By PAUL GOTHAM
The sound you heard Friday evening coming from the west side of Monroe County was the shifting scales of power in Section V Class AA. The Gates-Chili Spartans walked off the floor with a decisive 82-66 victory over Fairport. Not only did Gates hand Fairport its first divisional loss, but the Spartans left no doubt. In scoring 82, G-C put up the most points the Red Raiders have allowed this season. A little context: Earlier in the season, Faiport (limiting opponents to less than 50 coming into the game) held Rush-Henrietta (averaging better than 71 points per game) to 56. In a loss to Irondequoit (scoring nearly 77 points per over the last three games) Fairport allowed 66. The Red Raiders limited Section II powers Shenendehowa and Shaker to 54 and 66 points respectively. Gates-Chili’s Thomas Jones III and Keith Slack alone combined for 59 points in Friday’s win – the Spartans second of the week and fourth in a row. Gates-Chili, currently 10-5 overall, finished 7-14 a year ago. If the sectionals started today, first-year coach Terry Nowden‘s squad would be a third seed. It’s been six years since the Spartans were a single-digit seed.
3:53 to go in 3rd: Keith Slack slices through the Fairport defense and knocks down the floater. @GCSpartan_Hoops leads 51-34 pic.twitter.com/5JVV61nTde
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) January 27, 2018
WE DIDN’T FORGET ABOUT ….
Greece Athena Trojans — As the seconds ticked away, Nigel Scantlebury went high off the glass to ink his “Scantlebury Tale” and give Athena win number two of the week and its 10th straight victory overall. After playing seven in a row on the road, Athena is in the middle of a five-game stretch in their own barn. The Trojans are holding opponents under 52 points per game and have not allowed 60 or better since December 6th.
FINAL: @GAHSBoysHoops 58, @PCSDAthletics 56! @_Nigel___ with a long distance 2 pointer for the win! 58-56! @sectvbb @ATHDRichardson @AthenaHigh @PickinSplinters pic.twitter.com/lCN6ghH4Tg
— Greece Athena Boys Basketball (@GAHSBoysHoops) January 27, 2018
Video of Nigel’s “Scantlebury Tale” courtesy of @GAHSBOYSHOOPS
Canandaigua Braves – The Braves have won five straight including a 52-50 win over then No. 15 NYSSWA Class A Pittsford Mendon on Friday. The Braves snapped Mendon’s 10-game winning streak. Dan Herrick (15.2 points per game) leads a Canandaigua offense which topped the 70-point mark in three straight games.
Greece Odyssey Leopards – Odyssey went 3-0 last week and has won four in a row. The Leopards have taken seven of nine with losses coming to No. 11 NYSSWA Class A Athena and No. 18 NYSSWA Class A Sutherland.
HAC Wolves – Winners of two last week and three straight, the HAC Wolves (9-4) are rolling to their best start since 2009. Led by Ryan Hilton and Xavier Israel, the Wolves (6-3 in Finger Lakes West) will meet first-place Marcus Whitman (12-2/10-0) this Wednesday.
HIGHLIGHT OF THE WEEK
Northstar’s twin connection: Mike Brown to Miles Brown. HOLY SMAMMERS!
Video goodness from last night. Mike Brown to Miles Brown with the alley and flush. #NorthstarChristian pic.twitter.com/Mi4lNf1tIn
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) January 25, 2018
UNOFFICIAL SEEDING COURTESY OF SECTION V BASKETBALL.
***Article updated with Gates-Chili’s accurate winning streak (four) noted.
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