HF 58 – Schuylerville 51
By Steve Bradley
When quarterfinal game time came around at the Hudson Valley Community College gymnasium for the HF Panthers to play the Schuylerville Black Horses, there was a delay. The delay was caused by the Ravena versus Mekeel Christian Academy game going into overtime. With the Panthers scheduled to play the winner of the game, it was enjoyable to watch the end of a very exciting game and see what was in store for the Panthers. Ravena, a number 13 seed who has beaten a number four and number five seed, came away a winner with a 78 – 76 OT win. Ravena will now face the Panthers in the semifinals at the Glens Falls Civic Center.
About 30 minutes later than scheduled, the number one seeded Panthers and number eight seeded Horses game got underway. The entire first half was a draw, and the scoreboard reflected exactly that. The scoreboard showed a 29 – 29 tie at the half. The Panther defense was doing a great job grabbing most of the rebounds and keeping the Horses from getting good shots. The Panthers offense struggled a bit overall, not playing their best game, and Schuylerville was a good opponent. Schuylerville held the lead most of the half, but the lead was never more than six points.
Early in the second half, the Panthers got some momentum. The Panthers scored six straight to grab a lead. But the Horses eventually countered that and came back to get within one at 39 – 38 late in the third quarter. This was as close as the Horses would get as the Panthers pulled out to a lead that they never relinquished from this point. The Panthers could have easily put the game out of reach with free throws, but struggled mightily at the line. Going 19 of 34 overall from the charity stripe kept the Panthers within reach for the Horses throughout the second half. Good defense and rebounding won this game for the Panthers.
Connor McCart scored 16 points, many on big rebounds with putbacks. Andrew Hoag added 15 points, and Mark Hackett chipped in 14, nine of those on three-pointers.
The Panthers are now 20 – 1 on the season.
Part of the Glens Falls Civic Center collapsed Wednesday so the location and time of the following games will be determined.
Tuesday’s semifinal games were postponed due to a forecast of icy conditions. With the postponement, the Panthers are now scheduled to play the Ravena Indians, Friday, March 6. The game will be at the Glens Falls Civic Center and is scheduled to begin at 7:30 pm. The other Class B semifinal between Schalmont and Voorheesville, also postponed from Tuesday, will begin at 6 pm.
The Section II, Class B final will be held Saturday, March 7, at the Glens Falls Civic Center. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:30 pm.
The Civic Center has not been kind to the Panthers in sectional finals. This may be because there weren’t quite enough fans there to cheer the boys to victory. With the games now on Friday, and hopefully Saturday, there is no excuse about having to work the next day after getting home a little late. So grab your friends, family, a couple hitchhikers and a homeless guy and head up to the Glens Falls Civic Center to cheer the boys on to a sectional championship.