PLATTSBURGH — The Chateaugay boys' basketball team is hoping for a repeat performance this weekend.

The defending NYSPHSAA Class D champions oppose Section IV's South Kortwright in the semifinals today at 11:45 a.m. at the Glens Falls Civic Center.

Chateaugay defeated Greenport, 61-58, in last year's state semifinals and then took care of North Star Christian, 52-41, in the championship game as the Bulldogs captured their first-ever state title in school history.

"Our experience and knowing we have been there before is going to be key for us," Chateaugay head coach Ron Boyea said. "We have some younger players who will look to the older players for guidance in the big-game atmosphere."

Chateaugay and Greenport are the only two teams returning to the Class D Final Four. Section XI's Greenport will take on Section VI's Maple Grove at 10 a.m. today, followed by the Chateaugay vs. South Kortright contest.

"The competiton is going to be excellent and is what you would expect for a Final Four," Boyea said. "We've just got to put our nose to the grindstone and work as hard as we can."

The Section X champions are poised to make another run in the tournament as they have avoided two big scares in regional play, defeating Section's II Sharon Springs and Section VII's Westport.

Chateaugay trailed Sharon Springs and Westport in both contests last weekend.

The Bulldogs rallied for 61-51 victory over Sharon Springs to open regional play. Chateaugay then came well from behind to knock off Westport, 75-71 in overtime, to win its regional and move on.

The blemishes on the Bulldogs' record this year came at the hands of Section X Class A representative Malone (68-58) in the Bobcat Shootout at Northern Adirondack. Chateaugay also lost to Class AA Massena (52-34) in the Section X overall championship tournament. Chateaugay dropped two non-conference games to Section VII schools Saranac (69-61) and in the Lake George Tournament to Ticonderoga (43-41).

"Our defense needs to be consistent throughout the weekend," Boyea said.

The Bulldogs, ranked ninth in the state, will look for Drew Boyea to step up in the first half of the game and have an impact on the entire contest. Boyea, who had slow starts in Chateaugay's two regional games, averages 21.2 points per game.

Teammate Brad Spinner averages 12.4 and Alex Stalter is next at 8.9.

The bench play of Eli Franz, and Eric Dwyer will also have to step up for the Bulldogs. Franze and Dwyer combined for 15 points in helping the Bulldogs defeat Westport.

"Boyea, Spinner, Stalter, Franze and Dwyer are all going to have to be on top of their game," Boyea said. "We also have other players who will contribute as well."

South Kortright, following an opening-round bye in the regionals, defeated Section III's New York Mills, 56-45, to earn its spot in the Final Four. The Rams are currently ranked third in the state with a 23-0 record.

South Kortright has a balanced scoring attack, with no dominate scorer. But, the player the Bulldogs will have to keep their eyes out for is Rashawn Herrington. Herrington, a junior guard, averages 7.1 points off the bench for the Rams.

Herrington missed his sophomore season at South Kortright due to family problems and moved to North Carolina. He returned to the Rams this season. Herrington is a strong player at the top of the South Kortright' 2-3 zone and has tremendous athleticism and speed.

"We are going to have to lock down the whole team, not just Herrington," Boyea said. "Herrington, however, is the catalyst of the team and very expolsive and athlietc.

"There are five kids on the court and they can all put points up anytime."

Eric Burns, a senior guard, averages 11.3 points a game. Dan Many and Josh Palmatier have averaged 7.6 and 5.4 points, respectively, for South Kortright.

Chateaugay

Name yr g fg ft pts avg

Drew BoyeaSr 26 193 133552 21.2

Brad SpinnerSr 26 108 70 323 12.4

Alex StalterJr 26 95 41 232 8.9

Eli Franze Jr 26 57 3 157 5.1

Andrew GadwaySr 26 43 16 102 3.9

Eric DwyerJr 26 35 25 1— 3.8

Jacob Layton Jr 26 22 10 57 2.2

Chad Dominic Jr 26 17 8 42 1.6

Zach Matthews Jr 26 10 11 34 1.3

Ian Henderson 5 2 0 4 0.8

Cory Spoor Sr 25 1 0 2 0.1

Blake Parameter Sr25 0 0 0 0.0



South Kortright

Name yr g fg ft pts avg

Eric EarnsSr24——27111.3

Dan Many Sr 24 — — 175 7.6

Rashawn HerringtonJr 20 — — 202 7.1

Tanner Mecko Sr 24 — — 161 6.7

Josh Palmatier Sr 24 — — 129 5.4