The Oneida Daily Dispatch (Oneida, NY)
Matteson historic in Madison victory
Sam Matteson claimed the all-time scoring record in Madison during win over Hamilton.
MADISON, N.Y. » Since 1988 Kevin Zielinski’s career total of 1,303 points has stood as the Madison BlueDevils all-time scoring mark.
On Friday, that record was toppled.
With less than three minutes to play in the second quarter of the holiday tourney title game between Madison and cross-town foe Hamilton, SamMatteson buried a 3-pointer from the left side of the arc for a 30-24 Blue Devil lead and his 1,304 career point.
“Just to come in here and trans- fer over in the ninth grade, just to be able to beat the school record is something that not many kids can say they do, even to reach 1,000 points in general,” the Blue Devil senior said.
“I couldn’t do it without my great teammates that I have that have been playing withme since I was younger,” Matteson said. “My parents, I would like to give a big shout-out to my parents. They pushed me since I was a kid, putting me through AAU and private practices. Coach Mitchell and Coach Peckham for always telling me I had what it took to take my game to the next level.”
Matteson erupted for 37 points on the night, earning tournament MVP honors in addition to eclipsing the school all-time scoring mark as the Blue Devils cruised to a 76-45 victory.
“Sam is a very exceptional athlete, exceptional basketball player,” Madison coach Dan Mitchell said. “Each year he’s gotten a little bigger, faster, stronger. He penetrates more. He’s becoming a better defender; he’s got an all-around game, and he played really well tonight. This was probably the best game he’s had.”
Spencer Haviland, 17, and Colton Stone, 10, joined Matteson in double figures as the three
seniors continue to be a formidable trio, playing together since the seventh grade.
“It felt good to come out here and get a big win, especially after they beat us twice in soccer,” Stone said.
Haviland, Matteson, and Stone made or assisted every Madison bucket in the first quarter as the Blue Devils raced out to a 21-12 lead, taking advantage of the turnovers created by their full-court pressure.
Matteson began to heat up in the second quarter, particularly from downtown. Ethan Snyder found Matteson open beyond the arc to open the second as Madison grabbed a 24-12 lead. Gabe Trontkoski answered for Hamilton with a jumper of his own and Tarik Cigeroglu followed with a post-movemake moments later for four quick Hamilton points to cut the lead to 24-16. A Ryan Rutledge runner cut the Ham- ilton deficit to six seconds later, but Matteson drilled a corner three on Madison’s ensuing possession to grow the Blue Devil lead to 29-18.
“He makes everyone on the court look better, so it’s fun to play with him,” Stone said of playing alongside Matteson.
“It’s a lot easier when he’s on the court. You can just throw it up to him and know he’s going to get the ball, protects the rim, just a great teammate,” Haviland added.
The Emerald Knights, playing without leading scorer Trevor Dow, hung toughwithMadison to close out the first half and cut the deficit to 35-28 heading into the intermission.
Hamilton opened the third quarter on an 8-3 run, capped by a Sean Hunt layin, to bring the score within two points at 38-36 with five minutes remaining, but it would be as close as the visitors would get to the lead as Madison tore off a 15-point run to take control of the contest.
“Hamilton hit some shots, were getting rebounds and making putbacks,” Mitchell said, adding that his team needed to settle down and take its time against Hamilton coach Tom Blackford’s patented 1-3-1 zone. “Once the guys settled down and started getting to the open spots and making the right pass, I think we started to get things going.”
After converting a pair of free throws, Haviland drilled a shot from deep on Madison’s next possession for five straight. Matteson followed with three straight buckets of his own before dishing an assist to Alex Cotter for a 51-36 Blue Devil lead with 2:39 left in the third.
The lead was more than enough for Madison to preserve, and the hosts closed out their own holiday tournament with a 76- 45 win and championship.
Rutledge and Cigeroglu were named to the all-tournament team for Hamilton, while Stone and Haviland joined Matteson in representing the Blue Devils.