HIGH SCHOOL BOYS BASKETBALL — SECTION FOUR CLASS D CHAMPIONSHIP PREVIEW

Star photo by Julie Lewis Davenport senior Justin Mole shoots over Laurens junior Greg Breuer during a Section Four Class D semifinal Wednesday at Oneonta High. Mole is averaging 12.8 points for the second-seeded Wildcats, who play No. 1 Newfield for the title Saturday.

By Jeff Vella

Staff Writer

Any chance of top-seeded Newfield overlooking Davenport in the Section Four Class D boys basketball final probably vanished Wednesday.

That’s when fifth-seeded Worcester gave the Trojans everything they could handle in a sectional semifinal at Greene.

Newfield prevailed, 52-50, but it became clear during that game that nobody is going to roll over for the heavily favored Tr[an error occurred while processing this directive]ojans, who are the top-ranked Class D team in the state.

Newfield (20-2) meets second-seeded Davenport (20-2) at 4 p.m. Saturday in the sectional final at Broome County Arena.

"Worcester let us know either you come out and play basketball or you’re going to go home," said Trojans coach Duane Barrett, whose team won the Class C sectional title last season. "I’m very pleased by the level of competition I’ve seen (in Class D)."

The Wildcats, ranked 10th in the state, are coming off their own close call, a 53-52 victory over sixth-seeded Laurens in Wednesday’s semifinals.

"There’s no doubt we’re the underdogs," Davenport coach Lee Fisher said. "Worcester didn’t back down from them, and we aren’t either. Our policy is respect everyone and fear no one. We respect them, but we’re not going to go in fearful."

The Wildcats are seeking their first sectional title since 1989, when they defeated Andes, 62-51, for the crown. Two years earlier, Fisher led Davenport to the state semifinals before a 60-59 overtime loss to Cuba. The 1987 team was the first Class D squad from the area to win sectionals.

"Winning the title would mean everything in the world to these players," Fisher said. "No one talked about Davenport going into this season. We’re happy to get to the final. This is all icing."

If the Delaware League champion Wildcats are going to make the most of their opportunity, they’ll have to contain Newfield’s 6-foot-8 senior center, Josh Delfino. He’s averaging more than 20 points and 10 rebounds for the Trojans and is getting looks from Division I colleges.

Worcester held Delfino to 14 points Wednesday, but he sat most of the second quarter with two fouls. The Wolverines also started three players 6-2 or taller, whereas Davenport’s tallest starter is 6-1 sophomore Brandon Cuddy.

"We’re not big," Fisher said. "We need to use finesse to keep Delfino from getting easy baskets."

Although Davenport prefers a fast-paced game — pressing and running have been staples of its success this winter — the Wildcats might think about slowing the tempo down a bit against Newfield.

Delfino is surrounded by shooters and slashers, including 5-7 three-point specialist Matt Ruger, a sophomore, and 6-foot junior Dusty Marshall. They both average around 17 points and thrive in wide-open settings.

"We’ll probably do the same thing we’ve been doing and find out early if it doesn’t work," Fisher said. "If we do get into a track meet and we’re successful, that’s good. If not, Plan B might be trying to make it a half-court game.

"We’re going to have to play stronger defense than we have all year because of all their weapons," he continued.

Worcester used an active 2-3 zone to hold Newfield to its season-low in points in the semifinals, and Davenport’s primary defense is also the 2-3. That could bode well for the Wildcats.

The offensive tandem of senior Justin Mole (12.8 points per game) and sophomore Dan Toombs (16.6) has led Davenport all season. They combined for 35 points against Laurens.

The other three starters — Cuddy, senior Charlie Whitmore and sophomore Joe Ballard — all average between seven and nine points. Cuddy leads the team with about eight rebounds a game, and Whitmore averages seven rebounds.

"At this stage, they realize they’re going against the best team they’ve faced this year," Fisher said. "I’m going to ask for more out of everyone. They need to reach down for something extra."

If there’s any drawback to Newfield being a deep, supremely talented and complete team, it might be the expectations that go with it. Ever since the Trojans dropped down to Class D, it’s been assumed the sectional title, and maybe even the state title, is theirs to lose.

"Pressure was a big problem for us midway through the season," said Barrett, whose team lost in the Class C state quarterfinals last winter. "We were playing basically to win games and not for the fun of the game. It was about the 12th or 13th game when we were like look, let’s just go out and compete. Whatever happens, happens. Don’t worry about wins and losses.

"I feel for these kids," he continued. "It seems like sometimes it doesn’t bother them, but you can see in tight games like Worcester, you can see that worried look come across their face. So you feel for them. Pressure’s tough."

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Jeff Vella can be reached at jvella@thedailystar.com or 607-432-1000, ext. 209.