Raiders Deny Stoners Sweep, Defend Overall Title

POTSDAM — Massena had already lost to Potsdam twice during the regular season. The Red Raiders were dealing with a key player out because of injury and trailing by nine points at halftime Friday.

It looked like a tall order for the Red Raiders to repeat as overall Section 10 champions Friday night at SUNY Potsdam's Maxcy Hall.

But Massena indeed elevated its game after intermission, and captured another title, 49-43 over Potsdam. The Red Raiders took their first lead of the night on a Trevor Bacon put-back with 2 minutes, 21 seconds left in regulation. Massena never trailed again as it completed a 15-2 run over the final 5:48 of play.

In the girls overall game, Malone cruised to another Section 10 title by defeating Ogdensburg Free Academy 55-36 at SUNY Potsdam.

MASSENA 49, POTSDAM 43

Massena knew if it stayed with Potsdam it had a shot at the championship.

"Our whole theme over the last few days was we've got to believe we can win," said Massena coach Tom Miller. "We were a little short handed with Brady (Condlin) out, but everyone else stepped up.

"My kids stayed around long enough, we stayed close enough to give ourselves a chance. In the fourth quarter we got some buckets, got a little momentum and we rode that momentum."

Trevor Bacon finished with game highs in both points with 15 and rebounds with 11.

"When we finally got the lead, it certainly gave us a lot of confidence," Bacon said. "With Brady out, everybody stepped up on the boards and I give all the credit to our defense. This means a lot to us, defending our title."

Massena (17-4) will be at Hudson Valley this coming Friday in the first round of the Class A state tournament where it will meet either Burnt Hills or Lansingburg. Those two teams will meet for the Section 2 championship Sunday.

Potsdam (20-2), which shot an uncharacteristic 29 percent from the field in the second half, will play either Mechanicville or Fonda of Section 2 or the Section 7 champion in the quarterfinals of the Class B state tournament next Saturday at Hudson Valley. The Sandstoners receive a bye in the first round.

"Potsdam is a great team, they're extremely well coached and I have a feeling they will win the state title. I know this is a tough loss for them," said Miller, who also received 15 points and seven rebounds from Taylor Elsner, and seven points and nine assists from J.P. Dumas.

For Potsdam, which led 27-18 at halftime but was outscored 31-16 after intermission, Scott Bartenstein hit a pair of 3-pointers in scoring 14 points. John Coleman tallied 12 points, five rebounds and three assists. Zach Adams contributed eight points and nine rebounds.

MALONE 55, OFA 36

In her 18-year association with the Malone girls basketball program, Shelley Skelly has coached some the best players and worked with some best teams in Section 10 history.

As a first year varsity coach, the longtime junior varsity mentor said she believes the Huskies execute defensively as well as any she has seen. The Huskies used that defensive diligence and the ability to manufacture mini scoring bursts from the perimeter as keys in recording a victory over OFA in the championship game.

Kelsey Johnson and Brittany Marshall, this season's NAC Central Co-MVPs, both scored eight points in the first quarter where the Huskies jumped out to a 22-5 lead. Sparked by seven points from Megan Morrison, the Devils cut the margin to 27-16 in the second quarter. But the Huskies buried three straight jumpers to open the third quarter and methodically cruised to their program's fourth overall title in five years and its 10th crown since 1996.

"These girls play defense as well any of the Malone teams I have seen in 18 years and they did a good job on defense all night," said Skelly after the 20-1 Huskies recorded their 18th straight win after a loss to Northeastern Clinton on Dec. 5.

"Our second quarter wasn't very good but we made nice adjustments," she said. "Offensively we moved the ball well and consistently good looks."

Johnson finished with 18 points, 15 rebounds, four steals and four assists to lead the winners. Marshall, who provided unceasing energy out of the backcourt, finished with 14 points and Sarah Lamica provided seven points in the low blocks.

"We did a lot of good things tonight but we just didn't box out well and when we play in the states on Tuesday we have to get out to a good start," said OFA coach Mark Henry who was happy with the way his team forced turnovers with its fullcourt press in the fourth quarter.

Morrison scored 18 points by converting from the outside off solid picks and driving to the goal with either hand for OFA (14-8-0), which saw a six-game win streak snapped.

SPECIAL SECTION 10 AWARDS

Prior to the game, several awards were presented by Section 10. The Betty Ahlfeld Sportsmanship Award went to Ashley Thayer of St. Lawrence Central on the girls side and to Taylor Davis of Edwards-Knox on the boys side. Other nominees were Mike Frohm of SLC and Zach Matthews of Chateaugay. Also recognized was the trio of Pat Casey, Jerry Smilgin and Roger Dusharm for 40 years of service as ticket-takers at Section 10 events. Neil Riggs and Wayne Willette were also honored as long-time ticket-takers......Another special award went to longtime basketball official David Vroman, who received the Golden Whistle Award from the New York State High School Basketball Coaches Association.