CANTON – North Country Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne recently stopped at Canton Central School to honor the Golden Bears boys' basketball team for a season that ended with a trip to the New York State Class B championship game.

Jenne met with the players, coaches and family members and presented certificates to the team's players and coaching staff.

She said the team's play had translated into strong community spirit demonstrated by the Golden Bears fan base that followed the Canton team on their run in the state tournament.

"I just wanted to express my appreciation for how well Canton represented the North Country during this year's state basketball season. This team was marked by a combination of youth and veterans, and they have set a high mark for future Golden Bears basketball players to aspire," Jenne said.

"These types of seasons only happen when players and coaches are willing to make a commitment to excellence and demonstrate the ability to battle back when they face adversity. These are traits for championship athletes as well as for success in the work world and life," she added.

The Canton High School boys' team finished the 2016-17 season with a 23-6 record. the Golden Bears season included the school's first Section 10 championship as a Class B team and its first overall Section 10 title since 1996.

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Jenne congratulated members of the Canton High School boys' basketball team for a 2016-17 season that ended in the state championship game. The student-athletes also were present at the event that included presentations of certificates of merit from the New York State Assembly.

Canton advanced to the state Class B championship game in Binghamton, where they got down early to Westhill but never quit fighting and were able to close the gap to 10 points early in the fourth quarter but were unable to complete yet another comeback.

The Golden Bears opened the state tournament ranked 20th in the state and knocked off then number one ranked and previously unbeaten Glens Falls in the first round of the state tournament.

Canton advanced to the state title game by beating Buffalo Health Sciences 67-55 in its first Final Four game in school history.

Another highlight of the season was senior guard Louden Porter becoming the school's first player to eclipse the 1,000 point mark in 20 years.

"Canton was one of a number of North Country teams that brought great joy to the North Country this season with their success on the ice and in the gym. Heuvelton won its third Class D state girls' basketball championship in three years, the Clarkson women's hockey team captured its second Division 1 national championship in four years, Massena High School's boys' hockey team advanced to the New York State Division 1 Frozen Four tournament and St. Lawrence Central advanced to the New York State Division II Frozen Four championship game," Jenne said.