By PAUL GOTHAM
ROCHESTER, N.Y. — The last time Chris Cardon roamed the sidelines while Dave Dence ran the floor of the Irondequoit High School gymnasium, Cardon was in his second year coaching at the Monroe County school and Dence was wearing a game jersey.
On Tuesday night, Cardon celebrated the last regular season home game of his 37-year hall-of-fame coaching career. Dence added symmetry to the event as he donned stripes and a whistle while Cardon’s Eagles faced league rival Greece Athena.
“It was my tribute to him,” said Dence. “It was to show him how much he’s meant to me.
“He’s been an advocate for Irondequoit basketball and a pillar in the community. It’s my way of honoring him, to work his last regular season home game.”
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A player officiating the game of his former coach is a rarity, and Dence needed prior approval.
“If you played for the guy, you shouldn’t be refereeing his games,” he said.
The Rochester District Basketball Officials Board 60 granted his request.
Opening tip: @GAHSBoysHoops and @ITownHoops @SecVBBasketball pic.twitter.com/1V0ZVTsu1n
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) February 15, 2023
And Greece Athena head coach Mike Setzer added his blessing.
“It was a no-brainer,” Setzer said of his role in the tribute. “Chris is a great guy. He’s meant a lot to high school basketball. I’ve learned a lot from him just being an opponent as well as a friend. I wanted to do something for him, so when Dave asked it was the right thing to do.”
The gesture did not go overlooked by Cardon who noted that the outcome of the game dictated the top seed in the upcoming Class A1 playoffs.
“Mike’s a perfect gentleman. He’s a coaching rival, but a respected coaching rival. His teams are always well-prepared and they’re always good.
“I’m not sure everybody would give that the okay. That tells you a little bit about who Mike Setzer is.”
As a junior, Dence played on Cardon’s first team at Irondequoit along with fellow basketball official Rob Snedden and current Irondequoit head football coach Dan Fichter.
“I’m close with those guys as close as I am with any of my former players,” Cardon said. “I’d love to have had those guys now with my experience.”
That Irondequoit team handed Webster, coached by the late Bill O’Rourke its only loss of the regular season.
“We had a good team,” said Cardon recalling the divisional format at the time which had Irondequoit playing Pittsford Mendon, Rush-Henrietta and Webster (among others) twice in a season. “That was a tough schedule.”
In 2020, Cardon was enshrined in the Basketball Coaches’ Association of New York Hall of Fame. His teams have won three sectional titles and the 2017 NYS Class A championship. Last season, he won his 500th game. His 517 victories is tops among active coaches and is tied with Jim Burke for fourth all-time among Section V coaches.
Tuesday night’s game was Dence’s final night of officiating high school basketball. He will continue working college games where three-man officiating crews are the norm.
Having his former player referee his final home game added a fitting touch for Cardon.
“It means a lot, it means a lot,” Cardon said. “Dave was on my first team many moons ago. My chapter is almost closed, and his is closing. Dave moved in down the street. I’ve known Dave a long time. Known his kids, his family, his mom and dad.”
Athena (16-3) did not bring Valentine’s Day gifts with them on this February 14th. Khorie Reaves scored a season-high 31 points including 14 in the fourth quarter as Athena clinched the top seed in Class A1 with a 72-64 victory. Reaves connected five times from the floor over the final eight minutes when the teams exchanged the lead five times.
Khorie Reaves steal and flush. Athena 63-61 pic.twitter.com/06KEM1ciH2
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) February 15, 2023
Clinging to a two-point edge at 61-59 with less than three minutes remaining in the game, the junior guard scored Athena’s next seven points. He stepped in a passing lane for a steal and converted with a dunk at the opposite end of the floor before hitting a 3-pointer on the next trip down the floor. His layup in the open floor gave the Trojans a 68-61 advantage with less than a minute to go in the game. Zee Johnson added 17 points in the win. Connor Osier, I’Zayah Reaves and I’Zick Reaves accounted for seven apiece. Brandon Krout rounded out Athena’s scoring with three points.
Ryan Heath takes advantage of a second chance to give @ITownHoops a 53-52 lead. pic.twitter.com/HuS36dArw2
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) February 15, 2023
Ryan Heath led Irondequoit (16-4) with 19 points. Xavier Gissendanner had 17 and Isaiah Ballard 11 points. Quinn VanKerkhove (9), Kenyen Lovett (7), Azavier Ross (2) and Aiden Greco (1) also scored for the Eagles.
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