Erin Shea, Emily Wilwol, Melody Mentiply and Meg McEachron should see time on the court. Three sophomores, Alexis Hagadorn, Alyssa Schneider and Samantha Skott round out the team and should provide depth for HFCS.
Hoosick Falls will play in the tough WASAREN League which includes perennial powerhouse Hoosic Valley Central School along with Brittonkill-Tamarac, Stillwater, Cambridge, Greenwich, Schuylerville and Granville. Hoosick Falls will open the Mechanicville Tourney with a 3:30 pm start against a league opponent, the Schuylerville Central School Black Horses. The varsity consolation or championship game will be played the following night, Saturday, November 29, either at 3:30 pm or 5:30 pm, respectively.
Rebounding from Afar: HFCS will travel to Troy to take on Emma Willard at 4 pm on Wednesday, December 10. The Panthers’ home opener is on Friday, December 12, when they entertain the Granville Golden Horde. It should be a competitive season of basketball at Hoosick Falls Central School.