by Ryan Mosher
The game between the Granville and Hoosick Falls boys basketball teams was supposed to be a good one to watch. The two teams stood side by side in the Wasaren League standings, and this battle would give one of them at least temporary hold on second place.
Granville jumped out to an early lead, scoring the game’s first two baskets and taking a 4-0 lead before the Panthers caught up and overtook them. Another Granville basket traded the lead again at 6-5. With 3:30 left in the first period, Randy Tutunjian hit a three-pointer for Hoosick Falls, giving them an 8-6 lead, and the Panthers never looked back. Tutunjian’s three-pointer was the start of a 16-0 run that lasted into the second quarter and put the game away for Hoosick Falls.
Granville tried to keep close in the second quarter but could make up no ground on the Panthers. In the last minute and a half of the second half, they did manage to cut eight points out of the lead, bringing it back to a little more respectable 32-18 at halftime. In the first half, Hoosick Falls had managed to hold the Golden Horde’s two top scorers, Jared Beattie and Ian Bixby, completely scoreless.
In the third quarter Ryan Hyde knocked down a pair of three-pointers to pace Hoosick Falls. Tanner Williams continuously frustrated the home team by stepping out and burying a three-pointer and then, on the next play, driving to the hoop. The Horde’s defense had a tough time defending the senior.
The Panther reserves came on in the fourth quarter and continued to hold off Granville.
The final score was Hoosick Falls 62, Granville 37. Tanner Williams led the Panthers with 17 points, and Randy Tutunjian had 12 points. Matt Gormley and Ryan Hyde each scored 8 points while Alex Lilac and Aaron Perkins each had 7 points and Josh Brogue had 3 points.
The Panthers play again on Friday night at home against Tamarac at 7:30 pm.