Federation games

Mount Vernon edges Lincoln for Federation Class AA title

by RICHARD A. ROSS

richardross@riverreporter.com

GLENS FALLS, NY — As big as it is to win a New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHAA) title, the federation title is one step higher on the ladder. Pitting the winners of Class AA, A and B of the NYSPHAA championships against their counterparts from New York City’s Public School Athletic League (PSAL), the Catholic High School Athletic Association (CHSAA) and the Association of Independent Schools Athletic Association (AISAA) in a single-elimination, two-round tournament produces the state’s best in the three largest classifications in both boys and girls basketball.

Played on the weekend following the NYSPHAA championships at Glens Falls, the boys and girls federation games feature the elite talent in New York basketball.

Mount Vernon came from behind to beat the Railsplitters of Lincoln High School 62-60, in a rematch of the 2004 title game won by Mount Vernon 66-52. Jonathan Mitchell, New York State Mr. Basketball, pitched in 16 points, as did Mike Coburn in the Knights’ comeback from a 10- point deficit at the start of the fourth quarter. Mount Vernon went on a 12-0 run to take the lead with 4:19 remaining. but the game was far from over.

Mitchell had 12 rebounds, four steals and four assists on his way to being named the Most Valuable Player.

Mount Vernon led 15-13 after the first quarter, but Lincoln outscored Mount Vernon 18-8 in the second quarter. Lincoln led 49-39 after three quarters. Down the stretch, Mount Vernon gained the momentum and forced a turnover on Lincoln’s final possession. It was the Knights’ fourth federation title. Lincoln last won in 2003 as a Class A school by defeating Christ the King (CHSAA) 75-73 in overtime. Sebastian Telfair was a member of that winning effort. Telfair now plays for the Portland Trailblazers.

Other federation results:

Class A boys: Peekskill (NYS PHAAA) 81, Woodmere (AISAA) 75

Class B boys: Global and International Studies (PSAL) 78, Blessed Sacrament (CHSAA) 73

Class AA girls: Christ the King (CHSAA) 79, Murray Bergtraum (PSAL) 66. This was Christ the King’s 57th straight win over two seasons. Tina Charles, New York State Miss Basketball, ended the game with a resounding dunk. She will play for the University of Connecticut in the fall.

Class A girls: St. Peters (CHSAA) 71, Sutherland (NYSPHAA) 46

Class B girls: Aquinas (CHSAA) 62, South Jefferson (NYSPHAA) 52.