Basketball
final.
Mechanicville led 3631 at halftime but Hoosick Falls did not make it easy for the Red Raiders. For a stretch of approximately two minutes to end the half, the two teams mirrored the others possession. If Mechanicville hit a two, Hoosick Falls would come back and hit two free throws, if Hoosick Falls forced a turnover, Mechanicville would intercept a pass. Neither team letting the other get the easy lead as the half progressed.
“Wemade some big shots like we needed to,” said Richardson. “They made a couple runs at us, like we knew they would, and we couldn’t put them away until the last minute and a half.”
At the end of the third quarter Hoosick Falls was able to make a dent in the Mechanicville lead, trailing 47-44 into the final frame of the Class B Semifinal.
As the fourth progressed, that intensity to end the first half came back, with Hoosick Falls not allowing Mechanicville any inside looks.
Devin Garland was stuck on the bench due to foul trouble in the fourth quarter, but was able to hit an important three pointer late for the Red Raiders to give them a 59-54 lead and an extra cushion as the clock ticked down closer and closer to zero.
“Devin is a shooter. Devin is a confident kid,” said Richardson. “When he is sitting on the bench, he is not happy. Our hands were tied, he was in foul trouble early, but he came in and gave us a big boost, got the energy going, hit that big shot, and I think we fed off of that to the finish.”
Garland finished with four points and four assists.
Hoosick Falls continued to push andfight back. Abig time two-point midrange shot by Tyler Eiseman again helped the Red Raiders get a boost and push on in the final minute of the game.
“He’s a sophomore, he’s played hard,” said Richardson of Eiseman. “He’s come a long way that guy. He’s the most knowledgable player I have ever coached, he gets it. He gets the game, he understands his role, he understands situations. He’s been instrumental in our season this year.”
Eiseman finished with 12 points, four rebounds, two steals, and a block.
Germain added some free throw assistance to close out the game, making five of six in the dying seconds to further the Red Raider lead and push them onto the Class B final.
In the final, the Red Raiders will meet up with the Schalmont Sabres. The two teams have not met this year, but Richardson knows what Schalmont brings to the court.
“I’ve been following Schalmont all year. They are the cream of the crop, we know that,” said Richardson. “They are well coached. i know Loiacano does a super job with them. I know Shane O’Dell is a big time basketball player. We are going to be challenged. We are going to be challenged for sure. Weknowwearegoing to be in for another dog fight, but like I said, I will go with my guys any day of the week.”
Schalmont and Mechanicville will play for the Section II, Class B title on Friday night. Tip off is 6:45 pm.