JOHNSTOWN – The Raiders hosted the Hawks of Mohawk Valley CC on Sunday afternoon. FM's men were hoping that they could repeat their stellar performance against Herkimer three days earlier. But the Hawks brought their A-Game with them, and although the Raiders played with commendable effort, they could not quite match the Hawks' play on Sunday. The visitors won 85-67.

The Mountain Valley Conference is a very balanced league this season. For example, in the past 12 days Herkimer defeated Mohawk Valley, FM defeated Herkimer, and Mohawk Valley defeated FM. Any team can beat any other on a given day.

Photo:  Khaleeq Baum putting teammate Stanislas' pass into the hoop

A good crowd was on hand, with plenty of fans of each team cheering on their squad.

FM's Carlos Rivera got the game under way with a three-pointer from the left side. The Hawks replied with a pair of field goals. Kadeem Stanislas drove in close and arched a two-pointer over the MV defenders. FM led 5-4, but that was the Raiders' last lead of the day.

Photo:  Kadeem Stanislas giving FM a 5-4 lead

The Hawks got their offense into high gear and went on an impressive scoring run. FM's Stanislas drove for two and Khaleeq Baum scored from the line, but while FM was tallying those three points, MV sent 17 points through the hoop. The scoreboard read 21-8 in the visitors' favor.

Marquis Edwards and Baum rebooted the FM offense with a pair of long twos. Rivera drove for two. Stanislas netted an 18' jumper, and MV's lead was nine points, at 27-18. Edwards, who had scored some key points in the win at Herkimer, then hit for three from the right corner. MV's lead was down to six points. But the Hawks took off again and expanded their lead.

FM made a run as the half was ending. Kyle Giddings put in a rebound. Daren Mercedes hit from 14' out. Stanislas nailed a 17' pullup. The half ended with MV in front 43-34.

Photo:  Marquis Edwards

MV opened the second half with an NBA-range three. FM worked hard to close the gap. With 8:02 remaining, Stanislas sank two FTs to bring the Raiders within 10, at 64-54, but the Hawks then added to their lead. The final score was 85-67.

The Raiders have four games remaining in their season schedule. They will travel to Saranac Lake to meet North Country CC on Wednesday. Their last home game will be a matchup with Clinton CC on Saturday, February 15, with a 3:00 p.m. start. Their final two games will be on the road at Hudson Valley CC and Columbia-Greene CC.

                                 C.J. Bonny, website writer

Scoring:

FM:  Barr 4, Mercedes 2, Simmons 8, Rivera 5, Edwards 7, Stanislas 21, Baum 18, Giddings 2; Total 67

MV:  Faison 7, Rolon 17, Mosley 20, Martinez 19, Legget 2, Carr 20; Total 85