POTSDAM — Payton Parliament left CCC two points shy of 1000. Everyone knew it’d happen early against Franklin Academy.
To know it happened in a win, is even sweeter.
“Payton has dominated Section VII on offense this year and worked hard to earn the incredible achievement of joining the 1000 point club as only a Junior,” Beekmantown’s Emily Girard said. “She could not have done it without the support of her teammates.”
It was an Eagles win that showed a tenacity on defense as the offense worked to find its rhythm.
Beekmantown’s plan was to lock down the Huskies on defense and it worked as the teams headed to the break with the Eagles ahead, 21-11.
Parliament led all scorers with 15 points. Olivia Hagadorn chipped in 13 to help steer Beekmantown to victory.
Parliament was also deadly from deep as she made three of her team’s four threes.
“Payton is the true meaning of a power forward, excelling on every area of the floor, and it has been an honor to coach her towards this achievement,” Girard said. “I could not be more proud of the accomplishments Payton and this whole Beekmantown team have made this season.”
Alyvia Roberts led Franklin Academy with 12 points.
The Eagles now advance to play in a regional final against Section II’s Central Catholic. The game is set to be played in Beekmantown, today at 6 p.m.
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Beekmantown 36, Franklin Academy 28
Beekmantown (36)
Castine 0-0-0, McCasland 2-1-6, C. Hagadorn 0-0-0, Miller 0-0-0, Gregoire 0-0-0, O. Hagadorn 6-1-13, Parliament 5-2-15, Dutil 1-0-2, L. Barnes 0-0-0. TOTALS: 14-4-36
Franklin Academy (28)
Sosa 2-1-6, Varin 0-0-0, Lilliok 2-0-4, McArdle 2-0-6, Roberts 4-4-12. TOTALS: 10-5-28
Halftime- Beekmantown, 21-11
3 point goals- BCS (4), McCasland 1, Parliament 3; FA (3), Sosa 1, McArdle 2
ALBANY ACADEMY 46
SARANAC 30
AVERILL PARK — The Spartans knew there was a tough task set before them as they faced the top team in Class B.
Saranac took a 24-23 lead at the break, but Albany Academy for Girls turned up the pressure in the second half, to pull away and win 40-36.
“I want to start by saying I was extremely proud of how well the girls played,” Spartan head coach Tim Newell said. “The girls worked very hard this week preparing for this challenge. They came out and started the game with great energy and focus.”
Newell said the lead could have been much bigger, but Saranac missed a handful of great looks.
The third quarter saw the Bears take a 30-27 lead, as the Spartans continued strong defensive pressure.
But, with any game you need a little luck on your side. Saranac’s luck seemed to run out when point guard Layla Pellerin sprained her ankle at the end of the third quarter.
“Layla’s absence on the floor really hurt our offensive flow,” Newell said. “She was out for about a four minute stretch in the final quarter getting her ankle taped up.
“By the time Layla returned we were down by 10 points.”
The Bears intensity increased in the final two frames as they locked down Brenna Ducatte from continuing her stellar effort in the first half where she scored 10 points.
She was held scoreless the entire second half.
“Albany is ranked number one for a very good reason,” Newell said. “They upped their defensive pressure in the second half, limiting our good looks at the basket. “
Pellerin and Ducatte led the Spartans with 13 and 10 points, respectively.
By the time Pellerin returned to the game, the fate of the season was already looking grim. The Spartans didn’t give up, continuing to battle until the final whistle.
“To our girls credit they played with desire and intensity to the final whistle,” Newell said. “They represented Section Seven with great class and effort.
“A big thanks to our two seniors Molly Denis and Mchenna Brown for their maturity and leadership throughout the season. We definitely would not have made it this far without them. They will be missed next year.”
Saranac concluded the 2023-24 season with a 19-4 record, while repeating as Section VII champions.
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Albany Academy 46, Saranac 30
Saranac (30)
Pellerin 5-0-13, Brown M 1-0-3, DeAngelo 0-0-0, Recore 0-0-0, Denis 1-0-2, Brown L 1-0-2, Ducatte 4-2-10, Ubl 0-0-0, Gagnier 0-0-0. TOTALS: 12-2-30
Albany Academy (46)
Gitto 2-4-9, Williams 1-2-4, Vien 2-0-4, Thornthon 1-0-3, Bischoff 0-0-0, Holdemann 0-0-0, Morse 0-0-0, Conway 0-0-0, Vincent 1-1-4, Zayak 2-0-5, Ostovar 0-1-1, Leonard M 0-0-0, Leonard A 6-1-16. TOTALS: 15-9-46
Halftime- Saranac, 24-23
3 point goals- Saranac (4) Pellerin 3, M. Brown, Albany (7) A. Leonard 3, Gitto, Thornthon, Vincent, Zayaak