Section 4 Class B hoops: Waverly boys, Chenango Forks girls capture titles
Waverly's boys ended a 28-year drought between sectional titles and the Chenango Forks girls secured the first such championship in program history Sunday during Section 4 Class B basketball championship games at Visions Veterans Memorial Arena in Binghamton.
Waverly dominated the second half in a 71-45 victory over Lansing to earn the program's first sectional championship since 1996.
"It’s been a long time coming," Waverly coach Louis Judson said. "I’ve had some great teams over the years that have come up short, but today was our day. We played extremely well and we get to advance and represent Section 4 Class B in the state tournament."
Chenango Forks topped Newark Valley, 46-35, in a rematch of last year's sectional final won by the Cardinals, who are ranked No. 1 in Class B by the New York State Sports Writers Association.
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Scott, defense came up big for Forks
Lexi Scott led top-seeded Chenango Forks with 18 points, including eight in a second quarter that started to turn the momentum the Blue Devils' way.
Forks went into halftime trailing 26-22 after scoring just four points in the opening quarter. The Blue Devils ratcheted up the defense in the third quarter, holding Newark Valley without a field goal and to five points total to grab a 34-31 lead.
It was more of the same in the final quarter, when the Blue Devils limited the Cardinals to four points to pull away.
Maggie Warpus and Alyssa Specchio each nailed 3-pointers in the fourth quarter for Forks. Specchio finished with 11 points and Warpus scored seven of her nine in the second half after early foul trouble.
Cha Gardner, the top scorer in Newark Valley history, led the Cardinals (21-2) with 22 points.
Newark Valley beat Forks, 51-35, in last year's sectional final.
Up Next: Chenango Forks (18-4) plays Utica Notre Dame (21-3) in a regional final at noon March 10 at Visions Arena. Notre Dame beat Marcellus, 63-59, in the Section 3 final.
Waverly took charge in second half
Joey Tomasso and Xavier Watson were among the most potent passer to receiver combinations in New York in helping Waverly to the Class C football state title in the fall. Those two also played key roles in Waverly bringing home another Section 4 hoops title to the school.
Tomasso scored 13 of his 22 points in the third quarter, helping the top-seeded Wolverines put up 28 points to turn a 32-29 halftime advantage into a 60-45 margin.
Watson added 21 points, including seven in the fourth quarter.
"Our press was effective and we got some steals in transition," Judson said. "Then we went to some isolation offense and Joey and Xavier took over there and played outstanding. ... Our defense was active, guys were moving the basketball. We probably played our best second half of the season against a quality opponent."
Judson noted his players weren't happy about being ranked below Lansing by the New York State Sports Writers Association (eighth and sixth), especially after Waverly won at Lansing, 61-47, on Feb. 7.
"I think they went in with a little chip on their shoulder today and I think we proved we were the better team," Judson said.
Jordan Sidle scored 13 points to pace second-seeded Lansing (20-3).
Up Next: Waverly (18-3) will take on Marcellus (23-1) in a regional final at 1:45 p.m. March 10 at Visions Arena. Marcellus, the top-ranked Class B team in New York, was a 66-41 winner over Clinton for its first Section 3 title.
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This article originally appeared on Elmira Star-Gazette: Recap of Section 4 Class B boys and girls basketball finals
