POTSDAM — The Chateaugay boys' basketball team dodged a huge bullet Saturday afternoon in the NYSPHSAA Class D quarterfinals at Potsdam High School.

The defending state champion Bulldogs, down 30-17 at the half, rallied for 27 fourth-quarter points and then outlasted Section VII champion Westport, 75-71, in overtime.

Chateaugay moves on to the state Class D Final Four on Friday at the Glens Falls Civic Center.

"The experience and heart of this team was impressive," said Chateaugay coach Ron Boyea. "We were more aggressive offensively in the second half and the intensity was key."

"After watching them against Sharon Springs, I told the guys at halftime that they were going to come out with a lot of intensity," said Westport coach Brad Rascoe. "The momentum definitely shifted late in the third quarter and they're a high-caliber team."

Brad Spinner and Alex Stalter led Section X champion Chateaugay (22-4) with 20 points each, with Stalter also getting eight rebounds, while Drew Boyea added 14, including 13 in the second half, and Eli Franze, 11.

The Bulldogs forced overtime when Spinner hit a three-pointer to make it 60-57 and then Franze a three-pointer to tie it, at 60-all.

Eric Dwyer's two-pointer in overtime gave Chateaugay the lead for good, at 66-64. The Bulldogs led by as many as six points in overtime, but Bo McKinley twice nailed three-pointers to keep the Eagles in the hunt.

McKinley's second three-pointer brought Westport back to within 73-71 and Boyea then hit two free throws with two seconds left to seal it.

McKinley poured in 30 points for the Eagles (19-2). Curtis Mead was next with 14 and Sean Davis, 13.

"Bo has played great and done well," Rascoe said. "He always stepped up this season to get us to this point."

Westport went on a 7-1 run to open the third quarter to take what seemed to be a commanding 37-18 lead. Chateaugay then cut it to 45-33 after three before outscoring the Eagles, 27-15, in the fourth to force overtime.

"I thought we were sleepwalking through the first half," Boyea said. "We were on our heels most of the first half and were able to turn the tide and get them on their heels late.

"I've been waiting for it all sectionals from Stalter and the guys finally found him inside. He got big. The Westport defense did a good job on (Drew) Boyea and tracked him well. But, we aren't a one-dimensional scoring team.

"I thought Dwyer and Franze were key for us off the bench and really filled some holes. Everyone did their part tonight."

"The full-court press Chateaugay played was tough," said Rascoe. "We have played only three or four close games all season, so that is tough."

—

Chateaugay 75, Westport 71, OT

Westport (71)

McKinley 12-0-30, Sherman 1-0-2, Mead 6-2-14, Davis 5-2-13, Tyler 0-0-0, MacIver 0-3-3, Gay 4-1-9. Totals: 28-10-71

Chateaugay (75)

Boyea 3-8-14, Dwyer 2-0-4, Franze 4-0-11, Gadway 1-0-2, Layton 2-0-5, Spinner 7-4-20, Stalter 8-2-20. Totals: 27-14-75.

Westport 15 15 15 15 11 — 71

Chateaugay 8 9 16 27 15 — 75

3-pointers: Westport (7) McKinley 6, Davis. Chateaugay (6) Franze 3, Spinner 2, Layton.