Jack Leasure Shooting and Skills Camp Regional Qualifier Preview: Newark and Wellsville meet for spot in state quarterfinals

One team is seeking its ninth regionals appearance in program history. The other is looking for its fourth state quarterfinals appearance. Section V Class B1 champion Newark and Class B2 champion Wellsville will meet Wednesday to decide a spot in the 2023 New York State Far West Class B Regional. Here’s the breakdown:

Class B1 champion NEWARK REDS (19-4/Finger Lakes East)
vs.
Class B2 champion WELLSVILLE LIONS (14-9/Independent)

Scoring offense: Newark (60.2 PPG), Wellsville (54.7 PPG)

Scoring defense: Newark (50.9 PPG), Wellsville (50.6 PPG)

Current streak: Newark has won 10 of 11 games with the Reds’ only loss coming on the road against Class A2 quarterfinalist Eastridge. Wellsville has won three straight and four of its last five.

How they arrived here: Newark defeated league foes Geneva, 43-36 in the quarterfinals and Waterloo, 61-35 to reach Saturday’s championship game. The Reds beat top-seeded Batavia, 60-55, to win the Class B1 title. Wellsville knocked off No. 5 World of Inquiry, 72-60, in the quarterfinals before taking down top-seeded Hornell, 51-46, in the semifinals. The Lions beat No. 3 Le Roy, 52-43, to win the Class B2 title.

Players to Watch

Newark: Jaypar Allen Jr. G 4.0 PPG, 3.0 APG; Carlos Bueso Sr. F 1.5 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 2.0 APG; Kellen Foster Jr. F/G 14.6 PPG, 2.2 APG, 4.4 RPG; Raeshawn Howard Sr. F 16.5 PPG, 8.9 RPG; Brayden Steve Sr. F/G 18.3 PPG, 5.6 RPG, 2.0 APG; Daveon Wright Sr. F/G 3.6 PPG, 2.2 RPG, 3.3 APG

Wellsville: Asher Billings Sr. 4.6 PPG, 2 RPG, 1.3 APG; Cody Costello Sr. 11 PPG, 3 RPG, 2.5 APG; Logan Dunbar Sr. 16.2 PPG, 10 RPG, 2.7 APG; JJ Howard So. 7.8 PPG, 6.6 RPG, 2 BPG; Aidan Riley Sr. 6.7 PPG, 4.4 RPG, 3.4 APG, 2.5 SPG.

Coaches: Henry Kuperus (Newark), Tom Muska (Wellsville)

History 101: Newark became the fourth program to win 14 or more titles in Section V Boys’ Basketball history. The Reds joined Franklin (14), Lyons (20) and East High (28). Wellsville is the back-to-back class B2 champion and won its seventh title in program history.

What’s next: Winner will face Section VI Class B2 champion, Fredonia, in the NYS Far West Regional on Saturday

A 7 p.m. tip off is scheduled at Penn Yan Academy.