By Chuck Stewart, Jr.
Newburgh - After beating Middletown the previous week, the Newburgh Free Academy basketball team didn’t take them as seriously last Friday night.
The previous week, Newburgh came out strong, and by halftime the game was over. The Goldbacks soundly defeated Middletown 91-63. That wouldn’t be the case this time.
Middletown went toe to toe with the New York State Class AA defending state champions. Middletown outscored the Goldbacks in the first quarter 19-18. At the half, Middletown trailed by only five points, 37-32.
The Middies opened the second half on fire, going on a 17-7 run, taking a 49-44 lead. That’s when William Bouton came alive.
Bouton hit his first three-pointer of the game, sending the crowd into a frenzy. Moments later, he drove hard to the basket for another two. Marcus Henderson would drain a three-pointer on the next play, Bouton followed with another three-pointer.
The sellout crowd began chanting "Newwww Buuurrggghhh" so loudly in the gym, as a sign of defeat to Middletown. By the end of the third quarter, Newburgh had crushed any hopes Middletown had of making a comeback.
Bouton scored 15 of his 21 points in the third quarter as Newburgh went on to secure another OCIAA Division I victory, defeating Middletown 94-76. Marcus Henderson had 15 points. Patrick Johnson added 12 points and Devon McMillan and Michael McLeod each posted 11 for Newburgh.
Nicolas Smith scored 28 points for Middletown.
Newburgh, the defending state champs, ranked fifth in the state, will be the top seed heading into the Section IX tournament.
