Herkimer outplays Saints 88-70

Herkimer, NY – Herkimer basketball fans were anticipating a good game on Saturday afternoon, and they were not disappointed. The North Country Saints came to town with a perfect 5-0 record that included an impressive come-from-behind win at Fulton Montgomery. The Saints gave a scrappy, worthy performance, but Coach Matt Lee's troops prevailed 88-70.

The Generals built a substantial first-half lead, but the Saints never gave up. They ran and scrapped, and kept their composure, and made a real game of it in the second half.

The game began with the Generals ready to roll. Jonathan Feiler, Mike Thomas, Demetrius Mitchell, and Todd Hunt combined for 13 points, and the home team led 13-4. The Generals kept up their barrage. Jason Foden drove through the paint for two, and the score was 22-8.

The Green & Gold kept up the pressure. Soon Mitchell sank a three-pointer, and Herkimer had a 20-point lead of 29-9. They still had that lead with 6:15 to play in the half when Mitchell sank another three, making the score 32-12. Ten different Generals scored points in the first 20 minutes.

Photo: Demetrius Mitchell scoring two of his 22 points

Some teams would have wilted under such pressure, but not North Country Coach Chad LaDue's squad. The Saints played with poise, hustle, and patience. The halftime score was 47-31 Herkimer, but the game was far from over.

The second half began, and Herkimer had some trouble scoring. The Saints were playing tight defense and were working harder than ever.

The Generals regained their scoring touch and re-established their 20-point lead when Johnnie Davis fed Hunt, whose field goal made it 59-39. But then the Saints stepped up their game.

The visitors started gaining on the home side, and they kept gaining. With 11:20 to play, the score was 59-48. The Saints had momentum, but then Mitchell stopped the Saint surge momentarily with a three from the left corner.

Photo: Jon Feiler had an 11-point afternoon

North Country went on another run. They closed the gap to 67-58. Nine points. Then it became 70-63. Seven points.

Now it was time for the Generals to step up, and they did. Jerome Floyd sank a big three from the left side. Davis hit for three. Jefferson fought his way to the hoop for two plus a foul, which he turned into a three-point play. Mitchell hit for three more, this time from the right side. Feiler sank two free throws, and the final score was 88-70. The win upped the Generals' record to 6-1.

The Thanksgiving break has arrived, and it will be 11 days before Herkimer plays again. The team will travel to Tompkins Cortland CC ("TC3") on November 28.

Nick Scribe, website writer

Herkimer scoring: Davis 16, Floyd 7, Brown 5, Mitchell 22, Hunt 8, Lanieri 1, Jefferson 9, Thomas 7, Feiler 11, Foden 2 – Total 88