STATE SEMIFINAL BASKETBALL CAPSULES
BOYS
CLASS B
II-CCHS (24-1) vs. Xisouthampton (20-5) at Cool Insuring Arena, 9 a.m. Saturday
What to know:
CCHS, a sectional champion for the first time in 42 years, passed its first state playoff test with a 72-34 victory over Section X champion Potsdam, a game in which the Sandstoners were limited to 33.3 percent shooting (13for-39) . ... The second-ranked Crusaders tops Section II in 3-pointers with 206, including nine in the win over Potsdam . ... The top two scorers for CCHS are freshman standouts Darien Moore (23.0 ppg) and Sei’mir Roberson (15.3 ppg) . ... Thirdranked Southampton earned its spot in Glens Falls on the strength of state playoff wins against Malverine (63-49) and Valhalla (64-55) . ... The Mariners have scored 90 points or more three times this season.
CLASS D
Ii-north Warren (18-5) vs. Ix-chapel Field Christian (18-5) at Cool Insuring Arena, 7 p.m.
What to know:
The Cougars, winners of the sectional title with a 46-33 decision over top-seeded Northville, overcame a slow start to beat Schroon Lake 64-59 in the state quarterfinals at HVCC. The Adirondack League champion, ranked No. 8 in the state, was led in that victory by 26 points from Sean Evans . ... Chapel Field Christian is ranked No. 16 in the state . ... The Lions roared past Bridgehampton (58-53) and South Kortright (68-58).
GIRLS
CLASS A Ii-averill Park (22-2) vs. I-walter Panas (21-5) at HVCC, 3:15 p.m. Friday What to know:
Averill Park, a program with ninth consecutive sectional championship and 14 titles since 2006, earned its semifinal slot with a 64-38 victory over Indian River as junior forward Taylor Holohan poured in 30 points (11-for-12 shooting, 2-for-2 on 3-pointers). The Warriors defeated Section I champion Tappan Zee 54-48 in the 2022 state final . ... Walter Panas captured its first Section I title and comes to Troy after beating Wallkill 62-49, paced by 30 points from sophomore star Cadence Nicholas. The fourth-ranked Panthers lost to Tappan Zee 46-41 on Jan. 10. Eleven days later, Averill Park beat Tappan Zee 58-38.
CLASS B Ii-albany Academy for Girls (24-1) vs. I-putnam Valley (25-1) at HVCC, 11:45 a.m. Friday
What to know:
The Bears made their first state playoff game in school history a memorable experience with a 62-37 triumph over Sararac. AAG, ranked No. 2 in the state, has won six straight games and features seven players that have scored 150 points or more . ... Putnam Valley is state’s topranked squad. The Tigers trailed Locust Valley 18-8 after one quarter in the state quarterfinals and rallied to produce a 51-37 win. Senior star Eva Dechent, the 2022 Class B state Player of the Year who is headed to play next at Rhode Island, delivered 20 points, 10 rebounds, six assists and six steals to lead the way . ... Putnam Valley has captured four straight sectional titles.
CLASS C Ii-greenwich (26-0) vs. Ix-millbrook (19-3) at HVCC, 2:15 p.m. Saturday What to know:
The Witches, who advanced past the CC/C playoff game for the first time since 1994, beat both Northeastern Clinton (49-41) and Canton (60-32) in regional play. ... Third-ranked Greenwich is a seven-time sectional champion seeking the program’s first state championship, led by senior guard Norah Niesz (16.7 ppg) and freshman guard Brooke
Kuzmich (16.6 ppg) . ... Millbrook won the state title in 2022 and returns to Troy after posting state playoff wins against Tuchahoe (77-34) and Port Jefferson (61-30). In the victory over Port Jefferson, Emily Grasseler scored the 1,000th point of her career . ... The Blazers enter the contest against Greenwich ranked No. 5 in the state.
CLASS D Ii-bishop Gibbons (15-7) vs. Iv-oxford Academy (21-5) at HVCC, 10:45 a.m. Saturday
What to know:
Bishop Gibbons, ranked No. 19 in the state last week, moved up seven positions after defeating Section VII champion Seton Catholic in the state quarterfinals . ... This is the first time since 2019 the Golden Knights are playing in the state semifinals . ... During the 1980s, Bishop Gibbons captured eight sectional titles competing in Class A and B, including winning the 1986 Class A state championship when there are no Class AA level . ... Oxford Academy (21-5), ranked No. 3 in the state, played at the Class C level last year. It beat Smithtown Christian 70-44 in the state quarterfinals led by 26 points and 11 rebounds from Madalyn Barrows . ... The Blackhawks edged top-seeded Cherry Valley 38-36 in the Section IV final.