LIVINGSTON MANOR – A confident Rockland Wolves boys basketball team hosted the Fallsburg Comets Monday night. Rockland displayed a unified attack that proved to be overwhelming for the visiting team en route to their convincing 61-36 victory. 

This coordinated approach, especially on defense, made for tough sledding for Fallsburg. Rockland crowded Fallsburg on the dribble, intercepted passes and utilized the trap. As the game progressed Rockland’s aggression wore on the Comets.

Fallsburg started out well, jumping out to an 8-0 lead in the first period, forcing Rockland to call a time out to regroup. The Wolves came out after the whistle with an intensity that had been lacking at the start of the game.

The rest of the first half was a study of commitment and persistence, as Rockland methodically overtook their counterparts. The Wolves dropped key three-point shots and forced turnovers, enabling them to erase the deficit and take a 28-19 lead into half time.

 Rockland started the second half the same way they ended the first; with defensive intensity and a well-rounded offense that saw everyone contributing. 

For the winless Fallsburg team, their confidence had been shaken, hesitant to pass or to shoot during possessions. The score margin widened, and their chances for a comeback grew slim.

 Ben Johnston led the way for the Wolves and all scorers with 20 points including three 3-pointers, and Kaleb Maldonado added 13. For the Comets, Sebastian Fowler scored 8 points.

Fallsburg head Coach Daniel Redmond spoke at the end of the game, “I knew from the start of the year we had our work cut out for us, but there were some encouraging things, we were up or close throughout the first half, but we just came out flat in the second half. They did a really good job of exploiting us defensively and offensively they were very efficient. We did have positives; the play of some guys who usually don’t get out there was encouraging.”

Head Coach of the 4-1 Rockland Wolves Charles Hicks said, “...Very happy with our defense, and our team effort as a whole. We were a little sluggish coming out of the gate, and Fallsburg came out fast and furious, but we weathered the storm, gathered ourselves and just locked down on “D,” and played like we’re supposed to.”