Basketball

Never surrender

Liberty edges Monticello in epic Coaches vs. Cancer showcase fundraiser

By RICHARD A. ROSS

LOCH SHELDRAKE, NY— “Do not go gentle into that good night. Rage, rage against the dying of the light,” wrote Dylan Thomas in a poem imploring his father to fight on against cancer.

Everywhere you look nowadays, it’s mortal combat.

In the battle against this universal foe that does not discriminate by age, gender or nationality, there are countless warriors, casualties and survivors. Indeed, few people’s lives are left untouched.

Battling cancer requires courage, support, will and hope.

To that end, Coaches vs. Cancer, a nationwide collaboration between the American Cancer Society and National Association of Basketball Coaches, serves as a vehicle for mobilizing support in the ongoing struggle to find a cure for this universal scourge.

On February 6, the boys basketball teams from Liberty and Monticello staged a Coaches vs. Cancer showcase at Sullivan County Community College. They delivered an epic see-sawing battle that not only raised $700 dollars for the noble cause, but exhibited extraordinary athleticism, competition and sportsmanship.

The game featured 10 first-half lead changes, great runs by both teams and a monstrous performance by Liberty’s Dashawn Williamson, who poured in 28 points and seemed to be omnipresent in every facet of the game. Liberty held off a late-Monticello surge to garner an inspiring 61-55 victory.

Though it was a non-league game with no impact on either team’s climb to reach this year’s sectionals, it was an exemplar of what high school sports are all about. Despite the outcome, there were no losers.

The game was a rematch of a January 12 hair-raising overtime affair won by host Monticello 64-61. Featuring two teams and coaches, who joined forces in AAU play last summer, the game offered a unique blend of fierce competitiveness and mutual respect. Despite their rivalry, there was nary a trace of bad blood between the two teams who helped each other up, patted each other on the back and hugged one another after the fray.

The game was played in the two 16-minute-half format and Williamson set the tone early by scoring the first three points. Monticello’s Shamell Moore tied it with a three. Liberty minimized Monticello’s perimeter shooting, but the Monties did well taking it to the rim. All 10 lead changes took place in the first half. Monticello’s Briar Patterson scored eight of his team-high 16 points in the first half, and Moore had all seven of his in the opening 16 minutes.

Williamson kept Liberty afloat by scoring 14 of his 17 first-half points in the latter eight minutes of the frame. This was made possible by a total team effort.

Coach Jason Semo would later note, “Everything he did included other people’s support: making a tough pass, slashing to the basket, getting a rebound or taking a good shot so that he could clean it up.”

The back-and-forth exchange ended with Liberty up 25-24 at the half. Turnovers were far more prevalent in the first half than they would be in the second. The Indians had 10 and the Monties had nine. Each team would have three more in the second half.

At half time, junior varsity players from both schools attempted three pointers and free throws. E and T Landscaping donated $250 dollars for made shots. That was added to the $250 dollars from the gate and $100 each from the Monticello and Liberty booster clubs.

Liberty got rolling early on in the second half and outscored Monticello 17-5.

As Monticello coach Chris Russo would later note, the lapse “has been the story of our season. It’s a credit to their style of defense. They were very physical with us and forced us into some difficult shots.

Lapses aside, Monticello has also had its revivals this season and they were about to stage another.

Getting a surge from Frank Small, Patterson and Devon Mathis, Monticello arose from its torpor and threatened to send Liberty down the slippery slope to defeat.

Monticello cut the lead as Mathis hit a pair from the stripe to make it 49-45. The gap held as Drayton, Williamson, Mathis and Patterson all scored. Austin Billig dished to Mathis, who scored and was fouled with 1:35 remaining, but the Indians still led 54-50.

Williamson was fouled. He missed both shots, but a huge put back by Brandon Tompkins proved to be key.

Undaunted, Patterson raced ahead and scored. The Monties trailed 56-52 with 32 seconds remaining. Drayton and Patterson each hit a pair of free throws. Monticello fouled to stop the clock and Williamson hit one of two.

An offensive foul nixed the Monties’ next possession. Ryan VanLieu sent a long pass to Drayton, who was fouled. He made one to make it 60-54. Mathis hit one of two. In the final seconds, Patterson fouled out as he swiped VanLieu, who hit one for the final point.

The buzzer signaled Liberty’s 61-55 victory.

Asked about his role in carrying his team, Williamson deflected the glory. “Well, we all participated in this win. A couple of us have played Monticello many times and this is the first time we’ve ever beaten them in our careers. We’re really happy about that. This was a huge win for us,” he said with an engaging grin.

Semo noted, “It was a great game, back and forth the entire night. Chris is doing a great job. He’s got a young team and those kids are playing hard. There was a point in the second half where we were close to putting it away but they came marching back by coming after us. That’s what he is instilling in them in every practice.” Semo described Williamson’s role as “monstrous. He was all over the place, making one play after another with the help of his team. Herman stepped up for us big on the glass, as did Connor Hinton and Tompkins. We made some free throws down the stretch and that helped too.”

Semo extolled Patterson’s effort. “He’s a tough player who keeps his team in games. When they needed a bucket, he scored, making tough shots with contact. This is a tough place to shoot. I think they felt the effects of that tonight. Ryan did a great job against Jesse Kapito keeping him off his game.”

VanLieu has been accepted to Utica College in the Physical Therapy program. He will receive $50,000 in merit scholarship money over the next four years and will play football.

Semo thanked E and T Landscaping, coaches DePew and Perry for use of the college, the booster clubs and the people who came out to support the event.

“One way or another, we are all affected by cancer,” he added.

Russo observed, “Both teams gave a winning effort but, unfortunately for us, we didn’t win tonight. They didn’t give us anything on the outside. We didn’t get looks without somebody in our face and it’s difficult to make those shots.

“Dashawn was incredible tonight. I love that kid. It’s a tribute to how hard he’s worked. He was a man among boys tonight.”

Liberty improved to 5-11 and faced Sullivan West on February 10 in a do-or-die game for its sectional hopes. Monticello (5-12) hosted Goshen in a must-win game. Monticello must win two of games against Goshen, Port Jervis and Cornwall to qualify. Patterson led the Monties with 16. Mathis had 15. Monticello was 14 of 20 from the line. Liberty got 13 points from Drayton. Liberty was 10 of 19 from the stripe.

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