Boys basketball

They might be giants

Playing their hearts out in tough loss to O’Neill, Dawgs set to give it their all in bid for sectionals

By RICHARD A. ROSS

HIGHLAND FALLS, NY — Though Sullivan West lost Derek Hahn in their 66-42 win against Livingston Manor on February 13, their road to gaining a sectional berth was kept momentarily alive as the team’s record improved to 9-7. But the cost of losing Hahn, who suffered a season-ending strain to a lateral ligament, made this season’s difficult journey that much more arduous. Somehow, the team had to muster one more win in order to gain a sectional berth and draw new life for a postseason run.

Hampered by the loss of Hahn’s scoring, shot-blocking ability and rebounding, the Bulldogs closed ranks quickly for their crucial league rematch at James I. O’Neill on February 16, a team that they lost to 71-64 back on January 30. A win against the Raiders would solidify a Sullivan West berth in the big dance, by virtue of a 3-3 league record and an over .500 winning percentage on the season.

A loss would require either a road win against Tri-Valley (13-6) on February 22, or a last stand against Class A Port Jervis (8-10) at home on February 24. Port Jervis has sectional aspirations of its own that require victories this week over Pine Bush and Sullivan West.

According to coach Rick Ellison, the Bulldogs gave their all against O’Neill, but ultimately came up short, losing 70-67.

“These kids played with so much heart,” Ellison said. “We were a couple of possessions away from winning our most crucial game of the season.”

But alas, it was not to be. Sullivan West kept the game pace slow, but were ultimately outgunned by a deep Raiders’ squad that out-rebounded and out-hustled their opponent.

Unfazed by O’Neill’s home court and size advantage, the Bulldogs still showed the kind of tough, relentless moxie that has come to define Sullivan West teams under the reign of Ellison, Bob Menges and Cliff Kelly. These kids refused to quit.

Kevin Cappiello raised his game to a new level of athleticism by scoring a team-high 19 points that included 10 in the fourth quarter, accentuated by a pair of treys.

Recently returned from an insidious ankle sprain that had sidelined him for four-plus games, Cappiello is the definition of a big-game player. “He gave us everything he had,” said Ellison, a description that he felt was equally apt for the overall effort by his team.

The Dawgs led 18-13 at the end of the first quarter, with seven points from Cappiello and four each from Paul Pitz and Alan Ackermann.

Sullivan West carried a narrow 32-30 lead into halftime. Jason Leewe contributed five points in the second quarter, and Kevin Brewer hit a three-pointer. Despite the monstrous rebounding of O’Neill’s Mark Anthony Johnson, who pulled down 15 boards on the night, Sullivan West still led 48-46 heading into the final frame. Leewe pitched in five more with Youmans and Ackermann, each adding four in the third quarter.

Both Johnsons (Mark Anthony and Ben), who transferred into O’Neill this year, were key down the stretch. They scored 13 fourth-quarter points between them, including a critical put back by Mark Anthony of an air ball by JR Downey when the Dawgs trailed 63-60. That shot was huge, but the Bulldogs still had life. A late three by Cappiello got thing close, but the Dawgs were forced to foul. O’Neill made five of six from the line in the fourth quarter, and held on to win.

It is essential to note that it was Hahn who led the Dawgs with 20 points in the first game between the two teams in January. This time out, the Bulldogs would score three more points in total without him. But as the game wound down to the final few key possessions, it proved to be three points too few to thrust the game into overtime—four points shy of a momentous victory. A scary head-on collision between Pitz and point-guard Derrick Stanton required their exits from the game, and stitches as well. The Bulldogs could hardly afford to lose another scorer.

In their previous meeting with O’Neill, Raider Eliud Suarez did the most damage with 25 points. He scored just two in the first half and had four in total in the rematch.

Sophomore point guard Derrick Stanton was another thorn in the Bulldogs’ side in the first meeting with 15 points. This time out, he was limited to 10. Downey had 12 this outing. He was also a factor in the first game. O’Neill improved its record to 11-7 (4-2) OCIAA. The Dawgs slipped to 9-8 (2-4 OCIAA). Ben Johnson led O’Neill with 19 points.

In addition to Cappiello’s 19, Pitz had 13, Ackermann had 12 and Leewe had 10. Sullivan West shot six-for-11 from the line. O’Neill hit seven-for-12 from the stripe.

Tri-Valley makes sectionals but experiences trouble of its own

GRAHAMSVILLE, NY — After suffering a tailspin that resulted in a recent brutal 68-66 loss at Tuxedo on February 13, despite getting 35 points from John Merchant, and a dreadful 46-32 home loss to Chester on February 16, the Bears slipped from a potential two-seed in the upcoming Class C sectionals to a five-seed. In the process, they lost a home playoff game and will now have to play on the road against the Hambletonians, a team that swept them during the regular season. Ahead of them in the sectional seeding are top-seeded Millbrook, Webutuck, Tuxedo and Chester. Also to be reckoned with will be sixth-seed S.S. Seward. Clearly, the Bears have their work cut out for them.

Now 13-6 (4-4), the Bears, who have lost much practice time of late, and without the services of Dustin and Ryan VanLieu in the Tuxedo game, seek to regain the fine form that defined them in the early season. Coach Jason Semo was immensely disappointed with his team’s effort in the Chester game.

An official who has worked numerous Tri-Valley games over the years remarked to Semo, “That was the first time in seven years that I’ve seen your team play without heart.”

Semo’s young squad seems to have momentarily misplaced its chemistry, something they hoped to regain with their crossover game against Sullivan West on February 20.

“Last year, the game against them turned us around. I’m hoping it will do so again,” Semo said. Though the Bears lost that game 72-39, the Bears went on to win three of their last four games. Playing against mentors Ellison and Menges is akin to playing in the Superbowl for Semo. The disciple would love to win a game from two of the area’s masters.

Though pride is at stake as far as Tri-Valley is concerned, the game is otherwise meaningless for the Bears. Sullivan West, on the other hand, seeks to avoid a potential re-enactment of Custer’s Last Stand against the crazed Red Raiders of Port Jervis two days later.

Speaking of turnarounds, Semo’s squad went from 5-15 a year ago to their present 13-6.

Panthers earn Division III title with win over Cornwall

MONTICELLO, NY — Brad Cooper, who recently surpassed the 1000-point career milestone, was key again in a big spot as Monticello held on to defeat Cornwall 63-59 on February 16 to earn the Division III title.

Cooper had 23 points and five steals. He was aided by Mike Normann’s 13 points and nine rebounds, and Tyrone White’s 11 points and three blocks. White recently moved from Liberty and has been a contributor ever since his arrival.

The Panthers improved to 13-7 (5-1 OCIAA). Their only league loss came at the hands of the Green Dragons back on February 3, when they lost at Cornwall 53-48. Cornwall’s record fell to 14-5 (4-2). Both teams will now steel themselves for the upcoming sectionals where they may meet again. Other Class A teams in the mix include Red Hook, Rondout Valley, Walkill, FDR and possibly Port Jervis.