Tartans don’t make same mistake

PHOTOGRAPHER: Jim Schiltz

A past event provided the Scotia-Glenville girls’ basketball team with plenty of motivation for Friday night’s game against visiting South Glens Falls.

The Bulldogs were the only team that beat the Tartans last season during their run to the Foothills Council championship.

“We went into that game undefeated in the league, like tonight, and they got us,” Scotia-Glenville senior co-captain Kaila Sanboeuf said of the 48-38 midseason setback administered by the Bulldogs. “We did not want to see that happen again. We knew we had to come out firing.”

Scotia-Glenville did so at both ends of the court, combining stiff defense with superb ball movement to carve out a 60-33 victory and remain perfect on the season.

The state’s No. 7-ranked Class A team opened with a 22-0 first-quarter spurt that included four steals from Angie DiJohn and eight points from Cassie Broadhead, and rolled to its fifth consecutive double-digit win and ninth in 12 games.

Broadhead started the first-quarter blitz with a drive to the basket, and last year’s Foothills Council most valuable player ended it with two foul shots.

“That game last year left a sour taste. I definitely used that as motivation before this game,” said Scotia-Glenville coach Regan Burns. “After we talked about our game plan, the final words I used in our pre-game talk were, ‘Last year.’ ”

DiJohn, Broadhead, Sanboeuf and the rest of the Tartans made sure the outcome of Friday’s contest was determined early. Sanboeuf scored six of her season-high 10 points in the opening frame and picked up two of her team’s eight steals during the eight-minute stretch.

Sanboeuf and Broadhead led the Tartans (8-0, 12-0) with five steals apiece, and Danielle Conley had four of Scotia-Glenville’s six blocked shots. Their efforts helped the Tartans pin down the Bulldogs for a second time, following a 49-31 season-opening triumph over their longtime rival.

“We preach defense, day in and day out. You can’t beat teams if you don’t play defense,” said Burns. “In practice, we work on that the most.”

South Glens Falls (2-6, 3-8) scored its first points on a baseline jumper by Alexa Toole with 6:05 remaining in the second quarter, making it 24-2. Scotia-Glenville was leading, 29-2, when the Bulldogs scored again, on a layup by Katelyn Auer with 3:34 left in the half.

“We defenitely get other teams flustered,” said Sanboeuf, a senior guard. “When they throw a bad pass or we get a steal, or they double dribble it, we can tell what we’re doing is working.”

As in past games, Scotia-Glenville flourished with fullcourt pressure, fluctuating zones and man-to-man defense. The Tartans forced 12 first-quarter turnovers and seven more in the third period when the Bulldogs managed three points.

“Our girls play with great intensity,” said Burns. “What I really liked tonight was their help defense.”

“We always talk it up on the court,” said Sanboeuf. “We try to help each other out as much as possible.”

The Tartans helped each other at the offensive end, as well, piling up 22 assists on 25 baskets. Broadhead had eight of them to go along with 15 points, and Danielle Conley chipped in with four assists.

“We have really good team chemistry on and off the court,” said Sanboeuf, who had three assists. “There’s no drama. No bickering. We’re a tight-knit team.”

“It’s a very unselfish team. No one cares who scores points,” said Burns. “On any night it could be a different kid. Tonight was a big night for Kaila.”

Sarah Janson delivered 12 points for the Tartans, including eight in the third quarter when the hosts extended their advantage to 52-14, and nine of them scored in all.

“Our big three [Janson, Broadhead, Conley] are very talented scorers, but our other kids are stepping into their roles on offense,” said Burns. “That’s been a big part of our success.”

Scotia-Glenville’s success outside of the Foothills Council includes two wins against reigning Big 10 champion Catholic Central, and others against Ballston Spa and Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake. Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake ended Scotia-Glenville’s 2009-10 season in the Section II quarterfinals.

SOUTH GLENS FALLS

Toole 5-5-15, Coon 0-1-1, Barber 1-0-2, Auer 2-0-4, K. Celeste 1-0-2, O’Brien 2-1-5, Smith 1-2-4. Totals: 12-9-33.

SCOTIA-GLENVILLE

Conley 1-3-5, Sanboeuf 5-0-10, G. DiJohn 1-0-2, Ferrari 2-0-4, Janson 5-2-12, Broadhead 6-2-15, Cox 2-0-4, A. DiJohn 2-2-6, MacDonald 1-0-2. Totals: 25-9-60.

South Glens Falls 0 11 3 19 — 33

Scotia-Glenville 22 11 19 8 — 60

Three-point goals: Broadhead.