Boys basketball

Manor boys impress with quartet of hard-fought games

Wildcats go 2-2 after winning Roscoe tourney and losing to Sullivan West and S.S. Seward in Billy Moran Classic

By RICHARD A. ROSS

LAKE HUNTINGTON, NY - Playing on four consecutive nights proved to be an exhausting experience as the Livingston Manor Wildcats barnstormed their way through a pair of games against Roscoe and Eldred in the Blue Devils tournament and then jumped right into the Billy Moran Tip Off Classic to take on Class B Sullivan West and finishing up against Class D rival S.S. Seward.

Though those two final games resulted in defeats, Manor impressed onlookers, including the opposing coaches, as a gritty and talented squad. Junior guard James Baker had four excellent games, as he showed his ability to shoot the three, direct the flow from the point and guard players aggressively on defense. But Baker was not a one-man show.

Overall, coach Charlie Hicks’ crew was a sea of constant motion against tough opponents like the Bulldogs and Spartans, with cutters racing back and forth getting open looks by finding seams in their opponents’ defenses.

Manor got strong contributions from Mike Hendrickson, Eric Bonilla, Justin Mendez, Shane Lewis and Claude Davis. Moreover, their first week built confidence in the Wildcats that they can contend in Class D.

For details on Manor’s 86-52 loss to Sullivan West and its 61-49 defeat to S.S. Seward in the consolation game of the Billy Moran Tourney, see the separate article and visit www.riverreportersports.com for more details and albums of pictures.

Baker paces the Wildcats to season-opening win

ROSCOE, NY - Livingston Manor mounted a furious fourth-quarter onslaught, tearing off on a 16-6 run to garner a 44-37 win over rival Roscoe in the opener of the Roscoe Round Robin Tournament. Manor used tough defense to stymie Roscoe’s attempts to open up a big lead.

Both Roscoe and Livingston Manor lost dominant players to graduation in June, but may have lost little or no ground in the process.

The absence of standout Blue Devils Dan DeVantier and Troy Kirchner has now opened the door for players like returnee Jayson Harris and newcomer Joe Ladenhauf, who scored 11 and 14 respectively for Roscoe. For the better part of the night, it looked as if this game would belong to the Blue Devils.

As for Manor, the departure of Rob Baker, Ethan McCann and Mike Perry to graduation seems to have paved the way for the emergence of James Baker, who played a somewhat subdued role last year but who has grown in size and stature.

Baker, who played point guard for much of the game, netted a game-high 20 points and steered the Wildcats with fine defense and timely shooting. Guarding Harris, Baker did a fine job on the potentially lethal shooter. Harris, who had five three-pointers against Margaretville, seemed a little off his stride from long range, hitting only one trey. He was steady from the free throw line and hit four-for-four.

Baker buried four three-pointers, delivered at key times, including one to tie the game and one to garner the lead. As Manor coach Charlie Hicks noted, “He’s matured so much since last year. It’s hard to believe.”

Harris and Ladenhauf paced Roscoe to its nine-point first-quarter lead as Manor’s shot selection was poor and Roscoe was winning the early battle of the boards. Over the course of the game, Manor got better on both the offensive and defensive glass. In the first quarter, Manor had to settle for a pair of threes, one from Baker and one from Edgar Garcia.

In the second frame, Manor outscored Roscoe 10-6 to cut the deficit to five.

The third quarter witnessed a closely fought battle but again, Manor outscored Roscoe 12-10 to cut the deficit to three and set the stage for its big fourth-quarter run.

Baker would add two more treys in the fourth quarter, including a nothing-but-netter high-arcing shot that tied it up at 35-all with 2:35 left. After Harris got the Blue Devils back on top with a pair of free throws, Baker’s final three put Manor ahead for good.

Seven baskets from downtown by Manor was Roscoe’s eventual undoing. Manor’s Shane Lewis came alive late, adding points in the third and fourth quarters. His contribution and Josh Mendez’s key game-tying shot earlier in the fourth quarter gave Manor a more balanced attack. Roscoe was 10-for-13 from the free throw line, while Manor shot a paltry three-for-15.

Roscoe (1-2) looked impressive with a fine performance by Ladenhauf, who paced the Blue Devils with 14 points. Other Blue Devils who add to Roscoe’s strength include Justin Haas, big man Justin Klinger, Cody DeRosia and, of course, the ever-dangerous Harris. Roscoe split a home-and-home series with Margaretville.

Baker continued to hit his stride as Manor edged a revamped Eldred squad 52-45 on the second night of the Blue Devils Tourney. Eldred is locked and loaded with fine athletes, many of whom are fresh off their recent successful football campaign, including Kojo Williams, Chris Leader, Rob Morrigia and Dan Driscoll. They join forces with returning guard John Scully and juniors Ray Stalley and Robert Wolff. Morrigia led the Yellowjackets (0-1). Baker had 14 for Manor in the win.