NEWBURGH, NY — Sometimes it’s better to remain in hibernation. If you’re a bear that is.

On March 3, the Tri-Valley Bears took on the Blazers of Millbrook to decide the Section IX Class C boys’ basketball championship at Mount Saint Mary College.

For the Bears (11-11), things started looking rather bleak in the first frame, as the Blazers (16-6) jumped out to a 7-0 lead on the way to finishing the first period 21-8, as Millbrook’s Shane Sinon hit a three at the buzzer.

The Blazers outpaced Tri-Valley in the middle frames 17-10 and 24-11, while in the final period the Bears surged back to outgun Millbrook 26-15 as the Blazers coach sent in his bench.

At the start of the second half, the Blazers gave notice that they were here to compete.

The first play was a pick converted to a basket, followed in quick-fire succession by another two, and in an instant Millbrook was riding a hard-charging horse to the finish line.

At the final buzzer, Millbrook garnered the Section IX Class C boys’ basketball title as they defeated Tri-Valley 77-55.

Millbrook’s top scorers: Humberto Cabrera (a game-leading 31 points including a three), Gavin Burns (13 including a three), Jake Daly (two threes) and Shane Sinon (a three).

Tri-Valley: Brennan Healy (a team-leading 22 points including a three), Brock Hunt (a three and 3/3 at the free-throw line for a total of 6 points).

Stats from the free-throw line: Millbrook 9/14 (64%); TV 6/7 (86%).

“We’re a very young team; we have a lot to build off,” said Bears coach Kevin Delaney.

“We missed a couple of early ones and they started to press… they were getting their shots... we had to dig ourselves out of a hole.”

On the bright side, Delaney said he’s looking forward to building a stronger, more experienced team next season of high school hoops.

Blazers coach Bill Kyle said the win was a tribute to “the hard work the kids put it all year,” noting the team plays year-round basketball.

“They show up at the gym every night… they’re a great group of kids.”

What about the game?

“Our focus and energy level was sky high,” replied Kyle. “We got off to a quick start and put them down a little bit.”

Millbrook took to the floor with a couple of seniors on the team, and as a rite of passage, their coach picked them to speak for their team after the accolades.

Zeke Kopilak is a 17-year-old forward.

“We executed everything perfectly,” he said. “We dominated the game both on defense and offense… it was fantastic.”

Taylor Harkenrider is a 17-year-old guard.

“We played very well as a team today… we worked really hard to get here.”