High School Fridays: Guilderland @ Troy (boys basketball), 12/14/18

After a week's rest, Troy High's boys' basketball team was back on the court tonight in front of a smaller than normal, but raucous nonetheless, home crowd at Zotto Memorial Gym, as the Flying Horses welcomed the Dutchmen of Guilderland.

Last year, Troy snapped a three game losing streak to Guilderland, but early on, it seemed as though the Dutchmen, who seemingly are in rebuilding mode this season, might have the upper hand. William Lia put the guests on the board first, but seconds later, Nazaire Merritt nailed a 3 pointer to put Troy up, only for Guilderland's Brandon Caulfield to answer with one of his own.

And so it went throughout the first half. The Guilderland tandem of Lia and Ryan "Iced" Teaney combined for 22 points. Merritt had that all by himself, but Guilderland led by three at the break, 33-30.

In the third quarter, Merritt went ice cold, but the rest of the Troy offense perked up, particularly Lateef Johnson, who had 5 points at the break. Johnson broke out in the second half, and finished with 17. Lia also went cold, but then also got into foul trouble, and was sent to the bench with four personals near the end of the frame. He didn't return until there were a couple of minutes left in the fourth quarter, but there's no truth to the rumor he spent his time on the bench on his cell phone selling cars. Lia finished with 14 points.

Merritt, the subject of a feature article in the Albany Times-Union today, got it going again late in the third quarter, and teamed with Johnson to put Troy up for good. Merritt finished with a game high 30 points. Makai (Don't Be) Cruel had 9, all in the fourth quarter. Likewise, Alex Wolfe scored all 5 of his points in the second half, and Troy runs its record to 3-0 with an impressive 67-58 win. In a losing effort Teaney led Guilderland with 17 points.

Next up for Troy will be a road test vs. Shaker on Tuesday before returning home to play Colonie, seeking to end a four game losing streak to the Garnet Raiders, before the Christmas break. For what it's worth, Troy also won the JV game in more convincing fashion, 79-43. Ouch!
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However, Guilderland salvaged the women's game, as the Lady Dutch beat Troy, 61-54. Troy falls to 2-2, but has to come right back home for a non-league tilt with Whitesboro tomorrow afternoon. Yesterday's bowling match between Troy & Guilderland had not been reported by press time.
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LaSalle's struggles continue on the court, as Jon Desso's Cadets have now lost three in a row, the latest a 44-34 setback to cross-town rival Lansingburgh. The Cadets have failed to reach 40 points in their last two games. The skating Cadets' match vs. "Guilderville" had a later start, and was not completed by press time.