DELMAR—Glens Falls boys’ tennis players Alex Johnson and Mason Russo played only a few matches together entering Thursday’s Section 2 Class B team championship against Scotia, and with the teams even at 3-3, it was up to Johnson and Russo to secure a fifth-consecutive sectional title for the Black Bears.

Johnson and Russo dropped a 3-6 decision in the first set but rallied to defeat Tartans duo Tomas Baumgarten and Stanley Davis 6-2 and 7-5 in the second and third sets to lift No. 2 Glens Falls over No. 1 Scotia, 4-3, at Bethlehem Central High School.

“Honestly, it was extremely nerve-wracking because both teams were cheering for pretty much only our game and if we lost, that was it,” Russo said.

“It was really nerve-wracking with both teams cheering for us,” Johnson added. “I think being able to stay locked in and being focused on the game really helped us win.”

Glens Falls (14-3) and Scotia (14-4) split a pair of matchups during the regular season. The Black Bears defeated the Tartans in the 2025 sectional championship.

“For me, personally, I never thought five in a row would ever happen, five sectional titles in a row,” Glens Falls coach Steve Zurlo said. “I’ve been so blessed to have kids that just come out and they play hard for Glens Falls and they’re gritty kids.”

“I mean, it was kind of on our radar getting here again this year,” Black Bears senior Julien Oswald said. “We would have never thought that we’d do five in a row, though. That was just the icing on the cake. It was awesome.”

In the No. 1 singles battle, Oswald defeated Lukas Baumgarten 7-5 in the first set before handily winning the second, 6-1.

“A little rocky of a start, but I think I persevered and really worked that second set to get up and close it out,” Oswald said. “I think, honestly, it was my mental game because a big part of tennis is in your head. You just have to have confidence in yourself and play your game and don’t overthink stuff and hit your shots.”

The Tartans held a slim 3-2 lead with two matches remaining, but John Tallon defeated Cal Feinberg, 6-3, 7-6 in the No. 2 singles match to draw Glens Falls even before Russo and Johnson’s clinching win.

“It’s really nice helping them get to five (titles),” Johnson said. “Winning with Mason as my doubles partner, it feels really good because me and him are pretty close.”

Also winning for the Black Bears was No. 5 singles player Kieran Westfall, who defeated Emery D’Aroy 6-1, 6-4. Posting wins for the Tartans were Andrew Boldyrev, who defeated Ronan Westfall 6-4, 6-4; Ben Montague, who defeated Adam Avery 6-3, 6-1; and the No. 1 doubles duo of Colden and Logan Shapiro, who swept past Brett Chambers and Zachary Moore 6-2, 7-6.

Glens Falls moves on to Saturday’s Section 2 individual tournament. Tallon and Oswald will team up in the doubles tournament at Shenendehowa High School.