By PATRICK WALSH
GATES, N.Y. — Brayden Steve unloaded a deep three-pointer as time expired to force overtime and scored six points in the extra stanza as Newark claimed its spot in the Class B state semifinal with a 66-58 victory over Fredonia (VI) in NYS Far West Regional action Saturday at Gates Chili High School.
“I worked all my life for this,” Steve said. “I went in the gym early this morning to get some shots up. My team had my back, they wanted me to shoot the shot and I had confidence. I shot it and it went in.”
Steve had a game-high 25 points, including five 3-pointers and going a perfect 4-4 at the line in overtime to secure the win for Newark.
Newark coach Henry Kuperus explained the game-changing play at the end of the fourth quarter.
“I told them, I said if they jump out at Brayden, which we think they were going to, I said dump it to Kellen (Foster) on the slip.”
Steve was going to shoot it regardless if he was open or not.
“Give me the ball. I told Jaypar (Allen) if I’m open give me the ball. I don’t know, I shot it and it went in,” Steve said.
Steve’s shot, which came more than 10 feet behind the arc, sent the Newark fan section into a frenzy and caused the Reds’ bench to mob him on the court.
Kuperus also mentioned the benefit of the play sitting dormant all season.
“We drew the play up, the play we had practiced and we hadn’t used all year long. It was great so then they couldn’t game plan for it.”
Newark avenged their regional loss to Alleghany-Limestone last year. Kuperus made sure that his team did not forget about this loss.
“They didn’t want to feel the way we felt after it last year. It’s gut-wrenching for the seniors that had to feel it, but for the juniors and seniors who had been playing together for so long, the sophomores and juniors last year, you don’t want to feel that.”
Newark jumped out to a quick 12-3 start. Junior Kellen Foster converted an and-one to open the scoring 32 seconds into the game and scored 10 of the first 12 points for the Reds. Foster added two 3-point jumpers in the extra stanza and finished with 21 points.
Raeshawn Howard added 17 points of his own, including five field goals inside the arc and a dunk in the fourth quarter. Daveon Wright nailed a three and rounded out the scoring for the Reds.
After trailing for the first three frames, Fredonia was able to eliminate a seven-point deficit and crawl back into the game using a 24-point fourth quarter. Mike Hahn knocked down three 3-pointers in the fourth, none bigger than his jumper to put Fredonia up 54-51 with 4.2 seconds left. Hahn finished with 12 points. Ethan Fry led the scoring for the Hillbillies. Fry nailed three 3-pointers, three inside field goals and converted a 3-point play. Ashton Putney converted four field goals, three beyond the arc. Davion White (8), Jay Hawk (7) and Keegan Whitfield (1) all contributed for the Hillbillies.
Newark (21-4) will face either Owego Free Academy (IV) or Westhill (III) in the state semifinals.
Refs took that game away from fredonia hillbillies fredonia clearly won how sad for the fredonia players 😢 good luck Newark hopefully the next game will be won fair and square.