Both teams are coming off sectional titles last season. One team is looking to continue its quest for a second straight state championship and third straight sectional title. For the second time in three years, Avoca/Prattsburgh and Notre Dame-Batavia will tip off in the Class D1 final. Here’s Saturday’s breakdown:
No. 1 seed AVOCA/PRATTSBURGH TITANS (20-2/Steuben County)
vs.
No. 3 seed NOTRE DAME-BATAVIA FIGHTING IRISH (16-6/Genessee County II)
Scoring Offense: Avoca/Prattsburgh (83.2 PPG), Notre Dame-Batavia (49.5 PPG)
Scoring Defense: Avoca/Prattsburgh (43.4 PPG), Notre Dame-Batavia (54.3 PPG)
Current Streak: Avoca/Prattsburgh has won 13 straight. Notre Dame-Batavia has won three straight.
How they arrived here: Avoca/Prattsburgh downed No. 8 Genessee Valley/Belfast, 85-27, in the quarterfinals before defeating No. 4 Harley-Allendale-Columbia, 76-39, in the semis. Notre Dame-Batavia topped No. 6 Honeoye 78-45, then beat No. 2 Fillmore, 81-58, in the semis.
Players to Watch
Avoca/Prattsburgh: Sawyer Devoe 6-foot Sr. F 20.3 PPG, 10.6 RPG, currently at 973 career points; Haden Abbott 6-foot-1 Sr. F 20.8 PPG, 2.6 APG, 5.2 RPG; Macoy Putnam 5-foot-11 Jr. G 14.2 PPG, 8.4 APG, 4.9 SPG, 4.5 RPG; Evan Campbell 5-foot-9 Sr. G 12.2 PPG, 2.4 APG, 2.8 RPG.
Notre Dame-Batavia: Jordan Welker 5-foot-9 Sr. G 16.4 PPG, 5.3 APG, 3.8 RPG; Ryan Fitzpatrick 6-foot-3 Jr. G/F 14.8 PPG, 2.2 APG, 7.3 RPG; Jaden Sherwood 5-foot-7 Jr. G 12.9 PPG, 2.9 APG, 4.4 RPG, Jim Fanara 6-foot-2 Sr. F 11.7 PPG, 1.9 APG, 4.8 RPG.
Coaches: Brian Putnam (Avoca/Prattsburgh), Mikey Rapone (Notre Dame-Batavia)
History 101: This is the second time in three years that these two teams have met to decide a sectional championship. Avoca/Prattsburgh won the last sectional final meeting in 2021 by a 79-64 score. These teams also met last year in the 2022 Class D regional qualifier, with Avoca/Prattsburgh winning 71-51 and advancing to the Far West Regional.
The Titans are looking to continue their hunt for winning a second straight state championship, and win their third straight sectional title since their 2021 merger. Avoca/Prattsburgh was able to finish off a perfect season, going 27-0 en route to their state title. Prior to the merger, Avoca won the 2020 Class D1 title and Prattsburgh won their 11th championship the same year in the D2 classification.
Notre Dame-Batavia is looking to win its fourth sectional title in the last 11 years. Other than winning the 2022 block, ND-Batavia won the 2012 and 2014 Class D1 championships. Mikey Rapone took over the reins of coaching the Fighting Irish this year after his father, Mike Rapone, retired following the previous season. Mike Rapone is tied with former Lyons coach, Dean Schott, for most sectional titles since the 1975 season. ND-Batavia has 10 sectional championships, tied for sixth all-time.
What’s next: Winner will face the Class D2 champion (either Jasper-Troupsburg or Mount Morris) in the NYS Class D Far West Regional qualifier.
A 3 p.m. tip-off is scheduled at Blue Cross Arena.
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