GUILDERLAND — The gifts keep on coming for Dutchmen basketball.

Guilderland has won all six of its games by at least 11 points as it rolled into the holiday break with an undefeated record in the Suburban Council.

“I think we’re clicking on the court,” said Andrew Platek after a 63-to-51 win over Colonie on Monday; he scored 17 points. “Our offense is on fire right now, and that matches well with our defense that is holding opponents down. We’re playing really well.”

Even though Platek’s shooting was a little off — he came into Monday averaging 28.8 points per game — and the team was without starter Ralph Simeone, who had an ankle injury, Guilderland used smart passing and defensive stops to prevail over Colonie. The Dutch went up, 47 to 29, in the third quarter after Platek zoomed a long pass to Andrew Sentz, who placed the ball perfectly in the basket.

“Well, we’ve been playing really well defensively; really, really well,” said Guilderland Head Coach Mike Parks, who is in his first year. “The kids have been working hard, and that’s the staple — forcing teams to miss shots, which let’s us run.”

With Simeone out, Sentz stepped up and guarded Colonie’s Nolan Smith in the second half after Platek had gotten worn out from him in the first half, Parks said. “He was running off so many screens,” he said of Smith. “Platek got a little tired and it affected his offense. But Sentz did a great job.”

Platek told The Enterprise that he gets doubled and boxed in a lot, but he wants to spread the wealth to the other talented Guilderland players. “They’re always shading me on the zones and following me everywhere,” he said of opposing defensive players. “I have to diversify when I’m not hitting my shots — dish off to my teammates and get them easy shots.”

Playing as an unselfish team will translate to wins, Platek says.

“He made other players on the court better tonight,” Parks said of Platek. “He’s gotten better and better at that, getting more kids involved and being more patient.”

Andrew Sischo, big and tall on the inside for Guilderland, scored 10 points on Monday. Patrick Moriarty had 14 points, and Mike Wine had nine; he scored on an amazing spin move in the fourth quarter while getting fouled.

^{_{The Guilderland basketball team is 6-0 after a 63-to-51 win over Colonie on Monday. Here, Patrick Moriarty, who scored 14 points for the Dutchmen, lines up a free-throw attempt in the first half. Andrew Sischo added 10 points for Guilderland, and Mike Wine had nine. The Enterprise — Jordan J. Michael}}

Under Parks, Guilderland is trying to get defensive stops by guarding tight and rotating with help. “Once we rebound a miss, we’re looking to run on the fast break,” he said. “The kids like to play fast; I know it’s fun to coach that.”

The Dutchmen made the Class AA finals last season, but graduated a strong senior class. Is the team surprised by the 6-0 start this year?

“Yes, a bit,” said Platek, who has sunk 23 three-pointers this season. “Didn’t expect to be this successful this early, but we’ll take it.”

Parks said that Guilderland’s real test will come at Troy High on Dec. 30. The Dutch came into this season with some players who were unproven.

“I’m extremely happy,” he said of being undefeated for the holidays. “Of course, but we can’t rest on our laurels.”

^{_{Going up: Mike Wine shoots a lay-up for Guilderland during its win over Colonie on Monday; Wine scored nine points. The Dutch are 6-0 on the season. The Enterprise — Jordan J. Michael}}