KERRY FLAHERTY IS A MILLENNIAL GIRL
Blue Streak senior hits 1,000-career point mark
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. >> It was four full seasons and a one complete game before the weight of the world was lifted off Saratoga Springs senior Kerry Flaherty’s shoulders reaching the 1,000-point career scoring mark Tuesday night in front of a packed house of Blue Streak friends, fans and of course, family.
The prolific Holy Crossbound scorer earned her final triple-digit points all from the free throw line in the first quarter Tuesday night, before sinking a pair of offerings and begrudgingly becoming the center of attention after an immediate time out to recognize her accomplishment.
“It was really fun, kind of relieving to get it over with so early in the season so I can just focus on winning,” Kerry Flaherty said. “I have been the entire time, just to get that out of everyone else’s head.”
The millennial mark came as part of Saratoga’s 58-45 win against Colonie Tuesday night with the Flaherty finishing with 13 points, the Blue Streaks led by junior Dolly Cairns 18 and her night made special by her unselfish play before and after the milestone.
Just five points away from the career milestone, Fla-
wasn’t in a hurry to put the ball in the air from outside the arc, instead she began the night with three straight assists as Saratoga built on an early 12-6 lead.
“I try not to make it about myself so I was just trying to get the best shot for everyone, so I got a few assists to get going to get the momentum going and then I just got a few foul shots to get it,” Flaherty said.
Then she looked to drive to the basket, undeterred by the size or speed of the Garnet Raiders defense, she was sent to the line on three separate occasions, sinking free throw after free throw, allowing The Storm student section ample time to remove the ‘Countdown to Kerry Flaherty’s 1,0000 points’ remaining points one by one.
On her third trip, two straight buckets put her at the 1,000-point milestone.
“It was nice that it was open, so it worked out well,” Flaherty said in front of the media after the win.
A timeout was called to recognize Flaherty’s accomplishment as she walked towards her bench, was swarmed by her teammates in celebration and then she was brought to center court and presented with a commemorative basketball before she had her most memorable assist on the night – tossing the ball to her mother, Mary, in the stands.
“I told her before the game, take a minute or two to really enjoy the moment,” Saratoga Springs Coach Robin Chudy said. “She was a little embarrassed. “I said ‘Look around because it is truly an incredible accomplishment for her.’
“Her team was so supportive, so happy. The girls all came out to make signs and they just wanted to celebrate all her hard work. She’s been with us since she was in eighth-grade, so it’s really just such an honor to have her on our team and to coach her and see her make this truly awesome.”
There was a second assist on her trophy case memento; it was hugged for the remainder of the contest by her father Rich, holding it as tightly as he has his children through the years.
“She gave it to her mother and her mother gave it to me, that was the best assist,” Rich Flaherty said. “Now we can win sectionals, getting this out of the way.
“I’ve been coaching both Dolly and Kerry since thirdand fourth-grade, so it’s fun. They love playing, they love each other. The whole crew is great fun and it’s great, we love it.”
It was only fitting that it was another memorable pass by Flaherty to finish off her celebration.
“That’s Kerry,” Chudy said. “While she can score like no one, she is an incredible passer.
“She has so much energy defensively, she disrupts plays and then she runs, runs, runs. Yes, she’s a scorer for us, but she’s so much more. She does pretty much everything on that court, which is awesome.”
The Blue Streak senior knew once again how to find the open man.
“My dad taught me how to shoot, taught me how to play basketball, my older brother too, Flaherty said. “They just like taking all the credit as I am.”
Her shooting touch arrived immediately after, sinking two straight threepointers in a 14-4 second quarter for Saratoga Springs as the Blue Streaks cruised to their second-straight Suburban Council win.
“We were going into the season thinking we have Shen and Colonie, both very, very good teams,” Chudy said. “Shen, obviously very talented and Colonie too and they’re strong and fierce and determined. We were in practice working on being physical and making sure we step up.
“Some of our posts helped with our guards because they have some really quick guards and they really stepped up. Those first two quarters were awesome, they played great defense, I was so proud of them.”
Colonie was led by Sereena DiCerbo’s 16 points with Allyah Wright adding 10 and Alivia Paeglow dropping in nine.
Saratoga will be on the road Friday, Dec. 7 at Shaker High before hosting Section 3’s Fayetteville-Manlius at 3:30 p.m. Dec. 8 at the High School gym. SARATOGA 58, COLONIE 45 COLONIE: Allyah Wright 4-3-10, Kyara Triblet 0-33, Makayla Blake 1-3-5, Sereena DiCerbo 6-5-16, Alivia Paeglow 4-1-9, Macie Trimarchi 1-0-2. Totals: 16-15-45. SARATOGA: Dolly Cairns 7-4-18, Abby Ray 1-0-2, Kerry Flaherty 5-5-13, Eve Crossett 2-0-6, Natasha Chudy 2-1-5, Caroline LaFountain 1-2-4, Aleida Woldring 2-0-4, Kayla Lahart 3-0-6. Totals: 2512-58. Colonie 6 2 7 15 – 45 Saratoga 12 14 12 8 – 58 3-point goals: Colonie – Wright, DiCerbo. Saratoga – Flaherty 2, Crossett 2.