Ba, Zabransky come through for Harborfields
Harborfields High School's David Ba races opposing team player Chinonso Obokoh of Bishop Kearney High School for the ball at the NYSPHSAA Boys Basketball Tournament. (March 17, 2012) Credit: Pat Orr
GLENS FALLS, N.Y. -- David Ba gave Harborfields a second chance on the possession and, seconds later, Kevin Zabransky gave the Tornadoes a second chance at a state title.
Harborfields, which lost in the state Class A boys basketball championship game last season, earned the opportunity to play for the title Sunday, thanks in part to a crucial offensive rebound by Ba and the ensuing three-pointer by Zabransky with 55 seconds remaining in Saturday's 57-53 state semifinal win over Rochester Bishop Kearney.
"That was probably the biggest play of the game," Ba said of the rebound and clutch shot. "To make that play to help us stay here another night is just wonderful."
What once was a 19-point Harborfields lead was cut to three when Kearney's Antwoine Anderson hit a three-pointer, stole the ball and scored on a fast-break layup with 1:39 remaining to cap a 14-0 run.
It had been nearly five minutes since Harborfields last scored, and it seemed the drought would continue when Lucas Woodhouse's floater in the paint rimmed out.
But despite being surrounded by much taller opponents, Ba, a 6-3 small forward, came from the weak side to grab a potential season-saving rebound.
"It's tough down low with those 6-8, 6-9 bigs," Ba said. "But if you have heart and energy, you can do anything."
Ba, who had four points and a game-high five offensive rebounds, kicked it out to Woodhouse. He swung it to the right corner, where a wide-open Zabransky drained the three to make it 55-49.
Zabransky hit four of Harborfields' 10 three-pointers and finished with 12 points. With the lead dwindling and his team in desperate need of a basket, he was ready to take the big shot. He just needed the opportunity -- which Ba provided.
"I didn't hesitate because I was shooting pretty well," Zabransky said. "I was relieved when it went in because they were fighting back and we all got nervous for a second. I think that shot kind of locked it up."
Ba officially locked it up by stealing two outlet passes in the final 30 seconds. But it was the second-chance points he and Zabransky combined for that secured a second night in Glens Falls for Harborfields.
"It was huge, but all of us have been making big plays all season," Zabransky said. "It was just another piece to the journey this year."
A journey that ends Sunday with a second shot at a state championship.
