I got a call from Maple Grove statistician Kim Rambacher this morning, and he notified me that Chris Secky's point total in the championship game was 25.
In my story I had 23 because that's what was on the box score relased by state statisticians. During the game and during my live blog I thought that the point total was different (due to centercourt and TV both having 25). I was under a tight deadline and only had the box score, which has been trustworthy for the decade I've been covering games at Glens Falls.My apologies for the error.
Secky's career total is 2,067, which is ninth all-time and one point more than Christian Laettner.
Hello from courtside at the Glens Falls Civic Center for the first of two state championship games featuring Section VI champions.
I'll be updating the play-by-play for my notes, but feel free to follow along. The games are also on Time Warner Cable SportsNet.
I will do my best to post your comments immediately but PLEASE understand that I may not be able to, especially late in the game. I'm under a heavy deadline with the two games tonight and I'll be doing my best to keep track of the action and to get my stories together. Thanks very much.
Hello from Glens Falls, where the parking was typically crazy for the Friday morning games (lots are full downtown with people at work) but we're courtside and will bring you the play-by-play of Maple Grove's Class D semifinal.
* * *
What a game. Maple Grove played its best game of the year against a great opponent on the grandest of stages.
Their independent schedule really paid off today -- after seeing MG win but not dominate the last two weeks, I wasn't sure if the schedule had really shown its worth. It did today as the Red Dragons put forth a tremendous team effort led, as always, by Secky.
MG got off to a great start against an favored opponent to set a great tone, and it played great team defense against New York Mills' two big guys (6-8 and 6-5) all game.
* * *
Maple Grove will play John A. Coleman Catholic, the Section IX champion from downstate's Ulster County, at 5:30 p.m. Saturday.
Coleman Catholic beat Germantown of Section II (Albany area) in the first game of the day, 70-50. Six-foot senior Jake Palmer had 20 points while 6-4 junior Chris Chatelain had 19 points and 10 rebounds. Paul Lettieri (6-1 senior) had nine and Kyle Chambers (6-2 senior) had eight.
MAPLE GROVE (15-8): Jordon Saxton 0-1 1-2 7, Alex Grace 5-8 1-1 12, Skyler Liddell 2-10 1-2, Chris Secky 6-16 9-14 22, Matt Fox 1-1 0-0 2, Ryan Kibbe 0-0 0-0 0, Wil Nelson 0-0 0-0 0, Kevin McElrath 2-6 3-6 7.
NEW YORK MILLS (56-50): Matthew Dziekan 3-9 0-0 7, Ed Schulze 0-3 0-0 0, Edgardo Colon 2-6 0-0 4, Jeremy Miller 2-7 3-5 7, Jeff Albright 1-1 0-0 2, Fred Russ 4-12 8-11 17, Matt Welch 6-9 0-0 13.
First quarter: MG, 21-9; Halftime: MG, 24-23; Third quarter: 38-35.
Secky: 14 rebounds, six assists, two steals; Grace: three assists; McElrath: seven rebounds.
* * *
Here's video of Chris Secky's huge steal and basket in the final minutes. Just a warning: It's not the best shot of it, but the sound alone tells the story.
With the score tied at 48-48 with 2:12 left, Secky hits the first free throw, misses the second -- but steals the outlet pass and scores on a sick reverse layup. It gave MG a three-point lead and it would lead the rest of the way.
My apologies for Secky running out of frame, but that's what happens when you shoot video with one hand and type with your other hand. No kidding.
Secky stole the outlet pass, then went baseline -- after he came back into the picture the ref screened me on the play :-). Maybe not great video, but certainly a great play.
Secky goes back to the line with 12.7 seconds left and Maple Grove up, 54-50. He hits both, New York Mills misses, and the celebration was on.
* * *
As always, after the game feel free to add comments below.
We'll have a separate post up later for the Middle College Class C semifinal.
First off, this is research for something else -- the NCAA and its stop here in Buffalo this weekend. Definitely get your hands on today's paper, which includes a great preview section, and check out all sorts of cool content at our Tournament Central.
Of course, no NCAAs in Buffalo for me as I'm off to Glens Falls. Here's some links that were part of my research for my story as well as the charts (I love doing that chart -- lots of stuff in there) that ran with it:
* The current state rankings thanks to the New York State Sportswriters Association.
* The Glens Falls Post-Star kicks this thing's butt. You should see the print edition in town. (Note: Go to their live blogs instead of my live blogs and I might have to committ a Flagrant 2 on you).
* Excellent Oneonta Star story on New York Mills avenging last year's regional loss to defending champion South Kortright.
* Syracuse.com wrapup of New York Mills' regional win.
* Clymer plays John A. Coleman Catholic in the state semifinals. Coleman Catholic is also in the Class D final four.
A reminder that I strongly feel that private schools should not be allowed in Class D. Here's a 2008 post I dust off from time to time.
* One of the teams in the Class D final four is Davenport ... or is it Charlotte Valley? C'mon people. Pick one name. Like Middle Coll .... I mean OTC.
Two Section VI teams -- Middle College and Maple Grove -- will be moving on to the state final four after Section VI went 2 for 5 in Saturday's Far West Regionals.
* Section VI quarterfinals (Feb. 27): Clarence and North Tonawanda have big wins and we look ahead to the final fours at Buffalo State and Jamestown Community College.
* Scarcello's buzzer-beater helps Timon to final four (Feb. 21): Bishop Timon-St. Jude got past St. Joe's in a Manhattan Cup quarterfinal thriller to join Nichols, Canisius and St. Mary's in the semifinals.
Here’s some additional notes and quotes that didn’t make the game stories from the action at Buffalo State.
Grab a cup of coffee, you’ll need it.
Class D: Maple Grove-Houghton
Some notes:
- Amazingly enough, this was my first time seein Chris Secky play live, and he didn’t disappoint. Despite being shackled to the bench for most of the first half, Secky put on a show in the third quarter. He dazzled the crowd with a Tim Hardaway-style crossover late in the quarter, freeing himself for a floater in the lane to make it 36-31.
- Maple Grove big man Kevin McElrath picked up his fourth foul with 1:44 left in the third quarter on a charge, sending him to the bench, but the Red Dragons were able to withstand his loss.
- Houghton hung tough for most of the game, including when Tyler Mastin hit a layup and made the ensuing free throw with 1:34 left in the third off a nice assist from David Roorbach. The shot made it 31-28 and Mastin celebrated by letting out a scream in front of the shirtless, painted Maple Grove fans.
- As you’ll read below in Maple Grove coach Curt Fischer’s quotes, going to an independent schedule this season was beneficial for the Red Dragons. Houghton started off strong in its first-ever trip to the Far West Regionals, but the Red Dragons never wavered, even with Secky on the bench. That can be attributed to their big-game experience.
Hello from another great hoop day at Buffalo State. By the end of the day we'll know who is headed to Glens Falls from the Far West Regionals.
DISCLAIMER: I won't be able to answer too many questions because it gets
pretty busy here, especially late in games, and especially now that
I've got the iPhone video going. Also, please try and limit questions
to this game, especially during crunch time. THANKS for your
understanding.
Keith McShea has covered high school sports at The News since his hiring in 1999. The 1995 University at Buffalo graduate and Long Island native (North Babylon Bulldogs) covers — and live blogs — everything from scrimmages to state championships & helps head The News' All-Western New York selections.
Lauren Nicole Mariacher joined The News in 2009 after graduating from the Columbia University School of Journalism. The Elma native and Iroquois graduate can usually be found on a sideline, capturing highlights for PrepTalkTV. She also hosts Prep Talk's weekly live show, with Keith McShea, as well as The News' live postgame Bills show — [BN]TheHuddle.
