GLENS FALLS — After a long break between games Glens Falls showed what they were made of, running away to a 98-57 victory over Greenville in the first round of Sectionals Tuesday.
Greenville came out roaring on both ends of the court. The ball movement and shooting range of James Mitchell and Keenan Mulholland allowed the Spartans to drive to the basket and kick out to wide open shooters. Meanwhile on the defensive end of the floor, Greenville made it an emphasis to collapse on any Glens Falls ball handler that found their way inside the three-point line. This caused a multitude of turnovers and fouls by driving Indians. The momentum of their two-way game plan created Greenville got out to an early 10-5 lead.
Coach Rob Girard said, “I thought we started out kind of slow but once we figured out who could shoot and who could get to the basket we recognized that.”
Soon after, Joe Girard III found exactly what the defense would give him and he took it. Girard scored Glens Falls’ next eight points sparking a 11-3 Glens Falls run. Joe finished the quarter with 16 points, two of which by the three point shot and Glens Falls finished with a three-point lead.
“When he is struggling with his shot and is playing a team like this, he can get to the basket whenever he wants. He took advantage of that early and I think getting to the basket and getting to the foul line are the things that get you going from outside,” said Coach Girard.
Joe caught fire in the second quarter dropping 23 of Glens Falls’ 26 points in the quarter. He scored his 23 points with three threes and went six for seven from the free throw line. Greenville couldn’t get much to go in their favor in the second quarter, only scoring twelve points, nine of which were from behind the arc.
Glens Falls came out of halftime blazing. The Indians started with a 12-2 run with four points from their junior center Nick Danahy. As the Indians pulled out to a 74-46 lead, Danahy added another two points and multiple key blocks while Joe led the quarter in scoring with 14 points.
“His fearlessness to go get the offensive boards is what we need… If he can work to get in position to get those offensive rebounds, we will be dangerous,” raved Coach Girard.
Danahy and Girard each added five more points for the Indians before giving way to the reserves who finished the game and increased the lead to 21 points. Joe Girard and Nick Danahy led the Indians in scoring with 55 and 13 points respectively. Greenville was led by their stretch forward Keenan Mulholland who had 15 points.
With tonight’s victory, the Indians advance to the second round of Class B Sectional play. They will play Foothills Council foe Johnstown Friday night at Hudson Valley Community College. In their two previous meetings this season, Girard and the Indians won by 30 points each contest.
