Leading off today: Phoenix fought off a strong Fulton rally on Saturday to earn a
25-24 victory in the final of the Section 3 dual-meet wrestling tournament at Rome Free Academy. Phoenix ended Fulton's 155-0-1 unbeaten streak vs. Section 3 teams since a 31-30 setback to South Lewis in 1998.
The actual match score was 24-24, but Gene Mills' Phoenix squad earned the win based on the first criteria tiebreaker rule as the Firebirds won seven of the 13 individual bouts.
Phoenix built a 24-14 lead through 11 matches before Fulton's
Matt Bogardus (160 pounds) and Derek Shue (171) scored consecutive technical falls.
In the semifinals, Phoenix defeated Adirondack, 52-15, and Fulton topped Mexico, 38-19.
Wild weekend for Aquinas: Sophomore Dan Schuler scored with three seconds to play yesterday as visiting Aquinas defeated Massena in non-league hockey, 2-1. Schuler dug the puck out of the corner, went around the back of the the net and slid the puck beneath the legs of the Massena goaltender.
Aquinas' Terry Schafer made 29 saves, including 12 in the third period. Aquinas is ranked eighth and Massena Fifth in Division 1 by the New York State Sportswriters Association.
On Friday, Aquinas played a wild 3-3 tie with Salmon River. Cameron Corsaro gave the Little Irish the lead with 10 seconds left in regulation, but Salmon River's Ty Thompson tied it by poking home a rebound with only three seconds left.
Memorable night for basketball: Some of the state's best teams were involved in a pair of multi-overtime boys basketball games Friday night.
Christ The King, ranked first in Class AA but smarting from a loss to Bishop Loughlin two days earlier, beat No. 8 Holy Cross in 2 OTs, 92-87.