All postseason, Shenise Johnson has continued rising to new levels not thought reachable. She did again in the state final. Johnson scored 35 points and had 30 rebounds carrying Rush-Henrietta to a 59-54 win over North Babylon in the Class AA State Final at Hudson Valley CC, earning R-H it's third straight state championship. The Royal Comets are the first section five team with three consecutive state championships and the first in New York State at Class AA. Rush-Henrietta trailed by three at the half, but went on a 9-0 run to take the lead in the third quarter. Johnson helped hold off North Babylon in a farily tight game. The lead never exceeded eight points, but never dropped below two in the fourth quarter. Johnson finished her career with 2,220 points. R-H plays the Federation tournament in two weeks. Honeoye Falls-Lima went to the wire, but was not as fortunate. The Cougars trailed by one with 14 seconds to go, but Ashley Valenti's jumper was blocked and Malone-Franklin held on to win the Class A State Final 43-41 that was also played at Hudson Valley. HF-L used a 9-0 run in the third quarter to break a halftime tie and led most of the second half. Camaryn Buckner scored 14 points to lead the Cougars. Avon was the only of foui Section Five teams not in a state final today, and unfortunately, they won't play in one tomorrow either. Madrid-Washington led by seven at the half and never let Avon back into the game, winning a Class C state semifinal 42-35 Saturday at Hudson Valley. Brittany O'Donoghue led the Braves with 11 points. The only boys team left playing from Section Five was Northstar Christian. In their first state final ever, the Knights got behind quickly and never recovered losing to Chateaugay 52-41 in the Class D Championship. Chateaugay opened an 18-5 lead in the second quarter and held that 13 point advantage at halftime. The Northstar deficit hit 20 during the second half, before the Knights closed to make the final respectable. Chateaugay became the first section ten team to ever win a state title. Malone-Franklin was the second later in the day after defeating HF-L. Last year, C.G. Finney won the state final against Chateaugay. Dave Valle paced the Knights with 12 points. Jaanai Beckford finished his career with 11 points, six rebounds and six blocks.
