It was a good Tuesday for Section 2 teams, as all three teams in play made it to the Regional Finals.
That means all six teams coming out of the Capital District and North Country are still alive, hoping to make it back to the COOL Insuring Arena for the NYSPHSAA Boys Basketball Championships next week.
Here's a look at the six and when they're playing.
CLASS AAA - GREEN TECH SOARING EAGLES
Green Tech will be back in play this Saturday at Hudson Valley Community College in Troy, as they face Section 3's Liverpool. Liverpool carries in a 21-2 record, but Green Tech showed last week that opposing team's records does not faze the Soaring Eagles. In the Sectional Championship, Green Tech came out of the gate fast and furious as they won convincingly over previously unbeaten Colonie.
Indavier Barnes is a major three point threat, often taking dishes from Haisi Mayben to bury teams for keeping him unwatched. Mayben is the court orchestrator, using his speed and agility to create offensive opportunities. O'Mier Graham will also create opportunities inside.
But they now face the team that halted their postseason run last year in Liverpool. In the 2023 Class AA Regional Final, Liverpool's defense became too tough for Green Tech, leading throughout in the 65-49 win. Green Tech had won the 2022 meeting, a back and forth game that went down to overtime overtime at the Hudson Valley Community College, 71-67.
CLASS AAA REGIONAL FINALS
Liverpool (Sect. 3) vs. Green Tech - Sat 3:30pm at Hudson Valley Community College
Other Regional Finals:
Mount Vernon (Sect. 1) vs. Kingston (Sect. 9) - Sat 4:30pm at Kingston High
University Prep (Sect. 5) vs. Niagara Falls (Sect. 6) - Fri 8:15pm at Buffalo State
Baldwin (Sect. 8) vs. Bay Shore (Sect. 11) - Sat 5:00pm at SUNY Farmingdale
STATE SEMIFINALS
Saturday, March 16th, 12:30pm and 2:15pm at COOL Insuring Arena
STATE CHAMPIONSHIP
Sunday, March 17th, 1:00pm at COOL Insuring Arena
CLASS AA - NISKAYUNA SILVER WARRIORS
Niskayuna won their first sectional crown since 1978, the first year of the State Tournament where Niskayuna won it all. In the Sectional Championship, Niskayuna stayed even with LaSalle Institute until the third quarter, where a 16-0 run blew the game open for Niskayuna.
The Olsens, Brady and Gavin, are significant threats on the court, whether it be offense or defense. The two combined for 28 points, aided by Daniel Smalls's team high 22. Ethan Gilson is the three point bomb threat, launching 5 in the title game.
On Saturday, Niskayuna faces Section 3's West Genesee. They come in with a 21-2 record.
CLASS AA REGIONAL FINALS
West Genesee (Sect. 3) vs. Niskayuna - Sat 1:45pm at Hudson Valley Community College
Other Regional Finals:
Peekskill (Sect. 1) vs. Lourdes (Sect. 9) - Fri 7:00pm at Mount St. Mary's
Victor (Sect. 5) vs. Jamestown (Sect. 6) - Sat 7:45pm at Buffalo State
Elmont (Sect. 8) vs. Half Hollows East (Sect. 11) - Sat 3:00pm at SUNY Farmingdale
STATE SEMIFINALS
Friday, March 15th, 12:30pm and 2:15pm at COOL Insuring Arena
STATE CHAMPIONSHIP
Saturday, March 16th, 7:00pm at COOL Insuring Arena
CLASS A - GLENS FALLS BLACK BEARS
On Tuesday Glens Falls jumped out to a 34-4 lead on Section 7's Beekmantown early in the second quarter and powered past the Eagles by 50. Playing in the state tournament for the first time in 5 years, when Joe Girard III and company helped catapulted the school to their first State and Federation title. The Black Bears were quiet in the Sectional Semifinal against Lansingburgh until Cooper Nadler's inside presence starting coming through to help put 21 on the board for Glens Falls. It was more of a spread out effort for Glens Falls against Catholic Central in the Sectional Championship, which helped propel the school to the top spot in Class A as ranked by the NYSSWA.
In addition to Cooper Nadler's inside play, Oscar Lilac helps orchestrate the offense. But keep him unguarded, he'll throw up for a deep three. Kellen Driscoll is the team's leading scorer, but Brody Holcomb and Aiden Prunty also can score. Ralphael Maldonaldo and Bryce McClenning also have been known to appear during the game in reserve for Rob Girard's squad.
But the team on the other side is going to be difficult. Westhill comes in also with experience in the State Tournament, and despite a slow start against Massena, they're going to give Glens Falls all they can handle.
CLASS A REGIONAL FINALS
Westhill (Sect. 3) vs. Glens Falls - Sat 5:15pm at Hudson Valley Community College
Other Regional Finals:
Saugerties (Sect. 9) vs. Maine-Endwell (Sect. 4) - Sun 5:15pm at Visions Memorial Arena
Wayne (Sect. 5) vs. Williamsville South (Sect. 6) - Sat 2:45pm at Buffalo State
Friends Academy (Sect. 5) vs. Southampton (Sect. 11) - Sat 1:00pm at SUNY Farmingdale
STATE SEMIFINALS
Friday, March 15th, 9:00am and 10:45am at COOL Insuring Arena
STATE CHAMPIONSHIP
Saturday, March 16th, 5:15pm at COOL Insuring Arena
CLASS B - STILLWATER WARRIORS
Stillwater leaped out of the gate in Tuesday's Regional Semifinal against Northeastern Clinton, scoring 34 points as they made quick work of the Cougars. Stillwater pulled away from Mechanicville thanks to a 11-0 run in the third quarter in the Sectional Championship, winning the crown that they couldn't get in 2023 after losing in heartbreak at the COOL Insuring Arena due to a Chatham buzzer-beating three. The Warriors have lost only once, to Lansingburgh.
The Class B MVP during the Section 2 Tournament was Jaxon Mueller, and for good reason. He can score, and he is the big presence inside the arch for Stillwater on both sides of the court. He scored 17 against Northeastern Clinton on Tuesday, and 16 in the Championship against Mechanicville. But he's also joined by Carter Wichelns, who drops 15 points as another main inside the arch player for the Warriors. But a core part of the offense behind the arch belongs to Kaelan Leak and Oscar Lilac. Off the bench, James Cocozzo is worth watching.
Standing in Stillwater's way of a return to Glens Falls is a long trip up north, where Canton awaits. Canton comes in having lost three games all season, two against teams that will be playing on Saturday. One being Westhill, who won 58-49. The other... the team they're facing, as this is a rematch of a game played December 22nd, where Stillwater won 83-60.
CLASS B REGIONAL FINALS
Stillwater vs. Canton (Sect. 10) - Sat 2:45pm at SUNY Potsdam
Other Regional Finals:
West Hempstead (Sect. 8) vs. Woodlands (Sect. 1) - Sat 3:00pm at Yorktown High School
Avon (Sect. 5) vs. Salamanca (Sect. 6) - Sat 1:00pm at Buffalo State
Marcellus (Sect. 3) vs. Waverly (Sect. 4) - Sun 1:45pm at Visions Memorial Arena
STATE SEMIFINALS
Thursday, March 14th, 6:00pm and 7:45pm at COOL Insuring Arena
STATE CHAMPIONSHIP
Friday, March 15th, 5:15pm at COOL Insuring Arena
CLASS C - MAPLE HILL PANTHERS
Maple Hill clawed their way back in the Sectional Championship against Duanesburg, coming back from a 33-21 deficit thanks to a 14-1 run to yield a lead that stood until the final buzzer, despite Duanesburg's best efforts at the final seconds to win. Then up north pulled away from a strong Tupper Lake squad to make it into Saturday's Regional finals.
Brady Cole is the workhorse of the Panthers defense. He scored 16 against Hoosic Valley in the semifinals, then 14 against Duanesburg. Jake Fish has proven he can effectively shoot the three when he needs to, with two coming in that game against the Eagles. Nick Novak has the ability to score, and is consistent at the free throw line. Even though Maple Hill doesn't have the most explosive offense, their defense wins them games.
But they have a really strong threat up north in the Moriah Vikings. The crew from Port Henry has proven time and time again that they are a powerful team up in Section 7, owning the section's only State Title. Maple Hill's faithful is going to need to come ready to be loud to counteract the Vikings fans.
CLASS C REGIONAL FINALS
Maple Hill vs. Moriah (Sect. 7) - Sat 2:00pm at Clinton Community College
Other Regional Finals:
Southold (Sect. 11) vs. Haldane (Sect. 1) - Sat 11:00am at Yorktown High School
Lyons (Sect. 5) vs. Randolph (Sect. 6) - Fri 6:30pm at Buffalo State
Moravia (Sect. 4) vs. Waterville (Sect. 3) - Sat 4:00pm at SRC Arena
STATE SEMIFINALS
Friday, March 15th, 6:00pm and 7:45pm at COOL Insuring Arena
STATE CHAMPIONSHIP
Saturday, March 16th, 8:45pm at COOL Insuring Arena
CLASS D - NORTH WARREN COUGARS
North Warren set a Section 2 record when they made 10 threes during the first quarter against Loudonville Christian, the most threes made by a team in a single quarter. They shot 10/13 from downtown in that quarter, and helped the Cougars pull away to a 34-18 lead in the early second quarter. By the time Loudonville Christian got going, the game was already beyond reach.
Eight grader Semaj Cuyler and Elijah Horge help make up the backcourt attack for the Cougars. Derrick Tyrell and Wyatt Jennings are typically the big bodies in the paint, but both can score too. Jennings had 20 points against Loudonville Christian and Derrick Tyrell added 14. Giovanni Marron was big off the bench against Fort Edward, and Coleman Swartz was a big part of the three point deluge that came in the Sectional Championship.
The team they face in the Regional Final is one they're very familiar with. Schroon Lake and North Warren locked horns last year in the Regional Finals, with North Warren coming away victors 64-59. But the two teams also squared off last month before Sectionals, with Schroon Lake winning that battle 55-53 up in Schroon Lake. The two schools 15 minutes apart will travel an hour up to Plattsburgh to play at Clinton Community College.
CLASS D REGIONAL FINALS
North Warren vs. Schroon Lake-Newcomb (Sect. 7) - Sat 6:30pm at Clinton Community College
Other Regional Finals:
South Kortright (Sect. 4) vs. Smithtown Christian (Sect. 11) - Sat 10:00am at SUNY Farmingdale
Avoca/Prattsburgh (Sect. 5) vs. Pine Valley (Sect. 6) - Sat 6:00pm at Buffalo State
Harrisville (Sect. 10) vs. Sackets Harbor (Sect. 3) - Sun 4:00pm at Jefferson Community College
STATE SEMIFINALS
Saturday, March 16th, 9:00am and 10:45am at COOL Insuring Arena
STATE CHAMPIONSHIP
Sunday, March 17th, 3:00pm at COOL Insuring Arena
