#11 Saranac Chiefs Vs #3 Pelham Pelicans Marxh 11th 2023

NYSPHSAA Boys Hockey Semi-Finals
battle for puck
Photo By: 
Kyle Coryea

Saranac's Landen Duprey (16) and Pelham's Reid Finster (21) battle for the puck along the boards. It was the first game of the NYSPHSAA Division II semi-finals. It would feature the #11 Saranac Chiefs from Section VII making their first appearance in the final four and the Pelham Pelicans from Section I and the defending state champions. The game would start off well for the defending champs as they would score just 2:16 into the game on the powerplay goal from Will Crotty for the 1-0 Pelicans lead. The Chiefs would answer back just about halfway through the period and tie the game at one on the Landon Giroux goal. Then just over four minutes later the Pelicans would regain their one-goal lead on the goal by Reid Finster for the 2-1 game. With just about thirty seconds left in the period, the Pelicans would extend their lead to 3-1 n the Joseph Vassalotti goal. The game would stay there till the 6:41 mark of the second period when the Pelicans would score on the Daniel Mitrione goal to make it a 4-1 game. The Chiefs would keep fighting and make it a two-goal game again at the 11:00 mark of the period on the Zack O'Connell goal to make it 4-2. Although the Pelicans would come back on fire after that and score 3 goals in the final five minutes of the period to take a commanding 7-2 lead on goals from Griffin Evans twice and Chris Franchini. Then in the third period with the game in hand, the Pelicans would let up and get the other kids in the game along with the Chiefs doing the same thing although the Pelicans would get one in the last minute of the period from James Vassakotti to secure the 8-2 win. In the winning effort, the Pelicans will advance to the championship against the winner of Salmon River and Skaneateles. In the losing effort, Joey Mitchell would make 44 saves on 52 shots as they finished their season at 13-8-2. Gallery

#8 Chatham Panthers Vs #1 Moriah Vikings March 5th 2023

NYSPHSAA Class C Boy's Basketball 1st Round
off the window
Photo By: 
Kyle Coryea

Moriah's Rowan Swan (5) charges in on the break and lays it off the window for the score. It would be the opening round of the NYSPHSAA Class C Tournament and would feature the #1 team in the state Moriah Vikings taking on number #8 Chatham Panthers from Clinton Community College. The game would start off well for the top team in the state as the Moriah Vikings would have a 15-9 lead after the first quarter. In the second quarter, the team's high pace would continue as the Panthers would cut into the lead slightly with a 10-9 quarter but the Vikings would still have the 27-19 lead as they enter the intermission. When the teams returned for the second half the tempo and pace would pick up right where it left off as the Panthers would have a 12-10 quarter to cut into the deficit a bit more as the Vikings would have the 37-31 lead as they enter the fourth quarter. In that fourth quarter the Panthers would come all the way back and tie the game up at 46 and then with 1.5 seconds on the clock Drew Wemple would hit the jumper for the win. As the Chatham Panthers would pull off the upset of the #1 team in the state with the 50-46 victory and will advance to the quarterfinals and take on the #23 Canton Golden Bears. Gallery

#7 Northeastern Clinton Cougars Vs #3 Greenwich Witches March 8th 2023

NYSPHSAA Class C Girl's Basketball First Round
layup
Photo By: 
Kyle Coryea

Northeastern Clinton's Bailee LaFountain (10) with the score on the layup as she charges down the lane for the score. It would be the first round of the NYSPHSAA Class C Tournament and it would be a matchup inside the top ten teams as the #7 Northeastern Clinton Cougars would take on the #3 Greenwich Witches for the right to head to the quarterfinals from Clinton Community College. The game would start off great for the #3 Greenwich Witches as they would race out to a 17-4 lead after the first quarter. In the second quarter, the Cougars would dust off the early game nerves and fight back into the game with a 15-4 quarter to trail by just 2 at the break 21-19. When the teams returned for the second half the Witches would find would get back on track and would expand their lead to ten points with a 19-11 quarter for the 40-30 lead as they enter the fourth quarter. In the fourth quarter, the Witches would be able to keep a spell on the Cougars with a 9-4 quarter for the 49-34 victory. With the win, the #3 Greenwich Witches would advance to the quarterfinals of the tournament and have a match-up with the #13 Canton Golden Bears with a ticket to the final four on the line. Gallery

#2 Crown Point Panthers Vs #1 Schroon Lake Wildcats March 5th 2023

Section VII Class D Boy's Basketball Championship
2023 Section VII Champions
Photo By: 
Kyle Coryea

The Schroon Lake Wildcats would be crowned the 2023 Section VII Class D champion with a 59-50 win over the Crown Point Panthers. It would be the last game of the championship Sunday from Clinton Community College as this would be for the Class D Section VII title and we would have the #1 Schroon Lake Wildcats and the #2 Crown Point Panthers. It would be tight through the first quarter but the #2 Crown Point would have the upset in mind as they would have the 16-13 lead after the first quarter. In the second quarter, the game would stay tight as neither team would be able to get on a sustained run but the Wildcats would win the quarter 16-13 and the teams would go into the break tied at 29. When the teams would return for the third quarter the game would stay tight but the Wildcats would get a bit of separation with a 13-9 quarter and take a 42-38 lead into the fourth. In that fourth quarter, the Wildcats would just have too much leave down the stretch for the Panthers as they would win the quarter 17-12 and get the 59-50 victory. With the win, the Schroon Lake Wildcats will advance to the NYSPHSAA Class D Tournament and will face North Warren from Section II for the right to go to the final four at the Cool Insuring Arena in Glens Falls. Gallery

#2 Boquet Valley Griffins Vs #1 Seton Catholic Knights March 5th 2023

Section VII Class D Girl's Basketball Championship
2023 Section VII Champions
Photo By: 
Kyle Coryea

The Seton Catholic Knights crowned the 2023 Section VII Class D champions with the overtime 43-37 victory over the Boquet Valley Griffins. It would be game three of championship Sunday and we would be back on the girl's side of the ball as the #1 Seton Catholic Knights would meet up with the #2 Boquet Valley Griffins to decide the winner of Section VII Class D action. The game would start odd good for the Knights as they would get off to the early lead as would double up the Griffins with a 16-8 lead after the first quarter. In the second quarter, the tables would flip and the Griffins would fight their way back in the game with good defense as they would win the quarter 8-4 but the Knights would have the 20-16 lead at the break. When the teams came back for the third quarter the Griffins would continue their comeback with an 11-8 quarter making it a one-point lead for the Knights at 28-27 as they enter the fourth quarter. In the fourth quarter the two teams would fight back and forth as they would battle for the crown and with under 5 seconds left in the game Abby Schwobel would score to tie the game at 34 and force overtime. In the overtime, the Knights would be just a bit more than the Griffins as they would win the frame 9-3 to secure the 43-37 victory. With the win, the Seton Catholic Knights advance to the NYSPHSAA Class D Tournament and will take on Notre Dame-Bishop from Section II for the right to head to the NYSPHSAA Final Four. Gallery

#2 Northern Adirondack Bobcats Vs #1 Moriah Vikings March 5th 2023

Section VII Class C Boy's Basketball Championship
2023 Section VII Champions
Photo By: 
Kyle Coryea

The Moriah Vikings have crowned the 2023 Section VII Class C champions with a 55-38 win over the Northern Adirondack Bobcats as they advance to the NYSPHSAA Class C Tournament. It would be the second game of championship Sunday for Section VII Basketball and this would be in Class C Boy's action as the #1 Moriah Vikings would take on the #2 Northern Adirondack Bobcats. The game would get off to a fast start, which would be good for the Moriah Vikings as they would double up the Bobcats in the first quarter and have a 22-11 lead. In the second quarter, the Vikings would continue to impress as they would pull away with a 14-5 quarter and have a 36-16 lead as they entered the halftime break. When the teams would return for the second half the Vikings would not show any let up as they would 11-10 quarter and take a commanding 47-26 lead into the fourth quarter. In that fourth quarter, the Vikings would let up and just coast the quarter as the Bobcats would win the quarter at 12-8 although the Vikings would hold on for the 55-38 victory. With the win, the Vikings will advance to the NYSPHSAA Class C Tournament and will play Chatham from Section 2 at Clinton Community College on March 8th with the winner getting Canton for the right to go to Final Four. Gallery

#2 Northeastern Clinton Cougars Vs #1 Northern Adirondack Bobcats March 5th 2023

Section VII Class C Girl's Basketball Championship
2023 Section VII Champions
Photo By: 
Kyle Coryea

The Northeastern Clinton Cougars would be crowned the 2023 Section VII Class C champions with a 49-29 victory over the Northern Adirondack Bobcats. It would be the opening game of championship Sunday for Section VII Basketball and it would feature the top two seeds from Class C on the Girl's side as the #2 Northeastern Clinton Cougars and the #1 Northern Adirondack Bobcats. The Cougars would get off to a quick start in the game and take a 14-3 lead after the first quarter. In the second quarter, the Bobcats would get their shot going although it wouldn't be good enough as the Cougars would have a 13-10 quarter and take a 27-13 lead into the intermission. When the teams returned for the third quarter the Cougars would stay hot and have a 14-9 quarter and take a 41-22 lead into the fourth. In that quarter the Cougars would fall back and use the clock to their advantage and have a 9-8 quarter for the 49-29 victory. With the win, the #7 Northeastern Clinton Cougars advance to the NYSPHSAA Tournament and will take on #3 Greenwich on March 8th in the opening round of the tournament. Gallery

#2 Cortland State Red Dragons @ #1 Plattsburgh State Cardinals March 4th 2023

NEWHL Women's Hockey Championship
2023 NEWHL Champions
Photo By: 
Kyle Coryea

The Plattsburgh State Cardinals have been crowned the 2023 NEWHL Champions for the fifth straight season. It would be the championship game of the Northeast Women's Hockey League and it would feature the #1 Plattsburgh State Cardinals hosting the #2 Cortland State Red Dragons for the right to go to the NCAA Tournament in front of a crowd of over 600 fans. It would be a tight and physical game through the first period and neither team would be able to turn the red lamp on and they would end the opening 20 where they started tied at zero. The Cardinals would finally get the opening goal of the game 2:23 into the second period when Ciara Wall would score on the rebound and give the Cardinals the 1-0 lead and that is where the game would remain for the rest of the period. Then on the powerplay, just 4:02 into the third Sara Krauseneck would score as she rushed the net to give the Cardinals the 2-0 lead. From there the Cardinal's defense would stand tall and hold on for the victory as they would only give up 16 shots in the game. In the winning effort, Ashley Davis would stand tall for another shutout as the Cardinals would capture their fifth straight NEWHL title and will wait and see if they get the overall number one seed in the tournament when the brackets are relieved Sunday evening. As for the Cortland Stand Red Dragons, their season will come to end at a record of 20-7. Gallery

#2 Saranac Lake Red Storm Vs #1 Beekmantown Eagles March 3rd 2023

Section VII Class B Girl's Basketball Semi-Finals
2023 Section VII Champions
Photo By: 
Kyle Coryea

The Beekmantown Eagles have crowned the 2023 Section VII Class B champion with a 58-50 win over the Saranac Lake Red Storm. It would be time for the Section VII Class B Boy's Basketball finals from Clinton Community College and it would feature the top two seeds as it would be the Saranac Lake Red Storm and the Beekmantown Eagles. It would be a high-scoring but tight game through the first quarter as the Eagles would have a 16-14 lead. The game would stay tight through the second quarter although the defenses would be on display for the quarter as the Saranac Lake Red Storm would win the quarter 8-6 and tie the game at 22 as the teams would enter halftime. When the teams returned for the third quarter the game would remain tight as the Eagles would win the quarter by a slim 12-11 score and take a 34-33 lead into the fourth quarter. In that fourth quarter, the Eagles would be just to much for the Red Storm as they would win the 24-17 and secure the 58-50 victory. In the winning effort, the Beekmantown Eagles would be crowned the 2023 Section VII Class B Boy's Basketball champions and will advance to the NYSPHSAA Tournament and take on the Section X representative next week. Gallery

#3 Ausable Valley Patriots Vs #1 Saranac Chiefs March 3rd 2023

Section VII Class B Girl's Basketball Semi-Finals
2023 Section VII Champions
Photo By: 
Kyle Coryea

The Saranac Chiefs are crowned the 2023 Section VII Girl's Basketball champions for the second year in a row with a 50-3 win over the Ausable Valley Patriots. It would be the first game of championship weekend for section vii basketball from Clinton Community College. It would feature the #3 Ausable Valley Patriots and the #1 Saranac Chiefs for the Class B Girls finals. The game would get off to a slow start for both teams as it would be just an 8-4 Chiefs lead after the first quarter. In the second quarter, the defenses would still be the name of the game as the Chiefs would win the quarter 9-2 and take the 17-6 lead at halftime. When the teams returned for the third quarter the offense would come out of the locker room with them although the Chiefs would still be on top with a 15-15 quarter and take a 32-21 lead into the fourth quarter. In the fourth quarter, it would be more of the same as the Chief's offense would be the name of the game with an 18-9 quarter. As the Saranac Chiefs would be crowned the 2023 Section VII Class B Girls Basketball champions with a 50-30 win and with the win they will advance to the New York State Public Athletic Association Tournament and will take on the Section X representative next weekend. Gallery

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