TRR photo by Richard A. Ross Swoop and scoop. Sullivan West’s Joe Meyer winds up for a back-underhanded scoop, which he made, putting the Bulldogs ahead of John S. Burke Catholic 35-33 midway in the fourth quarter. Sullivan West led for the first 27 and one-half minutes of the game, but the Eagles made a late run to capture the Division IV title.

Boys’ basketball Division IV Playoff

Down to the wire: Burke edges Bulldogs for division title

Game’s feverish pitch ends with Burke’s fourth-quarter comeback

By RICHARD A. ROSS

LOCH SHELDRAKE, NY—No, it wasn’t the sectionals. Not yet.

But with all of the game’s dramatic intensity, the deafening cacophony of the crowd noise and the torrid atmosphere down in the bunker at Sullivan County Community College, you’d never know that it was a division title, not a sectional championship, that was on the line.

In a classic division tiebreaker between Sullivan West and John S. Burke Catholic, Burke overcame a seven-point fourth-quarter deficit to edge the Bulldogs 42-39 in the waning seconds and capture the OCIAA Division IV title previously held by Sullivan West.

The February 18 clash was high school basketball at its best, and if things break right, the two teams will meet again for the Section Nine Class B title on February 28 at the college.

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Girls’ basketball

Sweet redemption

By RICHARD A. ROSS

LIVINGSTON MANOR, NY—Though Eldred’s shocking last-second 43-41 loss at home against the Livingston Manor Wildcats was more than a month ago, its bitter memory lingered for the Lady Yellowjackets as they took the floor February 16 in Manor. Having squandered a 10-point lead in the final minute of that first outing, the Yellowjackets were bound and determined to play intensely for the full 32 minutes in the rematch.

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Girls’ basketball

Lady ‘Dawgs’ claim county bragging rights

By RICHARD A. ROSS

LAKE HUNTINGTON, NY—The rivalry between the ladies of Sullivan West and Tri-Valley dates back to last summer. The two teams banged each other around during summer league at Sullivan County Community College, and though it was Downsville that emerged as the eventual winner, each team felt good about its hardwood prospects that were still months away.

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Also in this issue:

• Let the games begin
• Proscia, Chandler win Section 9 Division II wrestling titles
• Monticello gymnasts roll at ‘I Love NY’

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S