LOCH SHELDRAKE, NY — SUNY Sullivan’s Paul Gerry Fieldhouse has the reputation for bringing out both the best—or the worst—in basketball teams.

On March 1, the Lady Wildcats of Livingston Manor, the defending New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) Section IX champions, fell to the Webutuck Lady Warriors 33-23, thus snapping a 20-year dry spell in the title department for the Dutchess County school.

Manor (8-11) got off to a good start by narrowly outscoring the Lady Warriors 8-6 in the opening frame, but then in the second period both squads posted 7 points.

In the second half, the tide turned, as Webutuck (6-13), coached by Ken Dawson, ripped Manor 8-2 and 12-6 to nail down the Class D championship.

“I thought we played well for three-quarters of the game,” said Manor coach Maggie Fitzpatrick, noting that getting into foul trouble didn’t help their cause.

On defense versus offense, she said, “We exceeded our game plan, but we need to put it in the basket a little more, and move the ball on offense.”

Fitzpatrick singled out Mackenzie Carlson and Jocelyn Mills as this season’s top scorers, and is looking forward to several players returning to the lineup next year: Mya Ross (eighth grade), Jaida Gould (freshman) and Ciarra Staudt (sophomore), along with freshman Savanna Ward and junior Sarah Evans coming off the injured list.

“I’m proud of my team, and proud they made it back to the championship game… they accomplished a lot this season,” she said.