A young basketball team goes through periods where it shows its promise and periods where it shows its youth.
The Shaker girls basketball team went through both periods within the course of one overtime game.
Trailing by 15 points early in the fourth quarter, the Blue Bison (0-4 league, 1-5 overall) rallied to tie Niskayuna in the final minute of regulation, only to watch the Silver Warriors (3-1, 4-2) pull away in overtime to a 66-63 Suburban Council victory Friday in Latham.
With only two seniors on the roster, Shaker coach Chris Mazzeo has been going with a collection of juniors, sophomores and freshmen so far this season. And though the Blue Bison have yet to win a league game, they’ve been competitive in nearly every contest.
I believe that we can play with anyone, said Mazzeo. `It’s just a matter of these girls jelling.`
If anyone can sympathize with Mazzeo’s situation, it’s Niskayuna coach Sarah Neely. This is the first time in her varsity coaching career that she’s had a senior-dominated lineup, and that level of experience has shown in her team’s quick start, which includes a 41-33 victory over Shenendehowa in the Silver Warriors’ league opener two weeks ago.
`The team that I have has been playing together since they were in fourth and fifth grade,` said Neely. `This program has taken a lot of hits over the last couple of years, but they’re starting to play together well.`
Niskayuna looked good in the first half against Shaker. Led by the combo of senior forward Beth Halayko and junior guard/forward Emily Bayly, the Silver Warriors powered their way to a 35-18 halftime lead. Halayko scored 11 of her game-high 22 points in the first quarter, while Bayly contributed 13 points over the first two periods.
`I was very happy at halftime. I thought the kids did a really good job at both ends,` said Neely.
Shaker started chipping away at Niskayuna’s lead in the third quarter and got it down to nine points before the Silver Warriors went on a mini run to build their advantage back to 15 points early in the fourth quarter. But the Blue Bison remained aggressive at both ends of the court and again got within nine points of Niskayuna with less than four minutes left in the final period.
Shaker’s young shooters showed poise during the final three minutes. A three-pointer by sophomore guard Erica Houle cut Niskayuna’s lead to 55-51. Freshman guard Adrienne Devine then picked up an offensive rebound and drove the lane for a layup to get the Blue Bison within two points. Junior guard Eden Alexanian capped Shaker’s 9-0 rally by stealing the ball off an inbounds pass and driving for a layup with 35 seconds left to tie the game at 55.
`We did a good job (in the second half),` said Mazzeo. `We were in a little bit of foul trouble in the first half, but they bought in to what we talked about at halftime, and they came out and played well.`
Shaker had a couple of chances to win the game in regulation. Alexanian was fouled on her game-tying layup, but she missed the free throw. Then, following a Niskayuna turnover, senior guard Morgan Rowland launched a three quarters-court three-pointer at the buzzer that rimmed out.
Niskayuna got the lead back early in the four-minute overtime period, but didn’t regain control of the game until the last 1:30. Halayko made two free throws, and Lisa Rufer scored a fast break layup to put the Silver Warriors up 64-59.
`What we’re working on is playing with a big lead,` said Neely. `We have to learn how to hold those leads and play under control.`
Bayly added two free throws with 8.9 seconds left to finish with 21 points, six of which came in overtime. Rufer chipped in 11 points for Niskayuna.
Junior forward Katrina Patterson led Shaker with 17 points. Houle contributed 11 points, and Alexanian added 10 points.
Niskayuna concluded the December portion of its Suburban Council schedule Tuesday when it hosted Guilderland. The Silver Warriors return to action at next week’s Arthur Hilliard Tourna-ment in Schenectady.
In other girls basketball action Friday, Mohonasen fell back to .500 with a 51-42 loss to Shenendehowa, while Scotia-Glenville earned its first win of the season with a 49-34 victory over Queensbury.
Shen (3-1, 3-1) built a 37-22 lead through the first three quarters before Mohonasen (2-2, 3-3) bounced back with a 20-point fourth quarter.
Michelle Aviza had 17 points, and Brittany Somelofske chipped in 13 points for the Mighty War-riors, who hosted Ballston Spa Tuesday in their final game before the Christmas break. Barb Shea’s 21 points paced Shen.
In Scotia, the Lady Tartans (1-2, 1-5) used a 16-4 second quarter run to build a 30-13 halftime lead before cruising to their first Foot-hills Council win of the season.
Gina Cappuccitti led a balanced Scotia-Glenville attack wth 14 points.
Schalmont (1-3, 2-4) continued to struggle in the Colonial Council with a 39-27 loss to Lansingburgh Friday. Cara DellaVilla had nine points for the Sabres.
Schalmont returned to action Tuesday against Cobleskill.“