By Mike Zummo
The Pine Bush Bushmen had lost their first two games and were within 11 points of the Newburgh Free Academy Goldbacks at halftime.
However, the second half wasn’t kind to the Bushmen as the Goldbacks scored a combined 54 points in the second half as they hung an 88-54 loss on the Bushmen on Thursday night in an Orange County Interscholastic Athletic Association Division I boys’ basketball game.
It was the third straight loss for the Bushmen, who had lost their first three games by an average of 29 points.
Alejandro Florentino led four Goldbacks in double figures with a game-high 21 points. Ethan Tyson was right behind him with 20 points and Jaeden Pagan had 18 points. Legend Jones had 10.
Daniel Hickman led the Bushmen with 16 points and Alex Russo added 12 points.
The Bushmen had opened the week on Dec. 10 with a 74-58 loss to the Cornwall Dragons. Five days earlier, they suffered a 74-44 loss to the Beacon Bulldogs.
All three games were played on the Bushmen’s home court.
The Bushmen finished the week with a 58-52 win over the Millbrook Blazers.
It was also another year of change for the Bushmen as Kevin Kreeger, became the Bushmen’s third coach in three seasons. Robert Lawrence coached the team last year after taking over for Dan Conley.
The Bushmen lost Brandon Gonzalez, Manny Heisman, Nate Leppert and Nate Fontana from last year’s team, which posted a 6-13 record during the 2023-24 season.
The Bushmen have plenty of players returning to the team, including Jovani Alex, Russo, Daniel Hickman, Jonathan Bolding, Kahmar Evans, Jacob Brown, and Robert Lawrence.
Matthew Guzman, Cole Mehberg, Nasir Merriman, Kumori Pratt, Sadiel Sanchez, Brian Tompkins, Marvin Valcin and Jemire-Rey Dominick joined the team from the JV.
Kreeger said the team’s goal is to show more consistency in their approach to games, and focus on what they can control, such as the flow of the game and decisions at crucial times in game situations.
“I like our chances this year, we have a good mix of experience and talent and have a desire to do everything in our power to get better and compete,” Kreeger said. “Leadership on the floor and off will be the determining factor that drives our success.”