Tamarac clinches Section II, Class B semifinals over Schuylerville

Tamarac will be returning to Cool Insuring Arena as a Section II, Class B final four team for the second year in a row thanks to Saturday’s 83-58 win over Schuylerville.

“It feels really good. We lost last year and we were really hyped up coming into the season,” said Tamarac guard Mikey D’Agostino. “We really wanted to get back. We knew we had all the talent in the world and we were returning a lot of guys but it really feels good to punch our ticket there.”

Tamarac was led by three 20-point scorers with D’Agostino dropping 23, Joey Poulin also dropping 23, and James Blake II dropping 22.

“We were all clicking, Mikey, James, and I each had above 20 points. If we do that every game that’s the best possible thing we can do,” said Poulin.

“Knowing he is back from his injury and knowing he is behind me playing defense or knowing when I drive I have someone right there gives me, and us, more confidence and more energy when he gets those andones.”

Schuylerville was led by Lukas Sherman who finished with 26 points and officially eclipsed 1000 career points as a Black Horse as a junior.

Tamarac took just a three point lead out of the first quarter and then strengthened their lead a little going into halftime with a 39-34 lead. At the half D’Agostino already had dropped 18 points and was shooting well from the free-throw line alongside Poulin. For the Black Horses, Sherman’s clutch threepoint shooting and bountiful chances at the free throw line was really keeping them within spitting distance of the Bengals.

“It shows we have a lot of people that can fill the stat sheet,” said D’Agostino. “We have a ton of players that can score the ball. We have a ton of players that can pass the ball. We have people who know their role and that’s how we win.”

In the third quarter, Tamarac laid claim to the court. Schuylerville was limited to just nine points and wasn’t able to score their first points until nearly three minutes into the quarter. As Schuylerville keyed in on D’Agostino, it allowed for Poulin and Blake to begin their attack to the rim and gain chances

at the free throw line.

That success only continued into the fourth quarter where three consecutive layups for Poulin, which were capped off with a dunk, seemed to be the sign that Tamarac had complete control of the last few minutes of the game.

Tamarac will be back in Glens Falls for Tuesday’s matchup with Glens Falls. Glens Falls beat Schalmont 68-56 prior to the TamaracSchuylerville showdown.

“They’re big and we will need to win on the offensive boards,” said Poulin. “We have to play hard. We have to want it more than them because they wanted it more than Schalmont when we watched them. We have to come out strong and shoot lights out, drive strong, and get them into foul trouble.”

“We were the favorite last year and we fell short,” said D’Agostino. “We have a chip on our back to come out. We all worked hard, got better, and we are a lot more confident now.”

TAMARAC 83, SCHUYLERVILLE 58 Ballston Spa High School Ballston Spa, New York THS 18-21-19-25 — 83 SHS 15-19-9-15 — 58

Tamarac

Mike D’Agostino 23 points; Joey Poulin 23 points; Dom Price 4 points; Jack Casey 4 points; Tyler Sears 5 points; Adam Quackenbush 2 points; James Blake II 22 points Schuylerville Adam DeGregory 3 points; Otto Bolduc 2 points; Griffin Brophy 15 points; Lukas Sherman 26 points; Anthony Iuzadis 4 points; Landen Cumm 4 points; Martin Flanders 4 points