GLENS FALLS, N.Y. -- Hey folks! We're back live in Glens Falls at the New York State Federation Championships where Long Island Lutheran is about to take on Bishop Ford of Brooklyn. It's the 2, 3, D, 4, 5 and 6 trains against the Long Island Rail Road. It's Jay-Z against Busta Rhymes, Chris Rock against Eddie Murphy...you get the idea. I hope.
Lutheran is coming off a four-week layoff where they scrimmaged the likes of East Hampton and Hills West. I talked to Brian Carey yesterday before they left for Glens Falls, and all he talked about was how prepared they tried to stay and how ready they are to finally play in a game that means something. More on what he had to say later. Stay tuned!
UPDATE 6:08 -- Bishop Ford is out to an early 17-10 lead early in the first quarter. Jeriel Henriquez already has eight points with two NBA-threes. Chaz Williams (who we hear has committed to Hofstra) has eight for the Falcons.
UPDATE 6:14 -- After one here in Glens Falls, Bishop Ford leads 23-18. Lutheran made two straight threes to close the quarter. They came from seniors Rich Harkins and Matt Rooney.
UPDATE 6:25 -- Lutheran just took a 33-31 lead on a three-pointer by Matt Carpenter with 2:10 left in the half.
UPDATE 6:30 -- Bishop Ford tied the score at 36 as the buzzer sounded on the second quarter on a putback off of an air ball from Chaz Williams. Lutheran is letting the ball fly from deep. They've connected on seven three-pointers, largely because defenders are collapsing to help on guards Henriquez and Kevin Johnson. They can all shoot. They're all very disciplined. Considering they haven't played a real game in four weeks, they've got just three turnovers. Impressive.
We'll be back with the third quarter. Lutheran is 16 minutes from advancing to the Class A final.
UPDATE 6:41 -- Bishop Ford scores five quick points in the first 1:05 of the second half. Lutheran's Brian Carey calls a 30-second timeout.
UPDATE 6:52 -- The score is 56-47 with 1:09 left in the third quarter. Lutheran has not been able to get into a rhythm from beyond the arc. Johnson just made a driving layup to help Lutheran pull within seven. That's the score we have at the end of three. Eight minutes to go.
UPDATE 6:59 -- Big three-pointer from Henriquez! Score is 60-58 with 5:30 and counting to go.
UPDATE 7:10 -- Henriquez has 12 points this quarter, and is leading a surge from Lutheran. They are up here 67-62 with 2:12 remaining. We just overheard that Bishop Ford has eight turnovers this quarter. Ouch. Henriquez also has three steals.
UPDATE 7:18 -- Long Island Lutheran is going to pull this game out, folks. Rich Harkins just made two free throws to make the score 75-66 with 35.9 seconds left. Bishop Ford has given to just fouling.
THE CRUSADERS ADVANCE! FINAL SCORE: 77-66.
Tomorrow night at 7:30, Lutheran will play the winner of Jamesville-Dewitt and East New York Transit Tech.