Five spots in the NYSPHSAA Boys’ Basketball semifinals will be decided when Section V hosts Section VI on Saturday. First game tips off at 11:00 AM. Here is the breakdown of each contest.
CLASS AA
VICTOR BLUE DEVILS (20-3/ Monroe County I)
vs.
NIAGARA FALLS WOLVERINES (21-2/Niagara-Frontier)
How they arrived here: Victor beat McQuaid (51-44) to open the postseason, then Webster Schroeder (66-51) and Fairport (66-54) to win the Section V Class AA title.
No. 3 seed Niagara Falls downed Lancaster (86-46), Health Sciences (66-60) and Jamestown (53-52) to capture the Section VI Class AA championship.
Tempo and Trends: Victor averages 64.8 points per game while allowing 50.8. Niagara Falls averages 68.1 points per game and allows 49. Victor has won seven straight. Niagara Falls has won 10 straight.
What’s at Stake: A spot in the NYS semifinal against the winner of Baldwin (VIII) vs. Brentwood (XI).
History 101: Victor is coming off its first sectional title since 1978 and making its first-ever regional appearance.
Niagara Falls has advanced to regionals on 12 occasions since 2000 with a record of 7-5 in those previous games, including an 81-74 victory over McQuaid in 2019. The Wolverines’ last state championship came in 2005 when they defeated New Rochelle.
Players to watch for Victor: Garrett Clar Jr. F 17.4 PPG; Ryan Dodge Sr. F 4.2 PPG; Griffen Hopkins So. F 9.0 PPG; Nick Leonard Jr. F 8.7 PPG; Cam Ryan Jr. F 9.8 PPG
Niagara Falls: James Robinson Sr. G 16.9 PPG, 2.2 APG, 10.9 RPG, 2.8 SPG; Davon Wade Sr. F 11 PPG, 0.17 APG, 7.8 RPG, 0.96 SPG; Omarion Ralands Jr. G 11.6 PPG, 1.7 APG, 4.3 RPG, 2.1 SPG; Nick Estell So. G 11.6 PPG, 4.3 APG, 2.4 RPG, 1.9 SPG
Coaches: Tyler Roberts (Victor) Carlos Bradberry (Niagara Falls)
A 7:30 p.m. tip-off is scheduled at Rush-Henrietta High School.
VIEW MORE PHOTOS FROM JENNIFER LAEMLEIN.
VIEW MORE PHOTOS FROM JOE TERRITO.
CLASS A
IRONDEQUOIT EAGLES (19-5/Monroe County II)
vs.
AMHERST TIGERS (21-3/Erie County II)
How they arrived here: No. 2 seeded Irondequoit topped Canandaigua (60-37), Webster Thomas (67-52) and top-seeded Greece Athena (76-59) to capture the Class A1 Section V crown. The Eagles beat A2 champion Pittsford Sutherland (69-51) to qualify for the regional.
Top-seeded Amherst defeated Grand Island (70-34), Starpoint (66-38) and Williamsville South (58-56) to claim the A2 Section VI title. Amherst then beat A1 champion McKinley (55-44) to reach the Class A Far West Regional.
Tempo and Trends: Irondequoit averages 61.4 points per game while allowing 46.8. Amherst scores 72.3 points per game while allowing 48.5. Irondequoit has won four straight. Amherst has won six straight. Amherst lost to Pittsford Mendon (61-46). Irondequoit split the regular season series with Mendon taking the first meeting at home (69-43) before dropping a 65-53 decision on the road.
What’s at Stake: A spot in the NYS semifinal against the winner of South Side (VIII) and Kings Park (XI).
History 101: Irondequoit is coming off its first sectional title since back-to-back championships in 2017 and 2018. The Eagles claimed the 2017 Class A NYS crown, defeating Our Lady of Lourdes (I) by a 54-43 score. Irondequoit followed up its state championship with a semifinal appearance in states the following year.
Amherst is making its second straight regional appearance and second all-time. The Tigers defeated Pittsford Mendon last year 58-56 to reach the state semifinals.
Players to watch for Irondequoit: Ryan Heath Sr. G 20.2 PPG, 5.8 APG, 5.5 RPG, 2.0 SPG; Xavier Gissendanner Sr. G 16.3 PPG, 1.4 APG, 5.4 RPG, 1.3 SPG; Quinn VanKerkhove Jr. G 8.8 PPG, 1.7 APG, 2.0 RPG, 1.1 SPG; Isaiah Ballard Jr. C 7.6 PPG, 0.7 APG, 7.1 RPG, 0.8 SPG
Amherst: Nick Moore Sr. G 16.4 PPG, 4.9 APG, 7.1 RPG, 3.1 SPG; Josh Bugiera Sr. G 10.0 PPG, 2.3 APG, 3.0 RPG, 2.5 SPG; Antonio Andrews So. G/F 7.2 PPG, 0.9 APG, 7.1 RPG, 1.8 SPG; Jordan Alexander Jr. G (Maryvale transfer has not played since February 14th).
Coaches: Chris Cardon (Irondequoit) Chris Kensy (Amherst)
A 3:30 p.m. tip-off is scheduled at Gates Chili High School.
SECTION VI BOYS’ BASKETBALL NOTES COURTESY OF CHAD ANDREWS/CENTER COURT.
CLASS B
NEWARK REDS (20-4/Finger Lakes-East)
vs.
FREDONIA HILLBILLIES (19-7/Chautauqua-Catteraugus I West)
How they arrived here: No. 2 seed Newark downed Geneva (43-36), Waterloo (61-35) and toppled top-seeded Batavia (60-55) to win the Class B1 Section V title. The Reds then beat B2 champion Wellsville (66-59) to reach the regional.
No. 10 seed Fredonia beat Akron (74-52), Burgard (73-58), Cleveland Hill (55-52) and Newfane (53-49) before defeating No. 1 seed Salamanca (58-54) to raise the Section VI Class B2 trophy. The Hillbillies faced B1 champion Lewiston-Porter and won (64-63) to qualify for the Class B Far West Regional.
Tempo and trends: Newark averages 60.1 points per game and allows 51.2. Fredonia averages 63.4 points per game while allowing 55.3. Newark has won four straight and 10 of its last 11 games. Fredonia has won six straight.
What’s at Stake: Winner claims a spot in the Class B state semifinal against either Owego Free Academy (IV) or Westhill (III).
History 101: Newark is making its second straight regional appearance and ninth overall in program history. The Reds last advanced to the state semis in the 2010 Class A bracket.
Fredonia last won the B2 Section VI title in 2016 which was their 10th in school history and ended a 22-year title drought. The Hillbillies are making their first regional appearance since 1994 when they defeated Franklin, 78-73.
Players to watch for 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
Fredonia: Ethan Fry Sr. G 15.3 PPG, 5.3 APG, 6.0 RPG, 1.3 SPG; Davion White Jr. G 14.1 PPG, 2.1 APG, 6.5 RPG, 1.4 SPG; Mike Hahn Jr. G 11.7 PPG, 1.9 APG, 4.3 RPG, 0.7 SPG; Jay Hawk Sr. F 11.6 PPG, 1.5 APG, 9.2 RPG, 0.8 SPG
Coaches: Henry Kuperus (Newark) Nick Bertrando (Fredonia)
A 1:15 p.m. tip-off is scheduled at Gates Chili High School.
CLASS C
LYONS LIONS (24-1/Wayne County)
vs.
RANDOLPH CARDINALS (19-4/Chautauqua-Catteraugus I East)
11:00 AM
How they arrived here: Top-seeded Lyons defeated C.G. Finney (85-60), Warsaw (70-48) and Wheatland-Chili (67-45) to hoist the sectional block. The Lions then defeated Northstar Christian (82-71) and Pembroke (59-56) to reach the Far West Regional.
Top-seeded Randolph downed Chautauqua Lake (71-46), Holland (59-42) and Frewsburg (70-47) to claim the Class C Section VI title.
Tempo and trends: Lyons averages 80.2 points per game and allows 44.8. Randolph scores 65.7 points per game while allowing 45.6. Lyons has won 15 straight. Randolph has won three straight.
What’s at Stake: A spot in the Class C state semifinal against the winner of Dolgeville (III) and Moravia (IV).
History 101: Lyons is coming off its 21st sectional championship, second most in Section V history. The Lions are making a Section V-best 11th regional appearance and have a record of 5 wins and 5 losses in the state quarterfinals. Lyons advanced to the state semis in 2015.
Randolph is making its fourth regional appearance since 2004. The Cardinals have a 2-1 record in the previous three contests including a 56-51 victory over Belfast in 2019.
Players to watch for Lyons: Michael Briggs Jr. G 8.0 PPG, 5.0 APG, 6.0 SPG; Jamire Johnson Fr. C; Jaiden Lopez Sr. G 9.0 PPG, 4.0 RPG; Jacob Sides Sr. F/G 13.0 PPG, 6.0 RPG, 5.0 SPG; JC Walker Sr. C/F 26.0 PPG, 12.0 RPG
Randolph: Drew Hind So. G 16.1 PPG, 3.3 APG, 4.3 RPG, 1.7 SPG; Carson Conley Sr. G 15.6 PPG, 1.0 APG, 4.0 RPG, 2.0 SPG; Jaiden Huntington Sr. F 13.2 PPG, 0.9 APG, 5.0 RPG, 0.5 SPG; Griffen Nelson So. G 7.6 PPG, 2.4 APG, 2.9 RPG, 2.5 SPG
Coaches: Dean Schott II (Lyons) Kevin Hind (Randolph)
An 11 a.m. tip-off is scheduled at Gates Chili High School
CLASS D
AVOCA/PRATTSBURGH TITANS (22-2/Steuben County)
vs.
PANAMA PANTHERS (16-6/Chautauqua-Catteraugus II West)
5:30 PM
How they arrived here: Top-seeded Avoca/Prattsburgh topped Genessee Valley/Belfast (85-27), Harley-Allendale-Columbia (76-39) and Notre Dame-Batavia (93-67) to win the Class D1 sectional title. The Titans then defeated Mount Morris (75-56) to reach the Far West Regional.
Panama defeated Westfield (63-38), top-seeded Ellicottville (47-36) and Clymer (41-37) to capture the Section VI D crown.
Tempo and trends: Avoca/Prattsburgh averages 83.3 points per game and allows 44.9. Panama scores 57.0 points per game while allowing 45.6. Avoca/Prattsburgh has won 15 straight. Panama has won three straight and five of six games.
What’s at Stake: Winner advances to the Class D state semifinal against either Hamilton (III) or Heuvelton Central (X).
History 101: Avoca/Prattsburgh is continuing its quest for back-to-back state titles, after finishing a perfect 27-0 in the 2022 campaign. The Titans have won three straight Section V titles since merging in 2021.
Panama makes its fourth regional appearance since 2012. In the three previous regional games, the Panthers boast a 2-1 record, including a 56-51 win over Belfast in 2019.
Players to watch for Avoca/Prattsburgh: Sawyer Devoe Sr. F 18.9 PPG, 3.3 APG, 10.1 RPG, 4.0 SPG; Haden Abbott 21.2 PPG, 2.6 APG, 5.3 RPG, 2.5 SPG; Macoy Putnam Jr. G 14.3 PPG, 8.2 APG, 4.7 RPG, 4.6 SPG; Evan Campbell Sr. G 12.5 PPG, 2.5 APG, 2.6 RPG, 2.0 SPG
Panama: Carter Brink So. G 19.0 PPG, 3.5 APG, 3.2 RPG, 2.0 SPG; Bryce Hinsdale So. G 13.4 PPG, 3.9 APG, 4.7 RPG, 2.7 SPG; Gabe Roth Sr. G 9.5 PPG, 2.7 APG, 2.5 RPG, 3.1 SPG; Alex Barmore So. F 8.7 PPG, 1.1 APG, 9.3 RPG, 1.0 SPG
Coaches: Brian Putnam (Avoca/Prattsburgh) Ed Nelson (Panama)
A 5:30 p.m. tip-off is scheduled at Rush-Henrietta High School.
Section VI finished 4-1 vs. Section V in both 2022 and 2019. The Far West Regional not played in 2020 and 2021 due to COVID-19.
Patrick- Thanks for the basketball previews. I am from Victor but live in NC so I appreciate reading your site and Twitter to keep up on my hometown teams.
I have read a couple of times that this is Victor’s first time in the Western Regional, but they actually played in the 1979 regional. Even though they lost in the AA sectional final to Newark. Victor played in the A regional against Grover Cleveland (lost 84-74). You can find information about that game on the Old Fulton Postcards website.
Thanks again for the coverage of high school sports.