Hartford sports round-up, Feb. 9, 2023

Hartford girls win, then narrowly lose

A late second-quarter spurt proved to be decisive as Hartford pulled away to defeat Argyle-Fort Edward, 57-29, in Adirondack League girls basketball last Tuesday night.

The Tanagers were clinging to a 19-12 lead in the closing minutes of the first half and had scored only two points in the second stanza, but a 9-0 run before heading to the locker room increased the lead to 28-12. Hartford was never challenged again.

“Last night I lost one of my big starters (Cailin Severance), a good 3-point shooter and ball handler up in Schroon Lake, out with an ankle injury,” Hartford coach Jason Johnson said. “I brought a JV player up. We stepped up all the way through. Every one of my kids played as a team, and they just wanted it.”

Once they gained momentum Johnson’s team never let it go. They outscored the Scots 9-6 in the third quarter and 20-11 in the final stanza.

Hartford led 17-7 after a quarter. The Tanagers dominated right from the start, but it took a while for the shots to start falling.

“They just wouldn’t drop. Once they started going in you saw the smiles coming out and they were all enjoying it and having a good time,” Johnson added.

One Tanager who has been on a roll as of late is the coach’s daughter Mckenzie Johnson. Johnson, one of the top 3-point shooters in the area, followed up her recent career-high 26-point effort with a 24-point, 12-rebound double-double.

Alawnah Dunda also had a double-double with 14 points and 15 rebounds. Brynn Tyler, who came up from the junior varsity, contributed six points. Cassandra Wade handed out eight assists.

Hartford is the defending Class D champion and a state semifinalist but has been rebuilding after losing three starters, including a pair of 1,000-point scorers. Johnson hopes his young team is rounding into form at just the right time.

“In the beginning we knew we were going to take our bumps and bruises rebuilding. They’re playing really well together. They’re starting to mesh. Now they’re getting it and cruising together,” Johnson said.

Carrie Humiston scored 14 points for Argyle-Fort Edward.

Hartford improved to 5-6, 6-10. Argyle fell to 1-9, 2-13.

On Friday, the Tanagers continued to show their steady progress. Teams in Section II Class D beware. The defending champions are playing their best ball at the right time. Hartford played another solid game, but came up just a bit short, falling 42-41 to Hadley-Luzerne at the Ella Colvin gym.

Jordana Kenny scored on a putback at the buzzer as the Eagles escaped town with a close win. Hadley-Luzerne won an earlier meeting 60-45.

McKenzie Johnson hit a late 3-pointer to put Hartford ahead by one point. Hadley-Luzerne answered. They advanced the ball to halfcourt and after a timeout scored the game-winner.

Kenny led Hadley-Luzerne with 21 points. McKenzie Maslonka added six points.

Johnson continued her recent hot streak, pouring in a game-high 24 points for the Tanagers. Alawnah Dunda chipped in nine and Cassandra Wade eight for Hartford.

Hadley-Luzerne is 10-3, 13-5. Hartford closes the regular season 6-7, 6-11.


Hartford’s Harrington hits 1,000 points

Ray Harrington of Hartford celebrates with his family after surpassing the 1,000-career-point-mark against Salem last week. (Photo courtesy of Hartford Central School)

Raymond Harrington surpassed the 1,000-career point mark as Hartford defeated Salem, 71-39, last Tuesday night in Adirondack League boys basketball.

Harrington eclipsed the mark with a drive to the basket late in the first quarter.

The Tanagers’ senior scored 40 points in the contest.

“I’m beyond blessed to have scored my 1000th career point tonight,” Harrington said. “It was definitely an honor, especially on a night the gym was being named after such an amazing person in my dad’s life.”

“Also an honor to get it at my dad’s alma mater. I want to say thank you to every coach, teammate and fan who has helped along the way. The Hartford community is a great one, and it’s an honor to have done it in a Hartford jersey.”

The Salem gymnasium was named after longtime coach Charlie Perry in a ceremony following the game.

Hartford jumped out to a 25-9 first-quarter lead and was never challenged by the Generals.

The Tanagers led 40-19 at halftime and finished off Salem with a 20-9 third quarter.

Harrington also had three steals and three assists.

Austin Wells and Nate Fiske added eight points apiece for Hartford. Cody and Jesse Baker added five points each.

Jesse Baker hauled in 12 rebounds and Wells eight.

Altwon Webster paced Salem with 18 points. Stephen Yakubec contributed 11 and Josh Harrington eight.

Hartford improved to 4-8, 4-12. Salem was 1-15, 0-12 after the loss.

On Saturday afternoon, Harrington led the way as Hartford concluded the regular season with a dominant 61-27 win over Corinth at the Ella Colvin gym.

Harrington netted 27 points to lead the Tanagers. Austin Wells added 14 points for the Tanagers. Nate Fiske chipped nine and Jesse Baker seven.

Cody Baker recorded six rebounds and four assists. Drake Stewart had four steals.

Hartford finishes the regular season 5-8, 5-12. Corinth is 3-10, 3-14.