LOCH SHELDRAKE, NY — The Eldred Yellowjackets boys’ varsity basketball team took to the floor February 1 against the Sullivan West Bulldogs, looking to post their first win of the season.

But at the final buzzer, the Jackets were still searching for that ever-elusive first victory. They were defeated 57-43 by the Dawgs in Game #2 of the 11th Annual Sullivan County Basketball Coaches Association of New York’s (BCANY) vs. Cancer Classic.

The annual fundraising event was held at SUNY Sullivan’s Paul Gerry Fieldhouse, in the gym affectionately called the “Bunker.”

The contest between the Yellowjackets and the Bulldogs (5-7) took place under a banner honoring the memory of the local community college’s “#1 Fans,” Herman and Shirley Weingarten.

The last half of the final frame resembled roller derby at its best—or depending upon your point of view, its worst—as both squads battled it out to the bitter end, and bodies crashed left, right and sometimes in-between all over the floor.

As if to illustrate that point, both teams racked up a combined total of 40 trips to the free throw line. No matter how you count it, that’s an impressive tally in the foul column.

Stats from the free throw line: Sullivan West 10/22 (45%), Eldred 12/18 (66%).

The Bulldogs outpaced Eldred in the first three frames (22-13, 12-10 and 12-8), while in the fourth period the Yellowjackets squeaked by their opponents 12-11.

Sullivan West’s top scorers: Kyle Reimer (a game leading 22 points including four 3s), Ryan Mace (11 points), Cody Powell (8 points including a 3) and Matt Peters added a 3-pointer as well.

Eldred: Jordan Reed (10 points including a 3), Joe Nicholson (9 points), and Dylan Jennings (eight points including a couple of 3s).

The 2019 BCANY vs. Cancer Classic was dedicated in honor of Glorianne Ellison, cancer survivor, oncology nurse, advocate for patient care and founding partner of Ride2Survive-Sullivan County.

In a speech presented at ABC’s Excellence in Sports Performance Yearly (ESPY) award ceremony in 1993, Jim Valvano, former North Carolina State Men’s Basketball Coach, said “Don’t give up, don’t ever give up.”

Fitting words indeed, as printed in the 2019 “Classics” program and, by extension, both teams who took to the court in the game of hoops.

Hillbilly handfishin’. Sullivan West’s Frank Decker aggressively blocks a shot by Eldred’s Dylan Jennings.

                                                                          Movin’ uptown. Sullivan West’s Cody Powell drives to the paint against Eldred defenders Jordan Reed and Darrick Mapes.