Section II Produces Three State Champs

The schedule keeps saying that spring is coming and basketball season is winding down, but it really feels like this season just keeps on going.

And for Section II, it does.

Three Capital Region teams captured New York State Championships this past weekend at the Glens Falls Civic Center including Green Tech (AA), Scotia (A) and Hoosic Valley (C).

The Fort Edward (D) and Hoosic Valley girls (C) fell in their quests for championships but certainly deserve a round of applause from the fans of Capital Region basketball.

Federation finals are up next for the state champs as the best from NYC will enter the bracket.

We talked to Justin Andrews, videographer at WTEN in Albany, to get his take on all three games plus some other things related to the teams. Scroll down to the game you want to hear about to hear his take.

Class AA: Green Tech 54, Jamestown 49

The Eagles just continue to win. It doesn’t always look pretty, but they always get it done. Jamil Hood Jr. had 18 points while Ramion Burt had 15.

We know the Eagles need Hood to score to win more often than not, but Burt’s play has stepped up in the later rounds of sectional, regional and state play.

More importantly for GT, they were 18-24 (75 %) from the foul line. They continue to do the little things right at the right time.

The Eagles beat Brentwood on Saturday in the semifinals, 52-44. Hood had just five points (notice I said, “need him to score more often than not” up top). Najee Ward had 15. I said it last week, I think he has been the real unsung hero of this Eagles run. His defense, mixed with timely shooting, has been key.

Class A: Scotia 66, Rochester East 44

The Tartans are everyone’s favorite team right now. And they are still undefeated. They play together and they want to win for each other. It’s really refreshing basketball to watch. Alex Sausville led the way with 26 points, including a Class A NYS tournament record eight three-pointers. Joe Cremo had 23 as he solidifies himself as one of the top players in the area.

Scotia led by just three after three quarters, but the Tartans outscored East 24-2 in the fourth.

Read that again. 24-2. What a stifling defensive performance.

Scotia only has a ten person roster. They only play five or six in their rotation per night. The fact that they can play that good of defense and stay out of foul trouble is mind-blowing.

Oh yeah, they won by 31 in the state semis on Saturday.

As they head to the Federation, they have a potential meeting with Albany Academy. I think that’s the matchup everyone has wanted to see all along.

Take a look at Sausville's shooting performance, courtesy of Andrews.

Class C: Hoosic Valley 67, Middle Early College 55

The Indians got 29 from John Rooney and 24 from Mike Pierre in the win. If you have two stars in Class C, you usually win. The Indians do.

Rooney and Pierre are the perfect complement to each other. Rooney has size while Pierre can shoot from outside or score off the dribble. They are also physically tough and can just wear down opponents.

But, if you’re going to win a state title, you also need others to step up. The Indians had three others score in the win.

HV won by four in the semis, with Pierre going for 27 and Rooney for 19. J.T. Sawyer was the additional spark, going for 12.