The Wasaren league again this year boasted quality teams on both the girls and boys side of things.  Entering sectional play a handful of squads had legitimate chances of earning a Section II crown.  But after two weeks of post season runs just one league team is still standing, the girls of Cambridge.

The best Class C team I saw all season worked their way through the Section II tournament with wins over Cairo-Durham, Maple Hill, Hoosick Falls in the semi’s and in the finals topped Mekeel Christian in overtime.   

An incredible mixture of “young” talent with skilled upper classman has fueled a remarkable season for the Indians who bring a 23-1 mark into Thursday nights regional semifinal in Saratoga where they’ll face Seton Catholic from Section VII.

A trio of freshman lead the Cambridge attack which averages just over 50 points per outing.  Sophie Phillips scores it at 13.9 nightly, her twin sister Lily adds 12.3 points, and Fiona Mooney averages 10.0 per contest.

Seniors Helen Mooney and Grace Snyder round out the starting five with Mooney providing an interior presence on both ends of the floor, and Snyder adding steady perimeter play.  Senior Bridey Nolan comes off the bench as a true three ball threat, knocking back 24 triples on the year, second on the squad behind Sophie Phillips’s 39 makes from deep.

The Indians score running the floor or in their half court sets with the ability to finish at the rim or knock down open jumpers.

Cambridge can guard as well allowing just 34 points per game defensively, with their activity on the defensive end of the floor igniting the transition game leading to easy buckets.

The overtime victory over Mekeel in the sectional finals has to make head coach Tony Bochette smile heading into regional play.  Throughout the majority of the campaign the Indians were rarely tested often putting teams away early and by big margins. But when challenged by Mekell last Saturday at HVCC, Cambridge showed great poise in capturing the “W” in the extra session, and that will serve the Indians well going forward.

Knowing nothing about the Seton Catholic squad from the north I’ll stay with what I do know.

Cambridge is battled tested coming out of the Wasaren and Section II.  They have exceptional guard play which is vital in big game situations.  They play for each other and show great court chemistry.  They have a number of players that can score the ball, and they all buy in at the defensive end.

Tomorrow night in Saratoga, I like the Indians just as I have all season long.