BY PAUL GOTHAM
The last weekend of the regular season showcases three battles with divisional titles up for grabs, postseason posturing, one player on a quest for a state record and another building toward a milestone. Here’s your primer:
Monroe (9-8/6-2) at Leadership Academy for Young Men (16-1/7-1) 6:30 PM
With a win, Leadership Academy can clinch at least a tie atop RCAC Division A. In the first meeting this season Dez Ellis and Rondell Watson combined to score 59 points, and Leadership ran away from the Monroe, 99-70. That was Monroe’s third loss of the season. The Redjackets won their next four but have stumbled since then. Leadership brings a three-game win streak into Friday’s tilt including a convincing win last weekend over Pittsford Sutherland. Players to watch: Monroe – Chris Gibson, Jr. (15.9 ppg), Ty Glasgow (11.9 ppg) and Devante Mateo (10.9 ppg). Leadership – Davon Brown (14.5 ppg), Dez Ellis (19.2 ppg) and Rondell Watson (22.3 ppg).
Greece Athena (16-1/6-1) at Pittsford Mendon (13-3/5-2) 7:45 PM
Athena has won 13 straight and yet the Trojans need a win Friday night to maintain sole possession of first place. That’s just one clue as to how competitive the race is for the Monroe County Division III title. Athena hit a dozen 3-pointers and put together a 15-4 second-half run to beat Mendon, 84-75 when these two met on January 29th. How much can Bob Nally’s Vikings take from the fourth quarter charge they made in that contest? Players to watch: Athena – Christian Jones (15.6 ppg), Ryan Kubanka (12.1 ppg) and Nigel Scantlebury (15.8 ppg). Mendon – Daniel Cook (19.5 ppg), Michael Harrington (11.6 ppg) and Matt Powers (10.5 ppg).
Rush-Henrietta (14-4/7-1) at Fairport (13-5/7-1) 7:30 PM
Monroe County Division I title is at stake when these two tip off Friday night. Fairport held Rush-Henrietta 15 points under its season scoring average during a 74-56 Red Raider win in early January. Players to watch: Fairport – Andrew Bartlett (12.4 ppg), Jackson Sullivan (11.0 ppg) and Brett Heininger (7.7 ppg). Rush-Henrietta – Meeca McCullough (12.1 ppg), Kailee White (24.5 ppg) and JeVonte Williams (13.2 ppg over the last five).
Northstar Christian (15-1) at C.G, Finney (15-2) 7:30 PM
This is the first of two meetings within four days. Northstar’s junior guard Miles Brown takes 1,847 career points into the contest. Finney’s Max Harris boasts 328 career 3-pointers. Joe Licata (Williamsville South) holds the state record at 343.
Irondequoit (14-3/8-0) at Wayne (14-2/11-1) 7:30 PM Saturday
Last time these two met was in the 2017 NYS Class A Regional Qualifier. Irondequoit took that contest on their way to winning a state title. Wayne returns all five starters and their sixth man from that squad which claimed the first sectional title in program history. Gerald Drumgoole is the lone holdover from Irondequoit’s starting five a year ago. Both teams are coming off recent losses: Irondequoit to Athena, and Wayne to Mynderse. Irondequoit will play Churchville-Chili Friday night. Wayne will tip off against Midlakes before getting after it against the Cooper Road denizens. Logan Blankenberg, who missed action because of an injury, will be back in the lineup for Wayne. Braeden Zenelovic will make his fifth appearance for Wayne after missing the first part of the season because of an injury suffered during football season. These two teams have a combined record of 28-5. Irondequoit can expect to find a “Sea of Gold” upon their arrival Saturday night. Players to watch: Irondequoit – Gerald Drumgoole (22.3 ppg), Frederick June, Jr. (9.6 ppg), Josh Stenglein (10.8 ppg) and Patrick Thomas (10.4 ppg). Wayne – Logan Blankenberg (17.0 ppg/10 rpg), Nick Carmichael (14 ppg/8.0 rpg) and Billy Thomson (8.0 ppg/ 5.0 rpg/ 5.0 apg and three steals per game).
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