By PAUL GOTHAM
The calendar page flipped to February, and the remaining regular season games for each of the local high school teams can be counted on one hand. Jockeying for position in the upcoming sectionals as well as league crowns are at hand. Plenty of great action this weekend. Here are a few of the key tilts:
FRIDAY
Bishop Kearney Kings (7-8) at McQuaid Jesuit Knights (8-7/5-2 RCAC) 7:30 PM
Look past the records, and you will find two teams catching their stride at the right time. Kearney has won three of the last four with its only loss being a 78-74 defeat at the hands of Canisius High (VI) ranked No. 5 NYSSWA Class A. McQuaid has taken four straight including wins on the road over Leadership Academy (the Lions first loss of the season) and Fairport – currently No. 2 in the Section V Class AA seedings. Players to watch: Kearney – Shykell Brown (15.1 ppg), Kevin Goode, Jr. (12.0 ppg) and AJ Gray (14.6 ppg). McQuaid – Anthony Iglesia (12.1 ppg), Kobe Long (12.0 ppg) and Jermaine Taggart (18.7 ppg).
Gates-Chili (11-5/4-3 Monroe County DI) at Rush-Henrietta (11-4/5-1 Monroe County DI) 7:15 PM
Winners of five straight and the reigning Team of the Week, Gates-Chili looks to avenge a 66-65 loss to R-H early in the season. The Spartans have won four straight over Class AA teams. The Royal Comets are looking for their third straight win and four of the last five. Players to watch: Keith Slack (23.0 ppg) and Thomas Jones III (16.0 ppg). Rush-Henrietta – Mecca McCullough (12.6 ppg) and Kailee White (24.5 ppg).
Pittsford Sutherland (12-2/4-2 Monroe County DII) at Canandaigua (10-6/5-2 Monroe County DIII) 7:15 PM
Quietly, Canandaigua has put together a six-game winning including a victory over Pittsford Mendon last Friday when the Braves snapped the Vikings 10-game store. Can Canandaigua make it two Fridays in a row with victories over Pittsford schools? Sutherland took the first meeting 70-67. Players to watch: Canandaigua – Danny Herrick (15.5 ppg) and Scott Loforte (12.8 ppg). Sutherland – Craig Rosen (9.9 ppg) and Kevin Ryan (18.5 ppg).
Greece Odyssey (11-5/3-2 Monroe County DIV) at Honeoye Falls-Lima (9-6/5-1 Monroe County DIV) 7:45 PM
HF-L looks for its first Monroe County title. Standing in the Cougars way, a Greece Odyssey squad which has taken four straight and seven of nine. The Leopards two losses over that stretch? Greece Athena (15-1 and currently No. 11 NYSSWA Class A) and Pittsford Sutherland (No. 21 NYSSWA Class A). HF-L won the first meeting 66-34. Players to watch: HF-L – Dan Hayes (16.2 ppg) and Owen VanNewkirk (10.7 ppg). Odyssey – Jaden Hartsfield (12.9 ppg) and Travon Harper (12.9 ppg).
SATURDAY
Leadership Academy for Young Men (15-1/7-1 RCAC A) vs. Pittsford Sutherland (12-2/4-2 Monroe County DIII)/R-H Showcase
Quick turnaround for Sutherland which ironically did not play a game for 14 straight days earlier in the season when postponements created schedule changes. The Knights will look to slow a Leadership offense which scores nearly 89 points per game. Sutherland allows 53. Players to watch: Leadership – Dez Ellis (20.3 ppg) and Rondell Watson (22.2 ppg). Sutherland – Craig Rosen (9.9 ppg) and Kevin Ryan (18.5 ppg).
Leave a Reply