The Cooperstown boys basketball team absorbed their first loss of the new year on Tuesday night, losing to Center State power Hamilton 70-63.

The loss leaves the Redskins with a 13-6 record heading to Friday's regular season finale at home with Morrisville. Cring said a win Friday would go a long way toward securing both a first round bye and a home game in the second round of the upcoming Section Three Class C tournament.

Cooperstown entered Tuesday's game as one of the hottest teams in the league, but played a poor first half, Cring said.

"For the first time since December, we played a little bit intimidated and we made some poor passing decisions," Cring said. "We only scored 15 first half points and were down 32-15 at the half."

The Redskins cut the lead to seven midway toward the end of the third quarter, but a Hamilton player nailed a three-point shot from near halfcourt to break Cooperstown's momentum.

Jeremy Holmes led the offensive effort with 19 points, while Shane Connolly added 13. All 10 Cooperstown players got into the scoring column.

The Redskins ran their winning streak to nine with wins over Sauquoit and Canastota last week. After cruising past Sauquoit, 77-39, last Wednesday, Cooperstown defeated Canastota 69-63 Friday as Holmes and Connolly combined for 44 points.

Connolly and Holmes each hit two three-pointers and combined to go 9-9 from the free throw line as the Redskins exploded for a 30-point third quarter to break open a close game. The pair of guards combined for 23 points in the quarter. Cooperstown played the game without starting point guard Brad Hill, who was sick.

Against Sauquoit, sophomore Billy Hribar led the way with 21 points as all 10 Cooperstown players got into the scoring column.

Cooperstown, whose last loss before Tuesday was in the championship game of its own Holiday Tournament to Little Falls Dec. 28, ends the regular season this Friday at home against Morrisville. The game will be Senior Night, or as Cring quipped "Blair Budine Night" as he is the only senior member of the basketball team. Also, the Redskin Ropers will perform at halftime.

Cring said his squad could receive anywhere from a second to a fifth seed in the upcoming Section Three Class C sectionals. "We're hoping to finish strong, get a first round bye and host a game in the second round," Cring said. "But we have to take care of business first."

...The Cooperstown junior varsity team improved to a perfect 19-0 with a victory over Hamilton Tuesday, and have a chance to complete a perfect season Friday against a very good Morrisville J.V. team...The CCS junior varsity is led by first year coach Dave Bertram.