By Doug La Rocque
Ahead by 6 points with a minute to play, the Fordians sunk a pair of three point baskets to tie Saturday’s game at 76, and went on to win the contest in overtime 88-85. [private] It was a game that saw the Mountaineers fall behind by five after the opening tap, but come back to build a three-point lead at the end of the first quarter and go into the locker room at the half up 42-34. A short bench started to take its toll on Berlin in the third, as Waterford started to drive the middle and take the lead at the end of three quarters.
Some clutch three-point shooting pulled Berlin back into the lead in the fourth, only to have it slip away at the end. Roark Slattery again led all Berlin scorers with 29 points on six field goals, a three pointer and 14 from the free throw line. Ryan Willis added 27 points on 6 field goals, three from beyond the circle and 6 free throws. Tyler Kellar had 15 points on the night and Hunter Harrison 12 more. Each sunk four from three-point land.
Earlier Friday, Berlin traveled to Green Island to challenge the Heatly Hornets. In what many said was a rough game, the Mountaineers came out on top 65-59. Ryan Willis led the way with 25 points including three from downtown. Tyler Kellar also popped in three from beyond the arc en route to an 11-point night. Roark Slattery and John Hendricks each had ten more. The Mountaineers played the backend of a home and home with Duanesburg on Monday, dropping the contest to the Western Athletic Conference school 99-60. Ryan Willis led Berlin’s scorers with 28 points, Ryan Gosse had nine more.
The New Lebanon Tigers ran up against the Central Hudson Valley League’s top team in the Bishop Maginn Griffins, coming out on the losing end of an 83-45 score. Brandon Napoli had 13 points to lead the Tigers, while Clayton Erickson added six more. The second place Clippers of Germantown edged out the Tigers later in the week, 51-45. Brandon Caul led New Lebanon this night with 13 points, Brandon Napoli added 12 and Trey Orme-Ouch had another nine.
The Berlin-New Lebanon wrestling team wrapped up its third season with some good showings by several members in the Class D sectionals. There will be a team meeting on Thursday at 5:30 pm to discuss the off season, and fund raising for next year. Athletes and parents are urged to attend. [/private]