by Steve Bradley
The HFCS boys basketball team played Schuylerville last Friday evening in the Panther Den. The first quarter was played to a tie as both teams hustled their way to 15 points. The Panthers started to jell in the second quarter and controlled the pace of the action. During this stretch Mark Hackett pulled down defensive rebounds one after the other. This gave the Panthers offensive possessions they were able to use to take a 31 – 24 lead at the half.
In the second half, the Panthers were able to get out to an almost twenty point lead. Free throws became the name of this game as the Panthers shot 49, making 32, to the Black Horses’ 5 out of 7. The Panthers seemed just a little quicker than Schuylerville, and this caused the Horses to foul while attempting to slow down the aggressive Panthers.
The Horses were able to narrow the score by outscoring the Panthers by seven in the fourth quarter. Schuylerville’s Dante Langley, who ended with 19 points, kept Schuylerville in the game with his quick jump shot.
Once again Panther scoring was spread out, with four players scoring in double figures. This creates multiple problems for opposing defenses. Multiple scorers and unselfish passing makes a combo that is very tough to defend.
Mark Hackett led the way, scoring 16 points and hauling down 15 big rebounds. Andrew Hoag went 12 of 16 at the free throw line and ended with 14 points. Austin Pitt, 6 of 9 from the line, also ended the night with 14. Will Bradley, 11 of 14 at the line, contributed 13 total points. Noah Chani had 8 points.
The scheduled Tuesday game with Greenwich was postponed to a later date due to weather conditions.
The Panthers will roll up Route 22 on Friday evening, December 20, to play the 0 – 3 Cambridge Indians. After that they are not scheduled to play until Thursday, January 2, against 4 – 0 Lake George at HFCS. Lake George has the area’s leading scorer, Joel Wincowski. Wincowski is pouring in almost 30 points per game, with a high of 39 earlier in the season.
On Saturday, January 4, the Panthers cross the state line to play Bennington’s Mt. Anthony Patriots. This will be the first of their two annual meetings. On Tuesday, January 7, the boys will be at home against Stillwater.