The last several seasons have been difficult for the Newburgh Free Academy girls’ basketball team.

Despite picking up some non-league victories, this season, the Goldbacks’ struggles in the Orange County Interscholastic Athletic Association Division I continued on Thursday with an 82-44 loss to the Pine Bush Bushmen at Pine Bush High School.

“We were playing a top-notch team here in Pine Bush,” Newburgh coach Arturo Santana said. “Those girls have been playing now, three years or four years together. Coach (Michelle) Bouffard always has her team playing well. I knew we needed to limit the turnovers if we were going to have a chance, and unfortunately, we did not limit those turnovers.”

The Goldbacks did have a brief lead, as T.T. Burden scored the game’s first two points on a pair of foul shots.

However, Pine Bush’s Jah-esa Stokes answered with a three-point basket to give the Bushmen the lead, starting a 10-0 run that gave the Bushmen firm control of the game.

Meanwhile, the Goldbacks struggled to get the ball down the court, as Pine Bush was consistently stepping in front of Newburgh passes for steals, contributing to easy points.

The Goldbacks kept pace as best they could and trailed 27-15 after the first quarter.
“It’s tough with their speed and their intelligence anticipating passes,” Santana said. “They just steal the ball.”

Burden led the Goldbacks with a game-high 27 points, more than half from the free-throw line. Beyond that, the scoring was spread out as five other players got in the scorebook. Cora Klein scored seven fourth-quarter points.

Noelle Roberts and Lindsay Dando had four each.

“It’s always nice when other players score besides T.T.,” Santana said. “I’m very proud of her because she’s looking to pass, and she’s looking for teammates. Unfortunately, at times, they don’t make the shots. But she’s grown to be a great leader on the court, so I’m happy with that.”

Ketura Rutty and Leticia Watson led the Bushmen with 24 points each and Jah-esa Stokes added 12.

“They’re the fastest team we’re going to play,” Santana said. “If they learn to fake the pass to make a pass, which I emphasize all the time, then they learn. We’re going to get better.”