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Boys basketball: Chapel Field downs Roscoe, repeats as Class D champs

ken mcmillan, times herald-record
·4 min read

LOCH SHELDRAKE – With no home gym to speak of, Chapel Field Christian has gotten used to playing in enemy territory.

A return to SUNY Sullivan’s Paul Gerry Fieldhouse on Wednesday brought some level of comfort to the defending Section 9 Class D champion Lions.

“We’re used to this atmosphere, we’re used to this gym,’’ said Jonah McDuffie. “We know what it’s like to be in a loud crowd, what it’s like to be down and come back up. We were prepared.’’

Chapel Field's Jonah McDuffie kisses the Section 9 trophy after winning the Class D boys basketball final versus Roscoe at SUNY Sullivan on March 1, 2023.
Chapel Field's Jonah McDuffie kisses the Section 9 trophy after winning the Class D boys basketball final versus Roscoe at SUNY Sullivan on March 1, 2023.

So there was no panic as Roscoe’s Aiden Johnston hit a trio of 3-pointers in the opening quarter and the Blue Devils moved out to a 13-8 lead. Chapel Field coach Brad McDuffie said his team probably came out a bit tight for the title game, as evidenced by a 3-for-18 shooting start, missing all but one of eight 3-point attempts.

The Lions gathered themselves in the second quarter, turned up the defensive pressure and grabbed the lead for good three minutes before the break. Chapel Field slowly stretched its halftime edge and went on to the 60-42 victory.

Turning point

There was certainly a level of familiarity as the two OCIAA Division 6 foes squared off for the third time this season, the first two on Roscoe’s home floor.

That’s where the slightest change can make the biggest difference.

In the second quarter Chapel Field used its height and length advantage well, pushing out a bit on the defensive side with Jonah McDuffie, Noah Swart and Mike Bonagura. Roscoe started to have trouble passing through the trio and the rest of the Lions did a fabulous job getting on the floor for loose balls that did make it through.

“The difference in the game is we just stepped it up,’’ Brad McDuffie said. “I wanted us to come out with that defensive intensity.’’

Chapel Field turned eight Roscoe turnovers into 11 points in the second quarter, moving out to a 30-21 lead. Roscoe, which surrendered six points off seven more turnovers in the third quarter, never drew closer than eight the rest of the way.

Chapel Field's Jonah McDuffie takes a layup against Roscoe's Anthony Teipelke during the Section 9 Class D boys basketball final at SUNY Sullivan on March 1, 2023.
Chapel Field's Jonah McDuffie takes a layup against Roscoe's Anthony Teipelke during the Section 9 Class D boys basketball final at SUNY Sullivan on March 1, 2023.

Player of the game

Jonah McDuffie has become Chapel Field’s go-to scorer. He’s got range on the perimeter and he’s fearless on taking the ball to the hole. His aggressive nature did result in a pair of charging calls but he showed more patience and went on to score 31 points, despite sitting out a large portion of the third quarter.

“We love him,’’ Swart said.

McDuffie shot six for 18 in the first half, missed all three of his shots in the third quarter but hit all three in the fourth. He also made 10 consecutive free throws following a first-quarter miss.

“You’ve got to let every missed shot, every mistake go,’’ he said. “You have got to focus on the long run, on the process and not the mistakes you make in the game.’’

Chapel Field's boys basketball team head coach, Brad McDuffie raises their trophy after winning the Section 9 Class D boys basketball final versus Roscoe at SUNY Sullivan on March 1, 2023.
Chapel Field's boys basketball team head coach, Brad McDuffie raises their trophy after winning the Section 9 Class D boys basketball final versus Roscoe at SUNY Sullivan on March 1, 2023.

By the numbers

Chapel Field (17-5) – The Lions shot 21-for-61 (34 percent), hitting four of 20 3-pointers. … Swart scored 19 and Bonagura eight. … Chapel Field has won two in a row, four of five and 12 of its last 14. … The Lions forced 25 turnovers.

Roscoe (11-10) – The Blue Devils shot 16-for-37 (43 percent), sinking half of 14 3-pointers. Johnston scored 16, Anthony Zamenick 13 and Anthony Teipelke 11. … Roscoe had won three in a row and four of its last five. … It was the fourth time the Blue Devils surrendered 60 points.

Chapel Field's Mickey Bonagura drives to the net against Roscoe's Aiden Johnston during the Section 9 Class D boys basketball final at SUNY Sullivan on March 1, 2023.
Chapel Field's Mickey Bonagura drives to the net against Roscoe's Aiden Johnston during the Section 9 Class D boys basketball final at SUNY Sullivan on March 1, 2023.

Quotable

“We definitely turned up our defense. I think we came out a little flat-footed but once we turned up the defense we were ready to go.’’ – Chapel Field’s Noah Swart

“They (Roscoe) always make it hard for us, always make it interesting. But I think when we play our game, we play for each other and we get things done.’’ – Jonah McDuffie

Roscoe's Aiden Johnston attempts a jump shot as Chapel Field's Leam Powell covers him during the Section 9 Class D boys basketball final at SUNY Sullivan on March 1, 2023.
Roscoe's Aiden Johnston attempts a jump shot as Chapel Field's Leam Powell covers him during the Section 9 Class D boys basketball final at SUNY Sullivan on March 1, 2023.

What’s next?

Chapel Field gains a state first-round rematch with Suffolk County’s Bridgehampton, at 7 p.m. Tuesday at S.S. Seward Institute in Florida. The Lions won 56-47 a year ago but the Killer Bees return much of their team.

kmcmillan@th-record.com Twitter: @KenMcMillanTHR

This article originally appeared on Times Herald-Record: Chapel Field Christian beats Roscoe in Section 9 Class D boys basketball