Bishop Maginn appears ready to defend its Section II, Class AA boys basketball title.
Taran Buie scored 21 points to lead the Golden Griffins to a 74-59 victory over Guilderland in the finals of the Bishop Maginn Tournament Saturday at Albany’s Washington Avenue Armory.
Maginn (2-0) jumped out to a 20-8 lead in the first quarter and steadily pulled away from there to hand the Dutchmen (1-1) their first loss of the season.
I thought it was a great thing for us to face a team like that at the beginning of the season, said Guilderland coach Ron Osinski. `Now, we know what we have to do to get to that level.`
Andrew Smith scored 17 points, and Brett Marfurt contributed 14 points for the Dutchmen, who scored 40 of their 59 points in the second half.
Guilderland opened the tour-nament with a 77-54 victory over Spring Valley last Friday.
The Dutchmen overcame a 21-11 first quarter deficit by out-scoring Spring Valley (1-1) 19-8 in the second quarter. A 23-10 burst in the third quarter put Guilderland in control.
`I was pleased with that (comeback),` said Osinski. `It was a gut check for us. We got behind, we took bad shots and everything they shot fell in. But we responded.`
Marfurt led Guilderland with 29 points. Smith chipped in 15 points, and Daniel Gejay added 10 points. Jamal Little’s 18 points paced Spring Valley.
Osinski said that playing at Bishop Maginn’s tournament was a good way for his team to start the season.
`I think that prepared us to get into the Suburban Council season because we won’t face that kind of quickness in the Suburban Council,` he said.
The Dutchmen began their league schedule Tuesday when they traveled to Ballston Spa ` one of four long road trips they face this year. They also visit Shenendehowa, Averill Park and Saratoga Springs later this year.
Guilderland returns to action Friday at Mohonasen before hosting Colonie Tuesday.“
