Quick hitter here. I walked into the Civic center with about 8 minutes left in the 3rd period. Place was standing room only, 3500 people maybe? Had to be 70% Hudson fans which shocked me and they were loud.
Girard had 39 points and I saw 19 of them. He hit 7 three pointers for the game.
Girard made some mistakes and his shot selection at the end of the game was bad but keeping in mind that he’s a 15 year old freshman who’s carrying his team on his back I thought it was fine. I saw him hit 4 three pointers and they were all lights out. None of them were spot up 3’s. He hit one step back NBA 3 from the top of the key that banked in, it was one of those shots you have to call, but the fact is everything that left his hand you thought it was going to go in.
He was being harassed (pulled, grabbed, hand checked all game) and so he was hitting shots off the dribble and a couple of step back 3’s were unbelievable. These were coming in crunch time to in a seesaw gaame. The kid is a scoring machine. Super impressive for a 15 year old.
Played primarily off the ball but could be a point; at least I think he could be a point. I think Glens Falls erred here by playing him off the ball. He needed the ball in his hands all the time.
It was hard to say if he’s 6-0 from my seat but I have no doubt he’ll hit the mark. He does not physically look like a freshman. You picture scrawny. He’s not. He's also athletic, his handle is excellent (best handle on the court both teams) and his shot is silky smooth with a release that’s as quick as I’ve seen. If he keeps improving/growing he’s going to be a good one, he’ll be a senior 3 seasons from now. wow. He’s WAY ahead of Fredette at the same age.
One thing to note, at 78-75 with 1:19 left Girard got his pocket picked at midcourt while handling the ball. The Hudson kid took the ball and went in for a slam. The Hudson fans went crazy. (the newspaper article only says a steal and layup). Well the steal was against Girard and the layup was a slam dunk that made the place erupt. It was deafening. The momentum swung and I don’t think Glens Falls scored again.