Baldwin wins third girls basketball state title

TROY — The last time Toni Smith stepped on a court at the state championships in Troy, she told anyone who asked that Baldwin would win a state title. But she admits she never truly believed that.

This year, however, she meant every word she told others. And for good reason.

“I don’t think we ever actually thought we were going to win the state championship,” Smith recalled about 2023. “We were excited to go up and we said we’re going to do it, but I don’t think I believed in my heart we were going to do it. But this year, there was no tomorrow… I knew that we were going to win this.”

Baldwin defeated Aquinas Institute (Rochester), 50-48, to win the state Class AA girls basketball championship at Hudson Valley Community College on Sunday morning.

The inexperience that hindered the team two years ago in a state semifinal loss had matured to its strength this winter. Payton Dulin, Monique Echols and Smith all started as sophomores in 2023, and those three, along with current senior starting forward Madison Guillory, were determined to avenge all previous losses.

Even when Baldwin trailed 43-39 entering the fourth quarter on Sunday, the players felt confident they’d persevere to win the third state title in program history and first since 2018 to complete a 24-2 season.

“Our coach always tells us, ‘Don’t fold in those moments,’ ” Guillory said. “Those moments are always when we go harder, dig our feet in. That’s when we go and that’s when the game really starts.”

Dulin went 4-for-4 from the free-throw line over the first 2:17 of the fourth quarter to tie the score at 43. Later in the period, Dulin ran the fast break and found Echols at the basket for a layup with 1:35 left to give Baldwin a 49-48 lead.

“I knew she’s a great passer, so I just had to stay ready and make sure I put the ball in the basket,” Echols said. “It felt great but I knew we still had to lock in on defense because anything could have happened at that point.”

Echols also made a foul shot with 13.3 seconds left to give Baldwin its 50-48 advantage.

“It’s so surreal,” Dulin said. “I’m so proud of my teammates and we’re so proud of each other. I’m just so excited, I can’t believe it. It’s crazy that it’s over, but we’re just trying to enjoy every moment right now.”

In a lineup full of seniors, it was the one starting junior who starred early. Alyssa Polonia scored 16 of her team-high 18 points in the first quarter and Baldwin grabbed a 21-12 lead after the opening period.

“I wanted to win and I was going to take whatever it takes to win,” Polonia said. “I want to show up for my team when they need it. Once you feel the flow, I was just going to shoot it every time.”

Dulin added 11 points, seven rebounds and seven assists and Echols had eight points. Smith had four points and seven rebounds and Polonia added four steals.

The Bruins led 32-23 at halftime before Aquinas Institute outscored Baldwin 20-7 in the third quarter. The Bruins defense took over late as Baldwin held Aquinas Institute (23-2) scoreless over the final 3:40 of the contest.

“We were up big then we went down, we had to win that fourth quarter and somehow they figured it out and found a way to win and cement themselves as champions,” coach Tom Catapano said. “New York State champions, which is not an easy thing to do, so for that, I’m so proud of them.