By JOHN LIKANJE
ROCHESTER – Irondequoit(8-1/No. 16 NYSSWA Class A) proved themselves on the defensive end once again. The Eagles are holding opponents to 49.9 points and well below their season averages for points scored per game. Tuesday night, head coach Chris Cardon’s squad faced the Hilton Cadets, who averaged 80.3 points in their previous four games and were named to honorable mentions in the Class AA poll of the NYSSWA rankings. With a victory, the Cadets would have most likely cracked the top 25 the following week. However, on a night when junior guard TahJae Hill was honored for scoring 1,000 career points and poured in 40 in the game, the Eagles flipped the script and handed the Cadets their first loss of the season, 68-64. Friday night, Cardon’s squad took down the Churchville-Chili Saints, 87-53, who had won four of their previous five games and averaged 66.2 points during the streak.
Seniors Freddie June Jr. and Patrick Thomas have enjoyed success on the football field and basketball court this year. Thomas scored 18 points and grabbed seven rebounds Tuesday night. June netted 15 against the Cadets and followed up with a season-high 19 in the victory over the Saints. Senior guard Josh Stenglein scored a season-high 16 points of his own on Friday night.
For the season, the Eagles are averaging 67.1 points per game as well. Cardon’s squad has also won six games by double-digits and outscored their opponents by a combined 160 points in those victories. This upcoming week, the Eagles will put their defense to the test Wednesday night as they look to defend home court against Greece Athena. Game set to tip off at 7:15 PM. Afterwards, the Eagles travel to Canandaigua Friday night to battle the Braves at 7:15 PM and participate in the RAP High School Invitational Saturday at East High School, where they will match up with Edison Tech. Game time set for 5:15 PM.
WE DIDN’T FORGET ABOUT…
Fairport Red Raiders – The Red Raiders (8-3) are back on track, winning their first two games to start the new year. Tuesday night, head coach Scott Fitch’s squad held Webster Thomas to a season-low for points scored in a game in a 62-46 victory. Friday night, the Red Raiders took down the Rush-Henrietta Royal Comets, 68-34. The 34 points allowed by the Red Raiders was a season-low. Andre Starks scored double-digits in both games. The senior guard knocked down four shots from beyond the arc for 12 points Tuesday. Starks hit two more three-pointers as well as four free throws en route to finishing with 16 points Friday night. Junior forward Stefan Milinkovic scored 18 against the Cadets, his second-highest point total of the season. This upcoming week, the Red Raiders travel to Churchville-Chili Wednesday and Hilton Friday. Both games set to tip off at 7:15 PM.
Gananda Blue Panthers – The Blue Panthers (11-1) won all three games last week to extend their winning streak to nine. Head coach Jeff Thomson’s squad defeated the Midlakes Screaming Eagles and North Rose-Wolcott Cougars for the second time this season. Monday night, the Blue Panthers defeated the Screaming Eagles, 53-48, and took down the Cougars, 84-39, Friday. Thomson’s squad overpowered division rival East Rochester, 72-40, as well Wednesday night. Senior guard Jayden Castrechini netted a team-high 20 points against the Cougars. Senior center Tim McClare scored 12 Wednesday and followed up with 19 Friday. The Blue Panthers’ streak will be on the line Tuesday night at Lyons (No. 5 NYSSWA Class C) at 7:30 PM before hosting Clyde-Savannah Thursday at 7:00 PM.
Avon Braves – The Avon Braves (10-1) bounced back from their first loss of the season with a pair of double-digit victories over Mynderse and Caledonia-Mumford last week. Senior guard Connor Taylor tallied his sixth triple-double of the season Tuesday against the Blue Devils in a 58-45 win and scored 22 points to hand the Red Raiders (No. 7 NYSSWA Class C) their first loss of the season, 61-42, Friday. This upcoming week, the Braves have two more home games against Perry, Tuesday at 7:00 PM, and LeRoy, Friday at 7:30 PM.
Prattsburgh Vikings – The Vikings (11-0/No. 2 NYSSWA Class D) have the second-longest active win streak in Section V behind East (12-0/No. 11 NYSSWA Class A). Wednesday night, head coach Brian Putnam’s squad defeated Bradford, 72-66, before taking down Genesee Valley (No. 14 NYSSWA Class D), 81-74, Saturday on the campus of Alfred State College. Junior guard Mason Putnam was named game MVP Saturday night. This upcoming week, the Vikings will clash with Avoca (No. 1 NYSSWA Class D) Tuesday night at 7:00 PM. Prattsburgh will also travel to Addison (No. 15 NYSSWA Class C) Friday at 7:15 PM before hosting Cuba-Rushford Saturday at 7:00 PM.
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