Congrats To All Champs!

Wow, there were some really great section finals this season on both the boys and girls side. The east side of CNY really came to represent this year.
Starting with the boys:
Class AA
Proctor showed they were for real in a big way, surviving two scoring droughts with tough defense to beat Henninger. I was there for this one and you always had the feeling they were going to pull it out. They have a small swagger and a ton of confidence in their leader Deandre Preaster. However, on this day, it was the supporting cast who also rallied, doing the little things like cutting off passes, rebounding and hitting some key shots. Can they continue on? Well, they face the winner of Section II's championship next weekend, don't bet against them.
Class A
At the beginning of the season, we all knew New Hartford would be good. I think only New Hartford though knew they could be this good. After two regular season losses to Notre Dame, albeit close losses, I don't think the odds were in their favor. All I can say is....FORGET THE ODDS! They didn't just win on Saturday, they dominated! This team is playing like a well oiled machine. I pitty Massena if the Spartans are clicking like this on Friday, congrats guys!
Class B
If you don't feel good for Jon Snyder and his Holland Patent Golden Knights, you either played against them in the playoffs, or you don't have a heart. No one expected them to take home a title. But lets look at this fact: they have played all season long in the Tri-Valley, a league full of Class A teams. If that doesn't prepare you for Sectionals, nothing will. Gumby showed a mental toughness most kids wish they had...Snyder could be coach of the year. They still have Hannibal in the cross-over, but no matter what happens...they are still champs!
Class C
All I can say is WOW! West Canada, odds on favorite to win the title, perhaps go deep in states ran into Frankfort and two overtimes later the Maroon Knights, with a first year head coach mind you, did the unthinkable. Now while many were shocked, don't be totally shocked. Frankfort came in on a tremendous roll of their own, winning 10 of their last 11. Both coaches feared a close game, I think 2 OT's is close enough...Congrats Frankfort!
Class D
Another classic battle between to anual rivals in NY Mills and Hamilton. With all the Marauders had to deal with in the last week and a half, they came out focused and tenacious. Dave Wadas showed why he is one of the premiere point guards in the area. All he did was do what he does game in and game out, just add a few more points in the box score. Hamilton gave them a battle, but you knew that Mike Adey and company weren't going to let the off court incident slow them down. Next up Otselic Valley in the crossover. Back to back titles for the Marauders and perhaps this one is a little bit sweeter.
GIRLS
Class B
The Clinton Lady Warriors played some pheonominal defense against top ranked South Jeff. They just ran into a team that played even tougher defense. Congrats though to Tom Trevisani and his ladies, they win their first B-2 title and that's a huge accomplishment.
Class C
Well, the Lady Mounties circled this date a year ago, hoping to get the chance for revenge. In a back and forth game, they got their revenge and improved to 24-0. This is a dream season for Pam Munger and company, and they are not done yet, they face Elmira Notre Dame from Section IV at Cortland next weekend. This team has a special chemistry that could take them to the state final four...we'll be watching!
Class D
How about those Lady Redwings! Forget the monkey, how about the gorilla off coach D'Argenio's back! Great to see him smile after years of not winning the title. Better yet you have to feel great for those girls. Madison Slagle has showed all season she has the potential to take over a game. She's quite a player. They will face Odessa Montour from Section IV next weekend.

SPECIAL NOTE:
After recent off court and off ice incidents, all of which have been well documented and don't need to be brought up again, let me offer this: Attention all students and student athletes, stay out of situations that can put you in a bad position. Coaches and teachers have told me over the years that they tell kids this almost on a daily basis, yet we see young athletes make these mistakes over and over. Almost always the kids will likely say "can't happen to me." Yet after we see teams and players suffer for a bad decision made by a teammate, other still go out and make dumb mistakes.
As a sportscaster and a father, it makes me sick to see young people flush opportunties down the drain because they didn't take stock in the advise a coach, teacher or parent gives them. So, I'll say it one more time: If you are an athlete on one of the remaining teams, stay away from parties, booze, drugs and comprimising positions. Stop and think...is what I'm doing a good thing? If it's not, stop and run away. Don't just take this to heart for the remainder of the season....take it to heart FOR LIFE! Please leave your comments, I'd love to hear from you all!