Top-seeded Amsterdam moves on
Top-seeded Amsterdam is moving on behind its bevy of senior stars.
Forward Alec Bartone had 16 points, 10 rebounds and five blocks, Ceasar Thompson added 15 points, and Jashean Vann scored 14 to lift the Rams into the Section II Class A semifinals with a 60-45 victory over eighth-seeded Columbia on Sunday afternoon at UHY Center on the campus of Siena College in Loudonville.
The Rams, who shot 47.2 percent from the field during the game, used a balance attack to limit the damage of Columbia’s dynamic Evan Rainville. The sophomore guard led all scorers with 25 points on 9-of-18 shooting, but he only made one of his five 3point attempts.
The Rams defense held the rest of the Blue Devils’ offense to just 8of-40 shooting (20 percent) from the field as Amsterdam established its presence inside early in the game.
The Rams, who have nine seniors on their squad, jumped out to a 15-8 lead at the end of the first quarter and led 30-20 at halftime. Vann, who had eight rebounds and six assists from the point, distributed the ball effectively, especially to Bartone, Thompson and fellow senior Jhai Vellon, who added 13 points for Amsterdam on 4-of-8 shooting.
Bartone did all of his damage from inside, going 8-of-11 from the field while shutting down Columbia at the defensive end with his blocking ability. As a team, Amsterdam finished with eight blocks on the day.
The Rams move on to face No. 4 Lansingburgh, which outlasted Burnt Hills, 68-57 in the first quarterfinal at Siena on Sunday morning. The teams meet Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. at Cool Insuring Arena in Glens Falls.
Hudson Falls 43, Averill Park 25: Peyton Smith scored 12 points, Noah Tyler scored 11 and Noah Williamson added 10 as secondseeded Hudson Falls advanced to the semifinals with a victory over No. 10 Averill Park. Jacob Phelps led the Warriors with eight points, while Brady Mazzeo added five points and six rebounds in the loss. The Tigers held Averill Park to eight points on 4-of-17 shooting in the first half, taking a 22-8 lead into the break. Hudson Falls then outscored the Warriors 8-0 in the third quarter and coasted from there. Hudson Falls will face No. 3 Troy on Wednesday at Cool Insuring Arena in the first of two semifinals. The tip-off is set for 5 p.m.