Avoca-Prattsburgh boys hoops fall in state semi thriller

GLENS FALLS, N.Y. (WETM) – Avoca-Prattsburgh boys basketball’s run for a 3rd straight state title has come to an end.

(Media Courtesy: NFHS Network)

The historic run for Avoca-Prattsburgh boys basketball came to an end, on Saturday. The Titans quest for a 3rd straight state championship was ended by Sackets Harbor, in a 58-57 thriller. The top 2 teams in Class D battled back and forth through 3 quarters, until the Patriots jumped out to a 12 point lead. Avoca-Prattsburgh would quickly tackle the deficit, closing the Patriots lead to 6, late in the 4th.

With just over 3 minutes left in the game, A-P’s Macoy Putnam took a rebound coast to coast, bringing the Titans within 2. Nearly 2 minutes later, the Titans tied the game at 57 with a layup from Dan Stilson. Within the final minute, Sackets Harbor added a free throw to claim the 1 point lead. With 12 seconds left, Putnam drove the lane in an attempt to give A-P the lead, but impressive defense from Austin Griner and Dylan Aubert resulted in the game-winning steal.

The 1 point loss brings and end to a historic run for the Titans, who were vying for a 3rd straight state crown. Despite this year’s run coming up short, A-P delivered another dominant year. For the 5th straight season, Avoca-Prattsburgh (or Prattsburgh) won a Section V title in Class D. Additionally, Saturday’s setback accounts for the 1st time the Titans registered a loss to a Class D opponent in nearly 3 years.

Sackets Harbor will advance to the NYSPHSAA Class D Championship, to face North Warren Central on Sunday at 3 p.m.

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