Salmon River Falls in NY Semis; Canton, Massena, Hammond Bow

SALMON RIVER SEASON ENDS IN LOSS IN STATE SEMIFINAL

By Bob LaRue, North Country SportsNet
Early turnovers dug a hole that Salmon River was not able to escape in falling to Section V Champion Waterloo 65-53 in the New York State Girls Class B semifinals at Hudson Valley Community College in Troy. The Section X-Region II Champions kept the game close early 8-8, but then a 6-0 run provided the Indians with a margin they would not relinquish the rest of the way. The Shamrocks reduced the margin to five points twice with runs in the second half, but Waterloo’s height advantage in Lindsay Johnson and Lauren Deming caused rebounding issues, while the Salmon River defense was unable to protect against Johnson’s inside flashes for a game-best 26 points. Chelsea Steinruck did damage from the outside with a diet of three-pointers totaling 15 points that thwarted Salmon River runs. For Salmon River, Aliyea Cook led the way with 15 points. Kwiio King and Abby Kelly tossed in 11 points and Jaiden Mitchell scored 10 points. Salmon River notched seven scores from beyond the arc, including two each by Mitchell and Taylor Francis. Salmon River closed its dream-season run to the State Final Four with a 17-7 record.  Game Gallery   Game Telecast

Lone Survivor: Shamrocks Outslug Watervliet 73-65

Salmon River’s Abby Kelly dribbles hard away from a Watervliet player. The Shamrocks, Section X's last basketball survivor, earned their first trip to the State Final Four since 1982 by outdueling Watervliet 73-65.  (Eric Foote photo)  Game Gallery
 

By Bob LaRue, North Country SportsNet
When the dust settled from Saturday’s five state basketball quarterfinal games involving Section X hopefuls, the Salmon River Lady Shamrocks were the only team with a ticket to the New York State Final Four. The Section X Class B Champions defeated defending state champion Watervliet 73-65 to earn a berth to Hudson Valley Community College on Friday, March 15th. The victory gave Salmon River its first berth in the New York State Semifinals since 1982, when current coach Karen Francis was wearing a Shamrock uniform. Shamrock Abby Kelly led one of the most entertaining local girls basketball games in recent memory in a breakout performance for the Shamrocks. Kelly scorched the nets for 35 points, including 18-for-20 from the free-throw stripe, nearly countering a whopping 39-point game Watervliet’s Ailayia Demand. However with Vliet down by a point with a minute remaining, Demand stole the ball and took driving layup to the rack for the lead, but was called for an offensive foul and was disqualified for her fifth personal. With 32 seconds left, Aliyea Cook snagged a rebound on one of Kelly’s two missed free throws in the game and was fouled on the put-back. Cook, who finished with 17 points, knocked down both free throws to advance Salmon’s lead to four points and virtually locking up the win for the Shamrocks who improved to 17-6. The Cannoneers closed their season at 21-3.

Argyle Controls Hammond Quickly in N.Y. Quarterfinal

Hammond's Courtney Bova is forced to go left while heavily guarded in the New York State Region II final vs. Fort Edward. The Flying Forts got off to a flying start with a 20-6 opening quarter to derail Section X Champion Hammond's bid for another return to the New York State Final Four 64-45.

Hammond's Gabby Marshall (11) takes care of the basketball Saturday's New York State Class D Region II Championship.  Hammond fell 64-45.  (Photo Courtesy Todd Smith)
 

By Bob LaRue, North Country SportsNet
The Section II Champion Fort Edward Flying Forts got off to a flying start with a 20-6 opening quarter to derail the Section X Champion Hammond Red Devils’ bid for another return to the New York State Final Four, downing the third-ranked Devils 64-45 in the State Region II championship game. The top-ranked Forts remained unbeaten at 23-0 behind 25 points from Taylor Boucher, who notched 18 of those points in the first half. Fort Edward dominated through three quarters 53-25. Hammond’s lead scorer, Alyssa Crosby dropped in 17 points. Forward Emily Bush tossed in eight points, while shooting guard Gabby Marshall closed out with seven points.

 CANTON BEARS' CELEBRATED SEASON ENDS IN STATE LOSS

By Bob LaRue, North Country SportsNet
Canton’s first season as Central Division champions and Section X Class C Champions since 1977 came to a close with a 44-25 loss to Section II and defending state champion Hoosic Valley in the New York State Region II semifinals at Adirondack Community College. Cassidy Chapko, a candidate for Ms. Basketball New York State, netted 22 points, hauled in 10 rebounds, swiped seven steals and dished out four assists. Canton was led by Emma Redford’s 15 points. The Golden Bears’ season came to a close at 19-3 overall. Hoosic Valley advances to state quarterfinal play to take on Section VII’s AuSable Valley on Saturday at SUNY Plattsburgh.

Canton Girls Win First Section X Title Since 1977

anton Lady Bears celebrated their first Section X Girls Basketball Championship in 36 years. The Golden Bears pulled out of a 16-6 first-half hole to take a 23-21 lead just before the half, then endured a tight second half in holding off the Salmon River Shamrocks 51-47 for the overall championship win.  (Cody Jenne photo)  Game Gallery  NCSN Broadcast

Canton’s Rachel Sanderson (3) takes a shot while facing defense from Salmon River’s Aliyah Cook (15).
 

By Bob LaRue, North Country SportsNet
Two teams with too long championship droughts, the Canton Golden Bears and the Salmon River Shamrocks, met for the Section X Overall Championship on the basketball battlefield that is SUNY Potsdam’s Jerry Welsh Gymnasium. The Bears had not seen championship hardware in 36 years, while the Shamrocks have not a tasted championship win since 1982. For the rising Class C Champion Golden Bears, the frustration ended at the end of a taut, suspenseful 32-minute drama 51-47. For the Class B Champion Shamrocks, it marked the third straight overall title appearance without an overall crown. Salmon River opened with a 9-2 advantage and extended the lead to 16-6 lead when Taylor Francis knocked down a long three-pointer with 2:03 remaining in the first quarter, before the Golden Bears started to claw back. Canton scored the final four points of the frame to cut the deficit to 16-10. Canton turned up the pressure and finally drew even when Emily Pinckney angled up for a layup to tie the game 19-19 with 2:05 left in the second quarter. Kali Frank put the Bears ahead for the first time in the game on the next offensive run, with less than a minute to go. Aliyea Cook tied the game on a bucket for the Shamrocks, before Emily Rexford hit Frank for a buzzer beater to take a 23-21 lead at the half. The teams exchanged buckets to open the third quarter, before Emily Redford’s three-pointer that put Canton ahead 28-25. Francis’s three-pointer with 1:10 remaining brought the Shamrocks within a point, 33-32. Salmon River tied the game, 35-all, when Sam Ghostlaw threw down a three-pointer less than a minute into the fourth quarter. The Shamrocks took the lead moments later when Cook struck for two more points. Canton answered as Rexford’s three-ball put the Bears back on top 38-37. Abby Kelly hit a key three-pointer for the shamrocks tying the game 42-42 with 3:05 left. Frank answered with a three-pointer for the Bears nine seconds later. The game was tied again 47-47 with 47 seconds remaining when Kelly hit the second of two free throws. Canton restored the lead for good when Redford’s two pointer put the Bears ahead 49-47. Frank drained two free throws with 7.7 seconds left to seal the 51-47 victory. Tori Daley led Canton with 18 points, while Redford totaled 13. Kelly led Salmon River with 18 points. Both teams move on to New York State playoff action. Canton will travel to Section II for an evening game on Tuesday, March 5th. Salmon River draws a first-round bye and will host the Section II vs. Section VII winner on Saturday, March 9th at 1:15 p.m. at SUNY Potsdam.

SHAMROCKS DOWN HAMMOND in Overall SemiFINAL 50-35

Hammond’s Brianne Langtry (34) gets tangled up with Salmon River’s Taylor Francis (22) for a held ball. Salmon River went on an 8-0 run early in the second quarter to open a 20-10 lead. Abby Kelly scorched the net for 20 of her 24 points in the first half to lead the Shamrocks to a 50-35 win in the Section X overall semifinals.  Game Gallery  NCSN Broadcast

Taylor Francis (22) bounds up for a shot, but is fouled by Hammond’s Hailey Ogden.   (Camron Waters photos)

Hammond NIPs Heuvelton For Class D Title 43-40

Section X Class D Champions Hammond Red Devils. Hammond overcame a strong fourth quarter challenge by the Heuvelton Bulldogs to repeat the title. Heuvelton took a 38-37 lead with 1:17 left in the game, but Alyssa Crosby took over, pouring in 28 points to guide the Red Devils in the closing minutes of the contest.  Game Gallery  NCSN Broadcast

Heuvelton’s Lexi Weidner (23) twists up for a one-handed shot past Hammond’s Alyssa Crosby (23).  (Cody James photo)
 

By Bob LaRue, North Country SportsNet
The Heuvelton Bulldogs took the lead with 1:17 remaining, but Hammond would close out the game on 6-2 run late in the fourth quarter as the Red Devils went on to repeat as Class D Champions 43-40.  In a tight defensive struggle in which missed offensive opportunities seemed magnified,  Alyssa Crosby stood out as missing few takes and led all scorers with 28 points in the win for the Red Devils.  When the game was on the line, Crosby ramped up her scoring with 13 points in the final quarter to overcome the Bulldogs' last challenges.  But Heuvelton stayed with Hammond throughout the game. After a sluggish single-digit first quarter for both teams, Hannah Thornhill splashed a three-pointer late in the first half to draw the Bulldogs to within a point 11-10, before Hammond closed with a 5-0 run to push ahead 16-10 at intermission. Hammond attempted to pull ahead in the third quarter, opening seven-point margins three times, only to see the Bulldogs storm back to tie the game at 28-28 just 30 seconds into the final frame. When Hammond recaptured the lead, eighth grader Paige McCormick delivered a deuce to put the Bulldogs in front 32-31. Crosby answered the call again for Hammond in a six-point run that claimed a 37-34 lead, but Lexi Weidner’s bucket with 1:17 to go flipped the lead back to the Dogs 38-37 – their final lead down the stretch. Crosby netted four of Hammond’s final six points, including a 5-for-8 strike at the free-throw line in a 43-40 finish. Heuvelton had chances to tie at the foul line, but did not connect. Hammond advances to the Section X Overall Semifinals to face Salmon River on Tuesday, while also earning another berth in the New York State Class D playoffs. McCormick and Logan Tallman finished with nine points, while Weidner chipped in seven points for Heuvelton, finishing their season at 15-7 overall. 

TOP-SEEDED YELLOW JACKETS FALL TO #5 HEUVELTON IN O.T.

The Heuvelton Bulldogs rush the floor to celebrate after their 39-37 overtime upset win over top-seeded Madrid-Waddington in the Section X Class D semifinals. Logan Tallman led with 12 points, while Olivia St. Pierre added 11 and Paige McCormick chipped in nine. Heuvelton faces Hammond for the Class D title.  (Cody Jenne photo)  Game Gallery  NCSN Broadcast

Heuvelton guard Rachel Thornhill (14) squares up for a shot over Madrid-Waddington forward Jenny King (35).

The Heuvelton Bulldogs receive the plaque for winning the Class D2 bracket. They face Class D1 bracket winner Hammond for the overall title Section X Class D championship on Friday.
 

By Bob LaRue, North Country SportsNet
The fifth-seeded Heuvelton Bulldogs got quality bench help from Paige McCormick and outshot Madrid-Waddington from the free-throw line in a low-scoring contest to bounce the top-seeded Yellow Jackets from the Section X Class D semifinals in a 39-37 overtime victory. McCormick came off the bench to tally nine points, while the Bulldogs shot 50-percent (9-for-18) from the foul line to force the Jackets into overtime. Madrid-Waddington struggled inside against the slightly taller Heuvelton team, but also managed just eight free throws in 23 attempts. Heuvelton gained a 7-3 lead in the first quarter, before the quarter ended in a 7-7 tie. The Yellow Jackets appeared to be gaining some traction in the second quarter, opening a 16-9 advantage. M-W led 18-14 at the half. Heuvelton tied the ball game late in a sloppy third period 20-20, before Tess Knight muscled up between a pair of Bulldog defenders to give the Jackets 22-20 lead at the close of the quarter. Knight opened the fourth quarter with another quick bucket, but Lexi Weidner countered with a long three-ball and Olivia St. Pierre hit two free throws to put the Bulldogs ahead 26-25. The lead changed hands three times over the final three minutes, but it took a foul shot from Knight with 31.2 seconds left to tie the game 31-31 and force overtime. Heuvelton outgunned the Jackets 7-5 in the extra frame to pull off the upset. For Heuvelton, Logan Tallman led the way with 12 points, while Olivia St. Pierre added 11 and McCormick chipped in nine. Bridget Beldock led the Jackets with 13 points, Knight and Jenny King dropped in eight points each. Heuvelton will face Hammond for the Section X Class D Championship and a berth in the New York State playoffs. Madrid-Waddington wrapped up its season at 17-2 overall.

Boyea's 2nd-Half Surge Lifts Chateaugay Past H-D

Hermon-DeKalb’s Morgan Stott (00) makes a breakaway dash to the basket while chased by Chateaugay defender Taylor Winch (22). Chateaugay pulled away in the second half to beat the Green Demons 51-39 in the Section X Class D playoffs. The Bulldogs’ Courtney Boyea led the way with 22 points.

  Chateaugay’s Makayla Fleury (20) is pressured by Demons’ defenders Courtney Harrington (14) and Clarisa Davis (11).
 

By Bob LaRue, North Country SportsNet
Chateaugay’s Courtney Boyea was held to just two first-half points, but the Bulldog senior racked up 20 points in the second half to support a 51-39 win over the Hermon-DeKalb Green Demons in the Section X Class D quarterfinals at Potsdam Central. Makayla Fleury was credited with 10 points and 17 rebounds for the #3-seeded Bulldogs who improved to 16-3 overall and earned a berth in the Class D final four against Hammond. The Green Demons were led by Clarissa Davis who tossed in 16 points and snared 16 boards. Hermon-DeKalb closed its season with an 11-9 overall record.

m-w Yellow Jackets Sting Lisbon in Quarterfinal 65-16

Madrid-Waddington forward Bridget Beldock (3) delivers a lay up, while facing tough defense from two Lisbon defenders. The Jackets won 65-16.  (Cody Jenne photo)  Game Gallery

Lisbon forward Alex Amo (15) dashes for a breakaway layup past Madrid-Waddington’s Lenny King (35).
 

By Bob LaRue, North Country SportsNet
Top-seeded Madrid-Waddington pounded out a 40-9 halftime lead, the held #8-seeded Lisbon to just seven points after intermission in cruising to a 65-16 win in the Section X Class D quarterfinals. Bridget Beldock topped Yellow Jackets’ scorers with 12 points, while Olivia Parmeter added 11 and Jenna King delivered 10 points. The Jackets (18-1 overall) will set their sights on Heuvelton in the Class D semifinals on Tuesday. Lisbon’s scoring came from Alex Amo with nine points, Jackie Sovie with four points and Beth Crowley with three. The Knights wrapped up their campaign with an 8-11 overall record.

#5 LISBON ELIMINATES COLTS IN OPENING ROUND 52-32

 Colton-Pierrepont’s Eve Whalen (20) and Lisbon’s Alex Amo (15) battle for inside position on a rebound during their opening round game in the Section X Class D playoffs.  The first half was the difference as Heuvelton took and 18-point lead, then went on to win 52-32.  (John LaRue photo)  Game Gallery

Lisbon’s Gabby Walker (22) dribble-penetrates to the basket against Colton-Pierrepont guard Andrea Aldous (14).

By Bob LaRue, North Country SportsNet
The Lisbon Golden Knights advanced to the Section X Class D quarterfinals with a 52-32 win over the Colton-Pierrepont Colts. The Knights jumped to a 28-10 lead at intermission and cruised victory behind a 20-point performance from Jackie Sovie, while Beth Crowley added 15 points in the win. The #-8 seeded Golden Knights will face top-seeded Madrid-Waddington in the next round. The ninth-seeded Colts were led by Morgan Doyle’s 22 points, while Kylie McKinley tossed in nine points. Colton-Pierrepont closed out its 2012-13 season at 7-12 overall.

HARRISVILLE ADVANCES PAST COUGARS IN PLAYOFF OPENER

arrisville’s Chelsea Pierce (12) tries to find a clear shot past Edwards-Knox defenders Heather Finnerty (21) and Makayla Eartocha (24). Pierce scored17 points. Harrisville Pirates went on to beat Edwards-Knox 61-36 in the Section X Class D opening round.  (Cody Jenne photo)  Game Gallery

Edwards-Knox’s Kate Smith (32) squares up for a shot while facing tight defense from Harrisville’s Kathleen Coloney (23). The Cougars could not stop the Pirates second half surge and the Pirates get the win 61-34.

By Bob LaRue, North Country SportsNet
Harrisville broke away from a 30-20 halftime lead to pound out a 61-36 win over the Edwards-Knox Cougars in the opening round of the Section X Class D playoffs. Kathleen Coloney led the Pirates with 21 points, while Chelsea Pierce chipped in 17. The #7-seeded Pirates advance to face second-seeded Hammond in the quarterfinal D-Arama on Saturday at Potsdam High School. The Cougars got top performances from Jadilynn Bullock who notched 13 points, while Kali Sharpstene dropped in nine points. For 10th-seeded Edwards-Knox, the season came to a close at 2-16 overall.

Salmon River Upends O.F.A. In Class B CHAMPIONSHIP

Salmon River’s Jaiden Mitchell (1) gets tight pressure from Ogdensburg’s Riley Luckie (5) after picking up her dribble. (Camron Waters photo)  Game Gallery  NCSN Broadcast

Salmon River’s Abby Kelly (5) slashes hard to the basket against Ogdensburg’s Felicia Barr (11). 
 

By Bob LaRue, North Country SportsNet
Down 11-7 late in the first quarter, the second-seeded Salmon River Shamrocks went on a key 12-0 run spanning the end of the first period and into the second, to gain an advantage they would not give back. Top-seeded Ogdensburg closed within a point 31-30 midway through the third quarter, but could not overtake the Shamrocks in a 52-47 final in the Section X Girls Class B Championship. Salmon River led by as much as nine points, 43-34 midway in the fourth quarter, before winning its third title in a row under Coach Karen Francis.   Salmon River switched up defenses regularly to keep the Blue Devils guessing in the half court, and used their full-court press sparingly at key junctures of the game. When Abby Kelly splashed a three-ball at the end of the first quarter, Salmon River took a 13-11 lead and would keep the lead the rest of the way, despite an O.F.A. rally in the third quarter that brought the Devils to within a point. Abby Kelly led the Shamrocks with 25 points, but helped seal the game with four straight free throws in the final 1:13 of the contest to cushion the lead, before the Blue Devils’ final flurry. Riley Luckie and Megan Dodge launched long balls for trifectas that rallied O.F.A. within one possession, 50-47, with 12.6 seconds remaining. Kelly tossed in a pair of free throws with six seconds left to seal the championship. Kwiio King clocked in with 11 points and eight rebounds, while Aliyah Cook chipped in six points and 15 board. The Shamrocks avenged to regular-season losses to the Shamrocks in improving to 15-5 overall. They advance to face Hammond in the Section X Overall Semifinals on Tuesday and another shot at the New York State Class B playoffs. Luckie finished with 20 points for Ogdensburg, including four long-distance trifectas well beyond the college arch. Felicia Barr finished with 11 points and 11 rebounds. Ogdensburg closed out its season with a quality 14-6 record.

Salmon River Fends Off Potsdam Rallies in 78-61 Win

Ogdensburg’s Riley Luckie (5) speed dribbles across midcourt, while defended by Gouverneur’s Danielle Bullock (11) to score two of her game-best 17 points.  (Foote photo)  Game Gallery

Gouverneur’s Danielle Bullock (11) has her shot blocked by Ogdensburg’s Erin Tooley (50) in the semifinal game.
 

By Bob LaRue, North Country SportsNet
The first half proved to be the difference as Ogdensburg nailed 21 first-quarter points and surged out to a 29-13 halftime lead over Gouverneur, then held the Wildcats at arm's length the rest of the way in a 50-33 victory in the Section X Class B semifinals. Riley Luckie paced the Blue Devils with 17 points, while Megan Dodge added 10 and Shannon Tooley pitched in nine points.  Ogdensburg advances to face Salmon River for the Section X Class C champion ship on February 22nd at 8:00 p.m.  Gouverneur was led by Kirsten Roberts with 10 points and Jessica Roberts with eight.  The Wildcats closed the 2012-13 season at 2-16 overall.

Canton Wins First Class C CHAMPIONSHIP Since 1996

Canton’s Katie Christy (12) and St. Lawrence Central’s Samantha Richards (24) tangle for a loose ball during the Section X Class C Championship. The Golden Bears won their first title game since 1996, pulling away from the St. Lawrence Central Larries with a 12-1 run in the fourth quarter in a 45-32 victory. (John LaRue photo)  Game Gallery  NCSN Broadcast

Canton’s Katie Christy (12) drives baseline and beats a St. Lawrence Central defender for an inside pass.
 

By Bob LaRue, North Country SportsNet
The Canton Golden Bears won their first Section X title game since 1996, pulling away from the St. Lawrence Central Larries with a 12-1 run in the fourth quarter in a 45-32 victory for the Section X Class C title and run at the New York State playoffs.  The Larries stormed out of the opening tip with an impressive 10-3 lead in the first three minutes that looked like they might be able to offset two regular-season losses to the Bears and end a four-decade drought since their last Sectional title. However, the Bears’ slow start would not last and the Larries’ shooting touch faded. Canton ran off 12 straight points to overtake the Larries 15-10, just a few seconds into the second quarter. St. Lawrence Central managed just 15 more points through the balance of the half and third quarter. But even though Canton ramped up defensive pressure leaving the Larries struggling for offensive rhythm, St. Lawrence Central chipped away at the lead, getting within a point at 19-18 near the end of the half. The Larries’ first bucket of the second half cut the lead to 21-20. Then the Golden Bears’ defense sparked a 10-0 run that allowed Canton to finally break free, building a 46-27 gap. A 14-7 fourth-quarter capped the Class C Championship victory. Katie Christy with 12 points and Emma Redford with six points and seven assists, piloted the Bears’ offense. Tori Daley chipped in eight points, while Emily Pinkney added six points. The Bears advance to face the Massena Red Raiders in the Section X Overall semifinal on Tuesday, while also earning a berth in the New York State Class C regionals. St. Lawrence Central was led by Samantha Richards with 10 points and 12 rebounds. Breanna Vatter added six points. St. Lawrence Central closed out its season at 10-10 overall.  

Larries Win Seesaw Tangle vs. Tupper Lake 43-39

St. Lawrence Central’s Breanna Vatter (11) moves past Tupper Lake’s Malorie McLear (21) and attacks the basket. Vatter tallied 16 points and teammate Lindsay Thayer added 14 points as the third-seeded Larries upended the Lady Jacks 43-39 in the Class C semifinal.  The Larries will play Canton for the championship.

Tupper Lake’s Lizzy Zurek (22) feels the pressure from the defense of St. Lawrence Central’s Jenna Kesner (20).  The third-seeded Larries upended the Lady Jacks 43-39 in the Class C semifinal.  (Casey Stephens photo)  Game Gallery

By Bob LaRue, North Country SportsNet
The St. Lawrence Central Larries survived a seesaw struggle on the road at Tupper Lake and gave first-year coach Chad Gauthier a win in his first playoff experience in a 43-39 triumph over the Lumberjacks in the Section X Class C semifinal. Third-seeded St. Lawrence enjoyed a 25-15 lead at the half, before Katie Stuart ignited a run that jumped the Jacks into a five-point lead headed into the fourth quarter.   Brianna Vatter and teammate Lindsay Thayer took control of the game in the final quarter, each scoring seven points, to guide the Larries home to victory. Vatter tallied 16 points and Thayer finished with 14 points. The Larries will play Canton in the Class C championship. Tupper Lake was led by senior Katie Stuart who racked up 28 of the Jacks's 39 points.  With the loss, Lumberjacks exited the basketball season with a 10-8 overall record.

MASSENA DEFENSE ANCHORS 41-36 WIN IN "A' CHAMPIONSHIP

Section X Class A Girls Basketball Champions - Massena.  The Red Raiders kept defense at the forefront of their game down the stretch in beating Malone 41-36 in the Class A Final.
(Camron Waters photo)  Game Gallery  NCSN Broadcast

Massena’s Marrisa Manley (22) looks for a tough layup while facing defense from Malone’s Meghan O’Connor (12).