CATO - Losing 60-43 in the Section III, Class C-1 quarterfinals isn't quite the way the Cato-Meridian boys basketball team envisioned their season ending.
“Not when you're a two seed,” Blue Devils senior Nate Modafferi said.
But that's the way the chips fell for them against seventh-seeded Cooperstown on Tuesday. The Redskins took an early lead and ran with it, pouring in 20 points in the first and final quarters for their second straight playoff win. They defeated Weedsport in the first round, 65-42.
“We didn't play good,” Modafferi said. “We turned it over too much.”
The Blue Devils had a tough time handling the ball, giving it away 28 times to the Redskins' five. Cato-Meridian coach Ryan Brunelle didn't have much to say after the game, but did offer a brief summary.
“We played a great team, a good defensive team,” Brunelle said. “It has to end this way. It was either a loss or a state title.”
It looked like it was going to be the latter after the way the Blue Devils (12-7) finished the season. They ended with three straight wins - one against state-ranked Onondaga and another over Pulaski to earn the league title. But they appeared to be a completely different team against the surprising Redskins, who went on a 20-6 first quarter run before Tim Pierce and Modafferi combined for seven points in the final 1:56 of the quarter. The two seniors actually made up all of the Blue Devils' first half points except three as Cooperstown led 31-20 at intermission.
Modafferi led with 17 points and nine rebounds, but fouled out with 1:20 remaining in the game. Pierce played well also, with 16 points, including four of the team's five 3s and six rebounds. He also came up with the play of the game with a buzzer-beating 3 from well behind half court to end the third quarter. After allowing just nine points in the third, the long-distance 3 cut the Redskins' lead to six points heading into the fourth quarter.
“That helped for a couple of minutes,” Modafferi said. “Until they came out and scored again.”
Cooperstown took it to the Blue Devils quickly in the fourth quarter. Zach Sittler, the 5-foot-9 Redskins guard, tallied eight points in the fourth and a team-high 26, including 7-for-8 from the line. Cooperstown didn't attempt any free throws in the second or third quarters, but attempted 16 shots in the fourth and ended at 74 percent.
After topping out at 14 points in the third quarter, the Blue Devils chipped in just nine in the fourth. Senior Jim Jennings was the only Redskins player to score in every quarter and finished with 18 points. Cooperstown advances to play third seeded Sandy Creek in the semifinals.
But that's the way the chips fell for them against seventh-seeded Cooperstown on Tuesday. The Redskins took an early lead and ran with it, pouring in 20 points in the first and final quarters for their second straight playoff win. They defeated Weedsport in the first round, 65-42.
“We didn't play good,” Modafferi said. “We turned it over too much.”
The Blue Devils had a tough time handling the ball, giving it away 28 times to the Redskins' five. Cato-Meridian coach Ryan Brunelle didn't have much to say after the game, but did offer a brief summary.
“We played a great team, a good defensive team,” Brunelle said. “It has to end this way. It was either a loss or a state title.”
It looked like it was going to be the latter after the way the Blue Devils (12-7) finished the season. They ended with three straight wins - one against state-ranked Onondaga and another over Pulaski to earn the league title. But they appeared to be a completely different team against the surprising Redskins, who went on a 20-6 first quarter run before Tim Pierce and Modafferi combined for seven points in the final 1:56 of the quarter. The two seniors actually made up all of the Blue Devils' first half points except three as Cooperstown led 31-20 at intermission.
Modafferi led with 17 points and nine rebounds, but fouled out with 1:20 remaining in the game. Pierce played well also, with 16 points, including four of the team's five 3s and six rebounds. He also came up with the play of the game with a buzzer-beating 3 from well behind half court to end the third quarter. After allowing just nine points in the third, the long-distance 3 cut the Redskins' lead to six points heading into the fourth quarter.
“That helped for a couple of minutes,” Modafferi said. “Until they came out and scored again.”
Cooperstown took it to the Blue Devils quickly in the fourth quarter. Zach Sittler, the 5-foot-9 Redskins guard, tallied eight points in the fourth and a team-high 26, including 7-for-8 from the line. Cooperstown didn't attempt any free throws in the second or third quarters, but attempted 16 shots in the fourth and ended at 74 percent.
After topping out at 14 points in the third quarter, the Blue Devils chipped in just nine in the fourth. Senior Jim Jennings was the only Redskins player to score in every quarter and finished with 18 points. Cooperstown advances to play third seeded Sandy Creek in the semifinals.
The Citizens' Say
There are No comments posted.