The Fulton boys basketball team secured a thrilling 70-68 overtime victory against the defending New York State champion Marcellus on January 4, 2024. The game featured a standout performance from junior Kash Stuber, who hit a crucial three-pointer with just 19 seconds remaining in the extra period, helping to lift his team to victory.
Fulton coach Kyle Perry emphasized the importance of Stuber’s performance, noting, “We’ve wanted him to play with more confidence. I think this shot helped him break out of his shell, so hopefully this is a springboard for him moving forward.” This win also marked a significant turnaround for the Red Dragons, ending a three-game losing streak.
From the outset, Fulton demonstrated resilience against a formidable Marcellus team known for its ability to dominate matches. “We play a lot of good teams,” Perry remarked. “It’s the team’s pedigree and it gets our guys a bit more of a boost when they face teams like Marcellus.”
At the end of the third quarter, Marcellus held a narrow 49-46 lead. The Mustangs had previously established a 10-point advantage after halftime, but Fulton fought back, briefly taking a three-point lead in the final quarter. The game ultimately went into overtime after a charge call disrupted Fulton’s momentum.
In the final moments of overtime, with Marcellus leading 68-67, Stuber’s decisive three-pointer proved to be the game-winner. He finished the night with 13 points, nine of which came from beyond the arc. Perry praised his team’s composure, stating, “We made the necessary baskets we needed to down the stretch, and Kash was a big part of it.”
Leading the scoring for Fulton was Xavier Doty, who contributed 22 points, including five successful free throws. Wyatt Watson added 19 points, showcasing his ability to convert at the charity stripe with eight free throws, while Koby Drake chipped in 13 points.
Perry noted a marked improvement in his team’s defensive efforts, saying, “We dug in a little bit on the defensive end and rebounded well. It helped us improve in the second half. Our shots fell more consistently as well.”
On the other side, Tucker Burnett led Marcellus with a remarkable 37 points, including 13 free throws, while Henry Lawrence contributed 13 points to the Mustangs’ effort.
The victory improved Fulton’s record to 4-3, as they prepare to face PSLA @ Fowler on January 10, 2024, at 18:45. Perry expressed optimism about his team’s future, stating, “This was a good win for us tonight. Hopefully this will help us get back into the right mindset. We have a long ways to go, though, so we’re hoping this gives us confidence moving forward.”
Marcellus, now at 3-6, will take on Westhill on January 9, 2024, at 18:30.
