Spa Catholic squeaks by Duanesburg 54-51, advances to quarterfinals
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Spa Catholic came alive in the 4th quarter, propelling them to victory 54-51 over Duanesburg at the Broadway Gym in Saratoga Springs, New York.
Spa Catholic led after the first quarter 14-13 but then went ice cold in the second quarter only scoring six points. Duanesburg scored 10 in the 2nd period with Tyler Martin scoring seven in the quarter.
“Duanesburg came out hot, and our defense wasn’t expecting it. Our rebounding was bad in the first half but I thought our defense stepped it up in the second half.” Spa Catholic’s coach Ken Mantia said.
In a back and forth third quarter Spa Catholic outscored Duanesburg 18-16 with junior Timmy Barrett scoring seven in the period.
“I thought in the first half we didn’t play aggressive and weren’t rebounding at all. In the second half, we stepped it up in the second half and we played a lot better. I think if we play the way we did in the second half on Friday we are going to do good,” Barrett said. He paced Spa Catholic tonight with 13 points.
Heading into the 4th quarter Spa Catholic trailed by one. After lots of sloppy play in the first four minutes of the quarter, Spa Catholic starting heating up on the offensive and defensive side of the ball. Down by 5 with 3 minutes left, Aidan Dagostino hit a three, and on the subsequent play, Terel Tillman got a steal and Dagostino responded with another 3 to push Spa Catholic into the lead. Duanesburg had no answer and fell behind by 3 after another Tillman steal and a layup by Barrett to make the score 54-51.
“We played ok, not the best, on defense we weren’t able to get rebounds and box out.” Dagostino said. “If we come out strong and play with intensity I think we are going to be fine on Friday.”
Spa Catholic moves onto to play Granville, on Friday at Shenendehowa High School at 8 p.m.
