Esiasyn Starr powers NDBG to upset over Watervliet
WATERVLIET, NY (NEWS10) -- In the Section 2 basketball playoffs, Class B is as deep as it gets. Look no further than the opening round matchup between the four seed, Watervliet, and the 13 seed, Notre Dame-Bishop Gibbons. The Cannoneers entered at 16-4, while the Golden Knights were as strong as a 13 seed as you'll find, led by one of the section's best players in Esiasyn Starr.
Bishop Gibbons led for almost the entirety of the first half. They held a 14-7 lead after one, and entered the break with a 24-18 lead behind 16 points from Starr.
Watervliet senior Daheem Wilson tallied his 1,000th career point in the opening seconds of the third quarter. He then helped the Cannoneers pull within one midway through the third. The Golden Knights punched back, leading 40-32 after 3.
Watervliet turned up the defensive pressure in the fourth quarter, forcing multiple turnovers to help fuel a 9-1 run, giving the Cannoneers a 47-43 lead with 1:30 left to play. It was Watervliet's first lead since they held a 2-0 advantage,
After a pair of free throws, the Golden Knights tied it up on a floater from Lincoln Baldwin. With 30 seconds to go, they retook the lead with two more of Starr's 26 points. Notre Dame-Bishop Gibbons won the free throw battle from there, on their way to a 53-48 win.
The Golden Knights advance to take on Fonda-Fultonville on Saturday at Hudson Valley Community College at 11:30 AM.