PLATTSBURGH — It was everything it lived up to be, a hard fought battle to be the Class A Boys basketball champions.
Beekmantown just proved to be more resilient going down the stretch in their 60-54 victory over Plattsburgh.
It means the Eagles are back-to-back Section VII champions, in a year few may have thought they could do it.
“Back to back championships is an amazing accomplishment,” Beekmantown’s Evan Dixon said. “I think a lot of people didn’t think we could do it, but we did and we did it together.”
It ultimately came to a five point swing early in the fourth quarter that doomed the Hornets.
After a Josh Sand layup, Nathan Parliament stole the inbound pass, laying it up and drawing the foul.
“Honestly, I didn’t think he was gonna pass and suddenly I have the ball right in my hands and go up with it,” Parliament said. It was a big swing of momentum for us big time.
Stuff like that can win or lose you a basketball game. The coaches said at halftime that basketball is a game of swings and we knew whoever had more swings was going to come out on top. Luckily it swung our way.”
As Beekmantown continued to hold the advantage, not allowing Plattsburgh to close within five points, the Hornets began to foul, daring the Eagles to beat them at the line.
Which is exactly what Beekmantown did. Both Payton Viau and Sand were sent to the line in the final minutes and came out unscathed.
Sand finished with a game high 20 points, including four from the charity stripe. He said even with the lead, the Eagles didn’t take anything for granted and waited for the final whistle to know they won.
“Probably to the final whistle,” Sand said. “I mean, even if they felt we still got to make our free throws and it could have been anyone’s game. We were under control and we made our shots at the free throw line.”
Players admitted many didn’t think Beekmantown would make it this far considering the early season coaching change that happened. They used it as a rallying cry.
Parliament said both Ryan Converse and Ryan Loucy stepped in to make the transition as smooth as possible.
“When Coach Converse and Coach Loucy stepped in the transition it was just like nothing happened and just this shows what how good they are,” he said. “And just to make that transition that easy. It played a huge role in our season and obviously paid off.”
Up next for Beekmantown is an undefeated Glens Falls from Section II. The game is scheduled for today at 7:15 p.m. in Shenendehowa High School.
Dixon said the team knows to expect a challenge going forward.
“Well, we’re going to be facing more athletic teams, so we just need to outwork them,” he said. “We need to out battle them in between the war.
“Our coach always tells us it’s a war and we need to beat the battles in between the war so if we can do that, anything is possible.”
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Beekmantown 60, Plattsburgh 54
Plattsburgh (54)
Ladue 3-0-6, Kemokai 0-2-2, Filosca 3-2-9, Hartmann 2-0-4, Williams 6-5-19, Rodriguez 6-2-14. TOTALS: 20-11-54
Beekmantown (60)
M. Mannix 0-0-0, Viau 0-4-4, Mosley 1-1-3, Bronson 1-0-3, Sand 8-4-20, Dixon 5-1-11, Parliament 7-0-15, Herrera 2-0-4. 24-10-60
Halftime- Plattsburgh, 27-26
3 point goals- PHS (3) Williams 2, Filosca. BCS (2) Bronson, Parliament.