BY PAUL GOTHAM
GLENS FALLS, N.Y. — Haden Abbott scored 17 of his game-high 21 points including a trio of 3-pointers to highlight a 13-3 run to close the first half, and Avoca/Prattsburgh went on to defeat Section III champion Hamilton, 64-41 in NYS Class D semifinal action Saturday at Cool Insuring Arena.
Leading 15-14, Jamel Crowder used an upfake to get in the lane for two points and a jump start to the surge.
“We were just looking for each other,” Abbott said. “We were moving without the ball a lot better. It doesn’t matter who scores the buckets. We look for each other, and we get the points that we need.”
VIEW MORE PHOTOS FROM JENNIFER LAEMLEIN.
The senior forward followed with triples on three of the next four possessions. After missing on his first four attempts from distance, Abbott buried a pair from the right corner before he switched sides of the floor to give the Titans a 26-14 lead.
“I started out struggling a little bit,” he said. “But then guys were finding me wide open, and I just started knocking down my shots. It felt good.”
Macoy Putnam to Haden Abbott. @A_PAthletics 11-7 after one. Abbott has eight. pic.twitter.com/rCyAxeL8xQ
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) March 18, 2023
Sawyer Devoe converted on an inbound play to cap the second quarter.
Halftime didn’t slow the momentum of the reigning state champions as the run ballooned to 31-12.
Evan Campbell opened the third-quarter scoring. Abbott found the bottom of the net again. Devoe and Crowder added two points apiece before Macoy Putnam scored six straight.
Pull-up jumper from Macoy Putnam gives @A_PAthletics a 41-24 lead. pic.twitter.com/E5ltfREj5N
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) March 18, 2023
Hamilton called for a timeout, but it was too late. Avoca/Prattsburgh had an insurmountable lead at 46-26.
“Once we start knocking down shots, all the adrenaline kicks in and we just think we’re unstoppable. We just do what we do.”
Devoe finished with 10 points, 18 rebounds and seven steals. Putnam had 10 points and 10 assists. Crowder scored 16 points. Campbell had seven.
Reese Snyder led Hamilton (22-4) with 12 points. Ethan Nagle added 11, and Hudson Idzi had 11.
Avoca/Prattsburgh (24-2) advances to face Section IX champion Chapel Field Christian in Sunday’s championship game. A 3 p.m. tip-off is scheduled.
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