ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Quinn VanKerkhove and Xavier Gissendanner each scored 23 points to lead second-seeded Irondequoit to its third sectional title in seven years with 76-59 victory over No. 1 Greece Athena in Section V Class A1 action at Blue Cross Arena, Saturday evening.
The title was the fourth in Coach Chris Cardon’s 37-year career at the helm of the Eagles.
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The first half of the first quarter was played within one possession with the Trojans holding the advantage at 11-8 before the Eagles finished the quarter on a 16-3 tear. Gissendanner had six straight points, Ryan Heath also added six and VanKerkhove five, punctuated by his first of five triples on the night to beat the buzzer to give the Eagles a 24-14 advantage. Connor Osier scored seven of his game-high 24 points in the first quarter for the Trojans.
A tightly called game saw the Trojans run into foul trouble in the second quarter. Zee Johnson picked up his third foul with 6:20 left in the half and Khorie Reaves picked up his third with 2:09 left. The Eagles took advantage extending their lead to 15 points at the break. VanKerkhove continued to be hot from beyond the arc hitting three more including another quarter ending shot from the right corner.
The third quarter saw the Eagles extend their lead to as many as 21 points. Johnson picked up his fourth foul at the 5:56 mark and again had to sit for the majority of the quarter. A third Trojan starter, I’Zick Reaves picked up his fourth foul with a minute left in the third. Osier had 6 and Khorie Reaves 5 of the Trojan’s 15 points on the quarter. Heath and Gissendanner each had 4 while Isaiah Ballard and VanKerkhove each had three for Irondequoit who led 61-45 heading into the fourth.
Athena’s pressure defense caused some problems for the Eagles through the first half of the fourth quarter as the Trojans twice pulled within 12 points with under four minutes to play. However, the Eagles closed the game with a 7-2 run led by four from Gissendanner and three from Kenyen Lovett to close out the victory for the Eagles.
In addition to Osier, Khorie Reaves added 16, Johnson 8, I’Zick Reaves 7 and 2 each from I’Zayah Reaves and Rocco Prota. The Trojans finish at 18-5 for the season.
Tournament MVP Heath added 14 for the Eagles while Ballard added 11 and Lovett 5 to round out the scoring. The Eagles (19-4) will play A2 winner Pittsford Sutherland in the Class A regional qualifier on Wednesday.
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