Woodstock - On the night the opponents turned out the lights to raise banners and honor the past, Ledyard High School offered an encouraging vision of the present.

The Colonels, vexed last year at times late in close games, made every big play in the final minutes Friday night, earning a 63-58 victory over defending state Class L champion Woodstock Academy in their season and Eastern Connecticut Conference Large Division boys' basketball debut.

The Centaurs (1-1, 0-1) honored last season's champion with an emotional pregame ceremony. But they couldn't solve Ledyard center Darnay Gray, whose 19 points led the Colonels, who played in the Medium Division a year ago.

"A man among boys," Woodstock coach Greg Smith said of Gray.

It didn't help Smith that Woodstock center John McGinn fouled out early in the fourth period.

Gray's basket with 53 seconds remaining - a nicely executed pick and roll - gave the Colonels a 60-56 lead. That came after Phyllip Thomas' layup one possession earlier, when Ledyard needed a score desperately.

"Like a playoff game," Gray said. "Seems like now, we're getting it together."

The Centaurs were down 56-48 with 4:47 left until Adam Converse's three-point play and Oliver Simon's three-point field goal reduced the deficit to 58-56.

"I did get a little nervous there," Ledyard coach Dave Cornish said. "We keep telling them to do what we ask and execute. They did that down the stretch."

Thomas had 15 points for Ledyard and guard DeAnte Bruton had 13, including three free throws in the final 22 seconds.

Ledyard played without forward Khary Childs, who may miss up to a month with the lingering effects of an injury from football season. It limited Ledyard's depth, although Cornish was very happy with his underclassmen.

"Our guys grew up tonight in a hostile environment," Cornish said.

Woodstock guard Chris Lowry scored 24 points to lead all scorers. Ledyard limited him somewhat in the second half by going to a zone.

"We wanted to turn him into a jump shooter," Cornish said. "His penetration was killing us."

"He can do anything he wants," Smith said. "He's Chris Lowry."

Converse had 16 points for Woodstock and Will Bourgeois scored 12.

Ledyard plays tonight in its home opener against Bloomfield.

m.dimauro@theday.com