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Saratoga Springs
Shenendehowa girls’ basketball coach Joe Murphy quickly stated what he wanted to see from his team at halftime Tuesday night and then left the locker room.
Although Murphy’s message was delivered in a calm manner, it still proved profound to his players.
“It was dead silent (after he left),” Shenendehowa junior point guard Cameron Tooley said. “Everyone was kind of like, ‘We’ve got this. We’re fine. We’re good.’ We realized it all came down to passion. If we’re going to win this game, we have to do what coach told us to do.”
The Plainsmen responded big-time after intermission, limiting Saratoga’s offensive rebounding that hurt them in the first half to go along with a defensive performance that limited Saratoga to 5-for-31 shooting in the second half. Led by Tooley and junior guard Alexandra Tudor, Shenendehowa rallied to secure a 53-42 Suburban Council victory over the Blue Streaks.
Shenendehowa (18-2 overall, 16-2 league) trailed 26-19 at halftime. Saratoga (13-6, 12-6) only made 10 of 30 shots during the first 16 minutes, but compensated by grabbing 11 offensive rebounds.
“We all had to worry about handling our jobs,” said Tooley, who led the Plainsmen with 19 points, seven rebounds and four assists. “Coach was telling us the things we need to do to be successful.”
Tooley and Tudor took turns making baskets in the third quarter to help the Plainsmen surge into a 34-28 lead. The Blue Streaks were suddenly limited to one shot.
Saratoga opened the fourth quarter by missing its first 10 shots.
“The first half is what we practiced and focused on this week because we knew coming into Shen we had to play very good defense,” Saratoga coach Robin Chudy said. “We did that in the first half. We made sure we only gave them one shot, box out and go after the boards. In the second half, we got a little tired. Some of our (post players) got tired and they got two or three shots.”
Tudor scored 13 of her 17 points in the second half.
Taylor Patnode and Dolly Cairns each tallied nine points in the first half for the Blue Streaks, but both were held in check in the second half. Cairns and Kerry Flaherty tied for the team lead with 13 points, followed by Patnode (11 points, seven rebounds, three blocks).
jallen@timesunion.com • 518-454-5062 • @TUSidelines
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