Lilac Ties School Record On A Career Performance

by Ryan Mosher
Tuesday night was a very special night for Alex Lilac. Hoosick Falls’ senior point guard was getting his one and only opportunity to play on the basketball court at Stillwater, which was named for his grandfather, Hall of Fame coach Mike Lilac. It was also an opportunity for Lilac and his teammates to make their final push to win another Wasaren League title. The SUNY Cortland bound senior rose to the occasion and put on a show for everyone.
In the opening quarter Lilac made his mark in the new gym, scoring 16 of the Panthers’ 22 points. It was clear that Hoosick Falls was not going to start slow as they had in their previous game against Cambridge. Stillwater managed to stay somewhat close by the half, trailing 35-23.
In the second half, the Panther defense stepped up yet again. Holding the Warriors to single digit scoring in both the third and fourth quarter helped Hoosick Falls pull away, finally winning 58-36. Lilac, on one of the most special nights of his career, scored a career high 34 points, including tying a school record with 9 three-pointers.
Lilac still remembers when Devin Taft set the record. “I was the waterboy, and I remember watching that game and thinking it was the coolest thing ever.”
“Tonight was definitely a special night for the team as well as my entire family who was in attendance in the new gym named after my grandfather. To come out and play like that in a game with not only the aura of the new gym but with league title implications as well, it’s really an unforgettable feeling,” he said.
The Panthers have three more league games to go, facing off at Hoosic Valley and Tamarac, and hosting Granville. At 10-1 in the league, they hold a two game lead over the second place team.