Lilac Shooting Sends Panthers Past Hoosic Valley

by Ryan Mosher
Alex Lilac had his best game of the season so far last Friday night, January 6, in the battle between Hoosick Falls and Hoosic Valley. Leading his Panthers to victory, Lilac’s 29 points were a season high and included 6 three-pointers.
The Panthers wasted no time getting to work on their Wasaren League counterparts, going on a 14-2 run just minutes into the game to build a strong lead. Just when Hoosic Valley would step up and think they could stop Lilac, it would be another Panther that would put points up. After Lilac buried his first two three-pointers on consecutive possessions, the defense stepped out to him, and it was center Matt Gormley who made them pay for that, scoring four quick points in the final minute of the first quarter.
After a Hoosic Valley three-pointer to start the second quarter, Tanner Williams and Chris LaCroix each scored four points in a quick 10-2 run for the Panthers. The Hoosick Falls defense also stepped up, holding the Indians off the board for the last three minutes of the half while the offense went on yet another run, this time an 8-0 surge. At halftime the score was Hoosick Falls 38, Hoosic Valley 17.
In the third quarter, the visiting Indians showed they had some life left in them. Ethan Ross-Hixson scored 9 points in the quarter, but unfortunately his team only put up 4 more points to help him. The scoring helped for Hoosic Valley, but their defense could not seem to stop the Panthers. Hoosick Falls knocked down three three-pointers in the quarter and kept their lead at a safe margin. Heading into the final quarter it was 53-30.
With the Panther reserves playing the fourth quarter, the Indians were able to cut a few points out of the gap but not enough to make a difference. The final score was Hoosick Falls 64, Hoosic Valley 47. Lilac’s 29 points led all scorers, followed by Tanner Williams’ 12 points.