Racers Wrap Up Inaugural Season, Head to Playoffs

“On the court, we definitely exceeded our expectations,” said Racers owner Keith Harrington.

Harrington said early concerns with the team’s performance made him wonder if the Racers could actually beat anyone in the ABA. But tweaks to the team’s roster, coupled with some superior leadership from Coach Bob Catherwood, set the Racers straight.

Saratoga launched into its first season with a lineup that included ABA All-Stars John Ryals and Tobias Holmes, as well as ABA rookies like sharpshooter RJ Rosa and rebound machine Shaheem Sanders. Throughout the year, Holmes and Rosa piled points on the board while Sanders racked up one double-double after another. 

The Racers started the season 4-2, earning their first national ranking at #24 in November. They followed that up with three straight wins, improving to a 6-2 record and attracting the attention of Saratoga Springs Mayor John Safford, who Harrington called a “friend” of the team. According to Harrington, Mr. Mayor soon became a constant presence in the Saratoga Central Catholic stands.

In January, Saratoga vanquished the Bennington Martens in an intense rivalry game that was broadcast live on YouTube by NYVT Media. Ryals, an ex-Marten, netted a whopping 46 points and 20 rebounds in the contest. The victory improved the team’s record to 8-3. By the end of the month, the Racers had secured a spot in the playoffs.

Although Saratoga’s performance cooled slightly in the closing weeks (after beating Bennington, they went 5-3), they concluded regular season play with the win against the Kingz. In that game, Rosa led all Saratoga shooters with 34 points. Ryals added 23, and Sanders had yet another double-double with 16 points and 10 boards.

Now, the Racers will receive a bye in the first round of the postseason, then head to Binghamton to face the No. 2 seed Bulldogs. Harrington said a group of fans were organizing a road trip to attend the game, proving that Saratoga was building grassroots support.

“We’re going in to win,” Harringston said of the Racers’ playoff ambitions. “We can win the White Division.”

To do so, the team will have to defeat Binghamton, who beat the Racers earlier in the season. If Saratoga can capture the White Division, they’ll then compete in the Eastern Conference Final Four. Should they eke out more victories, they’ll head to St. Louis for the ABA Final Four. In other words, Saratoga is six wins away from being crowned ABA national champions.

For a new team, the Racers fared indisputably well on the court. But basketball is also a business, and Harrington said that despite solid attendance numbers (of three ABA teams in the Capital Region, Saratoga had the most spectators), the team still finished in the red. But, Harrington said, a “winning product” and growing fanbase could propel the Racers to greater financial success down the road.

For now, Saratoga is focused on their first-ever postseason performance. Tip-off at the Bulldog Sports Complex is at 7:05 pm on March 8.