The Amsterdam Lady Rams basketball team came in to Tuesday night’s game at Amsterdam High School riding the momentum of a five game winnig streak. A 31 point effort from senior Cara Waterson and an aggressive Albany Lady Falcons defense ended that streak 65-27.
“We came out with intensity and controlled the tempo of the game,” Albany head coach Decky Lawson said. “Our defense created our offense.”
Albany’s defense would force over 20 AHS turnovers for the game and its offense would sprint out to a 12-0 lead in the first quarter before Amsterdam would get on the board. Waterson’s seven points led the way including the first of her game high four three-point baskets. Keely Santiago’s jump shot in the closing minutes provided the Lady Rams only points of the first frame. Albany eighth grader Imani Harris would score the last four points of the quarter to put Albany up 17-2. Harris along with jayvee guard Inshalla Brown were called up to help a somewhat short handed Lady Falcons squad.
“We were down a few girls,” Lawson said. “That didn’t stop us. A lot of players stepped up tonight.”
The Lady Falcons put up 17 more points and would lead at halftime 34-11. They continued to play physical in the second half, holding Amsterdam’s starting five to a total of 12 points. The Lady Rams struggled to get anything going.
“We had zero flow and zero rhythm,” Amsterdam head coach Eric Duemler said. “Albany plays an aggressive match up zone defense. You can’t be stationary against it. We didn’t play well. That’s a credit to Albany, one of the top teams in the state.”
Meanwhile, Waterson was anything but stationary, connecting for 17 points in the second half. When she wasn’t scoring, her teammates benefited from several assists.
“She’s a senior and she’s our leader,” said coach Lawson. “In a game like this—she let it all out tonight.”
Waterson’s 11 points in the third quarter were more than the point total for AHS for that quarter, and the Lady Falcons were in charge 53-21 heading into the final frame.
“She’s a very good player,” coach Duemler said. “She’s a good shooter, and you can’t leave her open. She did a great job.”
Imani Harris would score nine points and Cyla Wilson would add seven points and eight rebounds for the Lady Falcons. Keely Santiago’s six points would lead Amsterdam. Nina Fedullo, Guiliana Pritchard and Arizona Sanitago would chip in with five points each. The Lady Rams will look to rebound with a Friday contest at Schenectady High School.
“We will forget about this at midnight,” Duemler said. “and move on to Schenectady.”
