Both teams are looking to make their mark in a more than historic season. Avoca/Prattsburgh combined programs for the first time, and Batavia-Notre Dame moved down from Class D1. The Fighting Irish are looking for their third sectional title in the past 10 seasons, while Avoca/Prattsburgh try to win in its first season combined. Here’s the breakdown:
No. 1 seed AVOCA/PRATTSBURGH (10-0/Steuben County) vs. No. 6 seed BATAVIA-NOTRE DAME (7-6/Genesee Region II)
Scoring offense: Avoca/Prattsburgh (80.3 PPG), Batavia-Notre Dame (64.8 PPG)
Scoring defense: Avoca/Prattsburgh (41.6 PPG), Batavia-Notre Dame (63.8 PPG)
Current streak: Avoca/Prattsburgh has won 10 straight; Eastridge has won four straight
How they got here: Avoca/Prattsburgh defeated No. 8 Bradford, 85-34, in the quarterfinals before downing fourth-seeded Scio, 86-52, in the semis.
Batavia-Notre Dame beat No. 3 Jasper-Troupsburg by a 43-39 score in the quarterfinals and took down No. 2 Belfast, 67-39 in the semis.
Last time they met: Avoca/Prattsburgh and Batavia-Notre Dame have not met in the 2020-21 season.
Players to Watch for Avoca/Prattsburgh: Kris Johnson Sr. F; James Crowder Sr. F; Sawyer Devoe So. F; Macoy Putman Fr. G
Batavia-Notre Dame: Colin McCulley Jr. G; Mark Sanders Sr. G; Jimmy Fanara So. F/G; Jordan Welker So. F
Coaches: Brian Putnam (Avoca/Prattsburgh), Mike Rapone (Batavia-Notre Dame)
History 101: Avoca and Prattsburgh combined teams for the first time this year. Prattsburgh won the class D2 title three times in the past decade, winning last season, 2018 and 2015. Prattsburgh defeated 72-64 Elba, beat Bradford 78-45 in 2018, and won 59-56 against Northstar in 2015. Batavia-Notre Dame moved down to Class D2 for the first time this year. The Fighting Irish won the Class D1 title in 2012 and 2014. Notre Dame beat Elba 50-45 in 2012, and defeated Jasper-Troupsburg 62-37 in 2014.
A 7 p.m. tip off is scheduled at Friday at Avoca High School.
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