By PAUL GOTHAM
FAIRPORT, N.Y. — Aidan White poured in a career-high 36 points including 14 in the fourth quarter when Fairport pulled away from a one-possession battle to win for the sixth time in the past seven games.
With Fairport clinging to a 55-54 lead after three quarters of play, White scored the Red Raiders’ first 10 points of the final frame. The senior forward finished a pair of baskets in the lane before knocking down a 3-pointer. He converted 1-of-2 from the free throw line then grabbed his own rebound and hit a putback for a 67-61 lead.
“These are the games that as a high school player and a coach you dream of being in,” said Fairport head coach Scott Fitch. “Two high-level teams going at it. I felt like we competed hard.”
Aidan White grabs his own miss and finishes. pic.twitter.com/ufaXvLeKcd
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) January 4, 2024
The game had eight ties and six lead changes through the first three quarters.
VIEW MORE PHOTOS FROM DENNIS JOYCE.
LaShard Lowry, Jr. gave Fairport the upper hand as the horn sounded to end the third quarter.
Seconds after Victor’s Garrett Clar converted a steal and layup for a 54-52 Blue Devil edge, Lowry took the ensuing inbound and raced along the right sideline. He split a pair of defenders with a crossover dribble and hoisted a running one-hander from 20 feet that found the bottom of the net.
Fairport (7-2) led 55-54 and did not trail again.
“I thought for LaShard to calm down and get a good shot at the end of the clock was huge,” Fitch said. “That was a big momentum shift heading into the fourth quarter.”
The loss snapped a four-game Victor (4-2) winning streak. The reigning NYS Class AA champs swept the season series from Fairport in 2022-23 including a 66-54 decision in the Section V Class AA final at the Blue Cross Arena.
Steal and layup, Garrett Clar, but LaShard Lowry, Jr. answers with 3 at the horn to give @FCSDSports a 55-54 lead heading to the fourth. pic.twitter.com/BDcM9LOkJE
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) January 4, 2024
“We had a bitter taste in our mouth for a long time,” Fitch said. “They’ve had our number here recently, so it felt good just to compete with them.”
Fairport improved to 5-0 at home on the season with an average scoring margin of 17.0 in those wins. The Red Raiders hadn’t played since December 22nd when they beat Corning (IV) at the friendly confines, 68-46.
“We’re trying to get better,” Fitch said. “We got better over the break. It was an important break for us. We didn’t have any games. The kids really stayed focused and worked hard. They got the fruit of that tonight. We’re still climbing, which is a good sign.”
Lowry had 25 points in the win. Drew Sisson scored eight while Will Stanek (3), Alex Grejda (3) and Landon Brunken (2) rounded out the scoring production for Fairport.
Owen Dake connected on a corner 3 to pull Victor within three at 69-66 with 3:21 remaining in the game.
Owen Dake buries a corner 3 to make it a one-possession game at 69-66 with 3:21 remaining. pic.twitter.com/pxtwUdKBCd
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) January 4, 2024
Clar topped the Victor scoring effort with 24 points. Griffen Hopkins added 17. RJ Johnson scored 12. Dake (7), Colin Kubrich (4), Nick Leonard (3) and Brody Burgess (2) also scored for the Blue Devils.
Victor travels to Irondequoit for a 7:15 PM tipoff on Friday. The Eagles have won three straight.
Fairport heads to Gates Chili for a 7:15 PM start on Friday.
The Blue Devils and Red Raiders will meet again on February 24th at Victor.
“These games are just fun to be a part of,” Fitch said. “We got them again. That will be a fun one as well.”
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