by Ryan Mosher
Coach Mike Lilac and the Hoosick Falls boys basketball team hosted Stillwater for the second time this season on Friday night. In the first matchup the Panthers overcame an eight point deficit going into the final quarter and held on for a 63-57 win. In Hoosick Falls, it was a different story though.
The Panthers took a quick lead in the first quarter, building a seven point lead in those first eight minutes. In the second quarter they continued to build on that lead behind a trio of three-pointers by Alex Lilac (two) and Quinn Rasmus. Lilac’s 11 first half points helped Hoosick Falls out to a 31-19 halftime lead.
In the third quarter, Lilac knocked down another three-pointer, as did Ryan Hyde, but it was John Hayden who really helped put the game away for the Panthers. Hayden scored 8 points in the paint, showing off the team’s versatility and frustrating the visiting Warriors. The Panthers led 51-27 going into the final quarter and had no trouble holding off Stillwater for the 62-34 win.
Hayden and Lilac led all scorers with 14 points each, and Quinn Rasmus added 13 points.
This win, along with a loss by the Schuylerville Black Horses, moved the Panthers into a tie for first place with the Horses in the WASAREN League. The two teams will face off on Monday, February 7, in what could decide the League championship. In their first meeting, Schuylerville defeated Hoosick Falls 45-44.