Queensbury returns to Class A Final with 51-42 win over Holy Names

TROY, NY » Queensbury will be moving on to the Class A Final for the second year in a row after topping Holy Names 51-42 at Hudson Valley Community College Tuesday night.

“It’s a great feeling,” said Queensbury Head Coach Megan Bethel. “You have to take a deep breath and say, ‘We survived, we’re advancing.’”

Queensbury trailed 13-5 after the first quarter, but a 17 point second quarter put them ahead 23-18 entering the second half.

Leading the way for Queensbury was Hailey Ballard, who scored 19 points, five rebounds, three rebounds, and one steal in the win. Along with Ballard, Hope Sullivan added 14 points, seven rebounds, two steals, and one assist.

“At the beginning, we knew Holy Names was a tough team and we know going into the semis

you’re not going to get an easy game,” said Sullivan. “Right off the tip we knew we started slow, but we knew what we had to do and we controlled the basketball team and played our basketball game. We came out on top in the end.”

Sullivan added that Queensbury’s intensity picked up from the first to the second quarter, helping the Spartans pick up the win.

Up next for Queensbury is Averill Park. The two teams met in last year’s Class A Final and Averill Park claimed the 50-41 win.

“This is what you want. You’re facing the best of the best here,” said Bethel. “This is year seven in a row. This is what you want to do. You want to play against the best and play in the ultimate championship game.”

Averill Park and Queensbury did not meet in the regular season this year, making last year’s Class A Final the last time the two met.