BY KIMBERLEY A. MARTIN
We're 1:15 away from the end of the first quarter and things don't look all that good for Friends Academy. Though the Quakers trail by just seven (19-12), they look out of sync on offense and slightly winded on transition. Credit Mechanicville's defensive intensity and quick double-team coverage in the interior.
Friends' Billy Reggio just missed a baseline jumper from the corner, which resulted in a a layup on the other end Sean Stewart. Point guard Jon WIlliams knocked down a floater from the top of the key for the final basket of the quarter.
End of First Quarter: Mechanicville 21, Friends 14.
Harrison Hefele connects on one of two free-throws to open the second quarter for Friends and minutes later, Mechanicville guard Paul MacMillan gets called for his third foul with 4:50 to go in the second. That could be BIG later in the game.
Center Ramir Robinson chipped in two consecutive layups to cut the lead to 25-22 before Paul Marra hit baseline three-pointer to put the Red Raiders up by six with 2:45 remaining.
That's when Williams took over. He scored seven straight points to give Friends a 29-28 lead with less than a minute to go. But Nick Lettrick responded immediately with a basket of his own to give the Raiders a 30-29 with 21.8 left.
Mechanicville squandered two opoprtunities to increase its lead as Stewart missed two free-throws and the team turns the ball over after regaining posession. But the Raiders catch a break as Williams misses a runner with four seconds left.
Halftime score: Mechanicville 30, Friends 29.
If I were Friends coach Steve Hefele, I'd be feeling pretty good right now. The Quakers were down by as many as eight in the first half, but now trail by just 1. Williams and Robinson are doing a good job of working the paint (despite Mechanicville's heavy post pressure), but the Quakers need to start connecting from the perimeter.
And so the second half begins:
Mechanicville opens the quarter with a three-pointer and Lettrick adds a lay-up to put the team up 35-29. But Mike Nattis hits a three-pointer of his own, followed by a bucket by Robinson. Now the lead's back to 1. But the Raiders score four straight points before Robinson answers with two straight baskets of his own.
Lettrick scores the last basket of the quarter.
End of Third Quarter: Mechanicville 41, Friends 38.