Whitehall tops Duanesburg, downed by Greenwich

By Dan King

The comeback was courtesy of a 17-1 run in the final 3:26 of the game for Whitehall. Evan St. Claire shoots a long three

After making the two hour trek to Duanesburg, the Railroaders came out ready to play in the first quarter.

The Railroaders were able to get the Eagles’ top player, Kevin Lenehan, in early foul trouble. Freshman Dan St. Clair and senior Justin Hoagland drew some huge offensive fouls against him early on, getting him out of his rhythm.

“Danny was huge, playing great defense on the Lenehan kid,” Head Coach Keith Redmond said. “We got him in early foul trouble and that helped Justin Hoagland contends Justin Carruthers' jump shotus a lot.”

Whitehall trailed by five points entering the fourth quarter, but was able to put up 26 points in the final quarter, partly due to some great 3-point shooting and free throw shooting in the final 3:26 of the game.

“How ironic that we lost probably five or six games this year on the free throw line and then we win this one at the line,” Redmond added.

Hoagland, Brian McLaughlin and Evan St. Claire would all end up in double figures with 18, 16 and 15 points, respectively.

Also, St. Clair nearly had a double-double for the Railroaders, with nine points and nine rebounds.

In particular, St. Claire was clutch for the Railroaders, all three of his 3-pointers came in the fourth quarter.

“Evan is a 9th-grader whose 15 years old and plays like a senior in clutch time,” Redmond said.

McLaughlin and Hoagland each hit three 3-pointers as well and Justin McDonald added two more from beyond the arc.

On Tuesday, Whitehall travelled to Greenwich to take on the second seeded Witches, with an upset in mind.

Greenwich came into the game against Whitehall with a record of 16-3 overall and 12-2 in the very tough Wasaren League. The Witches’ only two Wasaren losses came against undefeated Hoosick Falls.

The Railroaders hung tough through the first half, but the Witches were ultimately able to pull away in the second half for a 70-34 win.

Whitehall trailed 9-7 early, but the Witches pulled away later in the quarter with a 13-0 run to finish the quarter.

Whitehall’s defense was able to contain the 6-foot 8-inch post presence of Justin Carruthers, who was held to 10 points. However, three Greenwich guards recorded double figures, as Sean Estramonte scored 18 and George Ostrowski.

“They have so many weapons, you take away the post and they can knock down outside shots,” Redmond said. “Especially in the second half, they weren’t quite as fatigued because they sub a little more than us. Their guards cut hard to the hoop.”

St. Claire was the only Railroader in double figures with ten.

Redmond thanked his remaining seniors, Hoagland, McDonald, McLaughlin, Robby Pereau and Zach Rice after the game for their continued effort over their careers.