Hoosick Falls’ dominant performance paves way to victory over Spa Catholic and win Wasaren League Championship
SARATOGA SPRINGS — It was a superb effort by Hoosick Falls Sunday night against Spa Catholic in the Wasaren League Championship at the Williamson Sports Center at Skidmore College, winning 80-41 and securing the title. Hoosick Falls got going early on the defensive side, only allowing 7 first quarter points from Spa Catholic, with five of the seven being scored by Sophomore guard Aidan Dagostino. Hoosick Falls scored 21 in the first quarter and were led by Evan McCart with nine points. McCart finished the game with 15 points.
Quarters two and three were pure dominance from Hoosick Falls, outscoring Spa Catholic 44-13. Sophomore Jon Kempf caught fire in these two quarters, totaling 23 points. He finished the game with 26 points and three 3-point field goals. Spa Catholic couldn’t muster anything offensively all night, but Dagostino was a bright spot in the contest. He finished with 21 points, far and away leading Spa Catholic.
“I thought our play in the second and third quarters was outstanding, it was some of the best basketball we have played all year.” Hoosick Falls coach Mike Lilac said. “We just have to be mentally and physically prepared for sectionals, and I think that this team is capable of making a run.”
Hoosick Falls started off the year slow at 3-4 with losses to Schalmont, Glens Falls, Lake George, and Vermont’s Mount Anthony.
“We started off the year 3-4, I knew we were going to have a good chance to lose games but I didn’t think we were going to lose all four of those first non-league games, and we keep telling the guys not to get discouraged and to work as a team because it’s going to pay off.”
Spa Catholic was extremely short-handed for the contest. During January they lost two senior starters in Tyler Haraden and Ryan McFadden, and for this game, they were without another senior starter in Sam Haraden.
“I’m still optimistic for sectionals, we have players on the team who have experience in sectionals and I think that if we can get guys healthy this team will perform well in sectional play.” Spa Catholic coach Ken Mantia said.
Hoosick Falls improves to 16-4 now defeating Spa Catholic twice this season, and Spa Catholic falls to 16-4 with their loses coming to Argyle (non-league), Hoosick Falls twice and Cambridge.
