Screenshot of Kings of 845 coverage of the Sectional IX Championship that Beacon Bulldogs Boys Basketball secured.

The Beacon High School boys basketball team, the Beacon Bulldogs, won the Section 9 Class A Crown, defeating the Red Hook Raiders at Mount Saint Marry College on Friday evening, earning their first Section 9 title.

The Beacon boys basketball program merged into Section 9 during the 2021-22 season, but the Poughkeepsie Journal reported that it has had a "cloud hovering over the program" ever since. "A program that had been patiently waiting for its opportunity to break through after falling short each and every time, Beacon finally broke through," wrote reporter Eric Decker.

Beacon coach Patrick Schetter told the Poughkeepsie Journal that fueling the team with energy and spirit was a priority. "That's been a point of emphasis for us this year, coming out of the gate in the first quarter with energy. The last couple of years, that's been something we've lacked as a program," the coach said.

Beacon's team is stacked with seniors, and Coach Schemer gave credit to defensive playing and strategy for impacting their win. Emphasis was put on shutting down the Red Hook's top scorer, Matt Simmons, with two Beacon players: Jayden Bostick and Jah'Real Whitted.

Coach Schetter told the Journal: "Jayden Bostick is the greatest high school defender I've ever seen, I think a ton of people would attest to that. He elevates everyone around him in practice to be a good defender."

The Poughkeepsie Journal reported that Beacon earned a double digit lead right away, less than 4 minutes into the game. Beacon's Michai Thompson led with 17 points; Ryan Landisi scored 14 points, and Jahcier Ballard delivered 10 points, with Brady Philipbar on fire, contributing to a 62-38 victory. Excellent rebounding by all.

“From coaching a lot of those boys from age 10, they are a special group and the whole community has their support. As they win, it’s a win for the whole community. Every coach, every family member, every supporter, feels like they are playing for us as a community.”

— Reuben Simmons, Coach in Beacon Hoops

Reuben Simmons, known as Coach Yogi for various volunteer sports programs in Beacon including Beacon Hoops, told A Little Beacon Blog: “From coaching a lot of those boys from age 10, they are a special group and the whole community has their support. As they win, it's a win for the whole community. Every coach, every family member, every supporter, feels like they are playing for us as a community.” Beacon Hoops was started by and continues to be run by community members and volunteers, and hosts registration through the City of Beacon Recreation website.

“Christina kept that Beacon Hoops going when those kids were at those peewee and rookie levels. This group of boys is the gorilla glue holding this community together right now. I hope that people also noticing the importance of a feeder program like Beacon Hoops and the importance of volunteerism.”

I Am Beacon posted the victory on their Facebook page, emphasizing: "🏀🎉 Congratulations to the Beacon Boys Varsity Basketball Team — Sectional IX Champions! What an incredible night for our city! The whole community showed up, the energy was electric, and these young men delivered when it mattered most. Their hard work, teamwork, and heart paid off in a big way. You didn’t just win a championship, you made the entire community proud. 💙💛 Let’s hear it for the players, coaches, families, and fans who stood behind them all season. Champions! 🏆"

Kings Of The 845 covered the game on their Instagram, posting highlights of the team and crowd erupting into celebration as they accepted their award. "It's a parade inside my city yeahhhhh" commented Elijah Hughes on their page, a Beacon native who was drafted to the NBA for the Portland Trail Blazers and Utah Jazz and currently plays for the German Basketball Bundesliga League.

Dianne Marie commented: "FIRE!! This team was straight FIRE this season!! Making Beacon proud!!!"