Baldi’s game-winner sends Gilford to quarterfinals

It wouldn’t be the Division III boys tournament without a little Golden Eagle magic, right? Four-time defending state champion Gilford kept its playoff hopes alive as Brendan Baldi connected on the go-ahead three-point with three seconds on the clock to give #9 Gilford a 53-50 upset win at #8 Campbell on Tuesday night.

The two squads were close throughout as Gilford took a one-point lead to halftime, 25-24. The Golden Eagles pushed their lead to 10 after three quarters and looked poised to close the game out, but the host Cougars clawed their way back to tie the game at 50-50, setting up Baldi’s dramatics.

Gilford was paced by a game-high 16 points from Mark Uicker, while Baldi and Logan Grant netted 11 and 10, respectively. Hunter Henderson led Campbell with 15 points.

The Golden Eagles advance to the quarterfinal round to take on top seeded Conant on Friday. The Cougars’ season comes to a close at 10-8.

Check out the full photo gallery by Dave Beliveau…