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March 16, 2008

Chateaugay wins state hoop crown

Chateaugay first Section X boys' team to win state hoop title

By CRAIG KNOWLES



GLENS FALLS -- The Chateaugay Bulldogs finally broke the ice Saturday, becoming the first Section X boys' basketball team to win a state championship in 30 years of tournament play.

The Bulldogs (24-1), who returned to the championship game after defeating Greenport 61-58 Friday, downed North Star Christian Academy (Section V) 52-41 for the New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) Class D championship crown.

"This is the first championship for Chateaugay," Chateaugay coach Ron Boyea said. "And if this win breaks the ice for the rest of Section X boys' teams' then good for them."

"I don't think anything has soaked in yet," Chateaugay player Brad Dumont said. "It is great to have the Section X title and the state title."

Chateaugay was never behind and controlled every aspect of the game from the opening tip. Both teams, perhaps feeling the pressure, started out sloppy with two turnovers, a five-second violation, a traveling violation, a missed shot and a charge.

Finally, Drew Boyea hit the first basket of the game with 6:30 left in the first quarter to put the Bulldogs up 2-0.

Jaani Beckford got the Knights on the board moments later to tie it at 2. Chateaugay then scored the next four points to take the lead for good with 3:53 remaining in the opening quarter.

The Bulldogs remained in control as Dumont, the tournament, Most Valuable Player, drove down the lane and hit a tough two-point field goal. He was fouled on the play and quickly completed the three-point play for a 12-3 Chateaugay lead.

Dave Valle hit a hook shot in the lane for North Star but Dumont answered right back with a floating shot right before the end of the first quarter as Chateaugay led 14-5 after one.

"We knew Valle was going to be quick off the dribble," Boyea said.

The Bulldogs extended their lead in the second quarter. With 5:38 remaining in the half, Brad Spinner made a backdoor cut to the hoop for an easy layup to push Chateaugay's lead to 18-5.

North Star could not get anything going on the offensive end as the Knights continued to turn over the ball. The Knights wound up with 13 turnovers in the game.

The Knights and Bulldogs traded several two-point baskets and a three-point basket each late in the half; however, Chateaugay still had a comfortable 29-16 cushion at the break. Boyea led Chateaugay with 10 in the first half, while the Valle nailed nine for the Knights.

The second half was more of the same with the Bulldogs able to maintain at least a 10-point lead.

Beckford managed to use his size and muscle to get several baskets inside for Northstar. He finished with 11 points and six blocked shots.

"He (Beckford) is tough and an excellent player," Boyea said. "We wanted him to take tough shots all night."

"We just had to get to the hole tonight and score and use some ball fakes to get around Beckford," Dumont said.

With less than three minutes to play in the third, Chateaugay applied fullcourt pressure. It created several turnovers, helping the Bulldogs push their lead to 16, 41-24, by the end of the quarter.

Chateaugay worked it to 19 points early in the fourth when Dumont made the first of two free-throw attempts and then gathered in his own to tack on two more points.

Dumont finished the game with 16 points, six assists, three steals and a blocked shot.

North Star (21-6) made a run late to cut the lead to 12 with 1:19 remaining, but it was too little, too late for the Knights.

In addition to Dumont being named MVP, Zack Peck was nominated to the Class D all-star team and Jordan Rankin was awarded the Sportsmanship trophy for the Class D tournament.

"The key for us all weekend was the play of Dumont and Rankin," Boyea said. "They made some great decisions for us this weekend."

"This is pretty special and nice to have the win -- especially with nine seniors on the floor," Dumont said.

Coming off a 25-point, 11-rebound game against Greenport, Peck followed up with another double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds for the Bulldogs.

"I played well yesterday (Friday)," Peck said. "I feel that everyone played well today for us.

"This is simply amazing and feels unbelievable to represent Section X."

Drew Boyea added 12 points, as well, for the Bulldogs.

"They are the ones who pushed and worked hard in practice for this," Drew Boyea said.

Valle finished with 12 points, and Donald Harris had 11 points for the Knights.

"I have been coaching this group of players since they were in the first and second grade," Ron Boyea said. "They are all great friends and have such good chemistry.

"This is definitely a game for the record books and the memories."

Chateaugay 52, North Star Christian 41

North Star Christian (41)

Harris 5-1-11, Valle 5-1-12, Brado 1-0-2, Drew 0-0-0, Patel 1-0-2, Boe 0-0-0, Dev'Aiera 1-0-3, Valenti 0-0-0, Beckford 5-1-11, Conley 0-0-0, McDonald 0-0-0. Totals: 18-3-41.

Chateaugay (52)

Cook 1-0-2, Spinner 1-0-2, Henderson 0-0-0, Dumont 6-4-16, White 2-0-4, Rankin 3-0-6, Peck 5-0-10, Boyea 5-0-12, Beach 0-0-0, Helm 0-0-0, Hesseltine 0-0-0. Totals: 23-4-52.

Chateaugay14 15 12 11-- 41

North Star5 11 9 16 -- 44

3-point goals: NS (2) Valle, Dev'Aiera. C (2): Boyea 2.

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