Percy Leads Taconic Past Pittsfield
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Taconic took the first matchup of the season against Pittsfield for city bragging rights, 44-27, Wednesday night on the road.
Isaac Percy lead the way for Taconic (11-3) with 17 points, while Quincy Davis added 10.
The packed crowd was roaring early as both rivals got off to a slow start, struggling from the field. Taconic took the early edge with a 5-0 run to start the game thanks to eight first quarter points from Percy. Pittsfield only managed to score three points, but with the lack of offense it was able to hang around. This fast paced game saw its fair share of sloppy play on both ends of the floor.
A Mohammed Sanogo dunk followed by Quincy Davis’s first 3-pointer of the game was enough to get a little separation for Taconic. The visitors went into the half leading 22-13 in a low scoring affair, one they are not usually accustomed to.
“Everyone is here watching them and you just try to keep a level of focus and concentration,” Taconic coach Bill Heaphy said. “Lots of emotions with long shots, both teams struggled to shoot the ball, so we had to rely on our defense.”
With the offensive power of Taconic, it wasn’t a bad situation for Pittsfield (8-5) to be in. The Generals dug deep and tried feed off of the crowds energy. Holding Taconic to only 22 first half points seemed like a small victory if they could find a way to start scoring on their own end. Unfortunately, the half-time break seemed to wake up Taconic as it started the second half on a 7-0 run. The moment carried for a little bit but it never seemed like Taconic was going sustain that offensive pressure.
“That run was important just to get some breathing room,” Heaphy added. "I was hoping we would get going but it never really happened credit to Pittsfield’s defense. They really limited us to one shot on offense.”
The teams went back and forth in the final quarter keeping this one at a comfortable distance for Taconic.
This game was well below the average points scored for Taconic, but a win is a win and an impressive 10th victory in a row as they look toward the back end of their season.
Taconic will go on the road Friday to face off against a tough Wahconah team.
As for Pittsfield, it will take a week off and pick back up on the first of the month against Wahconah as well.