by Ryan Mosher
On December 1, 1961, the Hoosick Falls Central School opened their brand new gym with a Washington County League boys basketball game against Stillwater. Spectators entering Tuesday night’s game at the school received a photocopy of the article discussing the new gym’s opening that was published in the Hoosick Falls Standard Press on Thursday, November 30, 1961. Look for more 50th Anniversary Season highlights at games as the season continues.
Kicking off their 50th season in the HFCS gym, the Panthers hosted another top Wasaren League
opponent in Greenwich. The Witches entered the game with a 4-0 record, 1-0 in the Wasaren League. The main problems for Hoosick Falls would be the combination of Greenwich’s Jason Flynn and Joe Estramonte. The two guards have averaged 18.8 and 13 points per game thus far and have been major pains for opposing teams from behind the three-point line.
The Panthers were prepared though, taking the lead at the end of the first quarter and holding it until the beginning of the fourth quarter. Senior Alex Lilac knocked down 3 three-pointers in the first half en route to 16 first half points. The Panther defense held Estramonte scoreless until he scored with under two minutes left and then drained a three-pointer with seven seconds left before the half. Lilac tried to respond with a three of his own at the buzzer but was fouled and missed all three free throws.
Greenwich finally saw its opportunity and seized upon it midway through the fourth quarter. Greg Scott scored with 3:32 left in the quarter to start a 15-3 run. The Witches had held the Panthers scoreless for over seven and a half minutes between the end of the third and the start of the fourth quarter. The Witches took a 41-37 lead in that time. With just over two minutes remaining, Lilac knocked down his fifth three-pointer of the night to bring Hoosick Falls back within two points at 42-40. After Greenwich added a free throw, the Panthers got the ball back, down 43-40 with :07.4 seconds remaining. It would not be the Panthers’ night, though, as the inbound pass was stolen, leading to another set of free throws. The final score was Greenwich 45, Hoosick Falls 41.
Lilac led all scorers with 23 points, including 5 three-pointers. Tanner Williams added 8 points, and Ryan Hyde knocked down a pair of three-pointers to give him 6 points. The Panther defense did a good job of controlling Greenwich’s big scorers, Flynn and Estramonte. Flynn was held to just one third quarter basket, while Estramonte scored 7 points. Unfortunately, Greg Scott stepped up for the Witches, recording a double-double with 15 points and 15 rebounds.