Chudy has another big game as Saratoga shows off defense in 6426 win over Shaker
SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY » The word of the day for the Blue Streaks was “defense.” When you only allow your opposition to score 26 points in a game, you have to be doing something right.
“We’ve really been focusing on our defense. I think that’s the most important part of our game,” said sophomore Natasha ‘Tash’ Chudy. “We defended really well today and that led into our offense.”
Saratoga defeated Shaker 6426 on Tuesday night at Saratoga in a game that was never really all that close.
“I thought tonight we shared the ball well and ran the floor well, but we’ve really been working on our defense and making sure that we’re solid on that side of the ball,” said Saratoga coach Robin Chudy. “We need to be looking for steals, boxing out, getting the boards and getting out on our break and I thought we did that
really well tonight.”
In the first quarter, the Blue Streaks only allowed the Blue Bison to score four points, and only one field goal. The second quarter was the only period in which Shaker scored more than ten points - they scored eleven. The Blue Bison would score five in the third and six in the fourth, as Saratoga showed off their defensive dominance.
“Defense is going to win games. We really have to buy into giving good outside defense,” said Coach Chudy. “Knowing when to give help, when not to give and getting rebounds is absolutely crucial for us to win games. I think we spent a lot of time focusing on offense because of COVID, but defense is what I think is going to push us over the edge.”
Tash Chudy led all scorers with 24 points in the game. She had nine buckets from the field, including one three and went five-for-eight from the line. Ten of her points came in the second quarter.
Don’t let the offensive numbers take away from her defensive contributions.
“Tonight we started her on Maddy (Mahoney), who is super-talented and extremely strong, so she had a big matchup tonight,” Robin Chudy said. Mahoney is a senior, NCAA Division 1 commit to Fairleigh Dickinson University for Shaker.
“That’s what she wants to do day in and day out, playing those tough post-players who are strong and focusing on those little things.”
Chudy is averaging 22.9 points-per-game so far in this condensed season, in which Saratoga has played seven games. If there was a student section allowed at games, they’d surely be chanting ‘SHE’S-A-SOPHOMORE.”
There were a limited number of parents allowed in the stands again on Tuesday night to watch the action. They were able to see senior Katie Claeson hit three shots from beyond the arc for nine points, as well as Abby Ray add on eight points.
For Shaker, Mahoney led with seven points and Kaelah Carter scored six.
The Blue Streaks, now at 5-2 on the season, next face Guilderland at home on Wednesday at 7 p.m. Shaker, at 2-4, will play Schenectady back at their home gym on Wednesday as well, at 4:30 p.m.