Class AA State Semifinal – Jamestown 61, CBA Albany 56 OT
Trailing in the fourth quarter for a third consecutive game, the Red Raiders got eight points in the fourth from Jaysean Paige to force overtime. Paige won the tip and then scored the first four points in the extra session to lead his team to Jamestown's first ever state title game in boys basketball.
In overtime, Paige threw down an incredible two-handed slam thanks to an alley-oop pass from teammate Adam Cecchini from the left corner. The lob pass was a bold move with a two-point lead in overtime against an undefeated opponent, but the result was so exciting that you knew Jamestown had sealed the win as Paige was rocking the rim.
Paige finished with a game-high 23 points, while Joey Campion and Darin Butts each scored 13 points.
Class AA State Championship – Mount Vernon 62, Jamestown 51
Despite jumping out to an early 14-5 advantage, Jamestown didn't have enough to hang with the Knights for four quarters. With the win, Mount Vernon now has nine state titles, the most public school titles in New York State history.
Tournament MVP and West Virginia bound Jabarie Hinds led the Knights with 26 points. Paige scored 21 points for Jamestown and was named to the all-tournament team, along with teammate Darin Butts. Joey Campion received the sportsmanship award.
Check out this commentary on Jamestown from Alicia Johnson of the Post Star in Glens Falls.
Class A State Semifinal – Jamesville DeWitt 61, Aquinas 52
After trailing for three quarters, the Lil Irish briefly took a 47-46 lead against the Rams after Christian White sank a 3-pointer to start the fourth quarter. However, Jamesville DeWitt closed the game on a 16-5 run to advance to the state title game. Josh Carter and Phil Valenti each scored 10 points for Aquinas. Dajuan Coleman finished with 17 points for the Rams.
Jamesville DeWitt won its fourth consecutive state championship in Class A, defeating Harborfields 66-51.
Class B State Semifinal – Potsdam 66, Charlotte 48
After taking an early six-point advantage following the first quarter, Charlotte was outscored 24-4 in the second quarter and never recovered in its loss to Potsdam.
Potsdam lost in the Class B state final to Burke Catholic, 62-52.
Class C State Semifinal – Friends Academy 53, I-Prep 48 OT
I-Prep's ultimate goal of bring a state title back to Buffalo, fell short in Glens Falls. The Presidents shot 26 3-pointers, the majority from near NBA range, and only connected on four (15%). Friends Academy, conversely, was both deliberate and efficient on offense, as they took a lead midway through the first quarter and never trailed again.
Kenny Pringle led I-Prep with 17 points and Chris Holland added 16 points. The two took a combined 35 shots, while Kadeem Hillman only attempted four field goals in the game. The I-Prep big man was dominant on the boards, hauling in a total of 17 rebounds.
Friends Academy went on to win the Class C state title with a 46-44 win over Syracuse Academy of Science.
Class D State Semifinal – Coleman Catholic 71, CG Finney 70 Double OT
Ben Mesuda's basket with 14 seconds left in the second overtime tied the game at 70-70 for Coleman Catholic. After the Falcons were unable to answer, the game seemed to be headed to a third overtime, when CG Finney was called for a foul in the backcourt with just 0.2 seconds on the clock. Thomas Murphy then hit one of his free throws to send the Statesmen to the title game and send CG Finney back to Rochester empty handed.
Joe Drummond led the Falcons with 28 points and 15 rebounds, while Jamell Johnson finished with 19 points, eight rebounds, and five assists.
Coleman Catholic will face undefeated public school New York Mills of Section 3 on Saturday at 5:30 pm for the Class D state title. NY Mills advanced to the championship with a 59-55 victory over Chateaugay earlier today.
NY Mills defeated Coleman Catholic, 47-42, to win the Class D state championship.
-centercourt
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