It’s almost game time here at the Glens Falls Civic Center. The Bulldogs will face the Lancers, then head to Heritage Hall in this building for Gina Maher’s induction into the New York State Basketball Hall of Fame. One thing is for sure, Irvington won’t make it back to Glens Falls this time next season. The Federation tournament is moving to the Times Union Center in Albany for at least the next three years.
Update, 10:34: Irvington is up 7-4 with 5:07 to go in the first. Tara Gabelman has four points and Riley Harrington has the other three.
Update, 10:38: Gabelman and Harrington continue to do all the scoring for Irvington. Gabelman has eight and Harrington has six, and the Bulldogs are up 14-11 with 2:55 left in the first.
Update, 10:47: Irvington is in control right now, up 21-11 after one quarter. Gabelman has asserted herself inside, scoring 10 points, three on offensive rebounds. Raeann Stilwell, who had 38 for St. Mary’s in the semis, has just three so far. Lisa Bucci is on her. The Bulldogs are so in sync with each other at this point in the season and pass the ball so well. It’s quite something to watch.
Update: 10:51: There’s 4:29 left in the second quarter and the game is over already. Or so it seems. It’s 34-11.
Update, 11:04: It’s amazing how much better Irvington is than these teams in regional and state play. The Bulldogs were just up by 31, going on a 31-1 run, including 25 straight points against the CHSAA state champs. This is like the UConn woman, crushing everyone by double digits. Irvington has won all its postseason games by double digits. Anyway, St. Mary’s chipped the lead down to 21 when Maher went to her bench. But right now it’s 48-24 at halftime.
Update, 11:18: Harrington just picked up her fourth foul and checked out. It’s 53-28 with 4:56 to go in the third.
Update, 11:30: Just one quarter left before the Bulldogs can celebrate their third championship of the postseason. Irvington leads 64-32. Gabelman is putting on another MVP-worthy show, now with 25 points.
Update, 11:38: 70-38, 4:40 left. Gabelman finally checked out with 5:54 to go. She has 31, or seven less than the entire St. Mary’s team.
Update, 11:54: The Bulldogs are the Class B Federation champs. They won 72-47. Gabelman was named the MVP, just like at the state final four.
11 Comments
CONGRATULATIONS TO GINA AND THE LADY BULLDOGS!!!!
WOW! Boatload of congratulations to the Irvington girls. You were a pleasure to watch play the game.
Just for perspective, how many Federation Champions has Section 1 produced the last few years?
What an incredible run by these girls. I told my daughter after her team lost to Irvington, how much I admired this Irvington team. They reminded me of my all time favorite team, the “69” Knicks. A team that epitomized, “The whole is greater than the sum of its parts”. In my book it’s not possible to give a greater compliment. Congratulations to coach Maher and the entire Irvington team.
I also want to thank Josh Thompson and the members of the Journal News staff for the outstanding coverage they gave to girls basketball this past season. I fear this may not be the case in years to come. Please make a point of it to purchase the Journal News on a daily basis and patronize its advertisers, so they can continue to give high school sports the local coverage it deserves.
I am so proud of Gina, her coaches and the Irvington girls. It has been like a movie!! You couldn’t have written a better ending…winning it all, plus the NYS Sportsmanship Award and Gina gets inducted into the Hall of Fame with close to 100 family and friends there to celebrate with her. LONG MAY YOU RUN!!!!
LISA BUCCI!!!
Gina Maher is a class in her own! Look at the following she has from her first team to all others! What a great women and role model. I only wish her husband Neil Maher was here to see it but i know he was watching from above
WOW! What a Run! The Irvington girls and their magnificent coach, Gina Maher have given all of Section One such a great ride! What has been the Secret?? The Secret is THERE IS NO SECRET!!
SKILL+DEDICATION+UNSELFISHNESS+CLASS+TRADITION+COACHING=
CHAMPIONSHIPS (LEAGUE, SECTIONAL, REGIONAL, STATE & FEDS)
My only wish for the Irvington Girls is that New York had a Tournament of Champions like New Jersey. They go one more round and bring together all the the State Champions until one team is still standing at the end as the TRUE STATE CHAMPION. This game was played Thursday night at the Izod Center where Neptune defeated St. John Vianney.
Manny, to partial answer your question about recent Federation Champs from Section One? I can only speak for Rockland County: Girls, Albertus Magnus-1991, Albertus Magnus-1992 & Nanuet-2009. Boys, No Rockland County Team has ever won a Federation Title.
Go Lady Bulldogs & their Hall of Fame Coach, Gina Maher!!
What a Class Act. Section 1 has had for a very long time a coach who should be a role model for other coaches – GINA MAHER. Her coaching skills and ability, and her admirable and commendable sideline demeanor, are unmatched. The margins of victory by her Bulldogs is unprecented. She is the epitome of a “Hall of Famer”. She has taught her players very well, and NOT just basketball skills, but much more important things that they will take with them for the rest of their lives. Congratulations Coach Maher and the Irvington Bulldogs.
Lady Bulldogs:
You have left your legacy. Enjoy it. Gina, you’re simply the best. “Year of the Bulldogs?” Go Butler!!
Many of the past season’s bloggers debated the qualities of what makes a good coach. Some bloggers accepted and even defended a few of the coaches who scream at their players and curse the refs claiming that such behavior is used as a motivational tool. If anyone thinks this is acceptable at the high school level, I strongly disagree. Thank goodness there are a few other coaches (and parents) that are role models for the fine young ladies who play basketball in Section One. If you look in the dictionary for the respective definitions of the words Class, Dignity, Sportsmanship and Mentor you will probably find a picture of Gina Maher next to each. Congratulations Irvington girls and to arguably the most outstanding coach in the history of Section One Girls Basketball!!!
Well said Grad. I agree completely.