SULLIVAN COUNTY, NY — While early-season basketball features a bevy of non-league games wherein teams look to test their mettle against contenders from other divisions and/or regions, it is the current league games that evince the most intensity, as teams jockey to marshal at least .500 in their divisions to secure a sectional bid.

These games rekindle rivalries between schools, as many fall athletes have migrated to their winter enterprises. League clashes were the banner story this past week for local hardwood warriors. In boys basketball, Division III Monticello 7-3 (2-0 OCIAA) downed Port Jervis 68-52. Sha-Shawn Drayton posted 14 points and 20 rebounds for the Panthers, who continued their winning ways following their storied road league win over Cornwall the week before. Division IV Liberty 3-5 (2-0 OCIAA) upset James I. O’Neill 51-42 as Stephen Johnson scored 18 for the Indians. In an intense Division V clash, Tri-Valley bested Sullivan West 55-53 as Zach Nilsen led the way for the Bears 5-3 (2-1 OCIAA) with 13 points. Tri-Valley overcame an eight-point deficit with just over three minutes to go. Kainan Justiniano’s pair of three-pointers was crucial in the Bears’ win. The Westies 4-3 (1-2 OCIAA) rebounded with a 59-40 win over Tuxedo as Ronj Padu led the way with 14 points. Noah Bauer canned five three-pointers bringing his season total to 19, ranking him fourth among all Section IX long-range shooters. In Division VI action, it was Livingston Manor 6-2 (3-0) OCIAA, which prevailed over Roscoe 0-9 (0-1 OCIAA) by the score of 67-38. Terrence Lockhart poured in 24 points in the win. Manor also beat Tuxedo 38-30 in a non-league fray. Eldred 4-5 (2-1 OCIAA) downed Tuxedo in a non-league encounter before garnering a league victory over Roscoe by the score of 58-47. Butch Halloran had a team-high 14 and 17 points respectively in those wins. In girls basketball, Division IV Fallsburg 9-2 (3-0 OCIAA) continued its fine season with a 48-41 win over O’Neill and a 62-18 non-league thumping of Roscoe. In Division V, Sullivan West 2-6 (0-3 OCIAA) lost a pair of league games as they fell to Chester 43-12 and then to S.S. Seward 51-26. Meanwhile Tri-Valley 4-5 (1-0 OCIAA) avenged an earlier season non-league defeat by topping O’Neill 51-45. Caroline Martin excelled with 14 points. Eldred 7-2 (3-0 OCIAA) maintained its Division VI dominance with a 59-16 win over Chapel Field. Jordan Lepes led the way with 15 points, while Sheila Burns added 14 points and eight steals. Kelsey Collins had 13 points, 11 rebounds, six steals and three blocked shots. For albums of photos, visit www.sportsinsights.smugmug.com.