Saratoga Racers Win 7 Straight, Set Sights on Playoffs

MECHANICVILLE — The Saratoga Racers stretched their winning streak to seven straight games last Sunday after surging in the fourth quarter to vanquish the Herkimer Originals, 116 to 112.

Now sitting pretty with a 11-3 record, the Racers look to wrap up their season with two games on the road followed by three-straight home games in Mechanicville on Feb. 27, 28, and March 1. As of press time, Saratoga had the No. 3 seed in their division. But much could change before they enter the playoffs next month.

Against Herkimer, Saratoga’s leading scorer Juwan Malone netted 28 points and 7 rebounds to lead a heap of teammates who finished in double digits: Keishaun Wheelings (18 points, 10 rebounds, 9/11 from the field), John Ryals (17 points, 9 rebounds), Donavan Williams (16 points, 8 assists, 6 steals), and Terrell Camp (11 points, 6 rebounds). The win was secured in the final stanza, when Ryals rallied to tally 13 points and Saratoga outscored Herkimer 42 to 29.

Racers’ owner and head coach Frank Polsinello attributed his squad’s string of recent victories to a depth of talent and the full-court press.

“We’re not a very tall team,” Polsinello told Saratoga TODAY. “Other teams in the league might have guys that are 6’9” or 6’10” or even taller… Our tallest guy is maybe 6’6” or 6’7”, but all of our guys are extremely athletic and good basketball players. So, what we’ve done is a full-court press for most of the game, and we’re able to use our athleticism to get steals, convert baskets, and wear teams down by the second half.”

The Racers began implementing the full-court press during the second game of the season and have only lost two games since then. One of those losses came at the hands of the Buffalo Extreme, who are the top-ranked team in the entire American Basketball Association (ABA). Saratoga will get a shot at revenge when they play Buffalo at home on March 1, their final game of the regular season.

One day before beating the Originals in a barn burner on Feb. 8, the Racers defeated the Vermont Coyotes, 134 to 120. In that game, Malone again led the way with 24 points and 7 rebounds. He was one of four Racers to drop more than 20 points, with RJ Rosa and Tobias Holmes each netting 23, and Ryals contributing 20 on 6/10 shooting. Williams also wowed the crowd with 15 points and 11 assists.

Although Ryals, Holmes, and Rosa are familiar names to those who followed the Racers last season, Malone and Williams have emerged this year as a pair of new standouts. Malone was formerly a member of the ABA’s Bennington Martens before joining the Racers in 2025. In addition to leading his team in scoring this season, Malone is Saratoga’s third-best rebounder. He’s also well-known for his ferocious dunks.

“When he gets one of those dunks, it brings the team alive,” said Tim Hepp, assistant coach and president of basketball operations. “It just puts us at a whole different level.”

Williams, Saratoga’s assist leader, was on the roster last season but received limited playing time due to an ACL tear. This season, he’s healthy, thriving, and draining a whole lot of shots from beyond the arc. His three-point field goal percentage stands at an impressive 54%.

“He brings a lot to our team, energy-wise,” said Polsinello. “He gets a lot of steals, but he has also been spectacular from three point range…At one point, he was at 70%.”

In a 139 to 117 win over the New England Lightning on Feb. 1, Williams finished with 21 points and 7 assists. His shot selection seems to be one of his biggest strengths. This season, he’s only averaged about 3.5 three-point attempts per contest, but his buckets from beyond the arc arrive when most needed.

“He’s made some huge three pointers for us in tight games,” Polsinello said.

Now, Saratoga prepares for its final five games of the regular season, which will culminate in a March 1 showdown in Mechanicville against the top-ranked Buffalo Extreme.

For the Racers’ full schedule and tickets, visit www.saratogaracersbb.com.