RUN OVER FOR SAINTS
Top-ranked, unbeaten Lake George powers past Saratoga Catholic 82-46
GLENS FALLS, N.Y. » There was a game plan, there were film sessions, there was mental preparation and there were warm-ups to get ready and then there was facing the real thing.
The Lake George Warriors are everything that their No. 1 state ranking and 23-0 record represents, an aggressive offensive unit that easily advanced with an 82-46 win over Saratoga Central Catholic Thursday night at the Cool Insuring Arena.
“When they hopped on us 100, because you want to believe, we know they’re ranked No.1 in the state, but you’re hoping if we can get off to an 8-4 start we can get that belief,” Saratoga Central Catholic coach Ken Mantia said. “But when it’s 10-0 against the No. 1 ranked team now your kids are on their heels, they’re kind of going one-on-one a little bit, we don’t stay within what we were planning to do.”
Part of any game plan is to get the opposition out of its own comfort zone and force them into situations they don’t excel at. The 23-0 Warriors did that Thursday night early on.
“We haven’t given up transition baskets in a month and we gave up four right out of the chute, getting (Caleb) Scrime going long,” Mantia said. “That kid’s tremendous, he could start for Shenendehowa, Saratoga, he’s a legit DIII player. “
Lake George was led by Mason Flatley’s 19 points followed by Scrime with 17, Alex Jones with 16 and Chris Becker chipping in 15 in the lopsided win.
“We didn’t miss a lot of shots today, that helped us contain the lead and we really didn’t turn back from the beginning,” Alex
Jones said.
Lake George shot 45 percent from the field in the first half, 47 percent for the contest and out-rebounded the Saints, 41-28 with only Aidan Dagastino reaching double figures with 10 points for Saratoga Catholic.
The stats weren’t the only thing in favor of the Warriors, so was their deep and most importantly, healthy bench.
The Saints lost Ryan McFadden to a torn MCL earlier this year and Tyler Haraden accelerated his rehab from a broken foot t be available for the postseason and assist Saratoga Catholic to its 18-3 record and semifinal appearance.
“To have two starters out as long as we did and to win 18 games and get to the Civic Center is incredible,” Mantia said. “Tyler Haraden did his best to get back but he just never could back to what he was, it’s not enough time.
“We’re very proud, we told the kids this is one of the best team’s we’ve had only one team wins it, we know how good Lake George is, and they’re kind of like the Duke of Class C ball.”
Lake George didn’t approach the semifinal as if it was playing a doubledigit seed in the preliminary round.
“We looked at it like Spa Catholic was getting healthy at the right time of the season and an 18-win team,” Lake George coach Tim Kisane said. “We certainly weren’t going to overlook them and I think the guys were ready for the challenge.
“The guys do a great job looking for each other on the floor, that’s a credit to them. They’re unselfish, they’re always looking for each other and trying to find each other in the right spots.”
Removed from the sidelines and into the role as spectator for the Class C finals 2 p.m. Saturday afternoon at Cool Insuring Arena, Mantia is appreciative of the match-up between Lake George and Wasaren League champion Hoosick Falls who defeated Maple Hill 68-59 earlier Thursday.
“That’s going to be an absolute war on Saturday because we’ve seen both sides with Hoosick Falls who has crushed us twice and these guys,” Mantia said. “That’s going to be a battle, two great teams.”