Chateaugay Denies Heuvelton's Upset Bid

#23 Candace Fowler of Chateaugay drives to the basket late in the game and scores 2 of her career-high 27 points against Heuvelton.

It seems as though every year Chateaugay and Heuvelton, in one way or another find some way to play each other in the playoffs. They met in 2005, 2006, and 2008, and the battle of the lady Bulldogs never disappoints anyone in Section X. Heuvelton the #4 seed in playoffs came out hot all game from behind the arc. They mounted a great full-court game as well as a half-court game which they used to battle out a 15-13 lead after the first. In the second, Chateaugay looked to comeback from the deficit and tied the game with 6:36 left in the half 15-15. The Chateaugay Bulldogs shot poorly from the charity stripe in the second quarter and Heuvelton took full advantage going up as much as 5. Chateaugay used their size and great guard play to take a 26-25 lead at half-time. In the second half things heated up. Chateaugay and Heuvelton were all tied up, 28-28, after Megan Johnson nailed a long jump shot with 6:50 left in the third. Heuvelton then regained the lead when sister, Heather Johnson nailed a three to take a 31-30 lead with 6:11 to play in the third. Heuvelton quickly went up as much as 6 points, but could not hold on. Chateaugay's size inside was too much. The Chateaugay Bulldogs barreled their way back to the lead after Kate Hamelin nailed a three at the buzzer to put Chateaugay on top 45-44. The tables quickly turned from there, as Heuvelton seemed to be running out of gas. The Heuvelton Bulldogs found themselves down 49-44 with 6:15 left to play. They cut the Chateaugay lead to 51-50 with 5 minutes left, but Candace Fowler dominated inside scoring a career high 27 points to lead the way for to a 60-54 Chateaugay victory. The Chateaugay Bulldogs will go on to face the reigning State Champions, the Hammond Red Devils Friday night at SUNY Potsdam's Maxcy Hall at 6:15 p.m. Megan Johnson had 14 for Bulldogs and Heather Johnson and Emily Bush each had 15.