by Ryan Mosher
History between the Berlin and New Lebanon boys basketball teams has shown that one’s record going into one of these rivalry games means next to nothing. This year New Lebanon came in toting a 3-1 overall record and a 3-0 Central Hudson Valley League record. Berlin on the other hand, came into the matchup on Friday night struggling, with an 0-4 start.
The first quarter seemed to move a little slow as the teams traded turnovers and missed shots for the first two and a half minutes. Finally New Lebanon Junior Bryan Potter illuminated the scoreboard with two foul shots with 5:22 remaining in the first. Todd Ferguson knocked down a three-pointer for the Tigers giving them a 5-0 lead. Potter would add two more baskets, including a buzzer beater to give New Lebanon a 9-0 lead after one quarter,
Potter seemed like a one man scoring machine as he added another four points in the first two and a half minutes of the second quarter. Down 13-0, the Mountaineers finally made their way onto the scoreboard when Shawn Willis scored. After yet another Potter basket, Berlin scored twice more making it 15-6. That would be as close as the Mountaineers would get though. At halftime the Tigers led 22-6.
The second half got better for Berlin. The Mountaineers were helped in the third quarter by a trio of three-pointers from Willis, Drew Webster and Seth Hawk. Cole Riddering added a couple baskets in the quarter to help the Mountaineers cut into the Tiger lead. With eight minutes to go, New Lebanon led 34-21. In those final minutes, the Tigers continued to stretch their lead, outscoring Berlin 15-9. The final score was New Lebanon 45, Berlin 30.
Bryan Potter led all scorers with 21 points, followed by Todd Ferguson with 13 points. Shawn Willis led Berlin with 8 points, while Seth Hawk and Cole Riddering chipped in with 6 points each. New Lebanon kept its spot among the undefeated in the CHVL, tied with Loudonville Christian and defending league champion Heatly in first place.
The Tigers will kick off 2010 with a tough first week as they travel to Heatly on Monday and then host Loudonville on Thursday and Berlin on Friday. The Mountaineers are off until they play in the Hoosier Holiday Tournament at Hoosick Falls on the 28th and 29th. They will take on the host Panthers in their first game on the 28th.