National News

 November 2, 2009

TC3 Beats Defending Region III Champion

The game opened with Michael Martin (Spencer-Van Etten H.S./Spencer) draining a three-pointer to get the home team on the board. The lead grew throughout the half, peaking at 22 points with 2:41 left in the half when Julian Smith-Magee (Newfield H.S./Ithaca) hit a jumper to make it 44-22. Hudson Valley scored the next nine points to pull with 44-31 before Josh Delfino (Newfield H.S./Newfield) and Smith-Magee made back-to-back baskets to close the half with TC3 ahead 48-31.

The visiting Vikings slowly chipped away in the second half, cutting the lead to single digits at 57-49 with 11:30 left, but two straight field goals by Delfino helped the Panthers pushed it back to 14 with seven minutes left. The Vikings again clawed back into the game, eventually pulling to within six points at 77-71 with 2:15 left to play. A basket by Delfino off a pretty pass from Jonathon Charette (Fabius-Pompey H.S./Jamesville) made it 79-71, but Hudson Valley responded to make it 79-73 with 1:35 left. Chris Cartwright (Binghamton H.S./Binghamton) sealed the win by hitting four straight free throws before Charleston Collins, Jr. (Corcoran H.S./Syracuse) put the finishing touches on the game with a dunk in the closing seconds.

Delfino had a monster game for the Panthers, finishing with 28 points and 21 rebounds. Collins posted a double-double of 12 points and 15 rebounds to go with four blocks, and Cartwright poured in 21 points, including a perfect 11-for-11 at the line. Martin finished with 12 rebounds and six points.

Ramel Alexander led Hudson Valley with 18 points.

TC3 hosts Mohawk Valley Community College Wednesday at 5 p.m.