By DONOVAN MOFFAT
AVON N.Y. – It was again Connor Taylor who stole the show along with fellow senior Paddy Coyne and junior Nick Rowland’s leadership as Avon handed Caledonia-Mumford (No. 7 NYSSWA Class C) its first loss of the season.
“With Connor, Nick and Paddy as our captains, they do such a good job of setting the tone for what we want to do,” said Avon head coach Rob Fries after the game. “They coach themselves a lot of the time and they know what they’re doing and they are really good ball players.”
Right from the opening tip, the Braves took the home-court advantage against their rivals with the “Gang Green” cheering section echoing throughout the gym and went to work.
Taylor opened the game with a deep three and went on to score the first 11 points of the game for the Braves in the first quarter.
Avon’s Connor Taylor starts the game with a three 👌🏻 @CalMumHoops @PickinSplinters pic.twitter.com/9URyXTYOtw
— Donnie Moffat (@donniemoffat) January 12, 2019
For much of the first half, the Red Raiders held their ground and kept it a close game.
Cal-Mum senior Eric Wilson led his team with 10 points in the first half and scored the first seven for the Red Raiders. He would also hit two threes.
Cal-Mum’s Eric Wilson with a drive and a score @PickinSplinters pic.twitter.com/Zkyp0qOJr6
— Donnie Moffat (@donniemoffat) January 12, 2019
With 4:00 minutes to go in the half the momentum of the game shifted to the home team as the Braves ended the half on a 14-2 run to take a 14-point lead at the half. Taylor scored eight of the last 14 points while freshman Zach Colvin added the other six during the run.
Colvin scored six points in the first half and was both an offensive and defensive presence in the post.
Avon’s Zach Colvin with the inside move for the bucket @CalMumHoops @PickinSplinters pic.twitter.com/tbVTsTksiN
— Donnie Moffat (@donniemoffat) January 12, 2019
Taylor finished the first half scoring 22 points connecting on five three-pointers.
Avon’s Connor Taylor finishes the first half with 21 points with this last second three 👌🏻 34-20 Avon @PickinSplinters pic.twitter.com/jAk5nrH0XA
— Donnie Moffat (@donniemoffat) January 12, 2019
(Correction from Tweet: Taylor finished with 22 at the half)
“Connor came out super aggressive with a real good focus offensively and I thought we had a good game plan to guard them,” said Fries. “Every time we play them, it’s a battle, so our guys got up for it and wanted it and executed enough plays to make it happen.”
Cal-Mum junior Vinny Molisani finished with a team-high 13 points. Freshman Kyle Wade added five points.
Taylor finished with a double-double: 26 points and 10 rebounds two go with eight assists.
Colvin ended his night with 10 points. Coyne and Rowland each had six points.
Other scorers: Avon- Tyler Dailey (5), Ian Reed (4), Andrew Rowland (4). Cal-Mum- Ethan Pies (4), Adam O’Donoghue (3), Juan Claudio (3), Adam Estes (2), Joe Laursen (2).
Adam O’Donoghue with a three 👌🏻 @PickinSplinters pic.twitter.com/8vuxtUNvzn
— Donnie Moffat (@donniemoffat) January 12, 2019
Cal-Mum’s Juan Claudio hits the three. 53-36 Avon with 5:30 to go. @PickinSplinters pic.twitter.com/zYsbvKhDab
— Donnie Moffat (@donniemoffat) January 12, 2019
“We got Perry who’s playing really well and LeRoy next week and we don’t want to give away the advantage we just gained,” coach Fries said as he prepares for the upcoming weeks. “We talk everyday about continuing to improve to get to where you need to be come sectional time and these guys will be in tomorrow and ready to go again.”
With the win, Avon (10-1) moves to second in the Livingston County division standings and Cal-Mum (11-1) drops to fourth.
On the season, Taylor has six triple-doubles and a quadruple-double against Keshequa.
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