State Champs: Avoca/Prattsburgh wins back-to-back Class D titles

By PAUL GOTHAM

GLENS FALLS, N.Y. — They walk into the arena like every court visited clad in green blazers along with shirt and tie. A tradition started decades ago by a hall-of-fame coach.

On Sunday afternoon, the Avoca/Prattsburgh Titans put themselves among elite company in Section V history with their second straight NYSPHSAA title.

Haden Abbott poured in 32 points, and Sawyer Devoe registered a double-double in a 70-48 victory over Section IX champion, Chapel Field Christian.

Abbott sparked a 17-4 run to close the first half as A/P pulled away from a single-possession game to take a 38-22 lead into the locker room.

The Titans did not allow the game within single digits for the remainder of the contest and became just the third program in Section V history to win consecutive state titles and sixth overall to claim a second state crown.

Sawyer Devoe grabs the offensive board, gives it up and gets it back from Haden Abbott. ⁦@A_PAthletics⁩ closes the half on a 17-4 run to take a 38-22 lead into the locker room. Abbott has 15 points. @sectvbball pic.twitter.com/DFj1cNPGUc

— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) March 19, 2023

“It’s a different level,” the senior forward said. “Last year I thought it was so special just to do it once, but we came into this year expecting to do it again. One game at a time to make it here. It’s just a different level. It feels so great to be able accomplish that.”

The means by which the Avoca/Prattsburgh boys reach their goals is not a throwback by any stretch. Nary a post player can be found among the starting five of Abbott, Devoe, Macoy Putnam, Evan Campbell and Jamel Crowder. And if a back-to-basket big exists in the program, that young man should be prepared to learn a perimeter game.

Titans put five guards on the floor and force opponents into fits of frustration.

“They were what we expected,” Chapel Field head coach Brad McDuffie said. “They executed, and their speed got to us.

“We couldn’t put it together enough that we could really get a run at them. They just kept getting good stuff. It was like they got all the loose balls. They got all the easy stuff. That just made the difference in the end.”

Avoca/Prattsburgh needed four possessions to turn a three-point lead into an 11-point advantage.

Abbott drilled a corner three then hit one-of-two from the free throw line. Campbell and Putnam slipped ahead of the defense for layups on consecutive possessions and a 29-18 lead.

Evan Campbell gives ⁦@A_PAthletics⁩ a 31-20 lead pic.twitter.com/5WhPIfzpn3

— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) March 19, 2023

The Titans closed the quarter producing on five of their last six possessions for the 16-point lead.

Abbott’s three midway through the third quarter pushed the lead to 20 at 49-29.

“It’s a really good advantage to have,” he said of the five-guard lineup. “You can get up the floor with a bunch of guards, be quick up the floor on offense and get back in defense.”

A/P connected on 16-of-32 from the floor in the first half and after hitting just two of their first 11 from behind the 3-point arc, knocked in 5 of the next 9 from long range.

They forced 21 turnovers and converted those miscues into a 20-10 advantage in points off turnovers. They outscored Chapel Field 44-20 in the paint. Of their 36 field goals, 23 came as the result of an assist.

“Nobody likes to play under pressure,” said A/P head coach Brian Putnam. “It’s not just basketball. It’s life in general. Nobody likes to play under pressure, and I think when we play like that it’s kind of a war of attrition. It’s a matter of seeing who can last longer. We condition every day to prepare for this. It’s how how we go about it.”

Avoca/Prattsburgh (25-2) joined C.G Finney (2006/2007) and Charlotte (1983/1984) as the only schools in Section V history to win consecutive state titles since the tournament’s inception in 1978.

Bishop Kearney, Lyons and Notre Dame-Batavia are the only other boys’ programs with two state championships total.

The significance of the company A/P now holds was not lost on Putnam.

“That’s awesome,” he said. “The kids just work so hard. The hard work right from day one back in November when we started. The kids go at it every day. This is the result. It’s incredible.”

Devoe finished with 18 points and 10 rebounds. Macoy Putnam had four points and 10 assists. Evan Campbell scored 10. Crowder finished with four. Jamie Reagan had two points.

Noah Swart led Chapel Field (20-7) with 19 points. Jonah McDuffie added 16. Leam Powell (6), Mikey Bongura (4), Aaron Falkena (2) and Bryce Hollo (1) also scored for the Lions.