Writer’s note: This story appeared before Wednesday’s ice storm canceled all high school sports in the Capital District.
If Wednesday’s Suburban Council boys basketball clash between Shaker and Colonie in Latham is anything like last Tuesday’s meeting in the Girmindl Tournament, fans can expect another nailbiter.
Shaker misfired on an inbounds play underneath the basket with seven seconds left, which allowed Colonie to escape with a 65-64 victory in the consolation game of Shaker’s annual tournament.
I think we competed hard in the Colonie game, said Shaker coach Jeff Holmes.
Since then, Shaker has been on vacation, while Colonie suffered a 49-43 loss to Suburban Council South Division rival Mohonasen Saturday.
`Based on our game Saturday, who knows (what will happen)?` said Colonie coach Doug Kilmer. `They seemed to be inconsistent at the offensive end.`
Colonie (4-3) is back at full strength after Herb Tedford and Sean Peer missed several games with injuries, while Shaker (3-5) is still dealing with ailments and suspensions to some of its players.
`We’ve been just dealing with a lot of things lately,` said Holmes. `Hopefully, we can regroup and get things going.`
Winning a close game would be a good first step for Shaker. Four of the Blue Bison’s five losses have been by three or fewer points.
`Usually, we start slow and we come back, or we make a run and can’t finish,` said Holmes. `We just get in these ruts where we start missing shots or we can’t get a defensive stop.`
Colonie had a similar problem in its loss to Mohonasen Saturday. Despite having Tedford and Peer back in the lineup, the Garnet Raiders couldn’t get their offense going for any length of time. The most points they managed in any one quarter was 13.
`It was a very disappointing loss for the players and the coaches,` said Kilmer. `We were excited to have those guys back, and defensively we played well.`
Wednesday’s game will be the last time the crosstown rivals will meet before the Section II, Class AA playoffs, and both sides are hoping to make a statement to each other.
`It’s a nice rivalry game,` said Kilmer. `If Shaker plays well and we play well, it will be a close game. If one of us doesn’t play well, it will be a blowout.`
Having the opportunity to avenge a one-point loss eight days later is something Shaker hasn’t had this season, but the Blue Bison also know this won’t be the same Colonie team it saw.
`They’re going to be at 100 percent, so I don’t know if it’s an advantage or not (to play them again),` said Holmes. `At least, we get to play them on our home floor.` “