Huskies fall to Rondout in opener

By Susanna Granieri
Posted 12/11/19

On Dec. 6 the Highland High School varsity boys’ basketball team fell 65-55 against division-opponent Rondout Valley in their home-opener.

Starting for the Huskies were seniors Dontay Baker …

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Huskies fall to Rondout in opener

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On Dec. 6 the Highland High School varsity boys’ basketball team fell 65-55 against division-opponent Rondout Valley in their home-opener.

Starting for the Huskies were seniors Dontay Baker and Nick Ferdico, and juniors Zackary Angelone, Alijah Hollingsworth and Ethan Thompson. For the Ganders, seniors Marcus Ford, Jack Arnold and Rasheen Smith were announced, followed by junior Hayden Mutz and sophomore Aaron Coston.
Within their division, Highland competes against Marlboro, Red Hook and Rondout Valley.

“To visualize this you [focus on] Marlboro and Red Hook, but overall New Paltz has a quality team [as well],” said Head Coach Michael Milliman. “This is a big division and tonight was a big class B game.”

Earning only nine points in the first quarter, the Huskies fell to the Ganders’ 10. Baker hit three free-throws for the Huskies while Thompson hit a layup. The only sophomore on the roster, Aden Wiser, hit a three and one free throw. Rondout Valley’ Arnold and Smith each tallied two points for the Ganders, while Mutz also tallied two and Coston tallied four.

Going into the second quarter, Baker, Ferdico and Thompson each hit 3-pointers for the Huskies. Wiser and Thompson then added two for Highland. Baker hit two free-throws while Thompson hit five. After earning 20 points in the quarter, Highland led 29-28.

The Ganders trudged forward in the third quarter, breaking through the locker room doors after halftime to earn 21 points compared to Highland’s 12. Smith led the quarter with eight points, while Coston followed close behind with six. Senior Eric Clearwater added a 3-pointer, while Ford and Mutz added two points each to the board.

Although Rondout ran the third quarter, Highland’s Baker, Ferdico and Thompson tallied 3-pointers. Sadly, it wasn’t enough to be victorious by the end of the quarter. The Ganders led 49-43.

Angelone took charge in the fourth for the Huskies with six points, Ferdico tallied another 3-pointer and Wiser continued to make his first homecourt debut as a varsity player with his second 3-pointer of the game. After Baker missed two free-throw opportunities, Thompson tried to even the score with another two, but Highland fell short.

Scoring 16 points to the Huskies 12, Rondout’s Mutz continued to put away points – earning six points in the quarter. Coston followed behind with three, Arnold, Smith and senior Ryder Berlin added two, and Ford added only one. The scoreboard read 65-55, and the Highland fans began shuffling out of the gym in defeat.

“We have to move the ball quickly and hit the 3-pointers,” Milliman said. “Today we took a lot of threes, but we’re going to live by the three and die by the threes. We didn’t shoot that well in threes today, so when we do that it is going to be tough to score.”

The Huskies are back on their home court Dec. 13 against Marlboro for another division matchup.