3 1/2 weeks ago, Troy & Ballston Spa opened the Suburban Council season, with the Lady Scotties pulling away in the second half.
Today, in front of an even sparser crowd than there was the first time, as we're in the midst of holiday recess (classes resume Tuesday), B-Spa coach David Morse wasn't taking any chances. As soon as his junior superstar, Sophia Lee, hit the 1st 3 pointer of the game, the Lady Scotties went on a full court pressure defense, which is still anathema to the Lady Horses. Troy could only manage a Kashiya Armstrong free throw in the first quarter, which tells you how bad things went. And Armstrong is an 8th grader.
Coming off an equally damaging loss to Whitman Hansen (Massachusetts), 50-18, on Thursday, Will Harris' club had to find answers, and quickly. Sophomore Mia Magnetto had 4 points in the 2nd quarter, but Troy was still down 23, 28-5, at the break. Ugh. Magnetto finished with 8 points, leading Troy in scoring.
B-Spa, led by Lee's 16 points, made this one a rout from the opening tip, 52-17.
Entering Zotto Gym for the first time in nearly four years, I was stunned to see some changes in the balcony. The concession stand has moved upstairs from the cafeteria, allowing volunteers to watch the game in between customers. The team store has moved to across the hall from the concession stand. New bleachers were added, including space in all four corners of the balcony, for the school band. No more issues about comfort in the bleachers, as the purple seats will be highly coveted once Troy's teams begin winning.
If only the sound system had gotten an upgrade........!
Troy does have one returning player from last season, that being junior Laila Thomas, who was held scoreless this afternoon. 7th grader Amaya Harris, who had 6 points, is the coach's daughter. She has some of her father's skills, but it's still, like the team, a work in progress. The same issues that I'd seen in watching the first meeting with B-Spa on Hudl, were evident in person today. Bad passes, clear nerves resulting from the full court defensive pressure, unforced turnovers.
Troy does have a week off before their next game, coming off a 9 day layoff before last night's game. They'll play Guilderland next Friday.
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