by Ryan Mosher
Playing in their final home game at Hoosick Falls against Granville, the Panthers’ five senior basketball players clinched another Wasaren League championship. Tanner Williams, Ryan Hyde, Matt Gormley, Aaron Perkins and Alex Lilac were honored prior to the game, as was Jenni Steller, Emily Hoag and Stephany Bradley, the team scorekeeper and videographers. After the brief ceremony, the boys wasted no time in making their big push towards the win.
[private]Perkins, Gormley, Williams and Lilac each scored in the first three minutes to give the Panthers an 8-0 lead. While Hoosick Falls had no problem getting on the board, the Horde could not seem to find the basket in the opening quarter, scoring just four points. The second quarter changed for the visitors as the Horde finally found their scoring touch and kept the game close at 23-17 at halftime.
In the third quarter the Panther defense came back to life, holding Granville to just four points again, while stretching the lead to 14 points. Tanner Williams scored seven points in the quarter for Hoosick Falls. In the fourth quarter, the Panthers held off Granville to go out with the 50-34 win. Each of the seniors was taken out of the game for the final time to loud applause.
Williams led the team with 16 points, while Matt Gormley scored 13 points and Alex Lilac added 10 points. The team’s final Wasaren League game will be Friday night at Tamarac, and then the Panthers will face off with Mt. Anthony on Tuesday night.
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