Two Wasaren girls teams were still standing as regional finals got underway on Saturday in all classifications. Both Cambridge and Mechanicville after hours on the road stepped on the floor in Class C and B runs, one win away from the state final four next weekend.
Both squads were tested and played well with Cambridge taking the next step with a 60-47 win over Moriah in the C’s while Mechanicville lost a heart-breaker, 58-57 to Canton in Class B. Continue reading
I’m not sure if there’s any truth to the rumor that coaches Goverski and Phillips considered chartering airplanes for traveling to their regional finals on Saturday, but when directions to the venues for both Cambrdge and Mechanicville include, “If you reach the Canadian border you’ve gone a couple miles too far”, it would be a great way go.
Mechanicville faces the Canton Golden Bears Saturday at 2:45 in the Class B Regional Final at SUNY Potsdam while Cambridge meets Moriah in the Class C Regional Finale with a noon tip at Beekmantown High School with the winners advancing to their classification’s final four. Continue reading
Mechanicville 41 Northeastern Clinton 35
Leading Scorers: Red Raiders – AJ Joseph 12 Charli Goverski 11 Taylor Grayson 9 Jada Brown 6 Amy DiSiena 3 Clinton – Audi Hollister 12
Keys: Mechanicville used a 22-12 advantage over the middle two periods, including a third quarter where they didn’t allow a made field goal, to build a 34-27 lead heading to the final frame. Leading 38-35 with :11 remaining AJ Joseph calmly knocked down a pair of free throws to ice things and send the Red Raiders to the Class B regional final on Saturday at 2:45 at SUNY Potsdam where they’ll face Canton from Section X.
Playing before a sold out SUNY Plattsburgh Field House both squads had trouble making shots, but the Raiders showed that defense travels and their ability to guard, holding Clinton in the mid 30’s, showed that Mechanicville not only can win in a shootout, but also a defensive grind.
The Raiders head back to the north country on Saturday, one win away from the state final four.
As we’ve said about the Cambridge Indians it’s a question of when, not if. When will they put together a run that gives them a lead after they’ve trailed, or give them total command of the game. Last night at Shenendehowa in a girls Class C regional semifinal it once again was the latter.
With their defense fueling the Cambridge transition game the Indians quick feet, active hands and most importantly their length turned Madrid Waddington over time and again in the second period leading to runouts and a 25-5 advantage in the quarter. That gave Cambridge a commanding 40-14 lead at the break and the rest was simply bookkeeping as the Indians posted a 59-31 victory and moved on to the regional final on Saturday at noon at Beekmantown High School where they’ll face Moriah from Section VII.
Cambridge buried six triples and placed three players in doubles with Sophie Phillips scoring 19 points, Lily Phillips 13 and Stasia Epler 10 points.
But defense put this game in win column for the Indians, there 22nd “W” in 23 outings, and defense travels.
Sometimes jump shots get lost in the spacious arenas teams play on this time of year, but traps, resulting in tipped balls that lead to transition buckets plays anywhere. It’ll play next at high noon in Beekmantown on Saturday where Cambridge sits one win away from a return trip to the state Final Four.
It was quite a weekend for the Wasaren with four schools vying for sectional titles. On Friday night it was an all league affair in the Class C girls final in Troy between Cambridge and Hoosick Falls, while in Glens Falls the Hoosick Falls boys faced Lake George in the Class C title game. Saturday morning the Red Raiders of Mechanicville carried the league’s torch into the Class B girls championship game with Fonda at HVCC in Troy
When the smoke cleared Cambridge and Mechanicville wore the crowns but all four squads represented. Each team well prepared for post season play after enduring the gauntlet of the Wasaren schedule.
How about the effort from both Hoosick Falls teams. Continue reading
Mechanicville 56 Fonda 43
Leading Scorers: Raiders – Amy DiSiena 14 Charli Goverski 13 Jada Brown 11 Braves – Abigail Lombardoni 14
Mechanicville trailed 22-14 late in the second period but finished the quarter with five quick points, the start of an extended run that continued with 12 straight points after the break giving the Raiders control at 31-22, on their way to the Class B title before a huge crowd at HVCC on Saturday afternoon.
Mechanicville shot 10 of 13 from the floor in the decisive third frame and clamped down defensively on the potent Braves attack that was averaging 55 points in their three sectional games.
The Raiders put nine players in the scoring column with three reaching doubles. Tournament MVP Amy DiSiena scored all 14 of her points in the second half for Mechanicville who will carry a 16-7 mark into regional play this week.
Congratulations to the Red Raiders.
An all-Wasaren affair for the girls Class C crown turned into a classic Friday night in Troy, with Hoosick Falls forcing Cambridge to do something they had little need for all season. Come from behind.
Trailing through much of the contest the Indians caught the Falls midway through the final period and outscored the Panthers 5-0 over the final minute of play to post the 55-49 “W” to capture their second straight Section II championship. Continue reading
This weekend Section II will crown champions in boys and girls basketball in all five of it’s classifications. On the girls side they’ll be a strong Wasaren presence in the title runs with Mechanicville taking on Fonda in the Class B final and Hoosick Falls meeting Cambridge to decide the Class C championship.
In Class B the #2 seeded Red Raiders will meet the Cinderella squad of the tournament, the #13 seeded Braves of Fonda. Continue reading
Five league teams took the floor Tuesday night in the semifinal round of the Section II basketball tournament, all needing one more victory to play in the title game. Four of the five earned their semifinal “W” as the Hoosick Falls boys, and the girls from Cambridge, Hoosick Falls and Mechanicville all posted double digit wins, and will play for sectional championships on the weekend.
Boys
Hoosick Falls 56 Maple Hill 38 Continue reading
This winter as the regular season played out, it became crystal clear there was no shortage of quality girls basketball teams in the Wasaren. Post season play has simply reaffirmed that thought as the Section II tournament plays it’s semifinal games Tuesday night in the B and C classifications, with four Wasaren squads taking the floor.
In separate B runs, Tamarac and Mechanicville will compete for a trip to the finals, and the same holds true for Cambridge and Hoosick Falls in the C’s.
Here’s a look at the four semifinal matchups, and why it could be an all Wasaren final in both classes. Continue reading
wasarensportsnet.com 