The Saranac Lake boys basketball team pose with the CVAC championship banner on Friday. From left, are head coach Daryl Crist, assistant coach Kevin McCarthy, assistant coach Jeff Denkenberger, Maddox Hamelin, Owen Hybicki, Josh Kunath, Noah Hastings, Mik Denkenberger, Zack McCarthy, Cedar Crist, Connor Gillis, Gunner Harrison, Elias Willett, Levi Lambert, Cooper Barry and Finn Maiore. (Provided photo)

SARANAC LAKE — The Saranac Lake boys basketball team defeated the AuSable Valley Patriots 77-45 on Friday evening, to close out the regular season.

The Red Storm boys, who are now 17-3 overall and 11-2 in league play, had already locked up the Champlain Valley Athletic Conference Division II regular season title on Thursday after defeating the Beekmantown Eagles 61-35. It was the first time since 1996 that Saranac Lake has won that regular-season league title.

Up next, Saranac Lake will host the Patriots in the opening round of the Section VII, Class B tournament at 2 p.m. on Saturday.

–

Saranac Lake 61, Beekmantown 35

–

The Saranac Lake boys basketball team defeated the Beekmantown Eagles 61-35 on the road Thursday night.

The Red Storm raced out to an 18-8 lead and held on for the remainder of the contest. Saranac Lake’s Cedar Crist paced the team with 16 points, while Mik Denkenberger had 14 and Zack McCarthy had 12.

The Red Storm had nine players contribute in the scoring column and a complete team effort on defense.