Plus Catholic Central, Niskayuna advance on Wednesday

GLENS FALLS - Three Glens Falls players score better than 20 points as the Black Bears led throughout, cruising to a 104-55 win over Hudson in the Section 2 Class A Semifinals at the Cool Insuring Arena. 

The Black Bears pulled away thanks to a 32-15 second quarter and never looked back, fueled by a trio of Oscar Lilac threes that helped set the tone for the rest of the game.

Lilac would finish with 22. 

Hudson's rhythm was disrupted all night, with many backcourt steals from the Glens Falls defense.  The Black Bears combined for 20 steals, with Kellen Driscoll taking 6 away from Hudson, and Brody Holcomb and Aiden Prunty with 5 steals a piece. 

The onslaught had Glens Falls leading 52-27 at the half and beginning to filter in backups at the end of the 3rd Quarter as they led 84-38.  The only question was then if Glens Falls would eclipse the century mark, a mark they have hit three times this season.

And Jordan Baker would, midway through the fourth quarter.  The Black Bears scored so many points, the Cool Insuring Arena video scoreboard couldn't display the points properly once they surpassed 100. 

Brody Holcomb finished with 26 points, and Kellen Driscoll scored 23.

Hudson (19-4) came in as an exploding offense, having topped the century mark themselves in the first game of the season against Germantown.  But three point specialist Gannon Logue was held quite, making only 2 threes for 6 points.  And Keith Robinson, the Blue Hawks leading scorer, was the lone key scorer with 23 points.

Glens Falls (22-0) wins their 48th straight, and advances to Saturday's Sectional Championship, to be held at the Hudson Valley Community College in Troy.   Tip is slated for 8:15pm.

CATHOLIC CENTRAL MOVES ON, SETS UP FINALS REMATCH

Sei'Mir Robinson scores 29 and Qwameik Smith adds 24 as the Catholic Central Crusaders advance to the Class A Championship, beating Hudson Falls 70-66.

For Hudson Falls (17-5), it's the third semifinal exit in four years for the Tigers, making it to Glens Falls for Championship Week in 2022 and 2023 before being bounced by Mekeel Christian Academy and Troy respectfully.

The Tigers clawed by from a 15 point deficit in the third quarter, thanks to a 9-0 run, but could get no closer than four points behind as the Crusaders clamped down and converted on their foul shots, with Robinson going 12 for 13 from the charity stripe.  

Brady Smith finishes with 32 points for Hudson Falls, and Jayden Hardwick ends his high school career with 11 points.  Jaymison Eisenhardt also scored 11 points in his last game as a Hudson Falls Tiger, next heading to SUNY Cobleskill to play ball.

Catholic Central (14-8) now takes on Glens Falls in the Sectional Championship.  It is the third time in as many years that the two squads will meet up for the Class A title.

NISKAYUNA JAMS HOME REPEAT TRIP TO CHAMPIONSHIP

Brady Olsen electrifies the Cool Insuring Arena crowd with a hanging dunk in the fourth quarter as Niskayuna comes out on top in the Class AA Semifinals, beating conference rivals Bethlehem 50-44.

Olsen would finish with 10 points, and Ethan Wilson scores 12.

But the night belonged to Daniel Smalls, whose speed and agility muscled the Warriors thanks to his 26 points.  

Bethlehem (13-10) was kept silent at the hands of the Niskayuna defense, with top scorer Kieran Barnes being held to just 10 points, off 8 points of his seasonal average.  Joseph Whiting led Bethlehem with 17 points.

After a couple early leads, Bethlehem would rely on four straight threes to even the game with Niskayuna at the half.  But a 10-0 run for Niskayuna would put them ahead for good, aided by an intentional foul call against Jay Fello that gave the Warriors free throws and the possession.

Niskayuna (17-5) would ice the game at the free throw line, scoring their last 6 points on foul shots.

The Silver Warriors now advance to Sunday's championship, seeking their second straight after winning their first title in 46 years last year.  They face the winner of Troy and Lasalle, who play their semifinal 5PM Thursday at the Cool Insuring Arena.

The Class AA Sectional Championship is Sunday, 2:30PM at the Hudson Valley Community College in Troy.