Shaker takes Streaks in 2 OTs
Saratoga’s Kerry Flaherty scores 19 points, Shaker’s Shyla Sanford pours in 26 in win
LATHAM, N.Y. » It’s hard to imagine the Saratoga Springs girls basketball team needing to find a way to rebound after its epic win at home against rival Shenendehowa last week, but Blue Streak coach Robin Chudy loves a challenge.
Saratoga fell just two days later to Colonie and then hosted downstate powerhouse Our Lady of Lourdes at home the next day on Saturday. So what does a coach who has been known to do crosswords in pen ask of her squad, go on the road once again for another varsity doubleheader in eight day to stare down Shaker High in front of a packed house and play a few extra sessions.
Saratoga fought back to force the initial overtime and then saw the Blue Bison rally themselves to force a second overtime on its own Major League Baseball night were alumni Tommy Kahnle and Jeff Hoffman’s No. 23 Shaker jersey numbers were retired.
The Blue Streaks sent in additional forces as fouls took their tolls in the second round of free basketball before Shaker held on for the 78-75 double overtime win.
“They fought really hard and they didn’t give up,” Saratoga Springs Coach Robin Chudy said. “It’s hard to come into a place where the place is crowded and continue to fight and fight and fight.
“Shaker is a very good team and they’re defense is incredible, likes to put us in awkward positions and give Dolly (Cairns) a hard time, but the rest of our team and Dolly stepped up, they all did.”
Challenged on every possession, sophomore guard Dolly Cairns still finished with 17 points
“Dolly took the ball to the basket, drew some fouls, Kerry (Flaherty)
herty) stepped up big for us at the end and so did all the rest of our girls,” Chudy said. “They put in some put backs and played some good solid defense for us. I can’t really complain about how they played.”
Holy Cross-commit, junior Kerry Flaherty dropped in 19 points on the night before fouling out on in the closing seconds of the second overtime.
“They face-guarded me and that’s always tough to get open considering I’m not the point guard, I can’t just dribble it so I have to get open on my own and set screens for people, but they were really good defensively,” Kerry Flaherty said. “I feel like after every overtime it gets more exciting and the game is more at stake. It was a good game overall, one of the best games I’ve played in.”
Shaker was led by Shyla Sanford’s eye-popping 26 points on the night, but it was Madeline Maliki’s play down the stretch, including two free throws with five seconds left in the second overtime that sealed it for the Bison.
Lexi Debeatham finished with 18 points and Jules Debeatham 17 for Shaker.
The hard-fought win against rival Shenendehowa will remain with the young Blue Streaks throughout their careers, but the losses to Colonie, Lourdes and the extratime battle with Shaker is expected to continue to strengthen Saratoga’s cause this season.
“After the win against Shen like we had that chip on our shoulder and we know people are going to be after us for that,” Flaherty said. “Colonie did that, they knew we beat Shen and they caught us off-guard. “It was a huge win, but it causes so many problems at the same time too. You have to be mentally tough.”
That toughness includes getting ready for a rematch with the Bison.
“I told them I can’t wait to play them again, already,” Chudy said. “I know they went into double overtime and I’m as tired as they are, yelling and screaming on the sideline, but I’m ready. I’d like to play them again. They’re a talented team, we are as well and hopefully it’ll go our way next time.”