NEWBURGH – Already full of enthusiasm and excitement, the Saugerties student section reached a crescendo late in the third quarter.
Jack Parisio scored nine straight points, the last of which was a highlight fadeaway from behind the arc, and at that point Sawyers took control and it looked like the long-awaited championship was within reach. The audience could feel it too.
“I already knew that,” Parisio said with a laugh. “Once we got off to a good start, you could feel it. There was ultimate confidence in the way we went in the playoffs.”
There was never any reason for Saugerties or circumstances to sway that.
On Friday, with the stifling inside defense that is becoming its hallmark, second-seeded Sawyers defeated upstart Beacon 54-38 to win the Section 9 Class A boys basketball title.
It was Saugerties' first win since 2015.
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“It’s the best feeling in the world,” senior Nicholas Steinmeier said. “This is unbelievable after all the years I've been on the team and never done anything like this or even close to it.”
Saugerties (13-10) advances to play the Section 1 champions in a sub-regional matchup at Dutchess Community College on Monday at 6 p.m.
Steinmeier was a senior the last time the program hoisted a sectional plaque, but he admitted it would be another two years before he became interested in basketball.
Saugerties is especially grateful for what the 6-foot-4 forward has done right now. Steinmeier had 11 points, 13 rebounds and five blocks. He and Ty Van Valkenburgh anchored the post defense and contested and blocked several other shots, making it difficult for the Beacons to even get a clean look on his penetrating drives. .
Parisio scored 19 points, including two 3-pointers, and penetrated defenses with crossovers and quick changes of direction. His skills were on display during a two-minute period in the third quarter, when he scored nine straight points to help Saugerties extend its lead to 41-26.
“We knew they were an athletic team, but they're good at getting inside the paint,” Sawyers coach Mike Tierno said of Beacon. “But we have some good defensive players and we've played really well as a team the last few weeks.”
Admittedly, Saugerties had its ups and downs throughout most of the regular season. Tiano said it took until late January for the group to hit its stride. Their accomplishments included holding opponents to an average of 39 points in three playoff games, including an overtime victory in the semifinals.
“We take great pride in keeping our team under 40 people,” Parisio said. “As far as filming goes, it wasn't Beacon day so we knew we had to stay indoors, but everyone did a great job.”
Steinmeier made a layup with 3:23 left in the first quarter to give Saugerties a 7-6 lead that it would not relinquish. A putback by Myles Coons made it 52-31 with two minutes left.
Fifth-seeded Beacon surged from the start of the season, overcoming a 2-7 start and ultimately defeating No. 1 New Paltz in the semifinals to advance to its first sectional final since 2003. But the Bulldogs also encountered a hot opponent. And it turned out to be a difficult matchup.
For Beacon (14-10), Derek Fortes had 10 points and three blocks and Ryan Landisi had eight points and nine rebounds. This young team is expected to return most of its key players. Their comeback and section run could be a springboard for that group.
The story will be updated later with details, quotes and photo gallery.
Stephen Haynes: shaynes@poughkeepsiejournal.com, 845-437-4826, Twitter: @StephenHaynes4
