It was a successful Saturday for many Section 2 teams, as four out of the 6 teams won their Regional Finals to advance to the State Semifinals this week at the COOL Insuring Arena in Glens Falls.
CLASS D: North Warren beats Schroon Lake
Eighth-grader Semaj Cuyler hit the go-ahead basket with about 13 seconds left, and Austin Hartwell’s chance at the buzzer bounced out. North Warren 57, Schroon Lake/Newcomb 56, final. What a game. pic.twitter.com/TCX705dksC
— Ricky St. Clair (@Ricky_StClair) March 10, 2024
An amazing game by Ricky St. Clair's account over in Clinton Community College in Plattsburgh as Semaj Cuyler hits the bucket with seconds left to propel the Cougars from North Warren to the State Semifinal game, beating neighbors Schroon Lake/Newcomb 57-56. They now advance to play Smithtown Christian of Section 11 on Saturday Morning, 9AM at the COOL Insuring Arena.
CLASS C: Maple Hill comes up short as Brian Cross's retirement season continues
Down by three, Maple Hill had the chance to force overtime up in Plattsburgh, but they were unable to find the right shot, as Moriah beats the Wildcats. This game featured only 23 points scored in the first half, and Maple Hill yanking the lead from Moriah at times in the third quarter. With the win, Brian Cross continues his final season at the coaching helm for the Moriah Vikings. The Vikings are the only team from Section 7 to have ever won the state title, doing so in 2017.
CLASS B: Stillwater pulls away from Canton in the second half
BBB: Your Class B Regional Champions, the Stillwater Warriors
— StillH2O Sports (@stillh2o_sports) March 9, 2024
FINAL:
Stillwater 64
Canton 44 pic.twitter.com/MJDjppKbyq
Stillwater's amazing ride continues as the Warriors pull away from Canton in the second half to win by 20 points. Stillwater has looked solid in the past several games, including wins over Northeastern Clinton in the Regional Semifinals, and Wasaren League rivals Mechanicville in the Section 2 Championship. Stillwater will get Section 1's Woodlands to kick off the State Semifinals at the COOL Insuring Arena, on Thursday at 6PM.
CLASS A: Glens Falls withstands Westhill's full court pressure to preserve lead
GLENS FALLS IS HEADING TO GLENS FALLS!! Play Maine-Endwell or Saugerties Friday 9am #518hoops pic.twitter.com/sUX2bi7yop
— Adirondack Sports (@SportsAdk) March 10, 2024
It wasn't easy as Rob Girard watched the Glens Falls Black Bears 15 point lead nearly dissolve thanks to a 4th quarter full court pressure being put on by Westhill coach Jon Connelly. But whatever he said to the team after calling timeout following the 4th turnover caused by the pressure, worked as the Black Bears were able to put away the Westhill Warriors.
Kellen Driscoll led Glens Falls with 38 points, Brody Holcomb added 14 and Aiden Prunty scored 12 to punch Glens Falls's ticket to the State Semifinals. The last time Glens Falls played in the state tournament in Glens Falls, Jimmer Fredette was a Senior for them back in 2007 (the Joe Girard III championship run in 2019 was when Binghamton held the State Championships). Section 4's Maine-Endwell will be the Black Bears next opponent Friday Morning, and will need to come ready for a loud crowd cheering against them.
If Maine-Endwell sounds familiar, they are best known for their football team winning several titles in the early 2010's, including the 2012 title against Glens Falls.
CLASS AA: Free Throws helps lift West Genesee past Niskayuna
The Niskayuna Silver Warriors had a 9 point lead on Section 3's West Genesee in the third quarter, but Jordan Cain started catching fire and used it to eliminate the Wildcats deficit. West Genesee would finish the game with several tries at the free throw line, and those points would help put Niskayuna away as the Wildcats win 61-55.
CLASS AAA: Foul Trouble doesn't stop Green Tech
Despite having four players with three fouls a piece midway through the second quarter, Green Tech was able to stay focused in their 55-49 win over Liverpool.
Haisi Mayben led Green Tech with 12 points, but was one of the four whose time on the court was limited after sustaining three early fouls. He would pick up his fourth, but continued to orchestrate, feeding Indavier Barnes for a huge three that helped set up Green Tech with the lead to close out the game.
U'Mier Graham was another player whose time was limited on the court after sustaining three early fouls, capping his production at 8 points.
Green Tech plays Section 9's Kingston at the COOL Insuring Arena Saturday afternoon at 12:30pm.
