By PATRICIA CURRY

Sports Correspondent

The Indian Lake / Long Lake girls’ basketball team continued to add records to the schools’ history books last week. The team jumped up in the New York State Sports Writers Association poll from a 14th place ranking to seventh, the highest ranking for any girls’ sports team in both schools’ history.

After capturing the first ever Section VII title for either school March 4, the team advanced to the New York State Public High School Athletic Association’s (NYSPHSAA) regional playoffs. The first stop in regionals was a match-up against Section II winner Fort Edward. The game was played March 8 at Adirondack Community College in a gym full of supportive spectators.

The two teams had contrasting line-ups, with the Orange starting four seniors and one sophomore, while Fort Edward started one junior and four sophomores. The teams also approached the game with different styles of play.

Fort Edward uses its shorter line-up to play full court defense and a fast paced running style of offense. IL/LL, with height and experience, likes to set up a well-executed half-court offense and a deliberate defense. The variation provided an intense and interesting game down to the final buzzer.

IL/LL opened the first quarter with an 8-0 run, seven of which came from senior Melanie Peirson. Fort Edward scored its first basket with about three minutes remaining in the quarter, to make it 8-2. On the next IL/LL possession Murphy Farrell knocked down her first three-pointer of the season to put her team up 11-2. Fort Edward converted on some steals to end the first quarter trailing 15-8.

Fort Edward came back in the second quarter, forcing IL/LL turnovers and outscoring the Orange 17-9 to take a one point lead into halftime at 25-24. Thanks to aggressive defense and some jump shots the Orange were up 35-34 heading into what was thought to be the final period of play.

In the fourth quarter both teams battled right to the end. With only 54.9 seconds remaining in regulation Carli Reynolds made a free throw to put IL/LL up 46-45. Fort Edward answered with a foul shot to tie the game, followed by a jump shot to take a 48-46 lead with 13.8 seconds remaining.

Carli Reynolds drove to the basket and got fouled with 3.1 seconds to go. With a boisterous Fort Edward crowd trying its best to rattle Reynolds she calmly sank both free throws to tie the game at 48 and force overtime.

In the extra period Melaine Pierson made a field goal to put IL/LL up by two. A Fort Edward basket tied the game at 50 before Carli Reynolds knocked down a jump shot to give the Orange a 52-50 lead. Fort Edward connected on one of two free throws to come within one at 52-51 with 1:40 to play.

A Jessica Bain steal with 18.9 seconds remaining, along with four IL/LL players battling Fort Edward for a loose ball, allowed IL/LL to hold onto the lead and advance to the regional final.

Melanie Pierson led IL/LL scoring with 15 points. Carli Reynolds had 13 points, seven from free throws, five steals and four assists. Allison Pine netted 11 points and ripped down 18 rebounds. Murphy Farrell tallied five steals and four assists.

IL/LL: Farrell 3-2-9, Bain 1-0-2, Pierson 7-1-15, Reynolds 3-7-13, S. Hinckley 0-0-0, Pine 4-3-11, M. Hinckley 0-2-2. Totals: 18-15-52.

Ft. Edward: Godrey 4-9-17, Boucher 2-3-7, Heym 5-1-11, Hendricks 1-0-2, Terrio 2-0-6, Brown 0-0-0, Sardina 1-0-2, Brockway 2-2-6, Kelly 0-0-0. Totals: 17-15-51.

IL/LL 15 9 11 13 4 - 52

Fort Edwards 8 17 9 14 3 - 51

3-point goals: Fort Edward (2) Terrio 2. IL/LL (1) Farrell.

CHATEAUGAY 41,

IL/LL 38

Saturday, March 12, the Orange left for Potsdam to compete in their first ever NYSPHSAA regional final and state quarterfinal. The team would face Section X champion Chateaugay, with the winner advancing to the Final Four.

In each of the three communities team members are from the bus received an escort from the local fire department, while the players were cheered on by fans lining the roadway.

Once in Potsdam a supportive crowd garbed in orange rallied behind IL/LL in a game that pitted brothers as opposing coaches. John Reynolds, a veteran coach who teaches in Indian Lake, was up against his younger brother Chris, the girls’ basketball coach at Chateaugay.

The Reynolds’ parents showed their love for their sons and granddaughter Carli, as well as their loyalty to each team, by sharing the cheering duties. Sandy Reynolds sat with the IL/LL fans the first half while Ron Reynolds sat with the Chateaugay fans. In the second half, the two switched sides.

IL/LL jumped out to a quick lead in the opening minutes with field goals and foul shots from Allison Pine and Carli Reynolds’ jump shots. Chateaugay answered with a couple of steals and baskets to trail 12-10 in the first quarter.

In the second period the two teams traded baskets to keep the game tied most of the time. With 6.8 seconds remaining Chateaugay made a foul shot to lead 19-18. IL/LL inbounded the ball to Carli Reynolds, who dribbled to about 10 feet behind mid-court where she fired the ball as the clock ticked. The ball hit nothing but net to record three points and give IL/LL the 21-19 first half lead.

The third quarter was tough for the Lady Orange. With players in foul trouble, the team battled but couldn’t hold off Chateaugay, which outscored them 11-5 for the 30-26 lead.

The final eight minutes were played with much intensity from the Lady Orange as they put forth their best effort. Although they outscored the Bulldogs of Chateaugay 12-11 in the quarter, they came up short 41-38.

Carli Reynolds and Allison Pine were high scorers for IL/LL with 15 points each.

The two teams met at half-court to exchange the customary handshake and display of sportsmanship. However, the greeting was not typical as IL/LL’s Carli Reynolds shared a long embrace with the opposing coach, her Uncle Chris. That was followed by a hug between head coaches of both teams, brothers Chris and John.

The faithful fans for The Orange stood on their feet applauding and showing gratitude for the game efforts and season accomplishments of IL/LL as the girls received their regional final certificates.

IL/LL: Farrell 2-0-4, Bain 0-0-0, Pierson 1-0-3, Reynolds 6-1-15, S. Hinckley 0-0-0, Pine 4-7-15, M. Hinckley 0-1-1, Smith 0-0-0. Totals: 13-9-38.

Chateaugay: Beach 0-0-0, Cook 4-1-9, Fowler 5-2-13, Boyea 4-1-9, Fleury 4-2-10, Barnes 0-0-0, Miller 0-0-0. Totals: 17-6-41.

IL/LL 12 9 5 12 - 38

Chateaugay 10 9 11 11 - 41

3-point goals: IL/LL (3), Reynolds 2, Pierson. Chateaugay (1), Fowler.