MHAL boys crown up for grabs at Ulster

New Paltz last won title in 2000; Spackenkill’s last crown won in 1999

New Paltz and Spackenkill highs’ boys basketball teams, which have to go back to the turn of the century to find its last Mid-Hudson Athletic League title, looked to add another one Thursday night when the two tangled in the final at SUNY Ulster.

Spackenkill stormed back in the fourth quarter to beat Rhinebeck 57-51 and New Paltz held off Roosevelt 59-56 in Wednesday’s semifinal games. New Paltz 59, Roosevelt 56

New Paltz, which last won the MHAL crown in 2000, hit clutch foul shots down the stretch to beat Roosevelt.

The game was tight throughout. It was tied at halftime and the Huguenots led by only one point heading into the fourth quarter.

Nowah Rosado’s 3-point field goal kept Roosevelt kept a onepoint contest entering into the final minute.

Axel Rodriguez scored 19 points, Corey Burke had 11 and Mike Holohan 10 to lead New Paltz.

Rosado had 16 points, DeAndre Orr tallied 15 and Ethan Hart chipped in with 10 for Roosevelt. Spackenkill 57, Rhinebeck 51

Spackenkill, which handed Rhinebeck its only loss of the season two weeks ago, did it again but this time in dramatic fashion.

The (17-2) Hawks led throughout. They jumped out to a 20-9 lead in the first quarter. Spackenkill whittled it down to eight at halftime and cut it to seven entering the fourth.

That kept the Spartans within striking distance. The strike was in the fourth as Spackenkill outscored Rhinebeck 21-8 to win.

The Spartans closed the gap to 48-47 with 4:21 remaining and Rhinebeck

was still leading at 51-50. Spackenkill, however, shut out the Hawks for the final three minutes and scored the final seven points to pull out the victory.

Ezeguil DeLaCruz scored seven of his nine points in the final quarter, including four in that final stretch.

Camron Abalos had 18 points and Tucker Lee 13 for the (17-2) Spartans.

Jack Spencer and Rob Veith tallied 15 and 14 points, respectively, to pace Rhinebeck.

Spackenkill last won the league championship in 1999.

TANIA BARRICKLO — DAILY FREEMAN New Paltz’s Axel Rodriguez takes shot during Huguenots’ semifinal victory over Roosevelt at SUNY Ulster in Stone, Ridge, N.Y.

TANIA BARRICKLO — DAILY FREEMAN Rhinebeck’s Rob Veith, middle, looks for rebound during Hawks’ semifinal loss to Spackenkill.