The Newburgh Free Academy boys’ basketball tam is heading into a key part of its schedule.

Before they took to the crucial divisional contest against the defending state Class AA champion, the Kingston Tigers, the Goldbacks routed the Christian Brothers Academy of Albany, 70-41, on Saturday.

“I think we played a good game,” Newburgh coach Frank Dinnocenzio said. “They played against a team that can make you look very ordinary because of the way they play their defense. I know it doesn’t show by the way they played; their matchup zone is really funky. I found that out in 2010 when we went up to the states and they beat us by 20.”

Nothing fooled the Goldbacks this time around as they took an immediate lead.

The Goldbacks led 13-10 before opening a 19-10 lead at the end of the first quarter. Then in the second quarter, the Goldbacks outscored the Brothers, 15-5, to assume command.

“We had a great game on defense,” said Amarri Tice, who led the Goldbacks with a game-high 15 points. “We held them under 50 points. It’s just a good win for us.”

Tice was one of three Goldbacks to finish in double figures. Mikel McDonald scored 11 points and Jah’Likai King added 10.

“I hate when not everybody plays because everybody works their butts off in practice,” Dinnocenzio said. “When everybody plays and gets an opportunity to score, that’s fantastic. That’s what the game’s all about.”

Saturday also gave the Goldbacks an additional tune-up against an unknown opponent.

“Us playing non-league games gives us an opportunity to play teams that are not from around here,” Tice said. “Instead of just playing against teams from around here that know us, it’s better to play teams that are not from around here to get a different feel for the game.”

They were scheduled for a familiar feel Tuesday night when they hosted their heated rival, the Kingston Tigers in a key Orange County Interscholastic Division I contest, The Tigers are the defending Section 9 Class AA champions and a state semifinalist from a year ago. They’re also 10-0 this season.

“If everybody plays like they played today on Tuesday, we’ll have a great game,” Tice said. “Everybody did their part today. Everybody played unselfish. We were an all-around team.”