New Hartford back in state regional final behind Jameson Stockwell's sizzling shooting
Moments like what accompanied New Hartford Wednesday evening no longer phase the squad.
A three-point deficit late in the fourth, a hungry team and student section thirsty for the win after a 150-mile commute.
But, to dethrone the mighty Spartans, you’ll need to put up a better fight than that.
NH ended its battle with Troy on a 15-4 run and advanced to the NYSPHSAA Class A Regionals with a 69-60 victory over the Flying Horses at Liverpool High School. Jameson Stockwell led the charge with 28 points, while the always-reliable Zach Philipkoski scored 24.
With the win, New Hartford will face Massena in regionals.
Here’s what happened:
A different beginning for the Spartans
Hey, there’s other basketball developments in Syracuse tonight!
Just to the northwest, in Liverpool, @NHspartanhoops can inch one win away from Glens Falls. Standing in their way, though, is a giant boulder in Troy, the Class A champ from Section II.
Follow for updates! pic.twitter.com/tb4tYTCS2I— Noah Ram (@Noah_ram1) March 8, 2023
In NH’s two games at SRC Arena in the Section III semifinals and final, slow starts characterized the team.
Of course, Sparta got the win both times but only after falling behind 10-0 to Bishop Grimes and 8-0 to Central Square.
More:Back-to-back: New Hartford completes fourth quarter comeback, wins Class A title over Central Square
More:They're back: New Hartford upsets top-seed Bishop Grimes, advances to Section 3 title game
Wednesday night’s opening represented something totally different.
New Hartford exploded out of the gate with a 12-2 lead thanks to some early forced turnovers and hot shooting from Stockwell.
Troy knows how to handle adversity, though. The Flying Horses weathered a tough regular season schedule, like the Spartans, and survived double OT to upset top-seeded and state title contender Amsterdam in the Section II final.
THS ended the first on a 9-0 run and trailed by just a point.
New Hartford held onto the lead for the second due to six from Philipkoski. The score stood at 25-19. Both teams played sloppily in the first half, especially on the Troy side.
The Flying Horses contain just four seniors, and one of their top players, Stetson Merritt, is an eighth grader.
Randall was aware that, once again, the Spartans maintained the experience and used it to his advantage.
“That experience is going to pay off,” Randall said. “That Stetson kid’s got elementary school experience, but he’s a tough guard. They started getting to the basket better.”
Flying Horses leap back into it
It didn’t take long for Troy to make it a ballgame. Terrance Clark’s six points within the first two minutes of the third tied the game, and while NH held onto the lead for the remainder of the quarter, Troy trailed by just three.
Stockwell’s sizzling shooting supported Sparta. The sophomore tallied 10 of his 28 in the third. This included three threes, such as one that banked in.
The sharp shooter said he held the green light after his first make, even though he missed his next couple after.
“I was surprised I started making them after I missed, but I’m glad my teammates found me when I was open,” Stockwell said. “I didn’t have to force it, they were all open.”
He noted it also helps knowing his role is to shoot threes, so he isn’t pushed to do more.
Randall said that all starts with Philipkoski. Since he included teammates like Stockwell all season up to this point, the moment doesn’t feel too big for them.
“You’ve played enough big games, you’ve shot enough big shots where you’re comfortable out there,” Randall said. “It’s nice to have two guys who don’t feel like they have to shoot the ball every time when they’ve been here for four years.
Seniors bring composure in waning minutes
Troy briefly took a three-point lead with 3:14 left after back-to-back buckets from Clark.
Once again, Randall looked to his two seniors, and when he saw they weren’t nervous, he wasn’t.
“Situationally, throughout the whole run last year, and even the short run we are on this year, they’ve spent enough moments where I am comfortable with them handling the situation,” he said.
From that moment on, Sparta penetrated and invaded inside the Trojan Horse.
Rinse, repeat@NHspartanhoops is going back to the Regional Final.
The Spartans defeat Troy 69-60 in the Class A Subregionals. Jameson Stockwell shined, with some key free throws from Philipkoski down the stretch pic.twitter.com/qMCnQR8xeX— Noah Ram (@Noah_ram1) March 9, 2023
Stockwell hit two free throws and an open three to give New Hartford a lead it maintained the rest of the way.
Philipkoski iced it with nine made free throws in the fourth, and NH moved on with a 69-60 victory.
What’s Next?
New Hartford will travel up north to SUNY Potsdam for a meeting with Class A Section X champion Massena. Tip is set for 1 p.m. Saturday, with the winner advancing to Glens Falls for the NYSPHSAA Final Four.
New Hartford won a spot in Glens Falls last season but lost to Manhasset in the state championship.
More:New Hartford falls to Manhasset in NYSPHSAA Class A boys basketball championship
Randall said that it isn’t normal for a team like NH that lost three seniors to return to this spot.
“The younger guys are now learning what the program is all about,” he said. “It’s a lot more than winning section titles.”
The support of “Spartan Nation” continues to impress Randall and the team, which quickly moved behind the backboard to celebrate with students and fans after the game.
“It’s an hour trip, and there were 50-60 kids there,” Randall said. “Whether you’re from the community or a student, faculty or staff, it’s a good group to root for.”
This article originally appeared on Observer-Dispatch: Boys basketball: New Hartford defeats Troy to reach state regional final
