Bombers squash Rhinebeck in semifinals, lose by three to Chester in championship finals

PINE PLAINS — Closing its 2021-22 season with two hard-fought games on the court, the Stissing Mountain varsity boys basketball team defeated Rhinebeck in the Section IX semifinal game on Monday, Feb. 28.

Days later, the team was defeated by Chester in the Section IX finals on Wednesday, March 2.

The Bombers competed against Rhinebeck at home on Monday evening at 6 p.m.

As reported on the “Bombers Athletics” Twitter page and posted to the Pine Plains Central School District (PPCSD) website’s athletics page, www.ppcsd.org/athletics, Stissing led Rhinebeck by 21-16 at halftime.

Competing for the Bombers, John Bopp and Sid Stracher hit threes (or three-pointers) to open the game’s third quarter, bringing Stissing Mountain’s lead over Rhinebeck up to 27-18.

Also competing for the Bombers, Zach Strang and Logan Lydon scored 17 points each.

By game’s end, Stissing Mountain won its home playoff game with a final score of 53-44 over Rhinebeck.

Advancing to the Section IX finals on Wednesday, March 3, Stissing Mountain faced off against Chester at 7 p.m. at Sullivan West Community College in Loch Sheldrake.

Chester took the lead in the first quarter, with a score of 13-7 over Stissing Mountain, and maintained the lead with a score of 27-18 by halftime.

Competing for Chester, Alex Bastian led the game with a game-high of 10 points, according to the PPCSD’s athletics page.

Heading into the fourth and final quarter, Chester was in the lead with 38-32. With a final score of 50-47, Chester walked off the court as victors over Stissing Mountain in the last game of the 2021-22 sports season and the championship.

Competing for Stissing Mountain, Zachary Strang was unafraid to challenge Rhinebeck on the basketball court as the Bombers faced their opponents in the Section IX semifinal game on Monday, Feb. 28. Photo by T.C. Morton

Gathering on the sidelines, Stissing Mountain Coach Zachary Lydon gave his players a few pointers before they returned to their game against Rhinebeck. Photo by T.C. Morton

Stretching toward the hoop, Bomber Logan Lydon shot for a basket in last week’s Section IX semifinal game. Photo by T.C. Morton

Competing for Stissing Mountain, Zachary Strang was unafraid to challenge Rhinebeck on the basketball court as the Bombers faced their opponents in the Section IX semifinal game on Monday, Feb. 28. Photo by T.C. Morton