JAMES A. ELLIS
Duanesburg's Allison O'Hanlon (30) is challenged by Moravia's Jordan Smith (11) and Caroline Wasileski as she drives top the hoop during NYSPHSAA state championship game Friday at Hudson Valley Community College.
By James A. Ellis
TROY – Alex Moses got the buzzer-beating 3-pointer she was looking for but not the potential game-tying foul call as Section 2 champion Duanesburg fell to Section 4 champ Moravia 46-45 in the New York State Public High School Athletic Association Class C girls state championship final Friday at Hudson Valley Community College.
“I am extremely proud of them and what they have been able to accomplish for a small town like ours is truly incredible,” Duanesburg coach Chris Herron said. “We knew it was going to be a battle as any game at this stage of the season is going to be.” Duanesburg broke out to an early advantage with senior Allison O’Hanlon netting 11 points to give the Eagles a 13-12 lead at the end of the opening quarter.
O’Hanlon kept her scoring touch through the opening minutes of the second quarter, adding five more points, before Hannah Mulhern hit a three to keep the Eagles ahead 21-19 at the half.
The Blue Devils took the lead on Allison Kehoe’s 3-pointer to open the third quarter, sparking an 8-3 run for a 27-24 lead. Duanesburg charged back in front on the power of consecutive 3-pointers from Kate O’Hanlon, Allison O’Hanlon and Mulhern to go ahead 30-27.
The teams exchanged baskets through the final minutes of the period with Jessalyn Jones hitting a 3-pointer for Moravia with a minute left in the quarter before Allison O’Hanlon hit a basket at the buzzer to give the Eagles a slim 33-32 advantage heading into the final eight minutes of play. Moravia opened the final stanza with a 7-1 run before Moses hit a 3-pointer to close the gap to 39-37 with four minutes left to play. The Eagles pulled to within a point, 43-42, on a Kate O’Hanlon basket with just under two minutes left in regulation.
Jones connected on a baseline floater to open a three-point advantage,45-42, with 90 seconds left. Duanesburg picked up the pace on offense creating opportunities that did not fall.
After a tied-up ball under the Eagles’ basket gave Moravia possession with 29 seconds left, Duanesburg fouled Jones and she converted on one-of-two free throws for a 46-42 lead. The Blue Devils’ Jordan Smith pulled down the defensive rebound off an Allison O;Hanlon 3-point attempt and was immediately fouled. Smith missed both free throws setting up a final play for the Eagles.
Moses hit the buzzer-beating 3-pointer under tight defensive pressure but did not get the foul call and the Blue Devils celebrated the 46-45 victory. Smith led Moravia with a double-double of 11 points and 12 rebounds, all on the defensive board, while Jones finished with 12 points including three 3-pointers.
Allison O’Hanlon finished with 24 points, six rebounds, five steals and three assists for Duanesburg, while Hannah Mulhern had eight points, two rebounds, two steals and two assists and Kate O’Hanlon added seven points to go with six points, seven rebounds, two blocks and two assists from Moses.
Duanesburg finished the season with a 21-6 overall record. Moravia wrapped up its season with a 23-3 overall record.
NYSPHSAA Championships Class C Moravia 46, Duanesburg 45
Moravia 12 7 13 14 - 46
Duanesburg 13 8 12 12 - 45
Moravia scoring: Jones 4-1-12, Genson 3-1-7, G. Heim 1-1-3, Smith 5-1-11, Kehoe 2-0-5, Wasileski 3-0-6, Hess 1-0-2. Duanesburg scoring: K. O’Hanlon 3-0-7, A. O’Hanlon 8-5-247-5-24, Mulhern 2-2-8, A. Moses 2-0-6. Team scoring: Moravia 19-3-46. Duanesburg 14-7-45.
JAMES A. ELLIS
Duanesburg's Hannah Mulhern (34) drives against Moravia's Caroline Wasileski during the NYSPHSAA Class C championship game Friday at Hudson Valley Community College.
JAMES A. ELLIS
Duanesburg's Kate O'Hanlon (23) dribbles out from under the basket after recovering a loose ball during the NYSPHSAA Class C championship game Friday at Hudson Valley Community College.
