GAME OF THE WEEK: Highland vs. New Paltz Boys Basketball [VIDEO]

By Charlie Cornacchio

The Highland Huskies traveled to New Paltz for a boys basketball game that had a little bit of everything; a buzzer beater, coaches arguments with the ref, some hustle and tussle between two players, lead changes, and even a a halftime show!  Not bad for New Paltz High School. 

The Huguenots held a tight 18-17 lead after the first quarter and a slim 28-27 lead at halftime.  Part of the key to New Paltz' success was shutting out Highland's leading scorer Cory Garcia in the first half.  

"I don't know what was happening with me," said Corey after the game, "I just wasn't hitting my shots."  New Paltz went on an 8-0 run to start the second half putting Highland in a 10 point hole. (39-29)  

"This is high school basketball" commented New Paltz coach Stuart Robinson.  "We knew at that point we were just a Highland run away from them closing the gap."  

And the Huskies did just that, stepping up their game in the paint behind John Murphy and Nick Palmatier with a few steals and some timely blocked shots.  But the key to the momentum build was a Corey Garcia  3 pointer from the far wing just before the buzzser sounded to end the 3rd quarter. Highland dominated the 4th quarter, taking advantage of several New Paltz shots that just wouldn't fall.

Highland  goes on to beat cross town rival New Paltz 55-50 behind a 14 point performance from Nick Palmatier. CJ Burke had 16 for New Paltz, Michael Krebs finished with 15.