By PAUL GOTHAM
WEBSTER, N.Y. — Webster Thomas boys’ basketball entered the postseason holding opponents to a Class A1-best 46.9 points per game.
The Titans looked the part Saturday night in their sectional opener.
Thomas limited No. 6 Spencerport to a season-low offensive output in a 58-34 victory.
“They handled business especially on the defensive end,” said 10th-year head coach Griffin Coles. “That’s our focus. I tell them that’s what we can control. You can’t control making shots, but you can control how you play defense.”
Spencerport (8-13) had averaged 56.0 points per game during the regular season including nearly 62 points in the six outings leading up to sectionals. The Rangers finished with three wins in their final six games. Among those was an 82-67 win over Rush-Henrietta.
Thomas limited Spencerport to 13 field goals in the quarterfinal win.
“Credit to the guys playing defense. Working their butts off, defending the post. Spencerport’s got two very good post players, and I thought our bigs did a nice with their footwork and making them earn everything tonight.”
Jackson Mulcahy paced the Thomas offense with 17 points while Sean Linder added 14. Shane Talbot had nine, and Shawn Mason eight points in the win.
Steal, layup and-one from Shane Talbot. @HoopsTitans has scored 11 straight, leads 17-6. pic.twitter.com/3rTxnGclJx
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) February 25, 2023
“I thought we took good shots all game. That’s the thing I keep stressing to these guys. As long as they’re quality shots, good shots that’s what we want.”
After an 11-day layoff between the end of the regular season and start of sectionals, the Titans opened with four 3-pointers in the first quarter. Mulcahy connected from distance on back-to-back attempts. The senior forward’s second trey gave Thomas a lead it did not surrender at 9-7.
The Titans had a 20-11 advantage after one quarter of play.
Corner 3, Sean Linder. Thomas 46-29 pic.twitter.com/7i8O5Ts98s
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) February 26, 2023
“We did a really nice job tonight especially with all the preparation over the past 10 or 11 days. I thought we executed pretty well.”
Thomas defeated Spencerport twice in the regular season.
Hunter Streb gives @Ranger_Sports an early 7-6 edge. pic.twitter.com/fjDkiJb9Bk
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) February 25, 2023
Thomas (15-6) will face No. Irondequoit (17-4) in Wednesday’s semifinal.
Boston Dewitte (4), Arian Nejad (2), Cory Jarvis (2) and Levi Kulik (2) rounded out the scoring for the Titans.
Bryon Streb led Spencerport with 15 points. Hunter Streb had 10. Marquis Tubbs (6), Antonio Diaz (2) and Miron Gurman (1) also scored for the Rangers.
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