By Connor Wood
Coxsackie, NY-
Final- Catskill 74, Coxsackie Athens 63
The Catskill Cats traveled to Coxsackie to take on the Indians on the hardwood.
Catskill started the game on a 16-6 run, stunning the Indians defense.
“We came out and did the things we needed to do early on” said Catskill coach Doug Lampman.
“We came out flat and struggled to play as a team” Coach Tyronne Coleman of the Indians said.
Catskill ended with a first quarter lead of 22-10. However, this was not the end for the Catskill offense as they came out even more explosive in the second quarter, equaling their points in the first quarter. Catskill went into halftime up by a score of 44-24. At the half Justice Brantley of Catskill had 16 points, while Gil Bell of Coxsackie had 14 points.
The Indians were playing soft defense around the 3 point line and the Cats were taking advantage of the open opportunities.
Coxsackie came out of the half a different team chipping away at the lead one basket at a time. The Cats offense however, was too explosive and was able to stick with the Indians. The Indians were able to outscore the Cats 19-14 in the third quarter to draw closer. They entered the 4th quarter down 15, 58-43.
Coach Lampman stated “Our teams gotta learn how to play with the lead. We began to slow down and allowed Coxsackie to stick around”
Coxsackie continued their momentum in the 4th quarter as Kane Schrader was able to lead the attack scoring all 11 of his points in the quarter. Brantley however, continued draining shots and was able to close the game out for the Cats.
Coach Coleman when asked about the difference in halves said, “We outscored them in the second half. We can’t come out and play two quarters against four, especially against a team like that (Catskill).”
Brantley finished with 28 points, 10 rebounds, and 6 assists. “He had a remarkable night tonight” said Coach Lampman.
Gil Bell of Coxsackie finished with 21 points and 9 rebounds to cap off a good night for him.
Coxsackie looks to get back to the winning ways next Tuesday against Taconic Hills. As for Catskill, they look to keep their good start to the season going as they face off against Maple Hill next Wednesday.
