Boys’ Basketball

Sherburne-Earlville 57, Cooperstown 40

SHERBURNE – Sherburne-Earlville claimed its first outright Center State Conference division championship since rejoining Section III several years ago blasting Cooperstown in the first half to extend its unbeaten record.

The Marauders (16-0) led 30-4 at one point in the first half living up to their number five Class B state ranking. “Our defensive intensity in the first half was phenomenal,” said S-E coach Kevin Vibbard. “Cooperstown only had two losses coming into this game and they have had a solid program for a number of years. Year in and year out, you measure yourself against Cooperstown.”

The Marauders scored the game’s first 11 points, and after a Redskins basket, added 10 more as Drew Doscher hit a three, Wlson Rose had a three-point play and a post-up layup, and Garrett Porack scored on a putback to make it 21-2.

Rose, plagued with foul trouble most of the game, led with 17 points, and Jon Pinney added 16. Doscher added nine and Porack scored eight off the bench.

With a division title safely tucked away, Vibbard says his team isn’t ready to relax, especially with the high state ranking. “That makes the bullseye on us that much bigger,” Vibbard said of his team’s standing. “It’s full speed ahead for us. We can relax in April and May.”