By Connor Wood
Coxsackie, NY-
Final- Maple Hill 75, Coxsackie Athens 71
Starting Lineups
Maple Hill- Erik Burns, Evan Kulpa, Tyler Hanrahan, Nate Mannion, Blake Decker
Coxsackie Athens- Gil Bell Tyler Oravsky, Aiden Boehm, Josh Keifer, Killian Schrader
The Maple Hill Wildcats traveled to Coxsackie Athens to take on the Indians. Each team came into the game with a 4-1 record looking to take over the number 2 spot in the Patroon Conference behind the 7-0 Catskill Cats.
Maple Hill came out of the locker room hot, as they started the game on a 12-4 run. Coxsackie Athens’ Gil Bell, brought the Indians roaring back quick with their own 8-4 run, to close put the first quarter at 14-12. “They’re starting to trust themselves, and starting to play as a team” stated Coach Tyrone Coleman of the Indians.
The Wildcats used a 13-2 run to expand their lead to 25-14. Gil Bell was the top player for the Indians bringing them back into the game every time it looked as if Maple Hill was going to build upon their lead. The rest of the second quarter was back and forth. At halftime, the score was 35-25 Wildcats.
The Indians started the 2nd half with a whole different mentality. The team was really flowing on both sides of the ball. They started the 2nd half on a 8-2 run, before the Maple Hill defense was able to slow them down. The Indians were able to squeak out the quarter win 16-15, drawing them one point closer as we started the 4th quarter 50-41, Wildcats.
Maple Hill came out in the 4th trying to put the game away, as they started on an 8-4 run. The Indians defense was then able to step into gear and bring their team back into the game. “When our defense is playing up to par, we really frustrate teams.” said Coach Tryrone Coleman. However, a late game technical by Kane Schrader really swung the momentum Maple Hill’s way, and they never looked back closing out the game by a score of 75-71.
Nate Mannion was the leading scorer for the Wildcats, with a game high 27 points and 12 rebounds. Blake Decker was able to add 15 points to the total, with 3 three pointers and 7 rebounds. Evan Kulpa chipped in with 14 points and 7 rebounds.
Gil Bell was the leading scorer for the Indians, finishing with 23 points and 12 rebounds. Killian Schrader finished the game with 20 points.
The Indians look to bounce back next Friday as they travel to Rensselaer. As for the Wildcats, they improve to 5-1. They look to keep their momentum going next Friday, as they travel to Cairo to take on the Mustangs.
