Bluehawks Soar to State Quarterfinal Victory, Fueled by Community Support and Star Power
The atmosphere at Hudson Valley Community College was electric on Saturday, as a massive contingent of fans from the city of Hudson descended to rally behind their high school boys’ basketball team. The Bluehawks, clearly energized by the overwhelming support, delivered a commanding performance, securing an impressive 69-27 victory over Peru in the Class A state quarterfinal. This dominant win propels the team to the state semifinals.
The Bluehawks, now boasting an outstanding 22-2 record, are set to continue their quest for a state title. Their next challenge awaits on Thursday in Binghamton, where they will face the Section 1 champion Tappan Zee. Tappan Zee also advanced with a decisive 43-31 win over Floral Park on Saturday.
The overwhelming presence of Hudson fans was a significant talking point for the players. “This feels great,” expressed Hudson senior guard Eli Conte. “The whole team’s energy is here, and we are ready to compete and take home a state title. The fans were amazing. We’re 45 minutes to an hour away, and everyone showed up and packed the stands. It was loud.”
Senior point guard Keith Robinson echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the feeling of playing at home. “We had a lot of Hudson fans here. Glens Falls is a long ride, but once we heard we were playing at Hudson Valley, we considered that a home game,” Robinson stated. “A lot of fans came out. I appreciate that, and the team appreciates that. Seeing the community behind us, knowing we’re doing this for the city and the school, is special. They provided a tremendous amount of support for us.”
Dominant First Quarter Sets the Tone
While Peru managed to score the first four points of the contest, Hudson quickly regrouped and established a formidable 27-8 lead by the end of the first quarter. This early surge was fueled by a strong offensive showing, with Eli Conte sinking three crucial three-pointers and Robinson contributing seven points.
Keith Robinson’s individual performance was particularly noteworthy. He finished the game with an impressive 18 points, seven rebounds, and six assists. In doing so, he surpassed Argyle’s Kobe Lufkin to claim the distinction of the second-highest scorer in Section 2 history. A key moment in the game came just before halftime when Robinson executed a steal and scored with only 1.2 seconds remaining, extending Hudson’s lead to a commanding 38-10 at the break.
Reflecting on his achievement, Robinson shared, “We’re a strong community, so etching my name in the record books is a beautiful thing for Hudson and me.”
Coach Praises Robinson’s Character and Skill
Hudson coach Shawn Briscoe lauded Robinson’s exceptional qualities, both on and off the court. “He is just an all-around great person and a great basketball player,” Briscoe said. “When I say he is a better person off the court, he really is. He is one of the best players in Section 2 history, but when I take him off the court, he genuinely cares about his teammates and wants to be successful. It is never about him. Yes, it does become about him because of who he is as a player, but in every interview with him, it is all about the team. That is just who he is. He deserves everything he has gotten, and his game speaks for itself.”
The Nighthawks, the Section 7 champions who entered the game unranked, struggled significantly against Hudson’s defense. They managed to convert just 4 of their 27 shot attempts in the first half and committed a staggering 16 turnovers. This offensive inefficiency continued into the second half, with Peru ultimately finishing the game shooting a mere 10-for-52 (19.2 percent) from the field and accumulating 28 turnovers.
Stepping Up in the Face of Adversity
The Bluehawks also demonstrated their depth and resilience. Junior guard Elijah Walker, a significant contributor throughout the season, was sidelined due to an injury sustained during the team’s sectional semifinal win. Despite this setback, the team rallied. Eli Conte stepped into a starting role in Walker’s absence, delivering a crucial performance.
Conte’s first three-pointer of the game was Hudson’s initial basket, and his third extended their lead to 20-8. “After the first one went in, I was feeling hot,” Conte remarked. “I was just in a flow.”
Robinson acknowledged Conte’s vital contribution. “Eli was huge. Losing Elijah was tough, but it was next man up, and he took that role and stepped up for us.”
Coach Briscoe echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the team’s ability to adapt. “Eli was huge. Obviously, you never want to have any of your guys go down, especially a starter who has contributed so much all year,” Briscoe explained. “Once we knew he was out for the year, we told the guys it was next man up. Eli happened to be that guy tonight. He came out and hit three 3s early to set the tone for our offense in the first quarter.”
Balanced Scoring and Team Chemistry
Hudson’s scoring was well-distributed beyond Robinson and Conte. Gannon Logue and Ryan Conte also contributed 11 points each. The team’s offensive cohesion was evident in their 19 assists on 28 made baskets.
“We never underestimate anyone,” Robinson asserted. “We usually start slow in the first half. We were going well this time and kept it going in the second half.”
Coach Briscoe concluded by expressing his pride in the team’s performance and mindset. “I am super proud of our effort today. All week, we were preaching what we needed to do: we need to play Hudson basketball and let everything else take care of itself.”
