Saranac Lake outlasts Saranac in OT for Class B title

PLATTSBURGH | Saranac Lake defended its Section VII Class B boys basketball championship Friday, Feb. 27, outlasting Saranac 78-73 in overtime in an instant classic at Clinton Community College. The Red Storm, who captured their first sectional title in 27 years last season, leaned on a dominant performance from Mik Denkenberger and a composed overtime effort. Denkenberger scored 35 points to lead Saranac Lake, including four points in overtime as the Red Storm closed the extra session on a 6-0 run. He buried seven 3-pointers and went 4-for-4 from the free throw line in overtime. Sophomore Gunner Harrison finished with 16 points, and Zack McCarthy added 11. "That's just grit and wanting it more," Denkenberger said. "I knew that we had a job that needed to be done, and we got it done." Saranac forced overtime when Carson Duffield made two free throws with 13.5 seconds remaining in regulation to tie the game at 68. Saranac Lake had one final possession at the end of regulation, but multiple close-range attempts would not fall. The teams traded baskets early in overtime before Duffield fouled out on an offensive foul with 2:42 remaining. Saranac Lake capitalized moments later when Denkenberger made two free throws to put the Red Storm ahead 72-70. Austin Hulkow briefly swung the lead back to the Spartans with a 3-pointer, but McCarthy answered with a running floater with 25.4 seconds remaining to give Saranac Lake the lead for good. "When (Duffield) went out, we really switched our focus," Saranac Lake head coach Daryl Crist said. "We knew they didn't have rim protection, so we really went at it." Saranac was forced to foul late. McCarthy made one of two free throws, Cedar Crist followed with one of two at the line, and Denkenberger sealed the win with a late steal and two free throws as Saranac Lake outscored Saranac 10-5 in overtime. "Obviously, that's the best game that we've been in all year," Daryl Crist said. "That's just a great high school basketball game. Saranac was unbelievable." Duffield led the Spartans with 27 points before fouling out. Armani Richards scored 19, and Henry Napper added 13 as Saranac closed regulation on a 5-2 run to force overtime. Saranac Lake improved to 19-3 and will face the Section II champion in a NYSPHSAA Class B regional at 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 14, at Hudson Valley Community College in Troy. Saranac finished the season at 16-6.

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Saranac Lake outlasts Saranac in OT for Class B title

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