Oxford 72, Candor 47

DRYDEN – Oxford is looking to add another line to its sectional title banner hung at the high school gymnasium after winning its Class C semifinals game over Candor Wednesday evening at Dryden High School.

That last championship came way back in 1970 – a 38-year span between boys’ titles – and Union Springs will meet the Blackhawks at 6:45 p.m. at the Broome County Arena.

“We’re happy to go back there (to the Arena) after our last showing there,” said Oxford coach Tim Davis. In the previous showing at the Arena, the Blackhawks lost back-to-back games in December at the STOP-DWI Tournament. “We’d like to come away with a win and have practice on Monday.”

Perhaps the most significant statistic in this contest was the “battle within the battle” between Oxford junior Craig Champlin, and Candor’s Will Gates. Gates came into the contest second in Section IV scoring at 23.8 points per game, while Champlin was second for Oxford at 14.2. Champlin not only scored a career-high 30 points including four three-pointers, he was given the assignment of checking Gates on defense. Gates finished with just 11 points, and never found an offensive rhythm. “Craig did an excellent job guarding (Gates), and the whole team played good defense,” Davis said. “Candor tries to run Gates off a lot of screens, and our big guys did a good job of stepping up to help off screens and switch.”