SARATOGA’S STREAK ENDS
Boys basketball win streak ends at 19 in Class AA semifinals, 48-40
GLENS FALLS, N.Y. » It was a contest with three amazing quarters between Colonie and Saratoga Springs in the Section II Class AA final, it as the corresponding three disastrous quarters that both coaches and players wish they had back.
Colonie will have the chance to correct the errors in their ways while Saratoga Springs left the Cool Insuring Arena losing for the first time since December fifth of last year, falling to the Garnet Raiders, 48-41 in the Class AA semifinal.
The Blue Streaks (19-3) struggled just to get a shot off never mind hit the bottom of the net in the first quarter as the Raiders jumped out to a 11-2 lead.
“They’re good shooters and credit to them they have three good shooters and we just said face guard them, just don’t let them get off shots because when they get shots they get the momentum on their side and they get going,” Colonie senior Isaiah Moll said.
That’s exactly what happened in the second as Saratoga went on a 21-3 run of its own and a 23-14 halftime lead.
“We talked all week about Saratoga’s tremendous, the shooting, like five seniors, like Bethlehem last year, those guys are good, you saw what happened,” Colonie coach John Karbowski said. “We tried to deny and they still got 3’s off and then when we fell apart in the second, but the third and fourth quarter we went back to the game plan.”
Saratoga’s Matthew Larkin scored a team-high 14 points with Nick Chudy dropping in 12 and Brian Hart chipping in 10 in the finale.
The refocused Raiders survived a third-quarter run by the Blue Streaks before taking control in the fourth, 22-8 to seal the win at the foul line, hitting seven of
eight attempts.
“They hit some big shots, they hit three 3’s in the fourth quarter along with a bunch of free throws,” Usher said. “We said going in if their second and third option guys hit shots from the perimeter it’s going to be tough and they did down the stretch.”
With Moll running the offense late finishing with 13 points, Will Aybar leading the Raiders with 15 points and Aaron Satin hit three treys on the night for 10 points to seal the deal.
As the clock started to run out on the semifinal and the Blue Streaks season their attack increased, but was often uncontrolled.
“Our pressure within the half-court trap was effective at times and we got some steals and some turnovers with that, but it also led to some poor decisions with the ball offensively that we did not capitalize and gave the ball right back to them,” Usher said. “We actually said we want to hold them to 48 points, shooting for 12 a quarter and held them to 48 and it wasn’t enough.”
Colonie advances to another Class AA final Saturday at 6 p.m. facing Shenendehowa, a 4840 winner over Christian Brothers Academy.
“It’s harder to get here than it is to win it,” Karbowski said. “I had the similar experience at Mohonasen; it’s harder to get here. There are only two teams left, we have a 5050 shot and Shen will be very good. We had a great game with them at Shen and they’ll be good too.”
For Usher and his Saratoga Springs team that set a new school record with 19 wins and a new winning streak – they have time.
“It’s always hard to lose your last game, but I would say with this group it’s harder because of how enjoyable they’ve made the season,” Usher said. “We’ve went on a nice little run here and won a bunch of games, we haven’t experienced the feeling of losing lately, but then to experience that feeling and know that you can’t come back tomorrow and fix it makes it even more painful.
“This group is a group that I will always remember and I’m very proud of and that’s why it’s even harder to have the season finish before you want it to.”