Leading off today: Nick Comenale scored 22 points, and Terrance Nichols connected on a pivotal 3-pointer in overtime to lead
New York Mills past Coleman Catholic 57-50 in the New York State Public High School Athletic Association boys Class D basketball final Saturday in Glens Falls.
The Marauders earned their second championship in four seasons -- both with wins over Coleman -- to kick off the weekend's schedule of title games. They outscored Coleman 8-1 in overtime.
Comenale shot 8-for-19 from the field but grabbed eight rebounds and made two steals. Eleven of his points came in the fourth quarter and overtime.
"That's why he's the best player in Class D this year," New York Mills coach Mike Adey told The Post-Standard.
Westhill packs a wallop: Junior guard Jordan Roland scored 41 points -- including 32 in the first half -- as Westhill steamrolled Olean 93-55 in Class B for its third championship.
Junior Tyler Reynolds scored 27 of his 38 points in the second half for Westhill, which went 14-for-21 on 3-pointers and a stunning 36-for-56 overall for the contest.
"We couldn't see this coming," Westhill coach Kevin King told The Post-Standard. "Tonight was just one of those nights."
The game was over for all practical purposes midway through the second quarter. Roland, 7-for-9 on 3-pointers in the game, connected from behind the arc six times in the first half and Westhill took a 49-18 lead into the intermission.
Westhill was 19-for-27 from the field in the first half.
"In the first half, when those shots are dropping, you look at each other like ... this is crazy," King said. "Usually these are pretty nerve-wracking games. To play like that, to do that tonight, is just ridiculous."
"I don't even know how to describe it," Roland said. "They were all falling. I felt like everything was going in. My teammates were getting the ball to me in the right spots."
Though Roland shot 16-for-21 and Reynolds 15-for-24, they made other contributions. Roland had three steals and two assists. Reynolds had a game-high 12 rebounds.
Hoosic Valley prevails: Tournament MVP John Rooney poured in 29 points and Mike Pierre hit for 24 as Hoosic Valley beat Middle Early College 67-55 for the Class C crown.
Hoosic Valley didn't break free until late, but the Indians nevertheless built consistently on their 27-26 halftime lead.
"We just weren't going to be denied and everyone left everything they had on the floor," Pierre told The Record. "I thought we just kept a steady approach and fought on every possession."
Rooney was 12-for-17 from the field and added eight rebounds. Pierre, who was 10-for-14 on free throws and played on an ankle he injured Friday, added six rebounds and three assists.
"They're an exceptional combo. John was tremendous and Mike showed a big heart," Hoosic Valley coach Dan Calhoun said. "When (Pierre) walked out of here (Friday) it was questionable what type of player he would be. He could have been on crutches, but somehow he found a way to battle through."
Middle Early College coach Randall Rich picked up his second technical foul late in the fourth and was ejected.
Notre Dame girls dominate: Emily Durr scored 29 points en route to the Section 3 career record as Utica Notre Dame rolled past Bishop Kearney 71-36 in the girls Class B championship game at Hudson Valley Community
