By PAUL GOTHAM
Divisional matchups dominate this the last weekend of January as the number of regular season games begin to dwindle. League crowns are up for grabs. Here is a glance at the contests.
Pittsford Sutherland (10-1/4-1) at Greece Athena (12-1/3-1) 6:45 PM
A Monroe County Division III clash pits Sutherland (No. 18 NYSSWA Class A) against Athena (No. 11 NYSSWA Class A). Sutherland held Athena to its lowest offensive output of the season in handing the Trojans their only loss (52-43) on December 15th. Athena has won nine straight since then. After playing seven straight on the road, Athena hosts its second of five in a row at their friendly confines. Mike Setzer’s Trojans are holding opponents to 51 points per game and have kept 10 of their last 11 opponents under 55. John Nally’s Sutherland Knights score 66 per contest and have been at or north of 60 in six of their last seven tilts. Players to watch: Athena – Christian Jones (14.5 ppg), Ryan Kubanka (13.3 ppg) Nigel Scantlebury (15.5 ppg) and Patrick Meisenzahl (4:1 assist to turnover ratio). Sutherland – Kevin Ryan (18.3 ppg), Matt Thaney (10.1 ppg), Craig Rosen (9.7 ppg), Josh Rosen (8.7 ppg) and Ben DiGiovanni (7.4 ppg).
Fairport (10-3/5-0) at Gates-Chili (9-5/3-3) 7:30 PM
Terry Nowden’s Gates-Chili Spartans will look to make a statement when they host Scott Fitch and the Red Raiders in this Monroe County Division I face off. Fairport took the previous meeting, 57-45. G-C’s Thomas Jones III (15.1 ppg) did not play in that contest. Fairport is one of two Monroe County teams (Irondequoit/47.9 ppg) holding opponents under 50 points (49.1 ppg) per game. Gates-Chili has scored 63 per in the nine games since losing to Fairport on December 15th. Players to watch: Fairport – Andrew Bartlett (13.2 ppg), Brett Heininger (7.5 ppg) and Jackson Sullivan (9.4 ppg). Gates-Chili – Damon Payton (8.9 ppg) and Keith Slack (22.2 ppg).
VIEW MORE CHRISTOPHER CECERE PHOTOS HERE.
Honeoye Falls-Lima (8-5/5-0) at Batavia (6-6/2-3) 7:00 PM
With a win HF-L will claim at least a share in the program’s first Monroe County title. The Cougars will need to knock off a Batavia squad which has won two of the last three Monroe County Division IV crowns. HF-L has won three of four going into tonight’s action. Batavia will look to put the brakes on a two-game skid. Players to watch: Batavia – TeeSean Ayala (17.8 ppg), Mason McFollins (15.5 ppg) and Antwan Odom (12.8 ppg). HF-L – Trevor Chamberlain (10.5 ppg), Dan Hayes (16.5 ppg) and Owen VanNewkirk (10.8 ppg).
Canandaigua (8-6/3-2) at Pittsford Mendon (11-1/4-0) 7:45 PM
Canandaigua seeks to keep its four-game win streak going when the Braves travel west to take on the hottest team in Monroe County. Bob Nally’s Mendon Vikings have taken 10 straight to climb atop Monroe County Division III and to No. 15 NYSSWA Class A. Players to watch: Canandaigua – Connor Fisher (13.1 ppg), Danny Herrick (15.2 ppg) and Scott Loforte (12.9 ppg). Mendon – Daniel Cook (20.3 ppg), Michael Harrington (10.1 ppg), Connor Krapf (10.8 ppg) and Jacob Shadders (11.4 ppg).
Webster Thomas (8-6/4-2) at Spencerport (6-7/2-3) 7:15 PM
Spencerport needs a win to keep pace in Monroe County Division II. The Rangers had won three of four before falling to division-leading Irondequoit. During that stretch, Spencerport’s defense was holding opponents under 60 in regulation. Thomas took the previous meeting in overtime, 68-66. Players to watch: Spencerport – Alton Jones, Jr. (12.1 ppg), Noah Mundt (14.7 ppg) and Josh Reding (13.8 ppg). Thomas – Will Johnson (11.4 ppg), Joe Luconte (10.5 ppg) and Andrew Mason (18.0 ppg).
McQuaid Jesuit (5-7/3-2) at Leadership Academy for Young Men (12-0/6-0) Noon, Saturday
The first of two meetings between RCAC Division A rivals. McQuaid looks to make up ground. Leadership Academy, scoring nearly 88 points per game, can put a strangle hold on the division with a win. Players to watch: Leadership: Davon Brown (14.6 ppg), Dez Ellis (20.0 ppg) and Rondell Watson (22.5 ppg). McQuaid – Anthony Iglesia (11.1 ppg), Kobe Long (12.5 ppg) and Jermaine Taggart (18.9 ppg).
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