By PAUL GOTHAM
WEBSTER, N.Y. — A season-opening loss resulted in a focused approach to Wednesday’s matchup for Rashaad Stokelin’s Webster Schroeder boys’ basketball team.
And the Warriors followed the blueprint to a win.
In a game in which Schroder never trailed, three scored in double figures as the host defeated Fairport, 64-51.
Anthony DeRosa poured in eight straight and highlighted a 10-2 run midway through the third quarter to give Schroeder a double-digit lead.
“That was his time to shine,” Stokelin said. “It was good for us to see that he could do that.”
Leading 29-26, DeRosa connected from behind the 3-point arc on the left side. Next trip down the floor he drove the lane for a layup. After a timeout, the senior guard found the range again from distance for a 37-26 lead with five minutes remaining in the quarter.
8 straight from Anthony DeRosa and @WebWarriorBball has its largest lead of the night at 37-26. pic.twitter.com/SoDn9vN7YT
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) December 7, 2023
Schroeder did not allow Fairport to get within seven points for the remainder of the contest.
For Stokelin, his squad’s effort on the defensive end was the difference in the third quarter and in the game. In particular, the Warriors ability to slow down Fairport’s LaShard Lowry, Jr. and Aidan White.
“Those two can control a whole game,” the fifth-year head coach said. “We had to give everything we had to make sure they didn’t do just that, control the game.”
Lowry scored 23 points in the Red Raiders’ win over Rush-Henrietta on Friday. White added 16 in that game.
“We knew if we could take away those two guys, we would give ourselves more than a fighting chance,” Stokelin said. “We worked on it in practice, Monday. We worked on it Tuesday, and they just applied. They just applied everything we went over the last two days. I couldn’t be any prouder of them.”
Lowry received plenty of attention throughout Wednesday’s contest with the Warriors backcourt combining to limit the junior point guard’s open looks.
“Gang defense,” Stokelin said. “They still have other great role players, and they showed what they can do. We had to make sure they didn’t become stars in their roles.”
Schroeder’s Jack Kelly led all scorers with 20 points and grabbed 12 rebounds in the win. The junior guard/forward hit a pair of three-pointers and scored 15 in the first half. Aydin Stephens added 13 points. Jacob Insley (7), Connor Fulkerson (7) and Joseph DiMarco also scored for Schroeder (1-1).
Aydin Stephens buries a 3 at one end and grabs a board at the other. pic.twitter.com/ZcrHXe7gjf
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) December 7, 2023
Drew Sisson led Fairport (1-1) with 16 points. White had 12. Alex Grejda accounted for 10 points. Lowry (8), Will Stanek (3) and Landon Brunken (2) also scored for the Red Raiders.
Sisson nailed a triple off an inbound play and Lowry finished in the lane to pull Fairport within four at 28-24 heading into halftime. White’s free throw-line jumper made it a 29-26 game early in the third. It was as close as Fairport would get for the remainder of the night.
Aidan White hits the free-throw line jumper. pic.twitter.com/ULHmqgV1xF
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) December 7, 2023
Schroeder opened the season with a 66-50 road loss to Williamsville South of Section VI.
“There was not an hour-and-a-half bus drive tonight,” Stokelin said. “That’s a big difference.”
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