Section VII Basketball Championships (Day 1)

PLATTSBURGH - It's day one of the Section VII basketball championships. Eight games over Friday and Saturday will happen.

Continue to follow for updates as the games happen and champions are crowned.

BOYS

Class A

In the first two games between top-seed Peru and Plattsburgh, the Nighthawks won by an average of 21 points.

That wouldn't be the case this time.

The Nighthawks needed everything it could muster to put the Hornets to bed, spoiling any chance for an upset.

"It's something that's been in my head all week," Peru guard Jordan Osborne said. "It's definitely hard to beat a team three times, and (Plattsburgh) came to play today. But I believe the better team prevailed."

Leading by two with just over a minute to play Peru's Deacon Whitmarsh intercepted a pass and took it the length of the court, dunking the ball and putting an emphasis on the win.

"I just anticipated the pass and saw it in slow motion," Whitmarsh said. "It's not just me, and it took the whole team to get this win. It's incredible."

The Nighthawks went 3-4 on free throws as time wound down to win 52-45.

Peru now advances to a regional final against Section II at Hudson Valley Community College at a date to be determine. Up next is the Section VII Champions Challenge against the Class B champion, Thursday at 7:30 p.m.

Full breakdown and coverage of all championship games will be in Tuesday's Press-Republican.