The shaping of the boys’ basketball senior season for Ballston Spa point guard Nick Verdile began the moment his junior season ended at Hudson Valley Community College. That night, Verdile went scoreless in a loss against Christian Brothers Academy.
“Right after that game, it just haunted me,” Verdile said. “I was the leading scorer for our team last year too, so scoring zero points made it seem like the loss was my fault. In the offseason, I knew if we wanted to be successful, I would have to learn different ways to score the ball more. I worked on creating space for myself and shooting off the dribble more because I know a lot of teams aren’t going to let me just get wide open.”
All the extended work at elevating his game was on display Sunday at HVCC in the last of four Section II Class AA quarterfinal games. Verdile poured in 36 points on 14-for-18 shooting in leading the Scotties past Colonie 65-50. Verdile scored in open space and in traffic, leaving Colonie’s coaches and players shaking their heads during and after the game.
“It is definitely one of those games I will probably remember the rest of my life,” Verdile said. “That is probably the best I have shot ever. I am glad I was able to do it in such an important game.”
For his efforts, Verdile has been selected as the Times Union’s Boys’ Athlete of the Week for Feb. 20-26.
Verdile scored seven of his team’s nine points in the opening quarter to keep the Scotties close as Colonie led 16-9. In the second period, the Suffolk University-bound standout netted 13 points to conclude the first half 7-for-8 from the field, including 3-for-3 accuracy from 3-point range and 20 points. Verdile’s only miss was on a drive that was blocked.
“When I am having a game like that, I am just in a zone,” Verdile said. “Once I see the ball going in, I just try to…
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