It has been a season of ups and downs for the Highlander men’s basketball team. Behind guard, Dylan Lambert’s (‘19), nineteen points per game, and captain Jonathan Stowe’s (‘17) nineteen total blocks, the team looked capable of advancing in the Empire 8 tournament. However, the team has stumbled in conference play, managing a record of only 2-5 against Empire 8 teams. The Highlanders currently sit three spots outside of a playoff berth behind Hartwick, Nazareth, and Utica. With the remainder of the schedule consisting of only conference opponents, the Highlanders have their work cut out for them. “We have proven that we can compete at a high level with all of the Empire 8 teams the first time around. For the second time, we play them this season we are expecting to win a lot more,” said captain, Phil Pellegrino ‘17.
The one thing the Highlanders have yet to do this season is maintain a winning streak beyond five games. Stowe emphasized taking it one game at a time and stated, “We need to get back on track to playing our game, working together as a team to set each other up to score, and then play defense consistently and stick to the scouting report.” If the team can manage to put together a streak of conference wins to end the season, the Highlanders may have the opportunity to be a competitive force in the conference playoffs.
The women’s basketball team is in a similar situation as they hit the halfway point in the season. Led in scoring by captains Elle Reed ‘17 and Hannah Manwaring ‘17, the Highlanders have earned their way to an 8-8 overall record while also posting a 2-5 in conference record. Much like the men’s team, the women have a remaining schedule consisting of only Empire 8 opponents. They, too have the chance to make their way into the conference tournament if they can put together a sizable run to end the season. “At this point we have come so far; we need a strong finish, which I know we are capable of. Our team cohesiveness is a huge factor. We all get along so well on and off the floor giving us an advantage going into the games coming up,” said Reed.
With team chemistry already one of their major strengths, the only thing left to fix is executing late in games. Manwaring stated “Our team is known to fight back and be resilient when faced with a challenge… We have lost a few games by only a few points so with a few changes for the second round of playing [conference teams], we should come out with wins.” If ihe Highlanders do learn how to better execute their game plan late in games, the team has the potential to advance in the Empire 8 postseason.