Woodlands Boys Set For Class B State Basketball Final Four

GREENBURGH, N.Y. -- The Woodlands High School boys basketball team will take its next step toward a possible New York State Public High Schools Class B championship with Friday's 6:45 p.m. semifinal match-up against Olean High School in Glens Falls.

Brandon Johnson is one of three juniors -- with Jamil Gambari and Ross Joseph -- who lead Woodlands into the state Class B semifinals.
Photo Credit: *Danny LoPriore*

by Danny LoPriore

03/13/2014 7:00 p.m.

The Section 1 champion Falcons (19-5) rolled to a 73-47 victory over Southampton in last Friday's regional championship game to earn a shot at an Olean team that is 20-3.

Woolands, which has only three seniors on its roster, gets balanced scoring from juniors Brandon Johnson, who scored 27 points in the regional victory, Jamil Gambari and Ross Joseph.

Olean has a distinct height advantage with leading scorer Wil Bathurst at 6-4 and rebounding 6-7 center Sam Eckstrom.

Pierre Lys, Abdoulaye Sow and Denzel Bennett have been strong through the postseason, adding extra scoring and defense for the Falcons, who will need a balanced effort to stay in the tournament against a more experience Olean team.

Woodlands has to use its quickness up and down the court and make its shots to offset Olean's rebounding.

If the Falcons can get past Olean they will get the winner of the other semifinal between Section 3’s Westhill High School (23-0) and Section 10’s Ogdensburg High School (22-1) Saturday 9 p.m. for the state title.

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