HIGHLAND – It was when their frustration gave way to humility that they realized what was lacking. Of course, it stung, losing three straight games to quality opponents. But what most bothered them was a belief that skill level wasn’t the most significant difference.
“We came out slow and we got outworked,” Parker Ruger said of himself and the Rhinebeck boys basketball team. “We’re not the most talented and we’re kind of an underdog, so it’s not going to come easy. We started to realize that we have to work harder than other teams to compete.”
After winning their first section championship in more than two decades last winter, coach David Aierstok said there initially seemed to be a pervading feeling that success would be certain.
It almost was forgotten that the Hawks were an underdog then, too, a group that had little choice but to wear on opponents with a stifling defense and unrelenting intensity. And, after graduating a trio of key players, even more of that would be required this season.
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“Some of the guys are new and didn’t understand that right away,” Aierstok said. “Then you start losing and see on film what’s happening, and it’s humbling. Now, they’re starting to get it and buy in.”
Buying in for this program means selling out defensively. Rhinebeck did that Monday, smothering Highland in the second half of a 51-41 victory that clinched for them a playoff berth.
Griffin Giles had 18 points and 13 rebounds to lead the Hawks (6-4). Ruger added 10 points, four assists and three steals, and Bodhi Binetti had eight points and nine rebounds.
“It’s a solid win and it was important in terms of getting into the playoffs,” senior Charlie Kozma said. “The last three games were rough for us, having shaky second halves. So, to close this out the way we did was the most encouraging part.”
Rhinebeck held the Huskies to eight points in the third quarter while taking control and building what eventually grew to a 17-point lead. Kozma opened the second quarter with a 3-pointer for a 12-9 lead the Hawks never relinquished, although the teams played about evenly in the first half.
But Giles scored five straight to begin the third, including two put-backs in traffic that extended the lead to 26-18 a minute into the period. The forward had nine points in the quarter and dominated the offensive glass, his strength and physicality proving difficult to contend with, Highland coach Mike Milliman acknowledged.
That, while the Hawks’ ball pressure forced turnovers and difficult shots. Rhinebeck swarmed almost constantly, deflected passes and dived for loose balls, and made it a task for the opponent just to get off a contested attempt. That, in recent years, has become their signature.
“Highland plays hard and they’re a well-coached team,” Aierstok said, “so I’m pleased with how we responded in the second half.”
Ivo Uebbing, who scored four points, also had two blocks under the basket in the final minute of the third. Kozma had six points and two steals, and Grady Pietras added three points and two steals. Giles’ turnaround hook in the post made it 46-29 with 6:12 remaining in the fourth.
“Defense is our biggest strength,” said Ruger, who followed a Uebbing block with a three with 53 seconds left in the third. “Most of our practice is spent focusing on defense. We know that for us to win, we’ve gotta be good on that end.”
Reid Berean scored 18 points for Highland (4-7). Josh Bishop and Michael Koehler each added seven.
“They say it takes 30 days to a build a habit and we’ve got about three weeks to get ready for sectionals,” said Aierstok, whose team will compete in the Section 9 Class B tournament. “For us, it’s about repetitions and putting in the work.”
And running. The Hawks allocate about 30 minutes for conditioning at the end of each practice session. That includes running sprint lines — and more of them, depending on how the defensive performance was graded.
“It’s a fun experience,” Kozma said with the highest degree of sarcasm. “But it does get us prepared for the style we have to play. I think at the end of last season, that’s why we were ready to make a run at a section title. The plan is to do it again.”
Stephen Haynes: [email protected], 845-437-4826, Twitter: @StephenHaynes4