Bushmen hold back Viking surge for second win

By Bond Brungard
Posted 1/23/19

Pine Bush’s boys’ basketball team has struggled this season after winning consecutive Section 9, Class AA titles. After winning those titles, a strong core graduated that helped the …

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Bushmen hold back Viking surge for second win

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Pine Bush’s boys’ basketball team has struggled this season after winning consecutive Section 9, Class AA titles. After winning those titles, a strong core graduated that helped the Bushmen earn those sectional championships.

Against Valley Central Wednesday, Jan. 16, at home, the Bushmen led 25-4 at the end of the first quarter. The Bushmen led 44-29 at the end of the third quarter before staving off a Viking surge in the fourth to win 57-44 and improving to 2-10.

The first quarter was our best quarter all year. We played unselfishly, moved the basketball and hit our shots,” said Steve Distefano, Pine Bush’s coach. “Our defense was strong and took them out of their offense.”

Throughout the game, Pine Bush’s defense pressured the Vikings’ offense as its offense was able to make it work against the Vikings from the inside.

The Bushmen landed a trio of threes as Tim Linton led Pine Bush with 21 points while going 9 for 10 from the foul line. Anthony Potts scored 16 points with a three for Pine Bush. Jayson Amodio and Jaeden Tice scored 10 points to lead the Vikings. Connor Fitzgibbons scored 8 points for Valley Central, and Jimmy Murphy scored 5 points for the Vikings. Both downed threes in the fourth as the Vikings tried to come back.

“We were able to limit them to one-shot opportunities,” said Distefano. “This team is working very hard and improving everyday.”