Schroon Lake’s Ian Pelkey turns to drive toward the basket after getting behind Seton’s Aiden Pearl. The Seton Catholic boys basketball team earned a postseason victory Wednesday with a 53-41 over Schroon Lake in the Class D semifinal.
The Knights looked to set the tone early, maintaining a lead through most of the first quarter led by 7 points from Ashton Guay, but a three-point shot from Carter Hart late in the quarter gave the Wildcats an 11-9 advantage at the first buzzer.
Seton pulled away in the second quarter, with Guay, Alex Coupal, and Aiden Pearl each scoring five or more as the Knights outscored the Wildcats 17-4 in the quarter.
The Knights expanded their lead in the third, as Pearl posted 8 points to nearly match Schroon Lake's team total of 9 in the frame. Isaiah Pelkey's 12-point fourth-quarter performance was unable to close the gap, and Seton sealed it for the home victory.
Guay led the Knights' scoring with 20 points, followed by Pearl's 18. Pelkey's late burst in the comeback attempt saw him end with 25 points in the game.
With the win, Seton advanced to the Class D final against Boquet Valley Saturday at Clinton Community College.
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Seton’s Alex Coupal (10) and Dominic Allen (33) reach for the rebound ahead of Schroon Lake’s Ian Pelkey (13) and Corbin Baker (35). Gallery

Northeastern Clinton's Darren Dubois (23) with the contested shot over Saranac's Justin Bedard (0) for the basket to keep his team in the front early. It would be game number 2 on the day for Saranac High School as the #1 Saranac Chiefs would host the #5 Northeastern Clinton Cougars in the Champlain Valley Athletic Conference Class B Semi-Finals and take on the winner of #2 Plattsburgh Hornets and #3 Saranac Lake Red Storm in finals on March 5th at Clinton Community College. The upset-minded Cougars would be in good shape after the first quarter with a quick sprint to a 19-12 lead. In the second quarter, the Chiefs would start pulling them back in with a 15-p quarter and trail 28-27 at the intermission. The third quarter when the teams came back would be an even quarter with nine points each making it 37-36 game headed to the fourth. In the fourth quarter, some clinch defense by the Cougars would lead to an 18-13 quarter and a 55-49 win for the Cougars. In the winning effort, the #5 Northeastern Clinton Cougars have earned a surprise spot in the championship against the #2 Plattsburgh Hornets at Clinton Community College. Gallery

Saranac's Justin Bedard (0) lays it off the window for the score as Northeastern Clinton's Aidan Creller looking for the rebound. Gallery

Peru's Samuel Godfrey (23) with the three from the corner as part of a game-high 17 point night. It would be a Champlain Valley Athletic Conference tilt as the host Peru Nighthawks would take on the Northeastern Clinton Cougars on a senior night for Peru. Although the seniors were honored before the game it would not be meant to be on this night as the Cougars would have a 25-19 lead at the half despite the best efforts by Nighthawks. When the teams would return for the second half the Nighthawks would try their best to stay in the game but the Cougars would have a 28-13 quarter and cruise to the 53-32 win. In the winning effort for the Cougars, Gillbo and Manor would lead the way 12 points as they go to 7-11 on the season. As for the Nighthawks, Samuel Godfrey would have a game of 17 points but it wouldn't be enough as they fall to 2-15 on the season. Gallery

Northeastern Clinton's Jordan Brown (2) looks to set up the play as he crosses the midcourt line as Peru's Nicholas Petro applies the defense. Gallery

Plattsburgh's Michael Phillips (2) with the long-range shot over the Huskies defender. It would be a non-conference affair as the Malone Huskies would travel to Plattsburgh and take on the Hornets for a little north country pride. The game would start off great for the home Hornets as they would jump out to a quick 23-8 lead after the first quarter. In the second quarter, the Huskies would start to get their stroke going and tie the Hornets for the quarter at 17 as the Hornets take a 40-25 lead into the intermission. When the teams returned for the third quarter both had made adjustments but it would be another fairly even quarter at 16-15 Huskies but the Hornets would still lead big at 55-41 as they head to the fourth quarter. In that fourth quarter, the Hornets would put the final touches on the Huskies with a 20-10 quarter and secure the 75-51 win. In the winning effort, the Hornets go to 9-3 and the Huskies fall to 6-3 on the season. Gallery

Malone's Evan Dumas (20) with the one-handed tip shot for the score to try and keep his team alive. Gallery

Peru's Dominic Falvo (15) charges in on the layup with the tight defense from Plattsburgh's Luke Goerlitz (23). It would be a Champlain Valley Athletic Conference matchup between crosstown rivals the Plattsburgh Hornets and the Peru Nighthawks. Before the game started the Hornets would honor their seven seniors on the team. The home Hornets would come out hot and breakout to a big lead with a 23-9 lead after the first quarter. In the second quarter, the Hornets would stay hot with a 15-7 quarter and take a 42-16 lead into the intermission. The third quarter would be the evenest quarter of the night as the Hornets would win the quarter at 15-12 and take a 57-28 lead into the fourth quarter. In that fourth quarter, the teams would still play tight but the early deficit was too much as the Hornets win the quarter 15-10 and secure the 72-38 victory. In the winning effort, the Hornets go to 8-3 while the Nighthawks fall to 2-11 on the season. Gallery

Plattsburgh's Ethan Mulholland (22) lays it off the window as he charges down the court on the breakway as Peru's Zack Engstrom (21) charges after. Gallery