Pickin' Splinters

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Team of the Week: Irondequoit Eagles

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By JOHN LIKANJE

The Irondequoit Eagles started the week with a decisive victory and ended it showing a flair for the dramatic. The two wins kept Irondequoit’s win streak intact. Saturday afternoon at Webster Thomas High School, Chris Cardon’s squad was 2.7 seconds away from watching their 10-game win streak end. The Eagles were trailing 53-52 and had to inbound the ball from the Webster Thomas baseline. However, Luke Melidona had other ideas. The senior guard received the rock, dribbled once to his right and heaved up a prayer from beyond halfcourt that found nothing but net. Melidona’s buzzer-beater made its way onto ESPN’s Sportscenter Top 10 at the No. 8 slot as well.

READ MORE ABOUT IRONDEQUOIT’S VICTORY HERE.

Irondequoit defeated Penfield, 72-44, on the road on Tuesday night as well. Junior forward Keenan Robertson led with 21 points and the staunch defense held the Patriots to 15 first-half points and eventually a season-low output for the Patriots. Since the Eagles’ 81-79 loss to Wilson Magnet on December 28th, they have won 11 straight, averaging 69.3 points while holding opponents to 48.3. Robertson has led offensively, scoring double digits in 10 of the 11 games and averaging 18.8 points during the streak.

Irondequoit (14-3) has three regular season games remaining. Two of them are this week and will be on the road: Wednesday at Pittsford Sutherland at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday at Canandaigua at 5 p.m.

WE DIDN’T FORGET ABOUT…..

Geneva won back-to-back road games by double-digits at Mynderse (71-50) and Midlakes (59-44). The Panthers (14-3) have won five straight with three contests remaining. Leadership Academy continued its winning ways with victories over RCAC rivals NE Douglass and Edison Tech. The Lions (14-2) have won five straight with four games left. Pittsford Mendon took down Greece Odyssey on Senior Night and defeated Greece Athena, 56-47, on the road. The Vikings (12-4) have won three straight with four regular season games left. Red Jacket defended home court against Honeoye (56-34) and Sodus (56-35). The Indians (17-1) have bounced back from their lone loss of the season with four straight wins. School of the Arts held off NE Douglass and dominated against World of Inquiry (80-46). The Silverhawks (12-6) have tallied nine wins in their last 10 games with two regular season contests remaining.

CHRIS CARDON HALL OF FAME INDUCTION

Irondequoit head coach Chris Cardon will be into the New York State Basketball Coaches Hall of Fame on March 22nd in the Heritage Hall of the Cool Insuring Arena in Glens Falls. Details are in the tweet below.

MARQUEE MATCHUPS OF THE WEEK

Here are some matchups to watch out for as we wind down the regular season and gear up for sectionals:

Wayne (14-1) vs. Waterloo (11-4) – This Finger Lakes East Division clash features a pair of squads that have combined for 12 consecutive victories. Wayne has won eight straight, averaging 58.6 points while holding opponents to 42.8. Waterloo is winners of four straight, scoring 53.8 points and allowing 44.5. Wayne defeated Waterloo, 51-43, when both squads matched up back on January 7th. Game is scheduled for Monday at 7:30 p.m. at Waterloo High School.

Pittsford Mendon (12-4) vs. Victor (15-0) – Pittsford Mendon holds opponents to 53.9 points per game. Victor is allowing only 46 points. These defensive juggernauts will clash on Wednesday at 7:15 p.m. at Victor High School.

Hornell (13-4) vs. Marcus Whitman (11-5) – Both squads have quietly put together solid seasons and will match up Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. at Marcus Whitman High School. In their thirteen victories this season, the Hornell Red Raiders are averaging 62.6 points and have only allowed 60 once (January 10th vs. Caledonia-Mumford). Marcus Whitman is 7-0 at home, scoring 58.4 points while holding opponents to 41.9.

East (14-2) vs. Leadership (14-2) – The top two teams in the Rochester City Athletic Conference (RCAC) will clash on Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at Leadership Academy. Leadership has the best record in the RCAC Upper Division, averaging 80.9 points and holding opponents to 70.1. East is in first place in the RCAC Lower Division, scoring 80.1 points per game while allowing 59.7.

Aquinas (10-6) vs. McQuaid (10-7) – The storied rivalry will continue on the basketball court Thursday at 7:30 p.m. at McQuaid Jesuit High School. Aquinas is averaging 71.1 points per game while holding opponents to 66.2. McQuaid scores 74.9 points and allow 65.6. Aquinas defeated McQuaid when both squads matched up back on December 20th.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK

Here is Melidona’s buzzer-beater in real time.

Victor’s Chase Dickens heaves in a buzzer-beating, halfcourt shot to end the opening period in a 61-58 victory at Rush-Henrietta.

Logan Hayes (School of the Arts) banks in a buzzer-beating three-pointer to end the third quarter in a 76-71 win over NE Douglass.

Adonis Flagler (NE Douglass) hammers home a baseline jam to reach a career milestone of 1,000 varsity points.

Andrew Mason sizes up his defender and nails a three from the top of the key.

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