In previous years, the Dragons have been eliminated from highly contested playoff games to return to the Cool Insuring Arena. Now in his senior year, Collar is hoping to end his high school basketball career on a special note.
“That’s all I think about and that’s all I work for. I think this is the best opportunity we’ve had in years based on the talent we have,” Collar said. “Looking at the competition from elsewhere, I think we will do well in both our league and Section 2.”
“I think we get closer to something special every year,” added senior guard Cal Porter. “Knowing that we’re right there motivates us even more, and I think this is going to be a year where we can really compete.”
Gloversville certainly has experience this season with six seniors on its 14-man roster. The Dragons also have eight players taller than 6 feet tall. Junior forward Rowan Halloran tops the group at 6-foot-5.
Based on observations throughout the preseason, Porter and Collar were confident that scoring would not be an issue for the team. Right now they are putting in some work on defense and playing together as a unit.
“I think right now it’s just trying to figure out the defense,” Porter said of Gloversville’s biggest focus in practice. “Scoring-wise we should be fine. Defensively we need to mature, but our coach is a master at defense, so we’ll get there.”
“It’s about getting the reps together with the defense,” Collar added. “We’ve got some reps shooting, I think it’s in good shape and hopefully we can keep it that way.”
After losing in the quarterfinals to Troy and Schalmont each of the past two seasons, one piece of experience Gloversville’s seniors need is knowing what it takes to win close playoff games.
“We’ve stayed close every year,” Carla said. “My freshman year, we made it to the championship. You learn how to stay calm at the end of a game and how to get the ball to the best player in a close game.”
Gloversville prepared for the opening of the 2024-25 regular season through a series of scrimmages throughout the week. They faced Ballston Spa on Tuesday and Class AA champion Niskayuna on Wednesday. The Dragons play again on Friday against Schalmont and are scheduled to play their final game against Johnstown on Saturday.
Gloversville opens the regular season this week with two home games against Scotia-Glenville on Tuesday and South Glens Falls on Friday. Next Saturday, Fulton Montgomery Community College will face Schalmont in a Coaches vs. Cancer Tip-Off Classic matchup.
“It’s something I really work on all year, something I focus on during the summer,” Carla said about how much she looks forward to basketball season. “I’m preparing for basketball even during soccer season.”
Most basketball teams play multiple sports. Carla was joined on the court by soccer teammates Kingston Daley and Matt Iorio.
Porter, Gloversville’s quarterback, joins fellow football player Quegan Bier. Braydon Deere, Rowan Halloran, Blaze Conyne and Ezequiel Santiago on the basketball team.
“I’m happy with how the football went,” Porter said. “But I’m hoping basketball gets better.”
