By Ted Waddell
LIVINGSTON MANOR — January 10, 2003 – It was a battle between first-year coaches, and the home team helmsman won.
On Tuesday night Livingston Manor Coach Rich Robinson led the Wildcats to a 70-48 victory over Coach Tony Black and the Ellenville Blue Devils in a non-league hoops contest.
For the visitors, the loss wasn’t all that thrilling, but with one win so far this season things are looking up. According to Black, in the last four years, the varsity hoopsters have only racked up a total of three victories.
At the half, Manor (2-4) trotted off to the locker room with a 15-point lead (42-27). In the second half, they kept up the pressure, outshooting the Blue Devils 28-21.
Wildcats reaching double figures included Jason Kean (20), Patrick Branning (11), Tim Bryant (10) and Travis Morton (10).
For Ellenville: Jason Budd (22) and Jordan Patterson (12).
Stats from the free throw line: Manor 8/17 (47%), Ellenville 14/19 (74%).
“We were sluggish, and it showed,” Black said. “This was not the type of basketball we’re capable of playing . . . it’s a rebuilding year.”
He added that he would like to see his team finish with a .500 won-loss mark for the 2002-2003 season – a marked improvement from the last few seasons.
Robinson is no stranger to Manor athletics, as over the past 16 or so years, he’s coached 6th grade, modified and jayvee teams.
“We have a very nice team this year and I’m trying to teach them to bring a lot of intensity to every game,” he said.
“Tonight, they came out and played hard for me,” he added. “We’ve got to take it a game at a time.”
Robinson pitched his nutshell coaching philosophy.
“I like to have fun, and see them run and push the ball,” he said. “I like to let the kids do a little bit of freelance, but also have the discipline to not turn the ball over.”