A year ago, Newburgh Free Academy made successive trips to Glens Falls. The first weekend, the Goldbacks left the Adirondacks with a state Class AA title, rolling over Niagara Falls.

The next weekend, the Goldbacks played Rice in the Federation game and lost an overtime thriller that was arguably one of the best games of the season.

The Goldbacks returned Saturday to play Christian Brothers Academy in the state Class AA semis at the Glens Falls Civic Center. And whatever inspired their play here in 2009 was long lost Saturday as the reigning champs lost 60-41.

“One of our keys is getting offensive rebounds and putting it back in. None of it worked,” said Frank Dinnocenzio, Newburgh’s coach.

Goldback Pat Johnson did grab an offensive rebound with about two minutes left in the first quarter – and he did put it back in for two to tie it 10-10.

But that’s as close as Newburgh ever came to winning back-to-back state titles. Christian Brothers led 12-10 to close the first. Less than halfway through the second, Christian Brother’s Josh Dennis landed a shot for two for a 21-13 lead.

By halftime, Newburgh had scored a meager 18 points, trailing by six.

Kam Ritter made it 29-20 when he landed a three with 6:30 left in the third.  And he did it again three minutes later and extended the lead to 35-24. Ritter, who led his team with 25 points, added those pair of three to compliment his foul shooting, going 4/5 in the second quarter and 6/8 during the game.

The Goldbacks, meanwhile, only hit a three when Antonia Harper landed it in the fourth when it was much too late to matter. Mike McLeod, always tough inside and outside, scored eight points, while going 0/4 from the line as the team went 6/16.

It was 39-29 at the end of the third quarter before Christian Brothers went on the 21-11 run in the fourth.

“We didn’t get inside, or we threw the ball away,” said Dinnocenzio.

The Goldbacks turned the ball over 18 times, and when the ball ended up on the opposite side of the court, it was usually passed around, clock ticking, and shot.  And the Brothers usually found a way to score with this type of ball control.

“I told the guys, you’re in for a dogfight. It’s going to be an ugly game,” said Dinnocenzio.
After coming out flat in the first half, Will Bouton said the team talked about how they were better than their opponents and that they could win and go to the final.

“We just came out the same as we did in the first half, and it didn’t help,” he said.

The disappointing loss ends one of the best runs by any Newburgh team, and one that became a source of pride in Section 9.

“They’ve had outstanding careers. They will move on. They’ll be successful where ever they go, whatever they do,” said Dinnocenzio.

Johnson scored eight points for the Goldbacks, and Bouton added six. Marcus Henderson chipped in four during his final game.

“It’s been exciting, “he said, of the team’s two-year run.  “I’m going to remember (this game) as I played my hardest, and I gave it my all. I made it to the state final four two years in row, I have a championship ring. I have nothing to hold my head down about.”

By Bond Brungard
sports@tcnewspapers.com