Generals defeat dogged Delhi 85-79

Herkimer, NY – The #3-ranked Herkimer Generals hosted the #8-ranked SUNY Delhi Broncos on Friday night.  Fans were treated to a terrific display of basketball talent and teamwork.  The Generals earned the victory, winning 85-79.

Herkimer fans had been eager for this contest.  The 18-1 Generals’ only loss of the season was a 70-65 outing in Delhi on December 8.  The wild horses usually are a strong team, and this season’s version is a very strong squad.  They played with skill, determination and discipline.  They played very hard to the very end, and they earned the respect of all present.

Photo:  Deandre Preaster deftly lays the ball into the hoop

The Generals got off to a quick start.  Dequan Jefferson’s free throw, a drive by Josh Henderson, Deandre Preaster’s scoring off his own rebound, two FT’s by Preaster and a great defensive block by Henderson made the score 7-2.

Photo:  Josh Henderson scores in the Generals’ game-opening run

Delhi came right back.  Soon they led 8-7, and, after one of 6’ 5” Terrynce Wilson’s five three-pointers, 11-10.

Both teams were running well and were playing with great intensity.  Both squads were controlling the defensive rebounds well.

The tight game saw the visitors take the lead, but a nice field goal by Preaster evened the match at 20-20.  It was probably Preaster’s best game yet in a Generals’ uniform.  The 6’ 3” Utica native would go on to score 30 points and to excel in all phases of the game.

Henderson tallied the next five points for the hosts.  He took a pass from Preaster and scored.  Then Henderson hit for three from a few feet to the right of center.

Seth Hidde passed back to Mike McCray, and McCray went all net from 16 feet.  Paris Parks sank a three, then passed to Preaster for a pair of points.  32-26 Herkimer.

The Generals added to their ledger, and, in the final minute of the half, McCray sank a free throw for a 43-33 lead.  But Delhi’s tall freshman Quayshaun Mitchell hit a three and the half ended 43-36.

Photo:  Mike McCray scoring after a coast-to-coast run

The second half featured play that was at least as good as the first.  Another three-pointer by Delhi’s Mitchell closed the score to 44-39, but the Generals went on another run.  A nice spin move by Preaster put his team up by a dozen, at 51-39, five minutes into the half.  (See video below.)

The exciting play continued.  Delhi again closed to within five.  Then Goey Charles drained a three.  (See video below.)

Time was running out.  With about one minute remaining, Parks passed ahead to Preaster and the big man sprinted into the paint.  Preaster leaped high and scored with a thunderous one-handed dunk.  76-69 Herkimer.  That play seemed to be the exclamation point that ended the story, but the Broncos are a tough bunch.

Photo:  Deandre Preaster scores two

The visitors used all of their skill and some smart tactics in their excellent end game.  They made a good run, but Herkimer held.  Seth Hidde intercepted, then was fouled.  He sank both shots.  Then, with 2.9 seconds left, Goey Charles went to the line and scored twice.  The win was sealed.  The large crowd had seen a memorable game.

The 18-1 Generals will now play four away games and will return to the Herkimer hardwood in two weeks.  They will host the Adirondack Timberwolves on Friday, February 10.

                                                                              Nick Scribe, website writer

Scoring

Delhi:  Warren 6, Mitchell 13, Bock 6, Brown 15, Wilson 15, Annan 19, Paul 5, Total 79

Herkimer:  McCray 8, Henderson 20, Parks 12, Hidde 2, Charles 7, Jefferson 6, Preaster 30, Total 85

Video:  Deandre Preaster's spin move earns a 12-point lead

Video:  Josh Henderson sinks a three

Video:  An important three by Goey Charles

Video:  Coach Matt Lee's post-game interview

.