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Indians lose heartbreaker 55-49 after near comeback

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By Melanie Lekocevic

Capital Region Independent Media

Head Coach Jackie Hotaling talks strategy with her players during a timeout. Melanie Lekocevic/Capital Region Independent Media

RAVENA-COEYMANS-SELKIRK — The Indians girls’ varsity basketball team lost a heartbreaker Saturday after making a near comeback in the waning minutes of the game.

The Indians hosted the Voorheesville Blackbirds on their home court in the first game of the day. The annual Hall of Fame induction ceremony was held at the game’s conclusion, honoring RCS athletes from years gone by, before the boys’ team would compete against the Blackbirds.

The girls’ team fought hard in the game, taking hard hits and fighting for possession of the ball, but were plagued by turnovers.

The Indians took an early lead in the first quarter, finishing the stanza with a one-point advantage at Indians 12, Blackbirds 11.

The hometown team would lead off the second quarter with a three-pointer with 7:30 left in the half, pushing their lead to Indians 15, Blackbirds 11. That would be followed by forward Hannah VanDerzee running downcourt for a layup to extend the team’s lead to six.

Indians’ forward Hannah VanDerzee makes a successful free throw from the line. Melanie Lekocevic/Capital Region Independent Media

The Blackbirds responded with a couple of scores to tie up the game at 17 with 4:42 left in the half and would keep up the pressure with steals and hard blocks.

The visiting team scored several unanswered points, bringing the score to Blackbirds 25, Indians 19, with 11 seconds to go on the clock.

But VanDerzee refused to go into the locker room on a down note and at the buzzer scored a thrilling three-pointer that sent the crowd to its feet and put the Indians within 3 at Blackbirds 25, Indians 22.

Turnovers would again plague the Indians in the second half, with the Blackbirds extending their lead to 13 points with 5:31 left in the third quarter.

With 4:10 left in the third the Blackbirds took a 38-22 lead, shutting down the Indians’ offense, but forward Chizoba Uba would score a two-pointer to give the Indians their first basket in several minutes.

Uba’s basket was followed by a nice steal by VanDerzee. She would go on to score another two points to bring the Indians to within 12. The Blackbirds, who were dogged by penalties, called timeout.

Indians’ forward Chizoba Uba looks to take a shot under heavy pressure from a Blackbirds player. Melanie Lekocevic/Capital Region Independent Media

The third quarter ended at Blackbirds 42, Indians 29.

The Indians kicked off the fourth quarter with a basket by guard Pip Dorrance. She would soon be fouled and make one of two free throws.

The home team brought the game to within 10 with 5:42 left.

After another traveling call against the Blackbirds, Dorrance tried to shoot but was blocked by the Blackbirds player who had the height advantage, but she rebounded the ball and got a two-pointer, putting the Indians to within 7.

Sophomore guard Pip Dorrance scored several points late in the game to put the Indians in range, but the team was unable to close the deal. Melanie Lekocevic/Capital Region Independent Media

The Indians would come within a hair’s breadth of tying up the game — bringing the difference to 3 points on a layup by Dorrance, but the Blackbirds would pull ahead in the final moments of the contest for the 55-49 win.

The fourth quarter was the Indians’ strongest, scoring 20 points to the Blackbirds’ 13. A lull in baskets in the third quarter, where the team only scored 7 to the Blackbirds’ 17, proved to be difference in the game.

The Indians’ record now stands at 0-2.

The two teams congratulate each other at the end of a hard-fought game. Melanie Lekocevic/Capital Region Independent Media

After the Hall of Fame induction ceremony, the boys’ team lost their battle against the Blackbirds by a score of 54-42.

The Indians’ weakest quarter was the first, where they scored 8. The team scored 11 points in each of the second and third quarters, and 12 in the fourth. The Indians’ boys’ record stands at 0-4.

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