In a game as close throughout as you would expect a state semifinal to be the Indians of Cambridge fell to Millbrook 56-52 on Friday morning at Hudson Valley Community College in the Class C Final Four.

Separated by no more than a handful of points over four periods of play the two squads were tied at the quarter break, with Cambridge holding a 27-26 halftime lead, and Millbrook a 28-27 advantage heading to the final frame.

Millbrook held it’s biggest cushion of the game at 49-43 with 1:27 remaining. But Cambridge refused to go quietly trimming the lead to 50-49 with :14 left.

Four Sam McKenna free throws extended the Blazers advantage to 54-49 but the Indians Sophie Phillips knocked down a triple, going glass with 3.6 seconds setting up an all important inbounds play for Millbrook who was able to get the ball to McKenna, who calmly knocked down both free throws to seal the victory.

Erin Fox led Millbrook, (21-3), with a game-high 22 points with Kaitlin Dailey adding 13 for the Blazers who advance to the Class C state finals.

For Cambridge their three freshman all posted doubles with Sophie Phillips scoring 17 points, Fiona Mooney 13 points, and Lily Phillips adding 10 points for the Indians who finish at 25-2 with a Section II and regional title as well as a Final Four appearance, highlighting a remarkable winter campaign in Cambridge.

I’ve only seen the Cambridge girls play twice this season and that’s one game more than I needed to realize this was the best Class C squad I’d seen in quite a while. Why? They can beat you like a drum in multiple ways.

The Indians can guard, and turn you over which ignites their lethal transition game.  They have knock down shooters, and a strong inside game. If that’s not enough they’re well coached and maybe most importantly they have great team chemistry.

I didn’t make the trip Saturday to Canton but by all accounts Cambridge showed all the things that make them, well Cambridge, in rolling over Madrid-Waddington 60-36 in the Class C regional final at SUNY Potsdam.

Cambridge led 14-12 after the first, and then went to work on the defensive end turning over Madrid-Waddington time and again, sparking a 16-0 run, and the Indians never looked back.

By the break the Indians had doubled up M-W at 32-16 and started the third period on an 11-0 streak leaving no doubt about their final four appearance next weekend at HVCC where Cambridge will face Millbrook in a 10 a.m. tip.

Sophie Phillips led the Indians in scoring with 17 points while Hellen Mooney added 15, and Bridey Nolan dropped 12 points drilling four triples.

With the win Cambridge improves to 25-1 on the season and now preps for a state semifinal, looking to unleash their multifaceted game two more times this final four weekend in Troy.