Clymer's Blake Beckerink looks for space while being guarded by Sackets Harbor's Spencer Oliva during the NYSPHSAA Class D semifinals at Visions Veterans Memorial Arena in Binghamton on Saturday. OBSERVER photo by Christian Storms

BINGHAMTON — In its 11th sectional title winning season, Clymer finally reached the New York State Public High School Athletic Association Final Four. On the other side of the floor Clymer’s opponent Sackets Harbor of Section III was making its third straight trip to the Class D semifinals on Saturday in Binghamton and it showed in the first half.

Quickly falling into a double-digit deficit it looked like the Pirates were in for a long day and by halftime the Patriots led 28-13. However, head coach Irv King’s Pirates were not going to go down quietly and began battling back in the third quarter.

Scoring the final nine points of the third period, Clymer found itself in the midst of a comeback down 35-29. Despite controlling the play in the fourth quarter, Clymer’s road came to a close in the semifinals at the hands of Sackets Harbor in Visions Veterans Memorial Arena 46-37.

Sackets Harbor did not falter on the big stage and instead came out flying led by star junior Spencer Oliva scoring 8 of his game-high 20 points in the first quarter.

Clymer gave up just three triples in the Far West Regional against Andover/Whitesville, but the Patriots managed four in the opening quarter and built a 17-7 lead they never looked back from.

From left to right, Clymer head coach Irv King, Carson White and Blake Beckerink receive the NYSPHSAA Class D state semifinalist plaque after falling to Sackets Harbor 46-37 at Visions Veterans Memorial Arena on Saturday in Binghamton. OBSERVER photo by Christian Storms

Recorded less than half the points Sackets Harbor did, Clymer could have easily rolled over in the second half, but that is not the kind of team King has.

The Pirates returned from half inspired, scoring the first five of the third quarter and Sackets Harbor called its first timeout.

Just when it looked like Clymer was getting back into the game, Oliva pulled up for another triple that capped off a 7-2 swing and restored the 15 point lead.

Some teams may have drifted away then, but Clymer instead buckled down to score the final nine points of the third and made it a two-possession game at 35-29.

Blake Beckerink brought the Pirates within four after he hit his fifth trey of the game, but that would be as close as they got. Carson White added another triple with 5:30 left in the game and then the momentum stopped with the shots not falling from that point on.

Unable to finish off several drives to the basket, Clymer missed the next 14 field goals after White’s triple and the Patriots extended their lead at the line for an eventual 46-37 win.

Clymer was led by Beckerink with 15 points, White added 12 with nine rebounds, Roman Wassink scored 7 and collected eight rebounds, Eli Mitchell reeled in six rebounds, Kameron Einink had four boards and Bryan Gomez added three.

Sackets Harbor returns to the state final for the first time since 2024 and will seek its first championship since 2012.

CLYMER (37)

Lao 0 0 0, Beckerink 5 0 15, Gomez 0 0 0, White 5 0 12, DRedlecki 0 0 0, Mitchell 0 0 0, Sexton 0 0 0, Einink 1 1 3, KWassink 0 0 0, MRedlecki 0 0 0, Fuller 0 0 0, Johnson 0 0 0, RWassink 2 3 7. Totals 13 4 37.

SACKETS HARBOR (46)

Welch 0 0 0, Tracy 1 2 5, McKeever 0 0 0, Munoz 2 2 8, Peters 1 0 3, Cocco 3 3 10, Oliva 8 1 20. Totals 15 8 46.

3-point goals–Beckerink 5, White 2, Tracy, Munoz 2, Peters, Cocco, Oliva 3.

Clymer 7 6 16 8 — 37

Sackets Harbor 17 11 7 11 — 46