The way Colonie coach Doug Kilmer sees it, there is a three-tiered hierarchy among the top 10 class AA boys basketball teams in Section II.
The top level is occupied by Big 10 leader Bishop Maginn and Christian Brothers Academy who meet each other Friday in Colonie. The second level is occupied by two Suburban Council division leaders Colonie (blue) and Guilderland (gold) ` and Catholic Central from the Big 10. The third level includes Shenendehowa and Bethlehem.
`I think we’re probably one of the top five teams, with the top two separating from Nos. 3, 4 and 5,` said Kilmer. `I think Guilderland, us and Catholic Central can play with any of those top two teams, but we’d have to play a near-perfect game to beat them.`
Colonie (9-2 league, 12-3 overall) has been playing near-perfect basketball as of late. Since a 76-67 loss to Bethlehem Jan. 4, the Garnet Raiders have been on a tear, winning five games in a row. Of those wins, four have been by 18 or more points, and two have been by more than 30 points.
`About four or five weeks ago, we started playing better,` said Kilmer. `Post Bethlehem, we’ve played together a lot more. We’ve played much better defense, we’re sharing the ball better and we’re passing the ball a lot more. We’re just playing much better basketball.`
Those characteristics were on display in Colonie’s most recent victory, an 83-51 home win against a Saratoga Springs team that took the Garnet Raiders to double overtime the first time they met Dec. 7. In the first half of Friday’s game, Colonie’s offense was firing on all cylinders to the tune of 46 points, while Colonie’s defense forced Saratoga (2-9, 4-11) into several turnovers and limited the Blue Streaks to 16 total points.
It didn’t help Saratoga that its leading scorer, Jordan Stevens, sat out the game with a broken left hand ` an injury he sustained at last month’s Hilliard Tournament in Schenectady. Since Stevens’ injury, the Blue Streaks have lost six consecutive games.
`We won by 32 points, and I don’t think (Stevens) is worth 32 points by himself,` said Kilmer. `But the difference is when they get down now, they don’t think they can come back because he’s not out there.`
Colonie has no such concerns on offense. The trio of Herb Tedford, Tashan Newsome and Jim Bacher are as healthy as they have been all season, and Sean Peer occasionally chips in with a double-digit point night. All four reached double digits against Saratoga, with Tedford’s 17 points leading the way. Bacher contributed 14 points, Peer chipped in 12 points and Newsome added 10 points.
Following Tuesday’s game against Ballston Spa, the Garnet Raiders have two games left before the Suburban Council Tournament ` a Friday showdown with crosstown rival Shaker, and a contest against Shen next Tuesday that could determine the Blue Division title. The Plainsmen entered their Tuesday game against Guilderland with an 8-3 league mark, one game behind Colonie.
Before the Garnet Raiders can worry about Shen, though, they have some other obstacles to dodge.
`Right now, we’re focused on Ballston Spa, but we’re looking forward to (Friday) night,` said Kilmer. `Shaker will be a very tough team. They’re well coached, and they always play us physical.`
Shaker (4-7, 5-9) has been playing better basketball of late, too. The Blue Bison have tangled with some of the top teams in the Suburban Council and have split their last four games, including a 57-49 victory over Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake Jan. 18.
Shaker’s most recent game was a 61-48 loss to Shen Friday, but that game wasn’t decided until the fourth quarter when the Plainsmen outscored the Blue Bison 17-13 to wind up with their 13-point margin of victory.
Shen’s Tom Kukuk had 24 points to lead all scorers. Ryan Sullivan paced Shaker with 16 points.
Friday’s renewal of the Shaker-Colonie rivalry tips off at 7:30 p.m. at Shaker.
While town bragging rights will be on the line at Shaker, Big 10 bragging rights will be on the line Friday at CBA when the Brothers (11-1, 14-1) host Bishop Maginn (11-0, 14-1). The Golden Griffins are the only team to beat the Brothers over the last two years, having defeated them in last year’s class AA Sectional final and in their first league meeting Dec. 21 at the Washington Avenue Armory.“
