Great Day for Jamesville-Dewitt

It was truly a memorable day for Jamesville-DeWitt high school, its fans, and its community. The school witnesses its dynasty in boy’s basketball continue while watching alumni succeed on the next level. The high school squad won its 3rd consecutive Class A state championship by beating Newark 59-45. They were led by 6’9” 280 pound sophomore forward DaJuan Coleman, who had 12 points and 14 rebounds, along with star senior guard Lamar Kearse, who had 17 points. Coleman’s tremendous size, superb athletic ability, and limitless potential shall probably land him a spot in the NBA one day, barring injury. He has expressed interest in attending Syracuse University, where his father and NBA All-Star Derrick Coleman attended.
While Coleman and his teammates celebrate and prepare for their next game against Bedford Academy in the Federation tournament, they can also be proud of a few recent J-D alums who have also excelled on the court today. Senior Andy Rautins, who led J-D to a state championship victory in 2004 over 4-time defending champs Amityville, and freshman Brandon Triche, who was the starting point guard on J-Ds state championship teams in ’08 and ’09, helped lead Syracuse to an 87-65 win over Gonzaga, putting the Orange in the Sweet Sixteen. Rautins had the hot hand, hitting 5 3-pointers and finishing with 24 points, while Triche scored 13 points. They didn’t play together in high school; Rautins red-shirted one year at Syracuse, allowing them to be on the same team this year; but they certainly had great chemistry today and were both definitely happy that J-D win another state crown. Triche and Rautins have made everyone in the Jamesville-DeWitt community as well as everyone who supports Syracuse proud, including their famous relatives. Andy’s father Leo and Brandon’s uncle Howard both starred at Syracuse during the 1980s. If Brandon sticks around until his senior season ends, and DaJuan decides to attend Syracuse, the senior-freshman combo would create a phenomenal historical coincidence. Howard Triche, a senior at the time, and Derrick Coleman, a freshman, were teammates for the 1987 Syracuse team that made it all the way to the national championship game. With their rich basketball past, and bright, talented futures, both Syracuse and Jamesville-DeWitt shall be celebrating basketball success for years to come.