LIVERPOOL – The New Hartford boys basketball team is finding ways to keep marching on.

The Spartans got key contributions throughout the lineup Wednesday to help New Hartford extend its season for the second time in as many years.

Contributions from sophomore Jameson Stockwell and seniors Zach Philipkoski and Colton Suriano helped New Hartford weather a small deficit late in the fourth quarter against Section II foe, the Troy Flying Horses.

Stockwell hit a clutch 3-pointer with just over two minutes remaining and Philipkoski added a few key baskets down the stretch as New Hartford notched a comeback 69-60 victory in a state Class A subregional final at Liverpool High School. 

“We’re very determined. We want to go back (to Glens Falls and the state final four),” said Stockwell, who scored 20 of his career-best and team-leading 28 total points in the second half Wednesday. “That’s our goal. We’re fighting and doing everything we can to make it happen again.” 

This win helps a surging Spartans squad (15-10 overall) advance to play in the state Class A regional final against Section X’s Massena at 1 p.m. Saturday at SUNY Potsdam. A trip to the state final four in Glens Falls is on the line. 

Stockwell, a sophomore who transferred from Clinton, didn’t experience New Hartford’s run last year. Wednesday’s victory comes 364 days after New Hartford scored a lopsided subregional win in the Syracuse-area to advance following the program’s first Section III title in 15 years last March. 

“They’ve really come together the last month-and-half,” New Hartford coach John Randall said whose team has rattled off five consecutive wins since losing three consecutive at the end of the regular season.

New Hartford also rallied from an 11-point third quarter deficit to top Central Square on Sunday to claim back-to-back Section III titles and get back to this point. 

“We’re relying on guys that weren’t even on the team last year, let alone playing,” Randall said. “The growth is awesome. I think it is a big tribute to Colton and Zach because those guys aren’t afraid to pass those guys the ball. There’s no moment big enough. …

“The way they’ve included those younger guys throughout the year, now it is all paying off. The moment doesn’t seem too big anymore because they’ve played enough tough games and shot enough big shots where you’re comfortable out there.” 

Philipkoski – who didn’t have his best game Wednesday, Randall noted – finished with 24 points after totaling eight in the first half. He helped distribute the ball, including to Stockwell, who had 10 points in the third quarter. Suriano added 10 points, including a few inside baskets early in the fourth quarter. 

Sophomore Sal Weller Jr. (two points) and freshman Sam Beaton (three points) were also key on the defensive end, including against Troy’s Stetson Merritt on Wednesday, Randall said.

“The younger guys are now learning what the program is all about,” he said. “It’s a lot more than winning section titles.”

Stockwell helped New Hartford rally from a three-point deficit in the fourth quarter after the Spartans held the advantage following a 12-2 run to start the game. That was different from the Section III tournament when New Hartford had to overcome deficits against Bishop Grimes and Central Square.

An athletic Flying Horses team hung close throughout Wednesday — the team was coming off a double OT win over Amsterdam to advance — and used a 14-4 run to take its first lead of the game at 54-51 after Terrance Clark threw down a thunderous dunk with 3:15 remaining. 

Clark finished with 24 points, while Stetson Merritt had 20 for Troy, which finished the season at 13-11.

However, Stockwell responded by hitting two free throws after he was fouled with 2:53 to go. Following a Troy miss, Stockwell buried a 3-pointer from the top of the key to give New Hartford a 56-54 lead. He had nine points in the fourth quarter. 

“I’m just happy to help,” said Stockwell, whose father, Adam, is head coach of NCAA Division III Hamilton College. “I’ve scored well the last three games, but I also feel like I’ve played well defensively and rebounded. That’s more of what I want to do because I feel like I can contribute more that way.”

Randall said Stockwell has “come a long way in four or five months.” 

Philipkoski converted on a huge three-point play with 49.5 seconds remaining after going nearly full-court against Troy's press and was fouled. He added the free throw to give New Hartford a six-point cushion. 

Philipkoski made three of four free throws over the remaining seconds and Stockwell added two free throws to help New Hartford close on a 15-4 run. 

Randall said he wasn’t concerned when New Hartford briefly gave up its lead in the fourth.

“I don’t think the body language changed much,” Randall said. “I think they’ve just been in enough moments where I’m comfortable with them handling the situation when it doesn’t look like it is going to go well.”