Cold Spring Harbor's first state title a comeback story

Resilient. It's the first word that comes to mind when describing the Cold Spring Harbor girls basketball team. 

Despite trailing Hornell of Section V by as many as 17 points in the second quarter of the state Class B final, the Seahawks rallied all the way back and found a way in the final minutes to secure the program's first state title with a 54-50 win.   

“The confidence that this team has is unbelievable,” coach Rory Malone said. “There’s no lead too big, no team too difficult. They just step on the court, and they’re ready to battle.”

With the score tied at 50 and less than a minute remaining, Olivia Mulada wanted the ball. When the clock hit 36 seconds, the sophomore drove through all of the Hornell defenders for the go-ahead layup. She led the way with 16 points. 

“I wouldn’t want the ball in anyone else’s hands at that point of the game,” Malone said. “She’s just unbelievable, and it just shows her maturity. The sky is the limit for her going forward.”

Cold Spring Harbor — which trailed 29-16 at halftime and 42-32 entering the fourth quarter — couldn't have made program history without senior captain Ryan Reynolds. She scored 11 of her 14 points in the fourth quarter of the state final to ignite the rally.

“In the big moments, she shines the brightest, and she kind of proved that during this playoff run,” Malone said. “She shook us out of our slumber and got us to playing the style we played all year.” 

“I knew that we needed it and that it was my last game I’d be playing with this team,” said Reynolds, who had 21 points and 11 rebounds in the state semifinal win.  “I knew that I had to leave it all out there.”

The Seahawks are graduating six seniors from their 17-player roster. Freshman Ainsley Dircks said the senior leadership played a huge role in their success, and the underclassmen were determined to win it for them so they can finish their high school careers in the best way possible.

“I just kept thinking about how this was the last game we were going to play with these seniors,” Dircks said. “They’re the best group ever. Us underclassmen were ready to do whatever it took to help them have this win.”

“They are a really special group, and the accomplishments they’ve achieved across all sports is pretty much unmatched,” Malone said. “I was just so thrilled for them as a group to walk off the court as winners and state champs.”

With one state title down, Dircks believes the future is bright for Cold Spring Harbor.

“We made history, and it shows us that as a program, we can win championships together,” Dircks said. “This sets the standard for the program, and a path for the future.”