The Newburgh Free Academy Varsity boys’ basketball team will head to the states after edging Elmira in a regional semi-final game last night.
The Newburgh Goldbacks defeated the Elmira Express 50-49 on Tuesday night, March 7, 2023, in a regional game played at the Johnson City High School near Binghamton. Elmira clinched the Section 4 championship title for rights to face Newburgh, the Section 9, Class AA winners. Newburgh defeated Middletown 52-42 on Thursday, March 2, 2023, for the title.
Last night’s game versus Elmira was a nail-biter all the way. The Express started off with a 6-0 lead over the Goldbacks, but Deondre Johnson helped bring Newburgh to a 16-14 lead by the end of the first quarter with a wild dunk and a monstrous block on the other end.
Newburgh managed to stay ahead halfway through the second quarter and locked in a 30-27 lead at halftime.
Midway through the third quarter, Newburgh fought to maintain a 36-33 lead. Elmira grabbed the lead, 39-38, with just 56 seconds remaining. Johnson saved the day and sunk a two-pointer to end the third quarter with Newburgh winning 40-39.
With just four minutes left until the final buzzer, the Goldbacks enjoyed a 46-44 edge over the Express. Elmira’s Chris Woodard sunk a three-pointer with 5.7 seconds left on the clock, closing their gap to Newburgh by 50-49. Elmira again had possession of the ball at the buzzer and missed a three-pointer, allowing Newburgh to secure the win.
The Goldbacks are coached by Head Coach Jason McAllister, Assistant Coach Mike Robinson, JV Head Coach Tyree Smallwood, and volunteer Todd Cooper. McCallister, Robinson, and Cooper are all alumni of the NFA Basketball program.
Newburgh will now advance to face North Rockland in the the Class AA quarterfinals this Saturday, March 11, 2023, at the Yorktown High School.
