By PAUL GOTHAM
A pair of matchups pitting state-ranked teams will give local fans an idea where contenders stand as Section V Girls’ Basketball approaches the playoffs next month.
Reigning state champion Webster Schroeder (No. 13) welcomes Hilton (No. 9) in a Class AA battle while Class B rivals Dansville (No. 7) and Livonia ( No. 21) meet to open a weekend in which 16 of the 21 local squads listed among the best in this week’s New York State Sportswriters Association (NYSSWA) polls will take to the floor.
Both Schroeder (7-3) and Hilton (7-2) enter play on Friday coming off wins earlier this week over fellow state-ranked teams.
Schroeder edged Canandaigua (No. 15/AA), 57-56 on Wednesday. That same night, Hilton brought down the hammer in a convincing 74-32 win over previously unbeaten Victor (No. 5/AA).
It may be easy to forget that Schroeder is playing without Drexel University commit, Mariah Watkins. The First Team All-State performer suffered a preseason ACL injury that will sideline the senior guard for the duration of the 2023-24 campaign. The Warriors have filled the gaps by committee. Younger sister, Bria Watkins has stepped up on several nights, but in Wednesday’s win it was Ava Gallup who posted a game-high 15 points. Sarah Ferruzza has also taken her turn with team-high honors for the Warriors.
Schroeder scores nearly 57 points per game while allowing 45.9.
Similar to Schroeder, Hilton nipped Canandaigua, 60-58 in the season opener, but the Cadets win over Victor counters Schroeder’s loss at home to the Blue Devils in early December.
Mallory Heise scored 28 points in the win over Victor. Ella Clark and Leah Thompson have shared the load in leading Hilton. The Cadets score 55.0 points per game while giving up 52.2.
This is the second of three-straight games Hilton will play against teams ranked in this week’s polls. The Cadets travel to Canandaigua next week.
Schroeder and Hilton will meet again on February 13th.
A 7:15 PM tip-off is slated at Schroeder this Friday.
Dansville (10-2) hosts the first of two meetings with Livonia (5-4) in a Livingston County Athletic Association Division I matchup, Friday night.
Dansville has won three straight games. The Mustangs score 54.1 points per game while holding opponents to 35.7. Livonia is looking to put together back-to-back wins after dropping decisions to Our Lady of Mercy (Class A) and Eastridge (No. 25/Class A). The Bulldogs score 49.1 points while limiting opponents to 42.3 points per game.
A 7 PM start time is scheduled at Dansville.
Other state-ranked teams in action this weekend:
Class AA
Bishop Kearney (No. 3/4-2) vs. Bethlehem at Cicero-North Syracuse, Saturday 2:00 PM
Victor (No. 5/10-1) vs. Webster Thomas, Friday 7:15 PM
Canandaigua (No. 15/5-4) vs. Fairport, Friday 7:15 PM
Class A
Aquinas (No. 4/7-2) vs. Christian Brothers Academy (Syracuse), Saturday 1:30 PM
Palmyra-Macedon (No. 10/6-1) vs. Penn Yan, Friday 7:30 PM
Eastridge (No. 25/7-3) at Batavia, Saturday 1:00 PM
Class B
Hornell (No. 1/6-1) vs. Wellsville, Friday 6:15 PM at Alfred State College
Mynderse (No. 22/7-2) at Midlakes, Friday 7:30 PM
Class C
Keshequa (No. 5/9-1) vs. Perry, Friday 7:00 PM
Alexander (No. 17/8-2) at Byron-Bergen, Friday 7:00 PM
Dundee/Bradford (No. 20/9-0) at South Seneca, Friday 7:00 PM
Class D
Elba (No. 8/8-2) vs. Pembroke, Friday 7:00 PM
State-ranked teams not in action this weekend: Pittsford Sutherland (No. 8 Class A/8-1), Gananda (No. 4 Class C/7-1), East Rochester (No. 7 Class C/9-2), Oakfield-Alabama (No. 13 Class C/9-1) and Caledonia-Mumford (No. 18 Class C/8-2).
BARKLEY SHOWCASE
Friday’s Hornell – Wellsville matchup is a part of the much-anticipated eighth annual event taking place at Alfred State College. For a preview of the Red Raiders’ tilt with the Lions and more click HERE.
ROSTER CHANGE
A quick glance at the lineup of the Wayne Eagles shows that Kaylee Marvin (formerly of Gananda) has transferred schools. Earlier this season, the Wheeling University commit grabbed the 1,000th rebound of her career. Marvin had already scored her 1,000th point. Can the 6-foot-2 forward adapt to the Wayne system soon enough to help the Eagles in the upcoming Class A sectionals?
Eva Jenny scored 31 points in Thursday’s win – Gananda’s third straight.
REMAINING WEEKEND SCHEDULE
FRIDAY
Wilson/Early College at Young Women’s College Prep 5:00 PM
Rochester Prep at Monroe 5:00 PM
Geneseo at Letchworth 5:30 PM
Alfred-Almond at Campbell-Savona 6:00 PM
Harley-Allendale-Columbia at Romulus 6:00 PM
Wheatland-Chili at Holley 6:00 PM
School of the Arts at C.G. Finney 6:00 PM
Wellsville at Hornell 6:15 PM
Fillmore at Hammondsport 6:30 PM
Brighton at Penfield 7:00 PM
Irondequoit at Honeoye Falls-Lima 7:00 PM
Gates Chili at Pittsford Mendon 7:00 PM
Dundee/Bradford at South Seneca 7:00 PM
Livonia at Dansville 7:00 PM
Le Roy at Warsaw 7:00 PM
Perry at Keshequa 7:00 PM
Geneva at Franklin/Northeast 7:00 PM
Pembroke at Elba 7:00 PM
Alexander at Byron-Bergen 7 PM
Attica at Lyndonville 7:00 PM
Notre Dame-Batavia at Kendall 7:00 PM
Waterloo at Avon 7:00 PM
Jordan-Elbridge (III) at Clyde-Savannah 7:00
Hilton at Webster Schroeder 7:15 PM
Webster Thomas at Victor 7:15 PM
Canandaigua at Fairport 7:15 PM
Canisteo-Greenwood at Addison 7:15 PM
Bloomfield at Honeoye 7:30 PM
Wayne at Newark 7:30 PM
Palmyra-Macedon at Penn Yan 7:30 PM
Mynderse at Midlakes 7:30 PM
Naples at Marcus Whitman 7:30 PM
SATURDAY
Wayland-Cohocton at North Rose-Wolcott 12:30 PM
Genesee Valley/Belfast at Jasper-Troupsburg 1:00 PM
Eastridge at Batavia 1:00 PM
Christian Brothers (III) at Aquinas 1:30 PM
Bishop Kearney at Bethlehem (PA)
Friendship-Scio at Lima Christian 2:00 PM
Clyde-Savannah at Weedsport (III) 2:30 PM
COACHES: To report scores and game details, please email: scores@picksplinters.com
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