SECTIONAL PREVIEW: HUDSON BOYS’ & GIRLS’ BASKETBALL

Greg Dedrick
ccSCOOP Sports Editor

The Hudson Bluehawks boys’ basketball team is heading into the Section II Class B sectional tournament as the sixth seed and on Tuesday night will host the eleventh-seed Schuylerville Black Horses.

As for the girls, the Lady Bluehawks were seeded tenth and will also have a game on Tuesday, heading to seventh-seeded Hudson Falls as they compete for a sectional title.
 
Boys 
Hudson (12-8 overall, 11-7 in league) are heading into sectionals after finishing fourth in the Patroon Conference. A mere two weeks ago, the Bluehawks were considered one of the hottest teams in Class B, having won four in a row. Since then, the Bluehawks fell to Rensselaer before beating up on winless Taconic Hills to close out the regular season. 
Schuylerville has been one of the top teams in Section II Class B over the past few years, but this season has been a bit of a down season for the Black Horses. After an 8-10 overall, 7-8 conference season, Schuylerville comes in having won five of their last six contests.

The Bluehawks head into sectionals with a number of offensive options. Despite the loss of Jacori Anderson, there are still a number of players Hudson can look to, starting off with senior wing Barry King. King is leading the team in free throws attempted and made and is second in threes on the squad. On top of that, King has scored in double figures thirteen times but failed to reach that mark in either of the final two games. Senior guard Justin Brantley has been a steady and consistent shooter and scorer all season long and that hasn’t changed. His ability to hit the three can really help to extend a defense. Since the departure of Anderson, the Bluehawks have gotten great contributions from Darien Moore and Larell Roberts, who both do their best work near the hoop but can also step away to score.

In the past Schuylerville has relied on talented big man and gritty back court play, but this season is a bit of a departure from that. Leading the way for the Black Horses is senior guard Austin Bateman, also the school’s star quarterback in the fall. Bateman is a quick and exciting lead guard who leads the team in threes made and free throws attempted and made. Also chipping in are Steve Backus and Brad Lyon, who have each scored over 150 points this season.

Hudson has played inconsistently this year, but they have as much talent as anyone in a loaded Class B. The loss of Anderson is huge, because he gave them a dominating athletic inside presence that they now lack. But even without Anderson there are plenty of options for the Bluehawks. The key for Hudson will be to stop the hot deep shooting of Schuylerville, while limiting their smaller opponents’ second-chance points. The Black Horses are becoming a posh pick to pull an upset here in the first round, and I could certainly see it happening as they are a talented, well-coached team, but both teams are coming in hot, and I think Hudson has more talent this year, even if they are inconsistent.
 
Prediction: Hudson 66—Schuylerville 60
 
Girls
 
Hudson comes into sectionals sporting an 11-9 overall, 9-7 in conference record. Hudson’s in conference mark of 9-7 was good enough to place them in a tie for fourth place. Down the stretch the Bluehawks went 4-2, including an eight point win over Taconic Hills in their final game of the season. Hudson Falls went 10-9 overall this season, 8-5 in the ultra competitive Foothills Council. The Tigers come in after having gone 5-1 in their final six games.

The Bluehawks rely on three main scorers, all of whom have gone over 100 points for the season. A pair of juniors, Samantha Davis and Shavonda Cousin led the way, both with over 160 points. Davis hit the lone three between the pair while also going to the line. Davis hit for double digits nine times this season while Cousins hit that mark eight times, however she has gone seven games since reaching that mark. Senior guard Meghan Keeler is one of three players who has double digit three pointers this season for Hudson, and leads the squad with 33 on the year.

Hudson Falls features a deep and balanced squad that has seen six players score over 85 points this year, and three going over the 100 point mark. The bulk of their points come inside the arc thanks to seniors Brielle Bartlett and Laura Bromley and also junior Ashley Buonviaggio. The only player on the Tigers who has double digit three pointers this year is senior guard Ashley Doody with 16.

Both teams come in playing well and with balanced scoring attacks. Hudson needs to be more consistent but have the size and talent to do so. Hudson Falls does their best work inside which is also the strength of the Bluehawks defense. Despite the balanced and varied scoring options for both teams I could see both teams defenses giving each other some problems. It’s a game that could go either way. I like Hudson Falls senior leadership at home, but I think Hudson is better than they’ve shown all season long, here is a chance to prove that to be true.
 
Prediction: Hudson 42- Hudson Falls 38