DeRuyter falls to Lyme in Section III Class D Finals

DeRuyter's Louis Glisson goes up strong for a lay-up against Lyme defenders (Ross Cohen/Cortland Voice).

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — It was a close game down the stretch, but the DeRuyter Rockets fell to the Lyme Indians, 54-50, in the Section III Class D Finals Sunday at the Carrier Dome in Syracuse.

Defensive pressure by the Indians in the first half made it difficult for the Rockets to find open buckets, but senior Louie Glisson came up with several big plays in the second quarter. His 7 points came entirely during the first half, though he also noticed 9 rebounds, two assists and one block.

At halftime, DeRuyter was down 28-22, but they came into the third quarter on a 6-0 run to tie the game.

Both teams stepped up their intensity in the second half, leading to seven lead changes throughout the game.

It was anyone's game in the last minute down the stretch, with DeRuyter junior Frank Glisson cutting Lyme’s lead to 2 points after hitting a clutch three pointer with 50 seconds left inthe fourth quarter, keeping the Rockets’ hopes alive. DeRuyter was forced to foul for the remainder of the game, and Lyme hit nearly all of their free throws to seal the game.

Sophomore Benjamin Barnes led the Rockets scoring a total of 15 points. He also had a total of five rebounds and five assists.

Junior Isaiah Wilson led the Indians with a double-double,. Sscoring a total of 22 points and grabbing 11 boards. Following Wilson, senior, Damon Blaha scored a total of 20 points, with nine of them coming from behind the arc.

DeRuyter's Frank Glisson shooting a three pointer (Ross Cohen/Cortland Voice).

DeRuyter's Benjamin Barnes attacking the rim (Ross Cohen/Cortland Voice).