Saratoga Makes Pre-Sectional Statement in Win Over Colonie

February 5, 2019

Saratoga Springs 73, Colonie 48

The game of the night in large-school Section 2 basketball was seemingly Saratoga/Colonie. It featured two of Section 2's most respected teams with highly regarded players on both sides. Saratoga has had a fine season to date, and Colonie has revved up their level of play noticeably after a sluggish start to the winter. However, the highly anticipated matchup turned into a lopsided affair, as Saratoga had their hosts on the ropes for a good portion of the game before delivering the knockout blow in the 4th quarter.

Kerry Flaherty went off for a game high 27 points Tuesday, 18 coming in a big 1st half.

The visiting Blue Streaks made their move basically from the opening tip. After Kyara Triblet (Colonie 2019; St. Michael's signee) opened up the scoring with a bucket, Saratoga went on a quick 10-0 run - 7 from Kerry Flaherty (Saratoga Springs 2019; Holy Cross signee) - to gain an early cushion. After Colonie chipped the deficit to 4 late in the quarter, Flaherty answered with a basket and Dolly Cairns (Saratoga Springs 2020) knocked down a three to give them a 19-10 lead after one. Triblet scored again to start the 2nd, but Colonie would never be able to cut their deficit beyond 7. A Flaherty bucket briefly extended Saratoga's lead to 13 in the middle of the quarter, and she got loose & knocked down a deep three before the 1st half buzzer to give her 18 points and Saratoga a 34-22 lead going into the locker room.

Saratoga was on the verge of breaking it open on numerous occasions in the 3rd quarter, but Colonie would push back and make enough plays to stay within striking distance. A 14 point lead was answered with an Ahnalese Pearson (Colonie 2020) three. After Saratoga extended their lead to 42-27, Aliyah Wright (Colonie 2019; New Haven signee) - held scoreless in the 1st half - knocked down a three. She hit another one not long after, and a short Natasha Chudy (Saratoga Springs 2023) jumper was answered by buckets from Wright and Makayla Blake (Colonie 2020) to cut their deficit to 46-38 late in the 3rd. The momentum swung in Saratoga's favor before the quarter ended, however. Flaherty, scoreless in the quarter to that point, got free on consecutive possessions in the final 30 seconds, and she buried right corner threes both times to extend their cushion back to 14. The game-clinching run came in the middle of the 4th quarter. A drive & finish from Abby Ray (Saratoga Springs 2021) started it off, then back-to-back Cairns threes and another Flaherty trey quickly extended their lead from 13 to 24. The run eventually extended to 15-0, as Saratoga grabbed its largest lead at 73-45 with under a minute remaining.

Kyara Triblet chipped in with 10 points and was a bright spot for Colonie on Tuesday.

Kerry Flaherty went off for a game high 27 points (18 1st half), including 5 threes. Dolly Cairns added 15 points, including 3 threes, and filled the stat sheet at the PG spot. Caroline LaFountain (Saratoga Springs 2019) joined them in double figures, chipping in with 11 points. For Colonie, Ahnalese Pearson and Aliyah Wright finished with 11 points apiece, and Kyara Triblet added 10 points.


#JeffsNotes

- Statement win for Saratoga heading into sectionals, and just a friendly reminder from them that they're remarkably dangerous when locked in & firing on all cylinders. Offensively, it was a bit of pick your poison. Kerry Flaherty got it going early, manufacturing points by finding different ways to score. Dolly Cairns, playing more of a distributor role early, added a scoring punch in the 2nd half both by knocking down perimeter jumpers & producing in transition. Caroline LaFountain provided a viable scoring option, hitting a three early and then getting to the rim & free throw line on a few occasions as the game went on. Abby Ray got to the rim & finished. They found ways to get Natasha Chudy involved in the post and in the P&R game when Colonie overplayed Saratoga's guards, and she converted. On the defensive end, I thought they did a good job containing the dribble and clogging the lane. Colonie, a team with a handful of viable offensive options, never got into any sort of a rhythm and Saratoga had plenty to do with that. Couldn't ask for a better outcome if you're a Blue Streak supporter.

Dolly Cairns was a catalyst in Saratoga's big win over Colonie, finishing with 15 points & filling the stat sheet.