Racers Vanquish Martens in Intense Rivalry Game

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Who wouldn’t want a taste of revenge against an ex-employer?

The Saratoga Racers, a semi-pro basketball team with players and front office personnel who used to be part of the Bennington Martens, took on their former colleagues last Sunday afternoon in a fast-paced, roller coaster of a game that included some taunting, cussing, and pleas for calm from at least one referee.

The game at Saratoga Central Catholic, which was broadcast live on YouTube by NYVT Media, featured the return of Mike Pierre, a Saratoga Racer who had been out with a torn Achilles. Pierre received significant playing time, but struggled from beyond the arc, missing all 7 of his attempts.

Offensively, the game was dominated by the Racers’ John Ryals, an ex-Marten who netted a whopping 46 points and 20 rebounds. More than once, Ryals seemed to gesture at the Bennington bench after hitting one of his 7 three-pointers.

Ryals and the Racers took control early in the contest, maintaining a 35 to 29 lead after the first quarter. RJ Rosa hit several of his 6 triples in the first, accumulating the first of his 38 points (to which he also added 11 boards and 6 assists). 

But things took a turn in the second stanza, when Bennington battled back to come within 2. Then, with less than 4 minutes left, the Martens captured the lead. Saratoga’s TJ Jenkins added a much-needed spark, making smart plays for easy buckets to help keep the game from slipping away from Saratoga. A dramatic Ryals dunk towards the end of the first half let the Martens know that the Racers weren’t giving up. But at halftime, the score was tied, 66 to 66. 

The third quarter started sloppy, with a few air balls hoisted by both teams. But then the Racers regrouped, slowed down the game’s pace, and made higher percentage buckets to put them up by 6 with 7:15 remaining in the third. A gorgeous touch pass by Tobias Holmes allowed for an easy Ryals layup before Holmes sank a triple to put Saratoga up by 11. 

Just when it seemed like the Racers might be running away with it, Bennington came roaring back, pulling the game to within 3 before sinking a triple that tied things up. At the end of the third, it was once again a deadlocked game, 99 to 99.

The final quarter saw Saratoga getting aggressive defensively, coming up with two huge blocks. Another Ryals three helped put the Racers up 105 to 99. After they earned a comfortable lead, Holmes advised his teammates to slow down the pace of the game after an avoidable turnover. From there, the Racers began to sink their teeth into the Martens. Ryals sank yet another triple. Rosa stole the ball and tapped it to Holmes for a layup. Holmes tossed an alley oop to Shaheem Sanders. Then, when Rosa drained a big 3 to put Saratoga up 123 to 109 with less than 5 minutes to play, the nails began to enter the coffin. Holmes plopped the cherry on top with a very long shot from beyond the arc, followed by a no-look pass to Sanders for an emphatic jam. The Racers tasted revenge, winning 135 to 120.

“This game made us work on every play and should help both of us going forward,” Racers Coach Bob Catherwood said. “Mutual respect from guys who know each other and compete as hard as they can.”

With the W, the Racers improved to 8-3 on the season. They’ll return home to Spa Catholic on January 18 and 19 for the Martin Luther King Weekend Classic, when they host both Buffalo and Rochester. The team is also co-hosting the 518 King of the Court 1v1 Tournament with the Albany 518 Ballers on Martin Luther King Jr. Day.