By Rob Potter
ROSCOE — February 18, 2011 — After the first eight minutes of Tuesday night’s Orange County Interscholastic Athletic Association (OCIAA) Division VI basketball game, the visiting Livingston Manor Wildcats held a 22-15 lead over the Roscoe Blue Devils.
Manor extended its advantage 16 points in the third quarter on the way to registering a 56-47 victory.
But the Wildcats had to withstand a comeback attempt by the Blue Devils in the fourth period.
Led by senior guard Adam Hendrix, who scored a game-high 21 points, Roscoe outscored the Wildcats 16 to 11 in those last eight minutes of competition.
Hendrix made a pair of free throws with 1:45 remaining to bring Roscoe (3-15, 0-6 Div. VI) within eight points at 53-45.
With 42.2 seconds to go, Manor’s Chad Rosario made two of his three free throws after being fouled while attempting a 3-point shot. Those foul shots gave the Wildcats a 56-45 advantage.
Manor, which improved its overall record to 9-5 and 4-2 in Div. VI with the victory, utilized a balanced offensive attack. Senior forward Brandon Smith paced the Wildcats with 18 points, while senior guard Lee Sharshakuv netted 10 points.
Mike Mills added nine points, while Troy Correa and Kenny Fisk scored eight points apiece for Manor.
“I’m happy to get the win, but I’m not pleased with how we played in any way, shape or form,” Manor Coach Charlie Hicks said. “Roscoe played very well. [Coach] Fred [Ahart] does a phenomenal job of coaching his players.”
While Hicks understandably wants the Wildcats to be playing better as they enter the upcoming Section IX Class D tournament, the team won a share of the Div. VI championship on Tuesday night. With their victory over the Blue Devils and the Chapel Field Lions defeating The Family School Falcons that same evening, the Wildcats, Chapel Field and The Family School all finished the season with 4-2 records within the division.
Manor will complete its regular season schedule with a non-league game at Tri-Valley tomorrow.
“Give credit to Livingston Manor,” Roscoe Coach Fred Ahart said. “They have a fine team and [Coach] Charlie [Hicks] does a good job of leading them.”
While Hendrix was the only Roscoe player to score in double digits, Jesse Huggins recorded eight points and Brad Dreher and Jordan Tallman netted six points apiece.
Prior to the game’s opening tip-off, Hendrix and fellow senior Willie Browne were honored. The two teammates are also the only two boys in the RCS Class of 2011.
“Give Adam and Willie credit, they have both given 100 percent in practices and games during their varsity careers,” Ahart said.
Browne is a three-year varsity player, while Hendrix is a four-year varsity player.
Hendrix finished his career with 908 points. He recorded 42 percent of that total this season by scoring 382 points, an average of 21.2 points per game.