Community support a key factor in Cougars' state title

CHESTERTOWN | Last December, dozens of boys basketball coaches across the state had their eyes on the state championship; and few of them paid any attention to North Warren. The Cougars had lost two of their first four games, apparently recovering from the loss of three talented seniors who were vital to their 2022-23 team's success, which featured a Section II title as well as advancing into the state Final Four. Although most sportswriters paid little attention to the 2023-24 North Warren team during December and January, coach James Cuyler had made a bold prediction at the season's outset: that his team had the talent and the guts to win the state championship — if they worked hard enough. Through this season, the Cougars developed team chemistry as they developed skills and strength — and learned to anticipate each others' moves. Although they remained "under the radar" for months, beginning Jan. 29 the Cougars began an unbeaten streak, interrupted by only one loss. On Feb. 10, the Cougars won the Adirondack League Championship. After three more games, the Cougars shocked Loudonville Christian on March 2 by winning the Section II championship — powered by their players' shooting 10 three-pointers in the first quarter — a feat that made tournament history. The next week, North Warren won the regional title over Schroon Lake with Wyatt Jennings shooting five three-pointers — and the game's outcome was determined in the final 13 seconds. Both Schroon Lake and Loudonville Christian had defeated North Warren earlier in the season. In the state semifinal, North Warren trailed for three quarters, but fought back in the game's final minutes to win against Smithtown Christian. As in many earlier games, their victories demonstrated the team's depth and the players' resolve and varied talents. In the State Championship game, the team executed a comeback battle that wasn't decided until the game's final second — a game in which Jennings set a new state tournament record by shooting nine three-pointers — most of them while his team was trailing. Coach James Cuyler expressed his thoughts about winning the state championship. "If in the past people didn't know about North Warren basketball, they know about us now...What a way to wake some people up by breaking records," he said. "I'm still in shock over the game — it feels unreal — but it feels great." COUGAR FANS ARE 'THE GREATEST' Cuyler's fans weren't in shock — by midseason, they had a feeling a state championship was immanent — they swarmed to the games, both at home and many miles away, showing their support for North Warren, never losing faith, Cuyler said. "At our games, you look up in the stands and see swarms of green and gold — our fans turn out to support us whether or not they have to drive through a blizzard," he said, noting they drove 164 miles round trip to Plattsburgh to see the regional championship game and drove home in whiteout conditions. "They are the greatest fan base I've ever been familiar with," Cuyler said. "They genuinely care for all of us, every one of us; they go through our ups and downs with us. We're like a big family — your race, gender or nationality doesn't matter — everybody on and off the court is a part of this experience, this state championship." Cuyler has been North Warren Boys Varsity Basketball's head coach since Sept. 11, 2019. In the months prior, he had been coaching Anthony Girard, Tanner Dunkley, Mario Willette and other standout Cougars on his AAU team, and recognized their talent. His players told him he should apply for the open North Warren coaching job. Although he wasn't from the southern Adirondacks, Cuyler was "accepted very well from the start," he recalled. Parents dropping by the team's practices saw that he coached with enthusiasm, expertise and an encouraging attitude. and this approach drew more and more students into the Cougars' basketball program. After winning the 2020 Section II title, the first for North Warren Boys Basketball in 20 years, Cuyler told the press that the North Warren community had welcomed him as the team's new coach. "They're great people —They embraced me with open arms and they treat me like family," Cuyler said after the 2020 title game. One week later, the post-season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown. "If not for COVID, the 20219-2020 team would have won the state championship," Cuyler said this week, noting that his coaching predecessors and all the Cougar basketball players since 2019 deserve credit for their part in building the program that won the 2024 state championship. TEAM, FANS ARE 'ONE FAMILY' This "family" attitude in the Cougar basketball program has grown since 2019, with players' parents arranging for communal meals and outings, and donating to the team's booster club. The slogan "Family" is emblazoned on the players' warmup jackets. The 2023-24 team members are: Derrick Tyrell, Semaj Cuyler, Elijah Horge, Wyatt Jennings, Zachary Kramar, Coleman Swartz, Tyler Hitchcock, Killian Weyant, Hunter Conger, Isaiah Tyrell, Giovanni Marrion, Joshua Colon, and Austin Simione. Maria Willette, mother of 2022-23 player Angelo Willette and 2019-20 athlete Mario Willette, offered her thoughts on this communal bond. Angelo was critically injured in a head-on automobile collision in January. Subsequently, Coach Cuyler and his players reached out to him in the hospital and at home during his recovery. Maria said such attention has been vitally important to Angelo and has aided his recovery, which has been described as a miracle. As the state championship game concluded, Cuyler welcomed Angelo out on the court to participate in the team's jubilation, and he shared hugs, high-fives and congratulations with the team members. Minutes later, Angelo was included in the official championship team photos. "Our family has incredible respect for James Cuyler, on and off the court — he's an incredible human being," Maria said. "It meant a ton to Geno for him to be an honorary member of the team. It was just wonderful; I never expected any of that...I cried with joy." OFFICIALS HAIL COUGARS' VICTORY State Assemblyman Matt Simpson offered his thoughts on Cuyler and the present team's championship. "The team's Sectional, regional and state championships are an incredible testament to the abilities and dedication of each member of the North Warren team," he said. "And James Cuyler is a great coach — he's done a great job, and I'm looking forward to more great accomplishments under his leadership." Horicon Town Supervisor Michael Geraci praised the 2023-24 team's accomplishments and the support from Horicon and Chester residents. "We are very proud of the team members individually and collectively — and the coaching staff and everyone else who played a part in the championship season, including the North Warren community members who gave tremendous support." North Warren Superintendent of Schools Michele French also offered her thoughts, on behalf of the faculty and staff, about the state championship. "We are thrilled as a school and community," she said, noting that the school held a pep rally the day before the finals game, that students and staff lined the halls cheering the players for a send-off, and there was a "huge turnout" of North Warren staff, students, alumni and local families at the Cougars' basketball games. "This team is driven (to achieve) and does well academically, and they have successfully balanced this during the season," she said. "Coach Cuyler and (assistant) coach Colby May are role models for our boys and did a fabulous job guiding them to this state victory." North Warren Chamber of Commerce President Craig Leggett offered his thoughts about Cuyler, the basketball team, and its community support, which included parents and others doing whatever they could to accommodate practices. "What really stands out is the teamwork that coach Cuyler has built. Everybody on the team is a valuable player — they compete so well together," he said. "The dedication and camaraderie built up over the years between the team, players' parents, and the community has really paid off."

Signup for our newsletter

Community support a key factor in Cougars' state title

COMPANY

CUSTOMER SUPPORT

SUBMISSION FORMS

BEYOND THE NEWS