Kingston's Wilson Speller dribbles the ball against Green Tech on Thursday night, February 8, 2024 in Kingston, New York (Tania Barriclo/Daly Freeman)
KINGSTON, N.Y. — Second-round visitor Green Tech spoiled Kingston's Senior Night Thursday night with an 83-66 drubbing of the Tigers that was far more one-sided than the final score indicated. did.
Green Tech coach DJ Jones removed his starters with 5 minutes, 21 seconds left and the lead growing to 81-49 in a nonleague boys basketball contest at Kate Walton Fieldhouse. Starting forward Derek Constance scored nine of his team-high 15 points, and the Tigers (13-4) finished the game on a 17-2 run, making the final score look even more respectable.
Sophomore guard Davy Barnes scored a game-high 28 points for Green Tech (13-6). He was virtually unstoppable from beyond the 3-point arc, making eight from long range.
Junior guard Heishi Maben added 18 points for the visitors, wowing the crowd with a banked three-quarter court shot to give the visiting Eagles a 42-33 lead at intermission.
Green Tech outscored Kingston 30-9 in the third quarter and took a 72-42 lead entering the fourth.The Eagles finished hot from the outside.
Made 14 3-point shots (13 in the first three quarters).
Green Tech also executed the pick-and-roll perfectly many times and got many uncontested layups. Green Tech, a Class AAA school in Albany, is easily 70-
In the last tournament, they defeated Kingston's biggest rival, Newburgh Free Academy, with 46 points.
Jones said the Eagles entered the game against Kingston with six losses due to a young roster and a tough nonleague schedule. Green Tech lost two games in a three-game tournament in Florida, losing a 66-65 decision to Cardinal Hayes of the Bronx, which plays in the Catholic Power League.
“We play a lot of juniors and have a tough schedule,” Jones said. “We're playing some great teams. But as long as we're clicking at the right time, that's all that matters.”
Jones was pleased with his team's disintegrated defense against Tigers star Kemonte Tawe, who scored just 10 points.
“We watched a lot of film and saw Kingston go to him,” Jones said. “We wanted him to pick up the ball and get it out of his hands and let other players make plays.”
Senior guard Eli Abrams added 13 points for the Tigers before he was ejected with 5 minutes, 21 seconds left after being fouled on a drive to the basket and taking a hard fall.
Kingston coach Ron Kelder said his team encountered a good team that played great basketball.
“I don't schedule cupcakes,” Kelder said. “We're going to plan the best competition all year long. Every non-league game was a big game and that's what we're aiming for. Tonight we encountered a team that played at a very high level. .”
Kelder noted that Kingston defeated Shenendehowa, a school that fell out with Green Tech, earlier in the season.
“It's basketball,” Kelder said. “They were clicking on all cylinders and we had some breakdowns and they took advantage of some of our breakdowns.
“Unfortunately, it had to happen on Senior Night. All of my seniors ended up playing tonight. It's a nonleague game. Let's get ready for the section run. Wherever you are in section or whatever. Nothing changes. We were trying to win and they outplayed us tonight. Give them all the credit in the world.”
Kelder said he had a few things to say to his team after the loss.
“My comments in the locker room after the game were very clear about what my expectations were, how I should respond to the situation and how I should respond next time,” Kelder said. he said. “Hopefully we learn from it and grow from it and get tougher and better.”
Kingston heads to Ossining at noon Saturday for its final nonleague game of the season.
The Tigers travel to Pine Bush for league play on Monday, February 12th, then open the regular season against Newburgh Free Academy at Kate Walton Fieldhouse on Monday, February 19th at 6:30 p.m. Finish.
Photo: Senior Night in Kingston – Green Tech Men’s Basketball
