HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL

Undermanned Streaks look to rebound

By DAVID M. JOHNSON

SARATOGA SPRINGS — A fast- paced style of play and a deep bench are two characteristics of Saratoga Springs’ boys basketball team in its six games under first- year coach Jack Brock.

Both will come in handy for tonight’s game against Averill Park.

The Blue Streaks (1-3, 33) enter the Suburban Council road game missing several key players. Of the 15 players on the varsity roster, as few as 10 could be available for the road trip south. With sophomores Chris Byno and Jordan Buchus missing three more games with suspension and Nick Smith and Zachary Kircher battling sickness and injury, other players will likely see increased minutes.

“I think any time there’s a vacancy and a kid steps in, that’s his time to shine and prove himself,” Brock said. “These kids are ready to do that.”

Players like senior captain Jason Martinez could use the opportunity to cement an increased role in the squad going forward.

“He’s been waiting in the wings to fill in at the guard position,” Brock said of Martinez.

The Blue Streaks are coming off three straight league losses and are looking for their first road victory in their second attempt. Two of the three losses were by five or fewer points, however, and the other was to undefeated Shaker.

Averill Park ( 0- 4, 1- 4), on the other hand, is still winless in league play after dropping its first four Suburban Council games by an average of 18.7 points. While the hosts may be the right team at the right time for a Saratoga Springs squad in need of a win, Brock is not taking anything for granted. The first- year coach expects his team to play the same up- tempo style he’s talked about since taking over the reigns of the program.

“We can’t walk the ball up the court and play real slow, deliberate basketball,” Brock said. “We’re pushing it and you live and die by the outside shot, live and die by the fast breaks.”

No matter what the result of the game, the Blue Streaks will use the upcoming holiday break for some much needed rest.

“We’re going to take three or four days right off to give everybody a chance to rest and get their bodies back to where they need to be,” Brock said.