by Ryan Mosher
After watching the first quarter of Tuesday night’s Hoosick Falls versus Stillwater matchup, you would not think a close game was a possibility, let alone a triple overtime nail-biter. That’s what happened though as the Warriors battled back from an early double digit deficit to give the spectators in Hoosick Falls a little extra basketball.
The Panthers got out to an 18-5 lead in the first quarter before the visiting Warriors began to chip away at the lead. By halftime the Hoosick Falls lead was down to 27-19. After allowing a basket on the opening possession, Ryan Hyde buried a three-pointer that seemed to give the Panthers a little more energy. On the other end of the court, Stillwater’s John Hoin responded with a three-pointer as well. Hoin would be the Warriors saving grace in the period, nailing three three-pointers to help chase down Hoosick Falls. Stillwater brought that deficit to just three points, at 38-35, with another three-pointer, this time by Robert Stickney, with :17 left in the quarter.
In the fourth quarter the Panthers built a six point lead, 43-37, on a basket by Randy Tutunjian and a three point play by Matt Gormley. That would not be enough though as Stillwater fought back and tied the game with :24 to go. Neither team could hit their final shots, and the game went into overtime.
Stillwater struck first in overtime with a basket one minute into play. Alex Lilac responded by sinking two free throws to tie the score, but the warriors pushed the ball up the court and took the lead right back with a wide open layup. The Panthers took a timeout and got the ball back with :33 on the clock. After the shot clock ran down a bit, Tutunjian rebounded a missed three-pointer and put it back to tie the score with :11 left. The Warriors got the ball up the court to forward Mark LaForest in the paint to try to give them the win. LaForest, who had scored all of the team’s OT points so far, took a dribble, picked it up and then started to dribble again. The double dribble with :02 was a huge play for the Panthers.
The second OT was a defensive period, with each team only scoring one basket and neither having a good chance at a last second shot. Tied 49-49, the teams headed to the third OT. Hoosick Falls hit two free throws in the opening minute and a half to take a 51-49 lead. But once again Hoin drilled another three-pointer, his fifth on the night, to give the Warriors a 52-51 lead. Matt Gormley responded on the next possession though, giving the Panthers the lead back at 53-52. After a Stillwater free throw tied the game at 53-53, Ryan Hyde drew a foul and went to the line with :57 remaining. Hyde calmly sank both shots, giving Hoosick Falls the lead and the eventual win. Stillwater could not convert in the last minute, and Gormley’s rebound with a second left on the clock kept the Warriors from getting a second chance at a final shot.
The win brings the Hoosick Falls Panthers to 3-1 in the Wasaren League and 5-1 overall. It also ends Stillwater’s run as the only undefeated team left in the league. The Panthers saw four players score in double figures on the night. Matt Gormley led the way with 17 points, followed by Randy Tutunjian with 15 points and Tanner Williams with 13 points. The Panthers get a little bit of an extended holiday break as they don’t see action again until they host Hoosic Valley on Friday, January 6.