With his team already confirmed for their second consecutive appearance in the Class B championship game thanks to their 70-52 win over Chatham on Sunday night, Watervliet head coach Walter Bowden was on hand, as one would expect, for the game that would determine his team's opponent in that title game.

Bowden was part of a relatively sparse crowd that watched reigning Class B champions Fonda, the fifth seed in this year's tournament, down top-seeded Hoosick Falls 41-34 on Monday night in Glens Falls, setting up a rematch of last year's title tilt. That game will take place in Glens Falls on Thursday, with the tip-off scheduled for 6 p.m.

The Braves won last year's ultimate game, but the Cannoneers came out on top twice in the two regular season games between the Colonial Council and Liberty Division foes.

"My first thought is that it's very difficult to beat a team three times," Bowden said. "They played us very tough last time at their place, and they're playing very well right now. They've got a ton of guys that can shoot the ball. It's going to be a very difficult game."

Fonda punched their ticket by limiting some of Hoosick Falls' best players to what they could do with the ball, and that is ultimately a concern for Watervliet as well.

"They can knock down shots and they're an excellent defensive team," Bowden said. "They have a tendency to make teams look bad and make the game reflect their style. We're really going to have to work hard to get past them a third time."

The Braves and Cannoneers play very different styles. Watervliet prefers to push the pace, with the Gleason brothers, Devonte and Jordan, working well together in transition. Fonda prefers to lock down on defense and force you to make a mistake on the other side of the court.

"Last time we played them, the scores were in the 40s, and that's not where we want to be," Bowden said. "They almost knocked us off. Hopefully we can get the tempo more in our favor and get some buckets. We want them to play from behind. Any time you see a team a third time, you're obviously very familiar with each other."

Meanwhile, the Braves aren't exactly relishing the idea of playing a team that's had their number this season. The Cannoneers are the only team Fonda has played more than once this year without picking up at least one win.

"They're a very good team," Fonda coach Eric Wilson said of Watervliet. "All year I've been saying that they're the most talented team in our section for Class B. We might have to try something new to beat them."