Four local boys basketball teams will be in action on Saturday competing for sectional titles. Here is a look at the key facts and figures for each contest.
Section IV Class C
Delhi (18-4) vs. Moravia (19-1)
At Tompkins Cortland Community College, Saturday, 4 p.m.
This past fall, the Delhi football team won its first sectional title since 2006. Some of those same players will be looking to break an even longer sectional title drought in basketball on Saturday.
The Bulldogs haven’t earned a Section IV banner in boys basketball since winning the Class B title in 1978, but this year’s squad comes into Saturday’s game playing as well as any team in the area.
Delhi is riding a 12-game winning streak with its last loss coming back on Jan. 13 in a 60-47 decision to Johnstown. They advanced to the title game with a 67-60 victory over Trumansburg in the semifinal round.
The Bulldogs feature a balanced offensive attack with three players averaging double-digit points per game: Seamus deMauro (16.2), Ivan Richardson (11.9) and Tommy Nagy (11.0). Nagy was the go-to guy against Trumansburg, scoring 27 points thanks to a school-record eight three-pointers. Rocco Schnabel is another key contributor who is a nightly double-double threat.
Saturday’s contest will serve as a rematch of last year’s title game against defending State Champion Moravia. The Bulldogs led at halftime in the 2024 final but eventually fell 49-42.
Section IV Class D
Morris (14-7) vs. Worcester (15-7)
At SUNY Delhi, Saturday, 6 p.m.
Whichever team wins the Class D title game will be earning their program’s first banner in a long time.
Morris hasn’t won an outright title since 1975 (they were the D1 champions in 1980 but fell to Gilboa-Conesville in the overall final). Worcester, meanwhile, hasn’t captured a championship since 1969. In fact, the Wolverines haven’t even been to a sectional final since 1970.
This will be the third meeting this season between the Tri-Valley League rivals with each side winning one game apiece. The Mustangs took a 69-61 decision on Feb. 4 while the Wolverines won 61-55 on Feb. 11 in the TVL Semifinals.
Morris features one of the best one-two combinations in the area in Ryan Murphy and Carter Swayer. Murphy leads all local scorers with 27.6 points per game and scored 53 combined points in the first two meetings against Worcester. Swayer comes in averaging a healthy 19.4 points per game and scored 29 in the Mustangs’ win over the Wolverines.
Morris will look for secondary scoring from the likes of Ty Turner and Ryland Boss. Usually a high-scoring outfit, the Mustangs won a 36-33 slugfest over Edmeston to advance to the title game.
Matthew Sanders is the top scoring option for the Wolverines, averaging 18.6 points per game, including a 28-point performance in the playoff win over Morris.
It’s more than a one-man show, however, as Ryan Prince, Alex Adams and Conner and Derek Land have all come through in key moments throughout the season.
Worcester advanced to Saturday’s final with a hard-fought 42-41 win over Margaretville in the semifinals.
Section III Class C
Cooperstown (23-0) vs. Waterville (19-4)
At Onondaga Community College, Saturday, 6:15 p.m.
There will be plenty of eyes pointed towards Syracuse to see whether the Hawkeyes can keep their perfect season alive in the Section III title game.
Cooperstown has faced little resistance in its three sectional games so far, winning by an average score of 82-48 including a 109-point performance against Cincinnatus in the second round.
The Hawkeyes should feel confident going into Saturday’s matchup against Waterville having won their two regular season meetings by scores of 82-55 and 84-61.
Miles Nelen once again figures to be the player to watch for Cooperstown. He comes in averaging 22.7 points per game and netted 40 in the first game against Waterville on Dec. 20.
But Cooperstown’s success has come about because of how many scoring options there are: in the Feb. 3 victory, Nelen (21 points), Christian Lawson (15), Cooper Coleman (14), Brody Murdock (14) and Jackson Crisman (12) all scored in double-figures.
On the other end, the Hawkeyes will look to contain Waterville’s top points-getter Jackson Ruane who averages 22.0 points per game.
Cooperstown is gunning for its first sectional title since winning the State Championship in 2018-19.