Lions headed to State Final Four

By Mike Zummo
Posted 3/15/23

The Chapel Field boys’ basketball team is going to the New York State Public High School Athletic Association Class D Final Four for the first time in school history.

The Lions got a little …

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Lions headed to State Final Four

Posted

The Chapel Field boys’ basketball team is going to the New York State Public High School Athletic Association Class D Final Four for the first time in school history.

The Lions got a little bit of revenge on their way, as Jonah McDuffie and Noah Swart scored 23 points each as the Lions beat Section 4 champion South Kortright-Andes, 68-58, on Saturday afternoon at the Visions FCU Arena in Binghamton.

The Lions were beaten by South Kortright-Andes, 68-52, in last year’s regional final at S.S. Seward Institute in Florida. Leam Powell added nine points for the Lions and Bryce Hollo added eight points.

Chapel Field coach Brad McDuffie said Mikey Bonagura put for a “huge defensive effort”.

The Lions will face Section 2 champion North Warren at 12:30 p.m. Saturday at the Cool Insuring Arena in Glens Falls. A win on Saturday will put the Lions in the championship game at 3 p.m. Sunday against the winner of the other semifinal between Section 3 Hamilton and Section 5 Avoca-Prattsburgh.

The Lions clinched their berth in the regional championship game with a 58-53 win over the Bridgehampton Killer Bees on March 7 at S.S. Seward Institute.

It was the Lions’ second straight subregional win over the Killer Bees, having beaten them 56-47 to open last year’s state tournament.

Jonah McDuffie led the Lions’ offense with 24 points, and Noah Swart added 17 points. Mikey Bonagura scored seven points, all in the fourth quarter, knocking down five free throws at the end of the game to seal the Lions’ victory.

Alex Davis led the Killer Bees with a game-high 26 points. Jai Feaster added 14 points.