Amsterdam boys' basketball uses strong start to post win over Scotia-Glenville

PHOTOGRAPHER: Paul Wager

Amsterdam's Victor Dueno goes up for a shot as Scotia-Glenville's Lincoln Baldwin defends during Tuesday's Foothills Council game at Amsterdam High School.

AMSTERDAM — As the regular season hits the final stretch, the Amsterdam boys’ basketball team is looking to continue to build momentum for a postseason run.

The Rams notched their eighth straight victory Tuesday, posting a 79-62 win over Scotia-Glenville in a Foothills Council contest at Amsterdam High School.

Amsterdam had four players scoring in double figures, led by Victor Dueno, who finished with six of the Rams’ 10 3-pointers on his way to a 20-point effort. Ceasar Thompson (19 points), Jhai Vellon (17) and Alec Bartone (13) also hit double digits for Amsterdam, which remained unbeaten in Foothills Council play.

Eddie Bradt led Scotia-Glenville with 19 points, while Lincoln Baldwin (13) and Nick Battaglia (11) also hit double figures.

Amsterdam used a quick start to take control of the game early, grabbing a 26-6 lead in the first quarter.

“We’ve been starting well this season,” Amsterdam coach Tim Jones said.

Thompson had eight points in the first eight minutes for the Rams, while Vellon, Bartone and Dueno all had six first-quarter points.

“We turned the ball over a little too much early,” said Scotia-Glenville assistant coach John Geniti, who was filling in for ailing head coach Mark Sausville. “[Amsterdam] got off to a good start.”

It was Scotia-Glenville that started quickly in the second quarter, surpassing its first-quarter output with an 10-3 burst in the first 3:20 of the frame.

The Tartans pulled to within 32-21 with 3:11 left in the first half on a 3-pointer by Battaglia before the Rams closed the half with a 6-3 surge to lead 38-24 at the break.

After being outscored by 20 points in the first eight minute of the game, the Tartans outscored the Rams 56-53 over the final three quarters.

“We battled back and regained our composure,” Geniti said. “We played pretty well after the first quarter.”

Scotia-Glenville opened the second half with an 11-0 run to pull within 38-35 with 5:42 left in the third quarter.

“We had a lull during part of the second and third quarters. That’s on me,” Jones said. “We just need to play with a little more consistency.”

Amsterdam wasn’t able to utilize its trademark full-court pressure because it went without a made basket until Thompson scored with 5:23 left for the Rams’ first pointers of the second half.

“We weren’t able to press early in the second half because we need a made basket to get into it,” Jones said.

Thompson’s basket sparked a 10-2 surge for the Rams, who turned their three-point advantage into a 48-37 lead with 3:55 left in the third.

Amsterdam’s lead never dropped below nine points the rest of the way. The Rams took a 58-44 advantage into the fourth quarter.

In the last quarter, the Rams pushed their lead to as many as 23 points on their way to a 79-62 win as they completed a season sweep of the Tartans.

Amsterdam won the first meeting between the teams this season on Jan. 6, posting a 79-49 victory at Scotia-Glenville.

“We’ve just got to clean things up a little bit,” Jones said.

Amsterdam (15-1 overall, 11-0 Foothills) is scheduled to host Schuylerville on Friday at 7 p.m. It will be senior night for the Rams.

“The guys work hard. I wish the community would come see us play,” Jones said. “These guys are special.”

Scotia-Glenville (1-16 overall, 0-11 Foothills) is slated to host Gloversville on Friday at 7 p.m. The Tartans have lost 11 straight since topping Catskill, 51-30, in the Kirvin Cup at Mohonasen for their lone win on Dec. 28.

Scotia-Glenville 6 18 20 18 – 62
Amsterdam 26 12 20 21 – 79
Scotia-Glenville scoring: Baldwin 5-1-13, Bradt 8-3-19, Battaglia 4-0-11, Ossenfort 2-0-4, McLaughlin 3-0-6, Fabian 2-0-4, Corker 1-2-4, Taylor 0-1-1. Amsterdam scoring: Vann 2-0-4, Dueno 6-2-20, Thompson 7-2-19, Vellon 7-1-17, Bartone 6-1-13, Miller 2-2-6. Team totals: Scotia-Glenville 25-7-62. Amsterdam 31-7-79.