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Saturday

5:30 p.m.

Utica Auditorium

Section III Class D Finals

Hamilton vs. New York Mills

The HCS girls basketball team is back in the aud this weekend trying to do what they couldn't last year: bring home a sectional title. Hamilton went in to last year's game with Sacket's Harbor with a perfect record and lost. This year, Hamilton is the seventh seed in the tournament, and progressed by beating higher seeds during the tournament.

Now they face New York Mills, a team the lady Emerald Knights lost to twice in the reguar season.

For Coach Jessica Poole, this is her second trip to the finals in as many years as the varsity head coach. Poole talks about NY Mills, what it will take to bring home the sectional title banner this year and how the 2010 final is different than the one played in 2009.

How do you feel about facing New York Mills for the third time this season?
We've played Mills twice in the regular season so we are very familiar with this team. Mills has a deep bench and very versatile players.  Last year we were unfamiliar with Sackets Harbor, so this is an advantage for us knowing Mills' style of play and personnel. 

What are you going to have to do to beat them ... in general?
They play a high pressure zone defense.  We are going to have to penetrate the gaps in their zone and hit our open shots.  We can't afford to get in foul trouble early, so we need to play smart and under control.  We also need to play high pressure defense and try to get steals and convert baskets in transition.  We can't allow them to get open 3-point looks or drive through the lane for high percentage shots.

What do you think has gotten your team this far again?
We've had some very unfortunate luck this season with injuries. One of my starters and the team's second leading scorer, Sara Whyatt had a season-ending shoulder injury.  My point guard Katie Weeks had a knee injury that sidelined her for five games.  I've had six of my original 10 varsity players miss at least one game this season due to injuries.  We are finally all healthy, with the exception of Sara, and we are really starting to click as a team.  It's been a combination of good timing and hard work that these girls have put in. 

How is this different for you this year compared to last year?
I think we had a big target on our back last year.  We had a lot of pressure going in to keep our record perfect. Everyone was looking to upset our undefeated season. This year no one expected us to go this far.  We graduated our two leading scorers last season.  With less pressure I think the girls have been playing more relaxed. I told the team at our first practice before sectionals that we are the dark horses of the tournament. That has been our theme through out the playoffs to keep them motivated. 

Comments(1):

1. HCS Girl's basketball

   Best of luck to the Lady Emerald Knights this weekend! Go Dark Horses!

   Friday, March 05, 2010 Lisa