photo by: Cody Tomer

Photo by Cody Tomer Madonna’s Anthony Mascio takes a shot during Friday’s sectional title victory on the road over Cameron.

CAMERON — Madonna entered Friday’s Class A, Region 1, Section 1 Final 0-3 this year against Cameron but it didn’t back down.

Instead, the Blue Dons played strong defense early and held on late to defeat the homestanding Dragons 44-43 for the sectional crown.

Madonna will now host the Region 1 Co-Final on Wednesday against Clay-Battelle.

“Proud isn’t the word,” Madonna coach George Vargo said. “I’m jubilated. I’m so happy for these boys. I’ve been with these kids for three years since I came back. We’ve been talking about this for three years and this year we got over the hump.

“It’s beautiful to be playing at home with our student body and that is huge, too, having that sixth man on your team for a shot to go to state next week.”

Cameron will travel to Tyler Consolidated for a shot to play in the state tournament.

“This hurts, there is no question about that,” Cameron coach Tom Hart said.

“We got out-worked for most of the game but the nice thing is we get new life. We’re going to Middlebourne to play a good, well-coached, well-disciplined Tyler Consolidated team. We’ll have our work cut out for us so now we have to move past this and get ready for the next game.”

The Dragons trailed 33-23 to begin the fourth quarter and reeled off a 14-5 run as a Chris McCauley 3-pointer cut the deficit to 38-37 and got the crowd rocking.

However, the Dons stayed composed and garnered the next six points to go back on top by seven with 1:24 remaining.

Once again, Cameron was not finished as it netted four consecutive points and McCauley stepped up again by drawing a charge on defense to give his team the ball back down two with 11 seconds to play.

The Dragons managed to get to the free-throw line during the possession but only connected on one and the Dons ran out the clock as the visiting student section poured onto the court in celebration.

Cameron shot 11 of 21 from the free-throw line, a stat that Hart knows has to be better in the postseason.

“We didn’t shoot well from the foul line and we shot 28% from the floor,” Hart said. “You’re not going to win too many games doing that. There have been several times this year where we have dug ourselves a hole. We did come back and got within one but when it comes down to it, if we make foul shots it’s probably a different story.

“I congratulate George and his group. They played a great defensive game but we have to get back to work and get refocused to get ready for Tyler.”

Cameron did take an early 3-0 edge to start the game but it was all Madonna the rest of the first half as its defense made things hard inside the paint and on the perimeter for the Dragons.

The Blue Dons held an 8-5 edge after one and enjoyed an 8-0 run midway through the second to secure a 20-9 cushion.

“We were trying to go after their two big guys (Trevor Beresford, 6-foot-7, and Lance Hartley, 6-4) and we didn’t back down,” Vargo said. “We wanted to attack the paint and get momentum on our side and we did both.

“We kept switching off and on and I think our disguise worked.”

As the Dragons tried to collect some momentum before halftime, it was Madonna’s Matt Amaismeier who drained a deep 3 at the buzzer to give his teammates a jolt and a 25-15 advantage at the break.

The third quarter was even as both teams turned their focus to a firework-filled final frame.

“The Dragons came back and fought like Dragons always do,” Vargo said. “For us to beat them on their home court in the sectional final is wonderful.

“My friend Tom Hart — he is having a great season and they still have another game to go — so we may see each other in Charleston. Wouldn’t that be nice to have an OVAC match in Charleston.”

Evan Bone paced the Dons with 10 points, while Anthony Mascio tallied nine and Amaismeier and Santino Arlia each scored seven points in the win.

Cameron’s high-powered offense, which had averaged 65.3 points in the previous three games against Madonna, was led by Beresford with 12 points, Hartley with nine, Cole Burkett with eight and Connor Powell with seven.