It was a stellar season for the John A. Coleman Catholic High School boys’ varsity basketball team, culminating in a return visit to the New York State Class D finals. While they fell to the top-seeded New York Mills in the title game, the fact that the Statesmen made it as far as they did as underdogs was an ideal capper to an impressive run. As a resuly, two of the players who helped the team in its successes were recently named among the state’s best, with Chris Chatelain and Ben Mesuda earning first- and second-team distinction respectively on the New York State Sports Writers Association all-state teams.

Chatelain, a senior center and forward, tallied 21 points and 14 rebounds in the final against New York Mills. He averaged 15 points and 10 rebounds on the season.

Mesuda’s best playoff game came during the semifinal round of the state tourney, where he scored 27 points in Coleman’s 71-70 double-overtime win over C.G. Finney. Mesuda, a junior point guard, averaged 19.5 points this season.

Chatelain spoke of his team when asked about his individual recognition.

“I felt that our season was a successful one that shocked many people who sort of doubted our ability to get out of our section,” he said. “I feel the fact I showed great leadership skills in the sense of a great attitude, responsibility and respect. I also made sure that I represented Coleman and the game of basketball with respect. I loved and respected the game.”

Chatelain said the news of his being named to the all-state first team caught him off guard.

“I was very surprised,” he said. “(Coleman girls’ basketball players) Makenzie Burud and her cousin Mackenzie Vosburgh texted me early in the morning to say congratulations. I was in total shock and didn’t know how to reply.”

Chatelain said he’s honored to have made the grade.

“Wow, I can’t imagine what it means to be an all-star,” he said. “I felt that it was the greatest accomplishment in my high school basketball years. I felt that I stepped into my calling of accomplishing something nobody in my immediate family has accomplished.”

Chatelain said he’s still looking into opportunities to continue playing basketball when he gets to college.

Though Mesuda is a junior, he’ll join Chatelain and Coleman’s other seniors in leaving the team this year. After an exhaustive search with his father, the second-team all-star will take his talents to Worcester Academy in Worcester, Mass. for his senior year.

“I was looking at four schools and this was my favorite one,” Mesuda said, noting that Worcester Academy currently has two graduates playing in the NBA: Jarrett Jack of the New Orleans Hornets and Craig Smith of the Los Angeles Clippers. Rick Carlisle, coach of the Dallas Mavericks, is also an alum.

“Leaving my friends behind is pretty difficult,” Mesuda said. “But this will prepare me for the future.”

Like Chatelain, Mesuda credited his all-star nod in part to his own contributions to the success of his team.

“No one really expected us to get to the state championship, but we finished what we started,” he said.

Mesuda said earning the all-star distinction was something he’d hoped for during rigorous off-season practices with his father.

“I wrote down my goals at the beginning of the season, and that (state all-star bid) was one of them,” he said. “It’s great. It showed that all my hard work finally paid off. My sophomore year, people didn’t expect me to improve a lot, but I did.”