JOHNSTOWN – The FM Raiders opened their game with a relentless attack and tight defense on Tuesday night. The Saints of North Country CC had come to the Raiders Den with a winning record, but the Raiders were more than up to the challenge. Midway through the first half FM owned an 18-point lead.
The visiting Saints seem to love the three-point shot. They opened the game with a trey, and they added 11 more later on, but that perimeter play was not nearly enough. This game belonged to the Raiders.
Photo: Kadeem Stanislas scores with a jumper
Carlos Rivera was the first Raider to score. Tyrone Davis added a field goal, and FM led 4-3. Head Coach Ed Collar's team built on that score and led the rest of the way.
FM was off and running. Kadeem Stanislas scored from three-point territory. Khaleeq Baum took a pass from Tyrone Davis and tallied. FM was rebounding well and shooting well. 9-4 FM.
The Raiders' attack then suffered a bit of a slowdown, but Marquis Edwards got it going again with a three. Edwards then fed Kyle Giddings, who scored and gave FM a 10-point lead.
Edwards scored from long range again. Dondre Simmons and Rivera added field goals. The high-energy K-Guys, Kadeem and Khaleeq, both scored, and FM led 25-7 with 9:21 left in the opening half.
The home team continued to build on that lead. They were up 41-20 at the break.
North Country opened the second half with two consecutive threes. The Saints gave a good effort, but free throws and a long two by Kenny Barr, and a Stanislas FG, upped FM's lead to 47-28.
The Saints managed to close the gap to 10, at 51-41, but FM pulled away again. Edwards impressed with a steal-and-score. Baum delighted the crowd with a straight-up dunk. FM led 65-51.
Photo: Khaleeq Baum powers up
The second half was fast-paced and played cleanly. With 2:40 left, each team had committed only seven second-half fouls.
Both teams played hard, but the Raiders were in control. The final score was 78-65.
FM will make the long trip to Plattsburgh on Thursday to play the Clinton CC Cougars in a 7:00 p.m. contest. The Raiders will then have a brief rest before hosting Hudson Valley on Saturday afternoon. Tip time with the Vikings is 3:00 p.m.
C.J. Bonny, website writer
FM: Barr 22, Simmons 5, Rivera 8, Edwards 8, Stanislas 19, T. Davis 2, Baum 10, Giddings 4; Total 78
North Country: S. Grcic 9, Tretsch 13, Cinel 6, Gibson 5, Boyea 5, I. Grcic 5, Barnes 8, Goulatta 4, Custanovic 5, Dunleavy 5; Total 65
Halftime 41-20, FM
Records: FM 4-8, North Country 7-7
Photo: Dondre Simmons scores
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