by Steve Bradley
When the HFCS Panthers boys basketball team took to the court Monday evening against the Tamarac Bengals, it was their first time on the hardwood for the 2014-15 season. By comparison, many teams have played as many as five or six games up to this point. As of Wednesday afternoon, Hoosic Valley is 5 – 0, the Panthers are 1 – 0. Hoosic Valley played Wednesday evening, so when the Panthers and Indians meet Friday, Hoosic Valley will have played six games to the Panthers’ one. The Panthers’ game against Cohoes was cancelled due to storm conditions, and last Friday’s game against Tamarac was postponed due to a power outage at Tamarac and rescheduled for Monday. Hoosick Falls was the only varsity basketball team in the State that had not played a game as of Monday afternoon.
HF 80 Tamarac 43
Monday evening the (0 – 0) Panther boys basketball team made the quick trip down Route 7 to Tamarac High School to face the Bengals. The first half of the game found the Panthers struggling to get their basketball legs under them. Little timing things that will be simple with a few more games were just a touch off. While the Panthers were finding their footing, they were hanging with the Bengals. The lead went back and forth throughout the first half. The Bengals were living by the three-pointer, with Tamarac’s Zack Johnson dropping in one bomb after another, swishing them all. Connor McCart and Austin Pitt were getting their scores, mostly within six feet of the hoop. Both scored eight points in the first half.
Tamarac took the lead late in the second quarter, but the Panthers came back late to take a 29 – 24 lead into the half.
The second half found two totally different things happening, neither which was good for the Bengals. The Panthers played better, and Tamarac shooting went cool. McCart dropped in 13 points in the third quarter with the team racking up 30 to the Bengals’ 13. At the end of the third quarter, the Panthers held a 59 – 37 lead.
The Panthers kept the heat on through the fourth quarter, tacking on 21 more points to the Bengals’ six. Coach Mike Lilac began substituting reserves halfway through the fourth.
Connor McCart had 24 points, and Austin Pitt chipped in 14. Andrew Hoag added 12 points. Eight players scored, showing good balance. The Panthers scored 68 points inside the three-point line, six points came on threes. The team made six out of 18 free throws, a 33.3 percentage, with no one shooting over 50 percent.
It was a good start for the Panthers. A first game 37 point win just over two weeks after three starters competed in the State football championship is a sign of good things to come. This team was 19 – 2 last year, returned four starters and added junior Connor McCart, a versatile player with a good shooting touch. McCart missed last year’s regular basketball season with a knee injury. This should be a fun team to watch so come on out and watch ’em play. Admission is free for home games at HFCS, so you’re guaranteed to get your money’s worth.
Next Games
On Friday, December 19, the (1 – 0) Panthers will travel down Route 67 to Hoosic Valley High to take on the (5 – 0, as of Wednesday afternoon) Indians. This is a big game with a big turnout of fans so plan to arrive early. Hoosic Valley’s John Rooney is averaging over 30 points a game and is sure to be pumped up for this game. Hoosic Valley is the defending Class C State champions, and Hoosick Falls beat them twice last year in close, exciting contests. That will surely be remembered by the Indians. Wednesday’s postponed game against Mechanicville has been rescheduled for Tuesday, December 23.