HERKIMER – FM's Raiders are ranked #4 in the region, and Herkimer's Generals are ranked #1. The two met on Herkimer's home hardwood on Thursday evening, and the underdog Raiders nearly upset the conference and regional leaders. FM had the lead until, with just 6.6 seconds on the clock, a long jump shot gave the Generals a 58-57 win. That shot capped a thrilling game of basketball.

Both teams were playing their first game after the holiday break. Both teams were ready to run, and both were playing tight defense.

Photo:  Marquis Edwards puts up a shot, and the scoreboard shows FM ahead late in the first half

The Generals moved out to an early 15-7 lead, but then FM got their offense in gear. Barceem Dukes put in a rebound. Courtney Darnley drained the first of four three-pointers that he would score in the game, and FM was coming back. Jordan Stewart tallied a two, and the score was 15-14.

Darnley sank a three from NBA range, and then he scored a long two from the right corner. Dukes took an inbounds pass and powered his way up for two. Darnley netted a jumper from the left side near the baseline to tie the game at 24-24 with 3:32 left in the opening half. Shaleek Randolph drove through the paint to put FM in front 26-25.

FM owned a 28-25 lead as the teams left the floor at halftime. They kept that lead in the early going of the second half.

Photo:  Courtney Darnley sinks one of his four three-pointers

Both teams were playing well. The lead started changing hands. Jonathan Brioso's field goal put FM on top 32-31. Tyrone Davis took a pass from Marquis Edwards and gave FM a 39-36 lead with 12:50 remaining.

Tyrone Davis fed Dondre Davis who scored and was fouled. Dondre made it a three-point play, putting FM up 42-38.

An unusual play gave Herkimer the lead. HCCC's Ken Woodard was fouled and FM was also assessed a technical foul for contact after the initial foul. Woodard went to the line and sank all four FT's. That play changed an FM lead of 45-42 to an FM deficit of 46-45. It was not the last that the Raiders would see of Herkimer's Woodard.

Both teams kept up the intense play. Dondre Davis drove through the paint and produced another three-point play, making it 48-46 FM.

Tyrone Davis nailed a 17' jumper. 52-49 FM. It was looking as if FM was going to upset the current conference and region leaders. In fact, that's just what FM did last season. In early February of the 2013-14 season, the Raiders traveled to Herkimer. The Generals went on to win the regional crown, but on that night the Raiders bettered them 99-96 in a grand game that went into overtime.

Last night the Raiders came painfully close to beating the Generals again. Herkimer grabbed a late lead, but Edwards tallied, and FM trailed 55-54. Darnley hit his fourth three-pointer – this one from the right corner – and the Raiders led 57-56 with 43.2 seconds showing on the scoreboard.

The Generals worked some time off the clock, then got the ball out to Dan Owens. Owens went to the left side of the foul circle. He shot and got all net. Herkimer led by a point with 6.6 seconds left. The Raiders had 94' to go in order to tie or win the game. They got the ball up court, but Herkimer's Woodard stole the ball and ended the contest. The Generals had needed every weapon in their arsenal to gain the narrow win.

FM now has an overall record of 7-5 (2-2 conference). Herkimer is 11-1 (4-0). The Raiders will play again on Saturday when they host always-tough Mohawk Valley. Tipoff time in the Raiders Den is set for 3:00 p.m.

                 C.J. Bonny, website writer

Scoring:

FMCC:  Stewart 1-0-2, Randolph 1-0-2, Darnley 7-1-19, Dukes 4-1-9, D. Davis 1-1-3, Edwards 2-0-4, Small 2-2-6, Brioso 1-1-3, T. Davis 4-0-9; Totals 23-6-57

Herkimer:  Galay 4-2-10, Murphy 4-1-10, Johnson 4-2-12, Owens 3-0-8, Woodard 4-5-13, Langhorne 1-2-4, McCarthy 0-1-1; Totals 20-13-58

Three-point Goals:  FMCC 5 (Darnley 4, T. Davis); Herkimer 5 (Murphy, Johnson 2, Owens 2)

Halftime:  FMCC 28-Herkimer 25

Mountain Valley Conference Standings

Herkimer   4-0

Mohawk Valley   3-1

Delhi   2-1

Fulton-Montgomery   2-2

Hudson Valley   2-2 

North Country   1-1

Columbia-Greene   1-1

Clinton   1-3

Schenectady   0-2

Adirondack   0-3

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