The season is only two games old, but things are already looking up for the Voorheesville girls basketball team.
The Blackbirds are off to their first 2-0 start in the Colonial Council in several years, thanks to a veteran lineup that is mastering head coach Bob Baron’s system.
We’ve got six kids returning from last year’s roster, and that helps, said Baron. `They’re now into their second year in our system, and I think it shows.`
The best indication of that is last Friday’s 62-56 victory at Cohoes. When the Tigers cut Voorheesville’s lead to 52-51 late in the fourth quarter, the Blackbirds responded with some timely shots to pull out the win. Emily Madden sank a pair of free throws, and Britney Creed drained a three-pointer to send Voorheesville on its way.
`I told the kids before the game that Cohoes wouldn’t quit. They’ll play hard to the last whistle,` said Baron.
Things didn’t look good for Voorheesville when Cohoes (1-1) scored the first five points of the game. But the Blackbirds scored the final nine points of the first quarter and outscored the Tigers 15-9 in the second quarter to build a 24-14 halftime lead.
Cohoes did what it could to slow down Voorheesville’s offense in the second half, including fouling Madden at every opportunity. But Madden made all 12 of her free throws to turn the Tigers’ strategy on its ear.
Madden finished with 18 points, while Creed contributed 14 points for Voorheesville. Kelly Glath and Emily Norris each added 10 points.
Maggie Maloney led three Cohoes players in double figures with 24 points, but only four Tigers reached the scoring column. Besty Santoro had 13 points, and Bailey Tetreault added 10 points.
Voorheesville looked to keep its unbeaten streak going Tuesday when it visited Lansingburgh.
`Our schedule isn’t doing us any favors (early on),` said Baron, whose team hosts Holy Names Friday.“