'Canes Rally Comes up Short against Generals
PITTSFIELD, Mass — The losses have been tough to take, but those following the Hoosac Valley boys' basketball team realize this is a team on the rise. The Hurricanes took another small step on Tuesday night, rallying from a 12-point halftime deficit against Pittsfield to tie the game with a minute left to play.Unfortunately for Hoosac, the Generals made two lay-ups in the final 60 seconds to pull out a 58-56 win at home.
"We gave it everything we had but couldn't come away with the win," Hurricanes head coach Bill Robinson said. "After a slow start, we were able to score 34 second-half points while holding PHS to 24. It was a good effort, but a wasted opportunity. Hopefully, we will be able to play at that level for the rest of the way."
If Hoosac wants to point to a reason why its record dropped to 1-9 this season, all it has to do is look at a second quarter in which it was outscored 19-9. After the two teams played a fairly even third quarter, the Hurricanes started the fourth down by 11. Robinson's squad then made a valiant comeback, outscoring the hosts 21-12 in the final frame to tie the game with a minute left to play.
"We ran a set that we really like, but we bobbled the pass, and it went out to the corner, where we tracked it down," Robinson said of his team's chance to take the lead late in the game. "We were a little antsy and with 10 seconds on the shot clock, Matt Braman took a three from about 4 feet beyond the arc at the top of the key. The shot was just a bit short, hitting the front of the rim and PHS got the rebound."
Keiland Cross, who led Pittsfield (8-3) with 18 points, then made a tough basket inside to put the Generals up by two. Hoosac had another chance to tie the game again, but Amancho Adopo (12 points) stripped Trevor Alibozek at the top of the key and went the length of the court to lay it in and put the Generals up by four. After Ty Discoe went 1 of 2 from the foul line, junior guard Corey Puccio hit a big 3-pointer from the right wing to give the 'Canes a chance in the final seconds of the game. Hoosac attempted to deny the ball as it came in bounds, but Pittsfield ran two guys deep and threw it the length of the court to end the game.
Puccio had a big night for the Hurricanes, making three of his five triples in the second half to finish with a game-high 20 points. Braman added 18 points and three assists for Hoosac, while Alibozek finished with 11 points and seven rebounds.
The 'Canes are back at home on Friday night, where they will take on Taconic in a game scheduled for 7:30 p.m.