COLD STREAK IN 3RD QUARTER SINKS POTSDAM IN N.Y. SEMIS

Potsdam's Chris Whispell dribble penetrates inside against Burke Catholic's Dante Cowart and Matt Cooney (12).  Potsdam led by as much as eight points in the second quarter.  However in the third period up 40-34, Potsdam went stone-cold from the field and the Eagles scored 13 straight points -- a run from which the Stoners did not recover.  The Sandstoners fell to Burke Catholic 70-59 in the New York State Class B semifinal.  Zach Adams brought his "A-Game" scoring 21 points and hauling in 13 rebounds, while John Coleman added 16 points and Chris Whispell finished his varsity career with 10 points.  Jeff Cochi led Burke with 19 points. 
(Jane Hobbs photo)  Game Gallery   Game Broadcast

Potsdam's Zach Adams skies over Burke Catholic's Matt Cooney who tries to draw the charge.  Adams scored 21 points for the Sandstoners.  The teams traded baskets for the first five minutes in an 8-8 opening.  Potsdam jumped ahead 15-10 to launch the second quarter and gained its biggest lead at 21-13 just two minutes later.  Burke Catholic responded by forging a 10-2 run in tying at 23-23 just before the half.  Burke's 13-0 run in a 2:00 spurt in the third quarter dipped Potsdam into a 47-40 hole from which they did not recover.
 

POTSDAM SOARS IN 2ND HALF TO EARN STATE FINAL 4 BERTH

POTSDAM 62, PLATTSBURGH 38
The Potsdam Sandstoners surged from a 25-21 lead at the half with 19-10 and 18-7 runs in the final two periods to turn back upset-minded Plattsburgh in the New York State Boys Class B quarterfinals at Hudson Valley Community College. Potsdam surged late in the third quarter with a 7-0 run to command an insurmountable 13-point lead, then added a 10-0 run to open the fourth quarter. Potsdam surged to as much as a 26-point lead in the final period. The Sandstoners advance to play Section IX Champion Burke Catholic in the State Final Four in Potsdam’s first appearance in seven years. Kyle Knight led Plattsburgh with 10 points.
 

BURNT HILLS STRUGGLES BACK TO BEAT MASSENA 39-31

Massena's Taylor Elsner (13) and Troy Meyers (22) battle for the ball with a Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake player.  The Red Raiders led 9-3 after the first quarter, but Burnt Hills took over the lead, 25-24, at the end of the third quarter.  Massena stayed within five points in the fourth quarter, but at a time when field goals were at a premium, Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake took advantage of free throws created by the need to foul in the final minute to put away the Red Raiders 39-31 in a highly- defensive game in the New York State Region II semifinals.  (Jeremy Smith photo)  Game Gallery

Massena's Trevor Bacon (51) disrupts a three-point shot.
 

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 10, 2010
N.Y.S. Class D Play-In Game
Chateaugay (X) 49, Crown Point (VII) 39
 

CHATEAUGAY BLOCKED FROM RETURN TO FINAL FOUR 56-48

GERMANTOWN 56, CHATEAUGAY 48
An 18-9 final quarter was the difference for the Germantown Clippers who blocked the Chateaugay Bulldogs from a fourth straight trip to the New York State Final Four with a 56-48 win in the New York State Class D Boys Basketball Quarterfinals. The Bulldogs entered the fourth quarter with a 39-38 lead and appeared to be poised to take command when they netted the first four points of the frame on buckets from Eli Franze and Jacob Layton. However, Germantown cranked up its defense to full force, took command with an 11-3 run and finished with an 18-5 surge. G’town’s Tom Griffin was the game’s high scorer with 22 points. Franze topped the Bulldogs with15 points, while Layton pumped in eight points and Eric Dwyer and Alex Stalter each dished in seven.
 

MAPLE HILL ROLLS IN 2ND HALF TO BEAT B-M IN REGION 2 SEMI

Brushton-Moira's Tim Tudor (23) reaches straight up while attempting to disrupt the shot from Maple Hill's Chris Despart (30).  Maple Hills pulled away from a close 38-35 halftime lead with a 12-2 run to open the second half.  The Panthers got back within six points midway through the third quarter, but that's as close as they would come the rest of the way.  Maple Hill defeated Brushton-Moira 79-58 to win the New York State Class C Region II semifinal game at SUNY Potsdam.  Despart finished with a game-best 22 points.  Brushton-Moira was led by Josh Sevey's 20 points and John Green's 11 points.  (Eric Foote photo)    Game Gallery    NCSN Game Broadcast

Brushton-Moira's Jason Aubrey with eight points contributed strongly on the boards, but the Panthers were unable to corral the Wildcats transition game after intermission.  Four Maple Hill players racked up double-digit nights/  David rigggs also netted 17 points, Sean Danaher dished in 15 and Jake asiewicz 13.
 

CHATEAUGAY BOYS ADVANCE BACK TO NEW YORK ELITE 8

CHATEAUGAY 49, CROWN POINT 39
Getting off to a good start was important in the New York State Region II semifinal on Wednesday and it propelled the Chateaugay Bulldogs back to the New York State quarterfinals after a 49-39 win over Section VII Champion Crown Point. Chateaugay jumped out to a quick 16-6 lead – a ten-point margin that they finished with. In a game in which the Bulldogs never trailed, Eli Franze knocked down, Jacob Layton added 12 points and Alex Stalter hauled in 10 rebounds to pace the winners who move on to face Section II champion Germantown next. John Budwick of Crown Point (16-6) led all scorers with 22 points.
 

 RAIDERS OUTLAST BULLDOGS IN SECTION X SEMIFINAL 57-50

Chateaugay’s Jacob Layton (11) scoots up to the hoop for a layup after driving past Massena’s Matt Jenack.  The Bulldogs battled back from a double-digit deficit to climb back within a point, 51-50, in the final 90 seconds.  However, Massena scored the game's final six points to win the Section X Overall Semifinal 57-50.  (Foote photo)  Game Gallery  Game Broadcast

Chateaugay’s Alex Stalter (20) reaches in trying to knock the ball from Massena’s Taylor Elsner (13).

By Bob LaRue, North Country SportsNet
A very spirited Chateaugay Bulldogs team claimed out of a 13-point first-half hole and clawed their way back to within a point in the final 90 seconds, before bowing to the Massena Red Raiders 57-50 in the Section X Overall Semifinals. Massena blew open a 21-10 lead after the first quarter of play, but a charged-up Bulldog defense forced several turnovers and outscored the Raiders 16-14 in the second frame. The Bulldogs trailed 35-26 at intermission. Eli Franze knocked down a key three-ball with two minutes to go to pull Chateaugay within two, but the Dogs only managed one point down the stretch as the Raiders rolled out the final six points. Massena’s Trevor Bacon led all scorers with 13 points. Taylor Elsner added 12, Matt Jenack hoisted two trifectas for 10 points and Jon Paul Dumas added 10. Masena lost the services of Brady Condlin in the second quarter for the balance of the game after severely spraining his left ankle on a drive to the hoop.  For Chateaugay, Alex Stalter dished in 11 points, while Ian Henderson also added 11, including three 3-pointers. Jacob Layton added nine points, Eric Dwyer contributed eight points and Eli Franze dropped in seven points. Massena advances to the Section X Championship game to face the Potsdam Sandstoners on Friday night. Chateaugay will play either Moriah or Crown Point from Section VII in the first round of the N.Y. State playoffs.
 

MASSENA UPSETS POTSDAM
TO REPEAT SECTION X TITLE

Massena students mob the Red Raiders basketball team just moments after they pulled off a 49-43 win over the top-seeded Potsdam Sandstoners to repeat as Section X Boys Basketball Champions.  Massena took advantage of Potsdam's scoring struggles in the final quarter, rebounding from a 41-34 deficit and outscoring the Sandstoners 15-2 in the final 5:48 of the contest.  Massena tied the game with 3:20 left in the game, then Trevor Bacon gave the Raiders their first lead with 2:27 left.
(Jordan Bond photo)   Game Gallery    NCSN Game Broadcast

Massena's J.P. Dumas (23) takes a pull-up jumper in the point.

By Bob LaRue, North Country SportsNet
With the daunting task of overturning two big losses to the Potsdam Sandstoners during the regular season, Massena Coach Tom Miller preached to his team in practice this week, "You gotta believe."  But after the team's leading scorer Brady Condlin went down with a severe ankle sprain and torn ligaments in the semifinals, "believing" might have gotten quite a bit harder.  But the Raiders never lost faith, even when the Stoners jumped to a 9-0 lead and shut down Massena for the first four minutes.  Even when Potsdam opened a brief double-digit lead in the first half and appeared ready to blow the game open, Massena kept it within reach with several mini runs. Potsdam led 27-18 at the half.  And even after Potsdam opened the second half going back to a double-digit lead, Massena still pushed back -- until the seemingly impossible happened.  The Sandstoners' steady scoring went dry and their often impenetrable defense faltered, leaving two wide-open looks including a wide-open putback for Trevor Bacon, that gave the Raiders' comeback renewed life.   Massena surged back to within two points, 36-34, to open the fourth quarter only to have Potsdam force the Raiders back with a five-point run capped by Scott Bartenstein’s three-pointer with 5:48 to go. But it was Potsdam’s last hurrah. Two minutes and seven straight points later, Massena tied the contest on a bucket by Taylor Elsner. Trevor Bacon, who led the Raiders wiht 15 points and 11 boards, got a put-back with 2:27 remaining to give Massena its first lead of the game – and they never gave it back. The Raiders completed an improbable 15-2 run in the final 5:48 of play to snatch a 49-43 upset win. Elsner also finished with 15 points and seven rebounds. Dumas dished nine assists along with his seven points. Bartenstein led Potsdam with 14 points, while John Coleman added 12 points, five boards and three assists. Massena will meet either Burnt Hills or Lansingburg in the New York State opening round playoff. Potsdam will face either Mechanicville, Fonda or the Section VII champion in the state quarterfinals.

 

POTSDAM HALTS O.F.A.'S RUN OF 7 TITLES WITH 69-41 WIN

Potsdam's Josh Adams draws a triple team of Ogdensburg players, but still manages to hang onto the ball and fire off a bucket.  Potsdam went on to defeat the Blue Devils 69-41 and end O.F.A.'s string of seven straight Section X Class B titles with a 69-41 victory. (Bob LaRue photo) 
   Game Gallery    NCSN Game Broadcast

Ogdensburg's Jarod Morrow (13) rises for a shot against against Adams. 

By Bob LaRue, North Country SportsNet
After fashioning a 32-22 halftime lead, Potsdam's stingy defense kicked the transition game into high-scoring gear with a 17-2 run in the middle of the third quarter to rip open a 57-30 lead, en route to a 69-41 victory over the Ogdensburg Blue Devils in the Section X Class C Championship.  While Potsdam already had Ogdensburg on the ropes in early the third quarter, O.F.A. top scorer Gene Bouyer took two quick fouls and without him in the game for the next several minutes, the Sandstoners capitalized by opening a 27-point lead by the end of the quarter. Coach Steve Kmack in NCSN’s post-game interview commented, "A 10-point halftime lead meant nothing so we were looking for a chance to expand it. We pressed, got some steals and just took off."  Potsdam was led by four players in double-figures: Scott Bartenstein’s game-high 19 points, Chris Whispell with 17 points, Jon Coleman with 15 and Zach Adams with 12 points. Bouyer finished his high-school career with 17 points and 16 rebounds. Owen Luckie added eight points. Potsdam’s stingy defense limited the quality shots for the Blue Devils, who shot just 15- for-50 from the field. The Blue Devils finished their season at 15-5, including a ranking of 20th in the state this week.

During the championship, the Potsdam Sandstoner mascot displays a giant head display of Potsdam Coach Steve Kmack.
 

CANTON BEARS ROAR BACK TO ELIMINATE SALMON RIVER 52-41

As they sped up the court, Canton's Ben Koser (10) tried to contain Salmon River guard Bill Benko after a hot first quarter.  Benko scored 30 points, but Canton clawed its way back from an 11-point deficit with a 22-6 run before the half.  Canton beat Salmon River 52-41 in the play-in round of Class B playoffs. 
(Joe Reome photo)   Game Gallery  NCSN Playoff Broadcast

Canton's Tyler Thomas, Salmon River's Travis Thompson and Shamrock Jon Bigness scramble for a loose ball.  After the Shamrocks jumped to a 15-4 lead late in the first quarter, the Golden Bears to gain a 26-21 halftime advantage.  Canton opened a 13-point lead in the third quarter, only to have Salmon River crawl back to within a bucket.  But Thomas led the final Bears' surge to victory, with a team-best 20 points  The Bears owned the middle of the game, outscoring Salmon River 31-12 in the middle two periods. 
 

LUCKIE & BOUYER LEAD O.F.A. COMEBACK VS. GOUVERNEUR

Gouverneur's Alex Bush (55) tries to break double-team pressure of Ogdensburg's Owen Luckie and Jarrid Morrow in the front court.  The Wildcats held the advantage most of the first half and a seven-point lead at intermission.  However, Luckie and Gene Bouyer each scored 15 points and O.F.A. outscored Gouverneur 17-10 in the fourth en route to a 50-40 victory in the Section X Class B semifinals and a berth into the Class B final vs. Potsdam.  (Chris Engel photo)   Game Gallery

With his high school career potentially on the line, the section’s top scorer, Gene Bouyer (10) stepped up play with Owen Luckie for a combined 30 points. David Crowder chipped in 11 points for #2-seeded Ogdensburg. Gouverneur led most of the first half, outscoring the Blue Devils 17-9 in the second quarter and overtaking O.F.A. 26-19 at the half. In the third frame, the Blue Devils overpowered Gouverneur 14-4 to regain control of the contest and ensured victory with a 17-10 closing quarter. Gouverneur’s Marco Carbone led all scorers with 16 points, while Lee French delivered 14 more. The third-seeded Wildcats finished their season at 5-12 overall.
 

POTSDAM ELIMINATES CANTON IN DOMINATING FORM 59-15

Potsdam's Zack Adams (44) stops and pops for a jumper below the foul line. Potsdam built a 24-point lead at halftime (34-10) and cruised to a 59-15 win over Canton in the Section X
Class B semifinals.  Adams led Potsdam with 15 points while John Coleman fired in 10 points. (Engel photo)  Game Gallery

Canton's Brandon Bartley (23) struggles with a Potsdam double team at midcourt as John Coleman (22) and Scott Bartenstien (23) force the Golden Bear ball handler into a trap. Potsdam's defense held Canton to 10 first half points as the Stoners earned a spot in the Class B Finals. A dominating 23-6 run in the second quarter powered top-seeded Potsdam over #4-seeded Canton 59-15. Canton wrapped up their season at 4-15 overall.
 

BRUSHTON-MOIRA RECLAIMS
"C" TITLE VS. TUPPER LAKE

Brushton-Moira's Josh Sevey (21) takes the ball to the rack against Tupper Lake's Matt Deschene (3).  The #3-seeded Brushton-Moira Panthers led by 12 points with four minutes remaining, but had to fight off a furious Tupper Lake comeback that drew the Jacks within three points at 42-39 in the final minute.  (Chris Engel photo)    Game Gallery 
NCSN Broadcast of the Class C Championship

Tupper Lake defenders attempt to snap a triple-team trap against Brushton-Moira's Nick Debyea (34) during the first half of the Class C title game.  (Bob LaRue photo)

By Bob LaRue, North Country SportsNet
Despite a scare in the final three minutes, the Brushton-Moira Panthers were able to fend off a late Tupper Lake run to seal a 46-39 win to claim the Section X Class C Championship. Tupper Lake gained the first lead in the game and appeared to have the Panthers on the run early, but tenacious man-to-man defense forced the Lumberjacks into a series of tough shots and turnovers, allowing Brushton-Moira to take a 16-10 lead in the middle of the second quarter. The Lumberjacks reversed the game flow before the end of the first half when Jacob Klossner slashed along the baseline for a two-pointer, then followed with a three-ball in the final seconds to lift the Panthers back within three points before intermission.  However that would be as close as the Jacks would come. Adrian Martin scored all six of his points in the third quarter to lead an 11-4 run after intermission that proved to be too much for Tupper Lake to overcome. Klossner brought the Jacks back to within one possession at 42-39 late in the fourth frame when he drained a three-pointer from the corner, but the Panthers shut down the Tupper Lake offense the rest of the way. Senior guard Josh Sevey led Brushton-Moira with 17 points, including four foul shots buried in the closing minute to seal a 46-39 victory over the fourth-seeded Lumberjacks. B-M's Jason Aubrey added seven points. Klossner netted a game-best 19 points, including 7-for-8 from the free-throw line. Nick O'Neill added nine points. The Jacks finished their season at 7-10 overall.
 

B-M PANTHERS SURVIVE O.T. BATTLE WITH N-N FLYERS 58-55

Norwood-Norfolk's Jesse Williams (5) crosses over his dribble to scoot through the Brushton-Moira defense while teammate Jared Pollock sets up for a possible low-post entry pass.  After the Flyers came back to tie in the final seconds of regulation, BM's Josh Sevey delivered eight points in overtime for a game-best 27 points in the Panthers 58-55 overtime win in the Class  semifinals.  (Mike Donnelly photo) 
Game Gallery   NCSN Game Broadcast

Norwood-Norfolk's Andrew Stone (34) skies over Brushton-Moira's John Green (30) for a shot from the foul line.  The Flyers overcame a slow start in the opening minutes when sixth-man Jesse Williams delivered six quick points to help forge a 16-11 lead after the first quarter.  Williams finished with 17 points, while Pat Durant added 12.  However, Brushton-Moira's pressure defense reversed the lead with an 18-4 run in the second quarter with John Green delivering six of his 12 points.  The Flyers bounced back, outscoring the Panthers
17-6 in the third frame and restoring N-N to a 37-35 lead.  The Panthers opened the fourth quarter outgunning the Flyers 9-2, forcing the Flyers to scramble for two quick baskets in the final minute to force overtime.  The Flyers finished the season 10-8.
 

CHATEAUGAY FENDS OFF M-W JACKETS 65-48 IN "D" SEMIFINAL

Chateaugay's Alex Stalter (20) protects the basketball against the long reach of Madrid-Waddington's Quinn Shoen (50) for the two points.  Stalter pounded down 23 points, while Ian Henderson splashed six three-pointers and a total of 20 points all in the second half to propel the Bulldogs past Madrid-Waddington 65-48 in the Section X Class D semifinals.  Alex Brock led the Yellow Jackets with 19 points while Jordan Kendall dished in 10 points.  (Mike Webb photo)  Game Gallery
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Chateaugay's Eric Dwyer (15) looks for a passing angle against Madrid-Waddington's Zach Marcellus.  Madrid-Waddington's defense gave the Bulldogs fits in the second quarter, erasing a 13-0 deficit at the start of the game to climb back to within two points, 22-20 at the half.  After a quick exchange of baskets to start the second half, the Bulldogs used screens to free up Henderson to bury six trifectas and, with it, the Jackets' hopes of unsetting the three-time State Final Four entrant.   Madrid-Waddington finished 13-7 overall.
 

M-W JACKETS BATTLE PAST HEUVELTON IN QUARTERFINAL

Madrid-Waddington's Zach Marcellus still maintain his dribble while Heuvelton's Allen Ashley (34) leaps over him, after getting knocked down in a scramble for the ball.
(Bob LaRue photo)  Game Gallery  NCSN Game Broadcast

Heuvelton's Andrew Ross tries to regain control of the basketball as he falls against the scrappy Jacket defense.

By Bob LaRue, North Country SportsNet
Madrid-Waddington forward Quinn Shoen stood tall with 17 points and nine rebounds, while Jordan Kendall splashed 11 points and snatched five takeaways as the #4-seeded Yellow Jackets chased the Heuvelton Bulldogs from the Section X Class D playoffs with a 53-35 win.  After a 26-26 deadlock at intermission, Madrid-Waddington led by as much seven points (45-38) in the second half, only to have Heuvelton rally to tie.  The Jackets scored the game's final five points to win 50-45 in the Section X Class D quarterfinals at SUNY Potsdam.  The Jackets will get a rematch with top-seed Chateaugay in the semifinals. Heuvelton’s David Putman led all scorers with 18 points. The Bulldogs finished the season at 13-7 overall.
 

H-D DEMONS PULL AWAY FROM ST. REGIS 53-35 IN Q-FINALS

St. Regis Falls' Matt Bishop underhands a pass to escape a double-team trap from Hermon-DeKalb's Connor Whitton (4) and Chris Wentzel (34).  The #7-seeded Saints climbed to within five points at halftime, but the second-seeded Demons turned up the defensive heat in the decisive third quarter to build a 17-point lead en route to a 53-35 win in the Section X Class D quarterfinals. (Chris Engel photo)  Game Gallery

St. Regis Falls' Taylor Artus (24) gets a slim angle to fire off a shot past Hermon-DeKalb's Dylan Amo (5) and Chris Wentzel.

Details from Chris Engel, North Country SportsNet
The Hermon-DeKalb Green Demons started off their Class D quarterfinal on an 18-6 run and held off the St. Regis Falls Saints 53-35 at Potsdam High School. H-D’s Jon Peters and Connor Whitton combined for 13 first-quarter points, but the Demons were forced to live on just two free throws for scoring in the second quarter, while the Saints regrouped and closed to within five points by halftime. Peters knocked down six more points in the third quarter to help the Demons restore a 17- point advantage in the third quarter. Peters finished with 16 points, while Whitton and Dylan Amo also contributed 10 points each. Alex Wenner paced the Saints with 10 points.
 

3RD-QUARTER SURGE POWERS E-K COUGARS PAST HAMMOND

Edwards-Knox’s Ben Rulffes dives to the floor for a loose ball along with Hammond’s Griff Stark-Ennis (red).  A decisive 26-5 third-quarter run thrust the sixth-seeded Cougars to a 65-42 win over #11 Hammond in the opening round of the Section X Class D playoffs. David Bullock pumped in 18 points, while Ben Fuller added 17 for the Cougars. Stark-Ennis led the Red Devils with 15 points.  (Eric Foote photo)  Game Gallery
 

M-W JACKETS TURN BACK CLIFTON-FINE IN OPENER 57-42

By Bob LaRue, North Country SportsNet
Madrid-Waddington’s Jordan Kendall was held to just three points before intermission, but exploded for 17 points in the second half to carry the Yellow Jackets to a 57-42 win over the upstart Clifton-Fine Eagles in the opening round of the Section X Class D Playoffs. M-W’s Quinn Shoen had a steady game chipping in 11 points, hauled down 17 boards and rejected five shots. Tim Fetterhoff led Clifton-Fine with 12 points, while Seruando Provost added 10 for the Eagles who closed the season at 1-18. Madrid-Waddington advances to the quarterfinals on Saturday to play fifth-seeded Heuvelton.
 

HEUVELTON ELIMINATES P-H PANTHERS IN 66-30 DUNKING

Parishville-Hopkinton’s Eric Zellwegger (10) attempts a mid- range jumper over Heuvelton’s Zach Limoges (25).  David Putman tallied 17 points to jettison the fifth-seeded Bulldogs past the #12- seeded Parishville-Hopkinton Panthers in the opening round of the Section X Class D playoffs. The Bulldogs also received a dozen points each from Alan Ashley and Zach Limoges. Eric Zellweger scored 13 points to lead the Panthers who closed the season at 2-17.  (Foote photo)  Game Gallery
 

CHATEAUGAY WINS 5TH TITLE
IN ROW BEATING E-K COUGARS

Edwards-Knox guard John Davison dives out after a loose ball,  after tipping it away against top-seeded Chateaugay.  The #6-seeded Cougars challenged defending champion Chateaugay into the final minute, drawing as close as seven points, but the Bulldogs emerged with their fifth-straight Section X Class D Championship with a 50-42 win.   (Bob LaRue photo)
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Edwards-Knox's Simon White (35) tries to fight off
a defender on his way to the hoop.

By Bob LaRue, North Country SportsNet
The Edwards-Knox Cougars challenged defending champion Chateaugay into the final minute, drawing as close as seven points, but the top-seeded Bulldogs came away with their fifth-straight Section X Class D Championship and a return to the New York State playoffs with a 50-42 win over sixth-seeded Edwards-Knox. The Cougars surged for eight straight points – including five points from Ben Fuller and two foul shots from Simon White in the second quarter – and went into the intermission with a 20-19 lead. However, after the teams split the first buckets of the second half, Chateaugay went on a 21-11 tear in what proved to be the decisive third quarter. Ian Henderson, who for the second game in a row was scoreless at the half, proved his shooting touch beyond the arc again with three trifectas that helped the Bulldogs jet out to a 38-24 lead with 2:46 left in the third. The Cougars climbed to within seven points, 46-39, but that was their last real threat at the lead. Alex Stalter led the Bulldogs with 12 points. Henderson and Eli Franze each tallied nine point. Michael Boyea celebrated his birthday with eight points and five assists. Eric Dwyer collected nine rebounds. Jon Davison led E-K with 11 points, while Ben Fuller added 10 points. The Cougars finished the season at 15-7, after snapping a 10-game winning streak with the loss.
 

EDWARDS-KNOX UPSETS H-D DEMONS IN SEMIFINAL 58-48

Edwards-Knox’s Ben Fuller (10) battles his way up between Hermon-DeKalb’s Trevor Stott (40) and Dylan Amo (5) for a tough shot in the first half of their Section X Class D semifinal.  Simon White tallied 10 points while Ben Fuller and Ryan Meilleur each added nine points in a balanced Cougars attack as #6-seeded Edwards-Knox pulled away in the fourth quarter to upset second-seeded Hermon-DeKalb 58-48.  It was the second straight year the Cougars have upset the Demons in the Sectional semifinals.  (Eric Foote photo)   Game Gallery   NCSN Game Broadcast

Hermon-DeKalb’s Jon Peters make a pass reaching around Edwards-Knox’s David Bullock.  The Cougars jumped out to an 11-4 lead in the first quarter, before the H-D Demons went on a 16-12 tear.  However, the Cougars surged back and closed the gap to within a point at the half, 23-22. After an initial trade of baskets to start the second half, the Cougars' defense took charge.  Jon Davison's scrappy efforts at the top of the E-K defense forced several steals and bad passes that disrupted the Demon offense.  The Cougars outscored H-d 12-7 and 14-8 over the final two periods.  Connor Whitton scored 10 points to lead the Demons who finished the season at 16-4 overall.
 

E-K COUGARS SCORE FINAL 14 POINTS TO STUN LISBON 52-49

Edwards-Knox's Ben Rulffes (21) uses a screen at the top of the lane to fights off his defender, Lisbon's Josh Crawford, for penetration to the hoop.  Trailing 49-38 midway through the fourth quarter, the 6th-seeded Cougars rallied to score the final 14 points of the contest and stung the #3-seeded Golden Knights 52-49 in the Section X Class D quarterfinals. David Bullock and Ben Fuller each scored 12 points to lead the Cougars.  (Chris Engel photo)   Game Gallery

Lisbon's Josh Crawford (14) attempts to draw a charge
against Edwards-Knox's Taylor Davis.

By Chris Engel, North Country SportsNet
The sixth-seeded Edwards-Knox Cougars advance to the Class D semifinals for the second consecutive year as the lower seed in upsetting the Lisbon Golden Knights 52-49. Lisbon led 49-38 with 5;07 to play, but went stone cold from the field and the foul line for the rest of the game. Meanwhile, the Cougars’ David Bullock hit a layup with 60 seconds to play to give Edwards-Knox their first lead of the game. Jon Davidson knocked down two free throws down the stretch to seal the win. Edwards-Knox went 12-for-14 from the foul line in the fourth quarter. Bullock and Ben Fuller each scored 12 points in the contest. Ryan Akins led all players with 18 points and Eric Mehaffey chipped for 12 points for Lisbon.  The Cougars advance to play Hermon-DeKalb in the semifinals.  Lisbon closes its season at 14-5 overall.
 

ON-FIRE CHATEAUGAY OUSTS HARRISVILLE IN QUARTERFINAL

Chateaugay's Alex Stalter (20) challenges Harrisville guard Alec Weir on the dribble in the back court, while teammate Jacob Layton sneaks up from behind for a takeaway.   Weir led Harrisville with 13 points. Ian Henderson buried 20 points, including five three-pointers, as the top-seeded Bulldogs took control from the opening tap in eliminating the 8th-seeded Harrisville Pirates 76-38 in the Section X Class D quarterfinals  at SUNY Potsdam.   (Chris Engel photo)   Game Gallery

On a rebound, Chateaugay's Michael Boyea gets tied up by Harrisville's Alec Weir.  Eli Franze also pumped in 13 points for Bulldogs. Jason Thomas fired in 11 points for the Pirates who finished their season at 9-11 overall.
 

ST. REGIS FALLS' DEFENSE STYMIES ROCKETS IN OPENER

St. Regis Falls center Billy LaBounty (32) swipes the ball away on an inside hook shot from Morristown's James King (23).  King scored a game-high 15 points, but the Saints executed its zone defense to near perfection against the Rockets on Wednesday and turned several steals into transition points.  SRF's Matt Bishop and Taylor Artus both scored 14 points, while Ryan Susice pitched in 12 points in the Saints' 60-39 win in the opening round of the Section X Class D playoffs. 
(Randy Parker photo)   Game Gallery   NCSN Game Broadcast
 

HARRISVILLE ADVANCES BY BEATING C-P COLTS IN OPENER

By Bob LaRue, North Country SportsNet
The eighth seeded Harrisville Pirates cruised to a 51-24 win over the Colton-Pierrepont Colts in the opening round of the Section X Class D playoffs. The Pirates’ Jason Thomas led all scorers with 17 points, while Alex Weir delivered 13 points. Mike Reilly popped in 13 points to lead the Colts who finished their season at 2-14. The Pirates’ quarterfinal matchup will be against top-seeded Chateaugay Saturday at SUNY Potsdam.
 

MASSENA SURGES IN 3RD QTR. TO OVERTAKE MALONE 62-52

  Section X Class A Champions: Massena Red Raiders
(Eric Foote photo)  Game Gallery    NCSN Game Broadcast

Malone’s Austin Dunlavey (55) knocks down the shot while climbing over Massena’s Troy Myers (21).  Massena had a difficult time containing the Huskies' 26-point scorer, who netted 15 points in the first half.
 

Massena’s Troy Myers (21) dives out and over Malone’s
Danny Hyde as both players dove for the loose ball.

By Bob LaRue, North Country SportsNet
In a hard-fought battle, the Massena Red Raiders won the Section X Class A Championship for the fourth consecutive year by clawing back from an 11-point deficit, 39-28 in the third quarter and scored the next 12 straight points to vault into a 40-39 lead.  Malone held its last lead at 50-49 with 3:30 remaining in the game after Joey Tousignant splashed a three-pointer, but the Raiders outscored the Huskies 13-2 the rest of the way. Troy Myers gave the Raiders the lead for good on a layup just seconds later. The Raiders pounced head on a J.P. Dumas steal, Brady Condlin layup and Matt Jenack's three-pointer. Massena went on to defeat the Malone Huskies 62-52.   Condlin paced Massena with 22 points, while Jenack chipped in 11. Malone was led by Austin Dunlavey’s game-high 26 points and Jared Heden’s 12 points.  Massena advances to the state regional playoffs on March 12th-13the in the Albany region.