Malone Defeats Massena for Chance at Section 10 Title; Salmon Downs N-N in Basketball

By Andy Gardner.

Here is a summary of recent Salmon River and Massena varsity sports action:

Friday, Feb. 9

• Girls basketball: Gouverneur 49, Massena 43 – Massena was determined to prevent Gouverneur from securing a Central Division title on their home court, but despite their efforts, the Wildcats (13-1 Division) ultimately emerged victorious, powered by a 15-10 advantage in the third quarter.

Leading the charge for the Raiders were Meghan Firnstein with 16 points, Sophie Greco with 13 points, and Mollee Cameron with 12 points, including a perfect 6-6 from the free-throw line. Shelby Goeke chipped in with two points.

Meanwhile, the Wildcats were led by a trio of standout performances: Courtney Forsythe contributed 18 points, Meredith Bush added 14 points, and Chloe Smith scored 11 points. Caitlyn Storie and Rylin Martin-McIntosh also made valuable scoring contributions, with Storie adding 2 points and Martin-McIntosh adding 4.

• Boys hockey: Potsdam 6, Salmon River 5 – At Pine Street Arena, the Shamrocks surged to a 4-1 lead later in the opening period. However, the Sandstoners, playing their first game since a January 27 loss on the road to nonleague rival Beekmantown, mounted a remarkable comeback, scoring five unanswered goals, including four in the second period, to secure the victory.

For the Shamrocks, Clayton Benedict opened the scoring with two goals. Carter Johnson provided two assists, while Roman Castell and Alex Delormier found the back of the net as well. Royce Thomas-Robertson, Johnny Cook-Francis, Kahontiio Lazore, and Bronson Bero all contributed with individual assists, while Ethan Gibson made 33 saves in net.

Potsdam’s Tyler Martin played a pivotal role in the win, scoring two goals and assisting on another. John Duffy and Jack Pitts also contributed with a goal and an assist each, with Pitts notching the crucial game-winning goal at 12:16 of the second period, assisted by Duffy. Brody Hughes added another goal for Potsdam. Kayden McGaheran and Christos Theodore each earned an assist, while Chase Rozler turned away 26 shots to secure the win in goal.

• Girls basketball: Malone 58, Massena 39 – In Malone, the Huskies surged to a 28-23 halftime advantage before solidifying their lead with an 18-5 run in the third quarter. Raegan McArdle led the charge for the victorious team with 22 points, followed closely by Alyvia Roberts with 17 points, Ava Lilliock with 13 points, Liliana-Teresa Sosa with six points, and Alexys White with two points.

For the Raiders, Meghan Firnstein led the scoring effort with 15 points. Sophia Greco and Madison LaDuke contributed seven points apiece, while Makenna Cameron added six points. Shelby Goeke and Emma Pollack each chipped in with two points.

• Girls basketball: Ogdensburg 47, Salmon River 33 – In Fort Covington, the Blue Devils extended their lead from 23-18 at halftime with a strong 16-9 run in the third quarter. For the Shamrocks, Ariyah LaFrance contributed 12 points, followed by Taya Ransom with 11 points and Kaidance Sunday with six points. Shania Stewart and Heavon Thompson each added two points to the scoreboard.

OFA’s Amya LaFlair led the scoring charge with 23 points, supported by Carlee Thompson with eight points, Cadence Cole with five points, Ireland McNally with four points, and Meriam Skamperle with three points.

Thursday, Feb. 8

• Boys basketball: Massena 60, Gouverneur 59 – Taylor Mitchell finished with 24 points and the Raiders outscored the Wildcats 17-12 in the fourth quarter to claim the NAC Central Division win.

Colin Patterson netted 17 points for Massena. Jared Donaldson scored 21 points for Gouverneur and Raine Rumble added 17.

• Boys basketball: Salmon River 64, Norwood-Norfolk 38 – Taharihwakohe Lazore scored a game-high 18 points to lead the way for Salmon River in a Central Division game against Norwood-Norfolk at Fort Covington. Edward Jacobs III added 13 points for the Shamrocks and Charif Fayad scored 10.

Matt Richards led the Flyers with 16 points.

Wednesday, Feb. 7

• Girls hockey, Malone 3, Massena 2 – The Franklin Academy Huskies girls’ varsity hockey team secured a spot in the Section X Championship game with a hard-fought 3-2 victory on Wednesday, playing at home against the Massena Raiders. Right from the start, both the Huskies and Raiders displayed readiness, engaging in a fast-paced first period filled with end-to-end action and numerous scoring opportunities.

Massena took the early lead a few minutes into the game when Joie-Lynn Jabaut found the net, putting the visitors up 1-0. Despite this setback, Huskies Head Coach Scott Marlow commended his team’s response. Special teams became pivotal midway through the period when Massena went on the power play. However, it was the Huskies who capitalized, as Adleigh Norman broke free for a short-handed goal to level the score at 1-1.

Shortly after, Cailyn Walfield seized the momentum with a crucial goal assisted by Murphy Maguire, giving the Huskies a 2-1 lead. But Massena quickly equalized with a goal from Brynn Deshaies, leaving the score tied 2-2 at the end of the first period. The intensity heightened in the second period, with both teams fighting for dominance. The Huskies managed to break the deadlock with a go-ahead goal from Whitney St. Hilaire, assisted by Olivia LaFlesh and Julia Jackson, making it 3-2. The remainder of the period remained scoreless, with the Huskies maintaining their slim lead heading into the third period.

Massena mounted a strong offensive effort in the final period, creating several scoring opportunities. However, the Huskies’ defense, led by goalie Reaghan Marlow, stood firm. Despite failing to capitalize on back-to-back penalties from Massena, the Huskies maintained their composure, thwarting the Raiders’ late-game surge. As Massena pulled their goalie in a last-ditch effort to tie the game, the Huskies’ defense held strong, securing the crucial victory and a chance at the championship title.

• Girls basketball: Canton 52, Massena 46 – Sophie Greco tallied 14 points for Massena with eight in the fourth quarter and Meghan Firnstein finished with 12. Callie Klassen buried three 3s scoring 12 points in the fourth quarter for the Golden Bears who built a six-point lead through three quarters and then matched Massena 19-19 in the fourth quarter. Olivia White and Tessa Alguire scored 15 and 10 points for the Bears and Winnie Downs netted seven.

• Boys basketball: Gouverneur 93, Salmon River 41 – In Gouverneur, the Wildcats overcame a 10-9 deficit after the first quarter with an impressive 31-17 run in the second, seizing full control by outscoring the Shamrocks 29-7 in the third quarter.

For Salmon River, Edwards Jacobs III led the scoring with 22 points, supported by Cruz Gibson with six points and Logan Oakes with five points. Charif Fayad and Ty Leroux contributed four points each, while Jayden Reardon added two points. Meanwhile, Gouverneur was led by Raine Rumble with 26 points, followed by Brodie Burns with 20 points and Connor Witherell with 10 points. Will Riutta chipped in with eight points, Ashton Currier with seven points, and Kaleb Platt with five points. Additionally, Jared Donaldson scored four points and Lucas Griffith contributed three points, while Gunner Simmons and Adain Lumley each added two points.

Tuesday, Feb. 6

• Girls basketball: Massena 63, Ogdensburg 44 – The Raiders methodically built a 33-14 halftime advantage, capitalizing on transition scoring opportunities generated by their full-court press. Sophia Greco, who nailed three three-pointers, and Madison LaDuke led the charge for Massena with 18 and 15 points, respectively. Both players also contributed seven points apiece in the fourth quarter. Meaghan Firnstein added another 13 points to the scoreboard, while Shelby Goeke chipped in with seven points, and Makenna Cameron rounded out the scoring with six points.

On the other side, Ogdensburg’s Amaya LaFlair demonstrated relentless energy, sinking all ten of her free throws in a 31-point performance. She also secured 11 rebounds, made four steals, and dished out two assists. Carlee Thompson and Ireland McNally continued to be formidable in the low post for OFA, each grabbing nine rebounds while contributing six and three points, respectively. Cadey Cole provided two points and three assists, while Meriam Skamperle and Sky-Anne Barr each added one point.

• Girls basketball: Canton 60, Salmon River 37 – In Fort Covington, the Golden Bears took control early with a dominant 21-6 run in the first quarter and maintained their lead throughout the game. Taya Ransom led the scoring effort for the Shamrocks with 20 points, including three three-pointers, while Adrienne Brill contributed seven points, Kaidance Sunday added six points, and Ariyah LaFrance chipped in one point.

On the other side, Callie Klassen led the offensive charge for the Golden Bears with 27 points, including seven three-pointers. Tessa Alguire followed closely with 19 points, and Viv Coburn contributed seven points. Additionally, Winnie Downs, Sara Aldous, and Jenna Larrabee each finished with four points, while Hailey Burnett and Keegan Larson tallied two points apiece.

• Boys basketball: Canton 61, Massena 36 – Ryan Jones scored 19 points and the Golden Bears put together a 22-9 third quarter to defeat the Raiders in a Central Division game at Massena. Taylor Mitchell finished with 11 points for Massena and Colin Patterson followed with nine. Jackson Ames added 10 points, Zadock Roiger scored nine for Canton, which has clinched the Central Division.

• Girls basketball, Massena 62, Ogdensburg 44 – Madison LaDuke and Sophia Greco combined for 36 points, propelling the Raiders to victory over the Blue Devils in Ogdensburg in the NAC Central Division matchup.

Meaghan Firnstein contributed 13 points for Massena. Meanwhile, Amya LaFlair led all scorers with 31 points for OFA.

Monday, Feb. 6

• Boys hockey: Canton 2, Salmon River 0 - At the Canton Pavilion, the Golden Bears secured the decisive goal at 10:43 of the opening period, courtesy of Reid Doyle, assisted by Garrit Palmer. Owen Logan provided insurance with a breakaway goal, assisted by David Seymour, with 6:36 left in regulation.

David Creurer was stellar in goal, stopping all 31 shots he faced to secure the victory, while Ethan Gibson made 30 saves for the Shamrocks.

• Boys Basketball, Massena 70, Ogdensburg 59 – On Monday, OFA journeyed to Massena for an NAC Central Boys Basketball matchup, where they suffered a 70-59 defeat in a high-scoring contest.

Massena guard Taylor Mitchell made an impact early with four 3-pointers in the first period, but despite this, the Devils managed to stay within three points until the Raiders pulled ahead with a 22-14 advantage. Mitchell led all scorers with an impressive 27 points for the Raiders. Colin Patterson contributed 16 points, with 14 of them coming in the second half. Additionally, Scott Peets made his mark in the fourth quarter, scoring 11 of his 14 points, including three 3-pointers.

Saturday, Feb. 3

• Boys basketball: Ogdensburg 90, Salmon River 57 – Taharihwakohe Lazore scored a game-high 24 points and Eddie Jacobs delivered another 12 for Salmon River against Ogdensburg Free Academy.

Blake Morrill and fellow sophomore guard Jack Pike each buried five 3-pointers. Morrill scored 22 points total and Pike had 17 points.

Friday, Feb. 2

• Girls basketball: Ogdensburg 47, Salmon River 33 – Salmon River was led by 12 points from Ariyah LaFrance, 11 from Taya Ramsom and six from Kaydence Sunday.

Amaya LaFlair for OFA scored a game-high 22 points. Ireland McNally and Carlee Thompson combined for 11 and 10 points, respectively. Meriam Skamperle followed with six points and went 4-4 from the foul line. Cadey Cole scored five points and Julia Ives chipped in two.

Wednesday, Jan. 31

• Girls basketball: Canton 52, Massena 46 – Sophie Greco tallied scored14 points for Massena, with

eight of them in the fourth quarter. Meghan Firnstein netted 12 points.

Callie Klassen scored three from the three-point line, scoring 12 points in the fourth quarter for the Golden Bears. Canton built a six-point lead through three quarters and then tied Massena 19-all in the fourth quarter. Olivia White scored 15 points and Tessa Alguire scored 10 for the Canton. Winnie Downs netted seven. Viv Coburn and Sara Aldous each hit a free throw.

• Boys basketball: Malone 55, Massena 52 – The Raiders’ Taylor Mitchell netted 27 points followed by Colin Patterson with 14 in the Central Division matchup at Massena.

Zendann Poirier tallied 15 points for the Huskies. Ian Mulverhill contributed 13 points and Brad Poupore added 11.

Tuesday, Jan. 30

• Girls basketball: Massena 59, Norwood-Norfolk 37 – Meghan Firnstein tossed in 21 points and Madison LaDuke tallied 20 points as the Raiders’ won over the Flyers in a Central Division game in Norfolk. Olivia Plonka scored a game high 25 points for Norwood-Norfolk.

• Girls hockey: Massena 4, Saranac Lake-Lake Placid 1 – Karenhatironhtha Johnson scored twice to lead the Raiders to the nonleague victory at Saranac Lake Arena in Saranac Lake. Harper Oakes added a goal and a pair of helpers. Madelyn Binion picked up the other goal for Raiders. Arieonna Murphy saved 17 shots and Kenadie Garrow nine for Massena in goal.

Whitney Warner scored for Saranac/Lake Placid.

• Girls basketball: Potsdam 61, Salmon River 38 – Taya Ransom connected for 18 points for Salmon River to lead the team’s offense. Cathryn Todd tossed in 22 points and Jamine McKnight connected for another 20 points to boost the Sandstoners.

Monday, Jan. 29

• Boys basketball: Massena 88, Norwood-Norfolk 27 – Taylor Mitchell paced the Raiders offense with 25 points to lead the Massena’s Central Division win. His teammates Tapeni LaBrake and Colin Patterson scored 18 points each.