NY: J-D Dethrones South Jeff in Section 3 Class C Thriller

The NYSPHSAA Section III Class C Championship game took place on Tuesday, when Jamesville-Dewitt (J-D) and South Jefferson, both undefeated in their respective conferences, went head-to-head. J-D started strong and ended South Jefferson's season with a 10-7 win.   South Jefferson was the two-time defending Section III Class D champion. This season, they moved up to Class C. J-D won the Section III Class C championship a year ago. South Jefferson has only two losses this season, both to Rochester-area teams. J-D also had two losses, one against Victor from Rochester, who won the Section V Class B Championship, and West Genesee, a Syracuse area team that won the Section III Class A Championship. Both teams fell to Victor earlier this season.   Both teams are extremely young, with only three seniors on the field between the two teams. Freshmen had a huge impact coming into this matchup, with two of the leading scorers for J-D being freshmen, [player_tooltip player_id='73108' first='Kylee' last='Gallagher'] with 64 points and Mackenzie Blum with 55 points this season.   The draw circle was also intense, with both teams' draw takers having outstanding seasons. Both are sophomores, South Jefferson's [player_tooltip player_id='72987' first='Aliana' last='West'] entering the game with 131 draw controls this season and J-D's [player_tooltip player_id='73023' first='Ella' last='Parker'] with 219. These two are a true match, pushing each other the entire game, continually going back and forth, not letting each other get comfortable.   J-D's gameplay had an electric feeling to it. On offense, there is a lot of trust in each other, allowing them to take risks because they know they have each other's back. South Jefferson plays with assertiveness and passion, seen in their high pressure defense and their push on attack. These two teams made for a fierce competition, providing some great lacrosse.   Here are standout players from both sides of the game:    Eckrich had a sensational game, coming in clutch during the biggest moments for her team and proving exactly why she is the kind of player every coach wants. She brings high‑level skill and an energy that spreads across the entire field, lifting her teammates and raising the intensity from the opening whistle to the final horn. Erikson was the backbone of the team and a major reason they secured the win, using her lefty presence in the cage to throw off attackers and shutting down stick‑side shots with such consistency that anything sent that way felt like an automatic stop.     Gallagher is a phenomenal player who has stepped in immediately as a freshman. There is no wonder why she's one of her team's top scorers; she is strong, has a wide range of shots, and also creates opportunities for others. She has a fast shot, really putting power behind it and ripping it from deep in the eight. Gallagher knows how to read a defender, understanding their movements and knowing what kind of dodge or movement she needs to use to beat them.     Keehfus plays with patience, waiting on attack for the best opportunities. She has a strong cut on the crease and can catch difficult passes. She makes smart decisions, only taking clean, clear shots, fully turning her shoulders back and toward the goal. Keehfus has composure in front of the goal, giving her time to make purposeful fakes and find the back of the net. She also has her eyes up, assisting her teammates.     Parker is a key player on the team, getting possession for her team mostly through the self-draw. In 17 games, she had 219 draw controls as a sophomore, making her an extremely valuable asset because draw controls win possessions and possessions win games. However, her value does not end at the circle. She is a strong cutter with a quick release, making her the third leading goal scorer on her team with 40 goals.     Perry is an aggressive and fast player, involved in every play on defense, always there for her teammates. She has a strong check, forcing turnovers and stopping momentum. She utilizes her speed in the midfield, transitioning the ball quickly up the field. She brings a persistent presence on the ride, making it difficult for opponents to clear the ball.     West was involved in every single successful offensive possession, scoring the first goal of the game, contributing important assists, and consistently creating opportunities that helped drive her team's scoring plays. She is truly a well‑rounded player, with sharp cuts, great ball control, the ability to beat a double team, and a strong overhand shot. West also impacted the game with her draw controls, securing many needed possessions for her team through a quick and confident self‑draw.     Netto is a fun player to watch on the field. She plays with intensity and is not afraid to be afraid of risks, and usually the higher the risk, the bigger the reward. She's a strong cutter with an even stronger shooter. Netto is a smart dodger, keeping composure, knowing when to take a step back and re-dodge. Throughout the game, she showed up when her team needed her, from getting possession back quickly after a turnover in the midfield to recovering a ball in the eight-meter.

The NYSPHSAA Section III Class C Championship game took place on Tuesday, when Jamesville-Dewitt (J-D) and South Jefferson, both undefeated in their respective conferences, went head-to-head. J-D started strong and ended South Jefferson's season with a 10-7 win.