By DAVID MEISTER
Co-Executive Editor
All three seniors had exactly nine points by the end of the third quarter. It came down to the final five minutes of the game, but Saint Rose could not get the win in the season finale as the American International Yellow Jackets took the win, 64-54. The Golden Knights played physical and had to combat the Yellow Jackets’ press defense.
The game’s first points even came at the hands of the seniors – Cameron Graupman sank a jumper to open up the contest off an assist from Takora McIntyre. Graupman would finish tied with fellow senior Leah Dollard with 14 points on the night, and McIntyre finished with nine.
In a fast paced game including 41 turnovers combined between both squads, the game came down to who could sink ‘em from the charity stripe. The Yellow Jackets finished 22-29 from the line while Saint Rose went 10-15.
In the final minute of the game, Dollard hit a jumper with 45 seconds to go to pull Saint Rose to within seven, but three Yellow Jacket free throws secured victory. Despite the loss, Head Coach Karen Haag is happy with her team.
“I’m very proud of the fight at the end,” Haag said. “Our kids played really really hard.” She also praised her whole team for a “really nice drama free year.”
For seniors, Tuesday was the final time they’d walk off the floor in a Golden Knights uniform. Haag has been with all three girls through their entire careers. “I’m going to miss all our seniors,” Haag said. Also in attendance Tuesday evening was Athletic Director Lori Anctil, who since her start in January, has not missed a single home game. “Tonight is a wonderful way to celebrate our seniors,” she said.
Dollard, an Albany native, has had close ties with Saint Rose even before she was a student. “Leah has been in this gym since she was 12,” said Haag. Many a Dollard have watched her play and The Nolan has been home for her and she says Tuesday was something special. “It was great playing in front of my family.” She also reflected back on her history with Haag, “Coach watched me group up.”
Haag said that she offered Dollard a scholarship when she was still a sophomore at Albany High School, but Dollard did not formally accept until she was a senior.
For McIntyre, a Bostonian who transferred to Saint Rose from Temple after one year there, said that transitioning to the College was hard at first but once she adjusted, “They (the team) became my family,” she said. McIntyre also said her goal tonight was simple, “I wanted to enjoy those last 40 minutes,” she said. “I wanted to leave it all out on the floor.”
Coach Haag has been impressed with McIntyre’s play over the years. “Takora has developed into a super talented human being. She is our floor leader.” said Haag. McIntyre returned the sentiment, saying “I love my coach to death.”
Rounding out the senior group is Cameron Graupman. She is from Rochester and played 104 games for the Golden Knights. She was also elected captain this year by her teammates and Haag praised her basketball IQ and her “savvy on the court.”
Looking ahead for the team, they finish 2019-20 at 7-19 but their team activities aren’t over yet. Haag says that the team will get two weeks off but then be right back in the gym for skills training, which according to Haag can be anything from defense to shooting. That’ll be for eight hours a week up until the week before classes end.
What’s next for some of the seniors? Dollard might play overseas, as one of her friends does, and she also will be available to volunteer if Haag needs her. “I’m looking forward to what the future brings.” Dollard said. Haag said she hopes to see Dollard stay close by.
So as the horn sounded, and the book closed on the careers of McIntyre, Dollard, and Graupman, one thing is for certain, the bond that the three share with each other and their teammates didn’t end Tuesday, it’s only getting stronger. “They are my life long friends,” said Dollard. McIntyre put it even simpler, “I love them.”
