Marlboro falls in Class B boys final

NEW PALTZ � Defending champion John S. Burke Catholic High took advantage of the new kid on the block Sunday in the Section 9, Class B boys basketball final.

Before underdog Marlboro found its bearings at SUNY New Paltzs Hawk Center, the Eagles soared ahead 11-0 in the first 2:54. Top-seeded Burke punched a ticket for the regional playoffs with a 67-50 victory.

The Eagles (17-3) return to the same court 6:30 p.m. Tuesday for a regional semifinal against Section 1 champion Woodlands.

�Burke is deep and runs very well, Dukes coach Mike Koehler said. �They got us with easy lay-ups at the start of each half.

�That was the difference. We were tight in the beginning and missed shots we normally make.�

Koehler liked the way No. 2 Marlboro (15-5) battled from behind. Trailing 44-24 with 3:15 left in the third quarter, the Dukes twice cut the deficit to 11 early in the final period.

�We had our backs against the wall,� Koehler said. �If you sleep on them, they�ll score six points on you very quickly.

�We kept having to fight back. That�s tough, especially on a big court against their depth.�

Leading Marlboro scorer Maxx Faircloth (15 points) struggled shooting from the perimeter, but made all six field goals from close range.

�Yes, I had trouble adjusting to the background for my outside shot,� Faircloth said. �I don�t know what it was.�

Fellow seniors Joel Casil (12 points), Kyle Wimberly (eight points) and Frank Grimaldi (seven points) contributed to the gritty effort that fell short.

�I�m proud of this team,� Koehler said. �We had a great year.

�If you get to this game, you know you�ve had a great season.�

Four of the Dukes� five losses came against sectional titlists (Burke, Class A Red Hook twice, Class D Coleman). The other defeat was the season opener against Minisink Valley, a Class AA semifinalist.

Stylistically, the Eagles resembled Red Hook in terms of balance and ball movement. Burke spread its scoring among Brendan Miller (17 points), Brian Clarke (16 points), Dante Cowart (12 points) and Jeff Cochi (10 points).

After Ben Cary�s layup pulled Marlboro within 49-38, the Eagles answered with a 10-0 run that slammed the door. Clarke capped the surge by drilling a 3-pointer with 3:37 left for a 59-38 lead.