MILLS BE NIMBLE-MILLS BE QUICK-MARAUDERS RUN PAST WARRIORS 79-44
Big Crowd at Beekman Gym – Is there ever not?
Jeff Pexton-MHTS/PGI Photo
A new era in boy’s basketball began tonight on the hardwood of fabled Beekman Gymnasium on the campus of New York Mills Central School.
For the first time since 2007, the Marauders began the season without 6’10″ 260 lb. Matt Welch roaming the paint.
NY Mills junior guard Nick Comenale (22) spots up for a first quarter “3″.
During Welch’s time, which included two seasons with fellow big man Fred Russ, who graduated in 2011 when he was named New York State Class “D” Player of the Year, the Marauders won consecutive Section III Class “D” Championships, two trips to the New York State Final Four in Glens Falls, which culminated in the 2010 State Championship.
Exit two time first team all-state team member Welch after New York Mills’ runner-up finish in Section 3 last season (a 62-61 heart breaking loss to eventual state champion Sackett’s Harbor in the Dome last March) to Georgia’s Highlands Community College and enter the 2012-13 version of the Marauders.
Gone is the dominant force in the middle and down low. Here now is a lightning fast group of highly experienced players who, with a touch of chemistry, might be as good, or dare I say better, than what we’ve come to expect from the Marauders over the past six seasons.
Taking the floor for Mills in the season opener against Morrisville-Eaton tonight were three members of the 2010 State Championship team: Jon Ross, Cody Mariotti and Jacob Kerhli.
Toss in veteran sharp shooter Nick Comenale, smooth handed guard Andrew Suprenant, fellow veterans DJ Kirilko, Zach Vennaro and an exciting young freshman by the name of Terry Nichols and Head Coach Mike Adey seems to have reloaded the Mills juggernaut with amazing proficiency.
Mills junior Nick Comenale scored 19 of his team high 31 points in the first quarter,and the ferocious Marauders offense went on to smother the visiting Warriors 79-44 in a Center State Conference cross-over.
Comenale was 4 of 6 from outside the three point arch on the evening.
M-E’s Will Thomas (5) rises for 2 of his game high 37 points.
Morrisville-Eaton’s William Thomas, who led Section 3 in scoring last season, netted 37 of his team’s 44 total points tonight in a Herculean effort to lead all scorers.
Despite the changing of the guard, so to speak on the floor of Beekman, the song remains the same in the stands as a huge crowd of students, family and fans of New York Mills filled the bleacher planks for another season of Marauders hoops.
The Marauders didn’t disappoint their faithful at any point this evening, winning every quarter of the game, with the first stanza going to the home team 26-14. M-E’s William Thomas scored all fourteen of the Warriors first quarter points.
The second quarter was far and away the most balanced of the game, with the Marauders outscoring the Warriors just 14-10, to take a 40-24 lead to the intermission.
The second half saw New York Mills turn up the heat on Morrisville-Eaton defensively, at one point causing four consecutive 3rd quarter turnovers which led to easy Mills layups.
The Marauders outscored Morrisville-Eaton 22-10 in the third to build a 62-34 lead.
The second quarter was also an explosive show of the Marauders up tempo offensive style which often results in a quick pop from outside the 3 point arc.
With the bench emptied and reserves gaining some early season experience, New York Mills went on to outscore M-E 17-8 in the final period en route to a 79-44 home victory.
Mills senior forward Cody Marriotti (34) gets a hoop and a harm by Warriors defender Lucas Mallaury (20).
The Marauders received scoring contributions from 11 different players on the night.
New York Mills (1-0) will return to action Friday evening in the Peppino’s Classic at Henninger High School against Tully. Morrisville-Eaton (0-1) will look to get into the win column two nights from now at Cooperstown.
New York Mills 79 Morrisville-Eaton 44
Box Score
1 2 3 4 Total
Morrisville – Eaton 14 12 10 8 44
New York Mills 26 14 22 17 79
MHTS SCORING SUMMARY:
New York Mills:
Nick Comenale 31
Jocob Kehrli 11
Jon Ross-6
Cody Mariotti 6
Andrew Suprenant 5
Dan Bruce 4
Zachary Griffith 4
Luke Sunderlin 4
DJ Kirillko 2
Zach Vennaro 2
Senior guard Jon Ross (3) is met in the lane by M-E’s Will Thomas (15) .
Morrisville-Eaton:
William Thomas 37
Matthew Roher 4
Dakota Miller 3
Mills sophomore point guard Andrew Suprenant (10) showed some real ball handling savvy this evening.
