Comets Whip Chester After Close 1st Quarter

By Ted Waddell
FALLSBURG — February 11, 2000 -- The Fallsburg Comets hoopsters had their hands full for one quarter, as the Hambletonians of Chester Union Free School gave them a run for their money in the opening frame of Tuesday night’s boys varsity basketball game.
By the end, however, Fallsburg walked off the court with a solid 61-37 win in the Orange County League (OCL) National conference Division II contest.
At the end of the first period, it was dead even at 15-15, but then the Hambletonians decided to abandon their game plan of not dribbling against the Fallsburg press. In the second chapter, the home team rimsters outscored their opponents 14-7, and took a 29-22 halftime lead into the locker room.
The second half was a lesson on the floor for the boys from Chester. In the third period, Fallsburg took advantage of the Hambletonians playing hookey from their game plan as they outgunned Chester 19-8. In the closing frame, Fallsburg’s benchmen still managed to outscore the Hambletonians 11-7.
Two Comets hoopsters made double digits: Tim Gilmore (15) and Corey Buckner (13). For Chester it was Dustin Siegel with 13 points. Stats from the free throw line: FCS 12/17 (71 percent), Chester 8/15 (53 percent).
“We did not do in this game what we practiced,” said Hambletonians coach Verdell Payne, barely controlling his anger at the outcome of the game. “What can I say, except that we were outgunned, and they didn’t do what I told them to do.
“I told them not to dribble against the press,” he added. “I’m not very happy right now, (because) we’re better prepared than what we showed here tonight.”
According to Comets coach Paul Marsden, Chester “Came to play this evening and gave us all we could handle, especially in the first quarter.” “My guys are gamers,” he added. “It was a very good team effort, a lot of guys were able to contribute. Everybody got in the game.”
As a coach who recognizes hard work in practice, Marsden credited the play of his benchmen.
“I’ve got fifteen guys on the bench,” he said. “My depth seems to be showing now. Dennis Arscott and Corey Buckner did a nice job of coming off the bench. Dennis really ripped some rebounds.”
Added Marsden, “Tonight my reliable starters may not have gotten as much playing time as they usually get, but my philosophy is that if you work hard in practice, you should get in the game.”
According to Marsden, the Comets will face some tough tests in their final games of the 1999-2000 season, including going head-to-head with the likes of Florida, Liberty and Tuxedo.