Girls: Shen Wins NYSPHSAA Class "AA" State Regionals
TROY, NY -The game most everyone wanted to see all season long was on as on Saturday at Hudson Valley C.C., Section 2 Class "AA" Champions Shenendehowa took on Section 3 Class "AA" Champions Cicero-North Syracuse in a NYSPHSAA Class "AA" Girls State Regional Final.
It was a game that most everyone had been talking about since the beginning of the season with the two Upstate, NY powers finally colliding on the court with a State Final Four berth on the line, though in the end it proved to be all about the Plainsmen on this day.
There was no star on this night for Shenendehowa as it was exactly what head coach Joe Murphy wanted, a balanced scoring attack, and with just about everybody chipping in one way or another, the Plainsmen were able to give the Northstars their first loss of the season, taking them down 56-44.
It was a dream start for the Plainsmen who right out of the gate got out to an 8-0 lead with Morgan O'Brien '16 doing most of the damage early on for Shenendehowa inside. Amani Free '18 was able to score off a nice move in the paint, but then it was back to back three balls by Samira Sangare '16 for the Plainsmen to put the home squad up 14-2 with 2:01 to go in the opening quarter.
While the rhythm offensively for Cicero was not there early on, Free and guard McKayla Roberts '16 did a nice job keeping the Northstars in the game early on to just be down by 10 after one.
The 2nd quarter looked to see Shen keep their advantage as O'Brien and guard Cameron Tooley '18 each hit three balls midway through, but a strong close to the quarter by Cicero-North Syracuse saw Free score in the paint whole being fouled, and when Beth Bonin '16 was able to connect on a long three from the right side just before the halftime buzzer, the Northstars had cut the deficit at the break to just 28-22.
You could feel the momentum shift to C-NS going into the locker room, but credit Shenendehowa for holding form and doing what they needed to do to maintain their lead. Murphy admitted that at times his group could've abandoned the lead against a top quality team in Cicero-North Syracuse, but they showed him the will and desire that he wanted to see from everyone.
"We went up by like 13 and then we lost it and at that point instead of giving into their run we showed composure and had everyone step up," Murphy said.
It took more than just star guard Carly Boland '16, who was being hounded all over the floor with double teams by the Northstars, and in this one it was Tooley who would hit the big shots at the big times. She first hit a major three to up the lead to 42-30 right before the end of the 3rd, but her next big shot may have been even more critical to the success of Shenendehowa.
With Roberts starting to heat up from behind the arc, Cicero was able to cut the Shen lead once again to 7 at 48-41, but with the game in the balance it was Tooley once again who drained a big three, and while only a sophomore, Boland after the game said she wasn't surprised that it was the youngster who stepped up when her team needed her most.
"Cam is a young player who has grown a lot since the beginning of the season," Boland said. "At the beginning of the year I don't know if she makes those shots, but she has so much confidence now and I think she proved that she is capable of anything at this point."
Down the stretch after Tooley's big shots it was Sydney Brown '17 who helped put the game away for Shen as it was a joyous close to this game for the Plainsmen as this group is now advancing to their first NYSPHSAA Class "AA" State Final Four having downed Cicero-North Syracuse 56-44.
There was no big scorer for Shen as Tooley led the way with 11 points, Brown added 10 points, O'Brien had 9 points, and Boland chipped in with 8 points, and because of those numbers, Murphy was thrilled with the overall performance of his group.
"It was a great team effort which I really liked," Murphy explained. "Balanced scoring, great team defense, and everyone contributing in some way is something I always love to see."
In the final high school game for Roberts she was able to lead the way with 17 points, while Free after 16 points, 12 of which came in the opening half.
For Shenendehowa they now advance to the NYSPHSAA Class "AA" State Final Four where they will play in the semifinals against either Williamsville North or Penfield next Saturday back here at Hudson Valley Community College, and for Boland, the chance to go out as a senior with a state title has her motivated and hungry to go all the way.
"It definitely means a lot when you are a senior and any game could be your last game so to be going to the State Tournament is something I am grateful for and am very appreciative of."
