For the sixth time in 12 years a Section V boys basketball title will be decided between the Greece Athena Trojans and Irondequoit Eagles. Three of the previous five contests between the two rivals have been decided by three points or less. Saturday’s Class A1 final figures to follow suit.
What: No. 1 GREECE ATHENA (20-2) vs. No. 2 IRONDEQUOIT (19-3)
When: Saturday March 3rd, 9 PM
Where: Blue Cross Arena at the Rochester Community War Memorial
How they got here: Athena defeated Brighton 92-47 in the quarter-finals and Mendon, 70-61 in the semi-finals. Irondequoit beat Spencerport, 72-37 and Pittsford Sutherland 56-48.
Last time they met: On January 31st, Athena beat the visiting Eagles, 74-67. Pat Meisenzahl collected 11 of his season-high 24 points in the third quarter when Athena outscored Irondequoit, 23-9. Meisenzahl hit six 3-pointers in the game.
VIEW MORE CHRIS ROACH PHOTOS HERE.
History 101: Athena holds a 3-2 edge in the five previous matches played in the championship round. Steve Kerr had the winning bucket in 2006 when Athena triumphed 54-51. John Wallace Jr. sunk two late free throws to cap a comeback in Athena’s 57-54 2009 victory. Josiah Heath led Irondequoit to the 2011 title when the Eagles won 61-38. Zac DiSalvo connected on a 3-pointer to clinch the 2013 championship for Athena, 44-42. Tournament MVP Gerald Drumgoole paced four in double figures as Irondequoit stormed out to an early lead and never trailed en route to a 61-44 victory last year. Saturday’s game will also mark the 10th time in 14 years the two schools have met in the post-season. Athena has a 7-2 advantage in the previous nine.
VIEW MORE CHRIS CECERE PHOTOS HERE.
How they match up: Athena has won 17 of 18; Irondequoit 16 of 17. Of their five combined losses, all have been on the road. Irondequoit scored 65.2 points per game during the regular season while holding opponents to a Monroe County-low 48.7. Athena scored 73.5 per game and kept opposing offenses to 54.9. The Trojans have been held under 50 points in a game just once – their fourth game of the season a 52-43 loss at Pittsford Sutherland.
Christian Jones finds Patrick Meisenzahl with ☝ of his 12 assists on the night. pic.twitter.com/XIhCzb5APb
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) January 23, 2018
Players to Watch for Athena: Christian Jones Sr. G 15.9 ppg, Ryan Kubanka Sr. F 12.3 ppg and Nigel Scantlebury Sr. G 15.2 ppg.
Frederick June, Jr. finds Tanner Pioch with ☝ of his 6 dimes on the night. @WIEagles pic.twitter.com/GDCQQrPkAi
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) January 21, 2018
For Irondequoit: Gerald Drumgoole Jr. G 21.5 ppg, Frederick June, Jr. Jr. G 8.9 ppg and Patrick Thomas Jr. F 12.3 ppg.
Coaches: Chris Cardon (Irondequoit), Mike Setzer (Athena).
The winner will face the NE Douglass vs. Wayne winner in the Class A regional qualifier.
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