By Keith Harrington
North Warren junior Wyatt Jennings is known as a long-range sniper. Jennings hit arguably the biggest shot of the game in Saturday’s state semifinal game against Smithtown Christian. He then put on a record-setting performance from behind the arc in Sunday’s title game as the Cougars held on to edge Sackets Harbor 68-66 to claim the New York State Class D crown Sunday at Cool Insuring Arena.
North Warren connected on a Section II record 10 3-pointers in a quarter in their sectional championship victory, before going 1 for 14 in the state semifinals. In the final Jennings nailed nine treys, setting a New York state championship game record.
“It feels great, but I couldn’t have done it without this amazing program at North Warren,” said Jennings who earned tournament Most Valuable Player honors. “Last year, we got to the final four and fell short by one point. It feels real good to come back here and win it all.”
“I told you before and I will say it again he’s a sniper, I believe in him 100 percent,” forward Derrick Tyrell added “When he is on a roll, he doesn’t miss. He has that confidence and knows he can do it. He has the green light from everybody.”
The Cougars nearly let the plaque slip out of their hands. After trailing by 13 with just over four minutes to go Sackets Harbor went on an 8-0 run to slice the lead to 63-58. The Patriots held North Warren without a field goal the rest of the way, but the Cougars went 5 for 8 from the foul line down the stretch to hang on for the win.
Sackets Harbor pulled with two in the waning seconds and created a turnover, but a desperation 3-pointer was no good setting off a wild celebration for the Cougars.
North Warren trailed early but rallied to tie the game 32-32 at the half. The Cougars gradually fashioned a double-digit lead in the second half before the last comeback by the Patriots.
Jennings led North Warren with 29 points. Semaj Cuyler contributed 17 points and 12 assists. Tyrell finished with 12 points and 16 boards.
James Cuyler was not surprised by Jennings’s performance.
“It doesn’t surprise me, that is who he is,” Cuyler said. “I told people he is the best shooter in Class D and people didn’t believe me. I have seen it with my own eyes, the boy can shoot. He helps Semaj by stretching the floor. He can hoop.”
Austin Griner led Sackets Harbor with 28 points. Dylan Aubert added 11.
North Warren finishes the season 22-4. Sackets Harbor who entered the game as the No. 1 team in the state ends the season 25-2.
“It means the world, it means that our hard work finally has paid off,” head coach Cuyler concluded. “After we lost the game last year, we were back in two weeks after that preparing for this time.”
That work was clearly well worth it.
