The Hamilton boys basketball team, the top-ranked team in the state, ran their winning streak to 25 straight games with a win over Cooperstown Monday, but not before the Redskins gave them a scare.

Hamilton, the defending Section Three Class D state champions, lost just two starters off of last year's squad, including Cooperstown native Luke Graham. They quickly established a 10-point lead after one quarter of play, and opened up a 16-point lead after three quarters of play.

But the fourth quarter belonged to Cooperstown, as they steadily fought their way back into the game behind the low post play of sophomore Billy Hribar, who finished with 18 points and 13 rebounds.

"We were five down with two minutes and 46 seconds left and Billy had a shot just roll of the front of the rim that would have cut the lead to three, and then we stole the ball and missed on that opportunity," Cooperstown boys basketball coach Mike Cring said. "I told the guys after the game that a coach can't ask for any more hustle and hard than they gave me, and this game let me know we can compete with anybody."

Cring said Paul Leonard had his best game of the season, and freshman Shane Connolly played excellent defense.

"Our defense as a team was outstanding," Cring said. "We missed some shots in the first and third quarters that caused us to get behind."

Hribar's performance was his best since returning from a knee injury earlier this month.

"We're looking to get him the ball and run plays designed for him," Cring said. "I think mentally he's getting back into it now. It's tough to have a long lay-off like that."

Cooperstown, 3-4 overall, is the last team to defeat Hamilton, doing so in overtime last year in Hamilton.

On Saturday, Cooperstown picked up its third win of the year with a 70-56 victory over Sauquoit in the Coaches vs. Cancer day at Morrisville College.

Jeremy Holmes had three three-point baskets and 16 points to lead four Redskins in double figures. Tyler Harris added 12 points, Shane Connolly 11 and Brad Hill 10.

"We were up four at halftime, but our offense started to click in the second half," Cring said.

Cooperstown outscored Sauquoit 37-27 in the final two quarters.

Cring helped arrange the Coaches vs. Cancer clinic, which featured teams from the Center State Conference.

"I think it was nice for the kids to play in a college, and it was also an opportunity to see all the teams in our league," Cring said. "It was all for a good cause."

The Redskins will be off until Dec. 28 and 29 when they host the annual Cooperstown Holiday Tournament. Cooperstown will play Unatego in one first round game, while Little Falls and Delhi meet in the other first round game at 6:30 p.m. Junior varsity action, featuring the same match-ups, will begin at 1 p.m.