One team enters the title game undefeated and No. 1 in NYSSWA. Another looks to continue its quest for back-to-back state titles. Greece Athena and Victor will duel on Saturday to determine the Section V Class AA champion. Here’s the breakdown:
No. 1 GREECE ATHENA TROJANS (23-0 / Monroe County Division III / No. 1 NYSSWA Class AA)
vs.
No. 7 VICTOR BLUE DEVILS (15-8 / Monroe County Division I / No. 30 NYSSWA Class AA)
Saturday, Blue Cross Arena, 8 p.m.
How they arrived here: Top-seeded Greece Athena defeated Northeast (96-51), Brighton (79-55) and Penfield (61-57) to reach the sectional title game for the second straight year. Victor opened with a 71-49 win over Webster Thomas, before defeating number-two-seeded Hilton (58-55) and Irondequoit (86-56) to advance to the Class AA championship.
VIEW MORE PHOTOS FROM JENNIFER LAEMLEIN.
VIEW MORE PHOTOS FROM DENNIS JOYCE.
Scoring offense: Greece Athena (74.4), Victor (61.4)
Scoring defense: Greece Athena (51.9), Victor (57.8)
Trends: Greece Athena is undefeated this season and has won 18 games by at least 10 points. The Trojans have eclipsed the 70-point mark in 11 games and in four of their last five. Victor, the reigning Class AA NYS champion, has won five in a row after dropping three straight late in the season.
Players to watch for Greece Athena: Khorie Reaves Sr. G 53 percent FG, 84 percent FT, 18.1 PPG, 6.0 RPG, 4.4 APG, 2.5 SPG, 43 percent 3PT; Zee Johnson Sr. G/F 53 percent FG, 12 PPG, 4 RPG, 2.3 APG, 2.0 SPG, 33 percent 3PT; Connor Osier Sr. F 57 percent FG, 11.3 PPG, 8 RPG, two APG; I’Zayah Reaves Jr. 80 percent FT, 11.3 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 3.3 APG, two SPG 39 percent 3PT; I’Zick Reaves Jr. G 8.0 PPG, 3.0 RPG, 2.0 APG, 2.0 SPG; Ne’Sean Fowlks Jr. G 80 percent FT, 6.0 PPG, 6.0 RPG, 44 percent 3PT.
Victor: Cam Ryan Sr. 6.2 PPG, 36 percent 3PT; Nick Leonard Sr. 11.1 PPG, 6.4 RPG, 3.7 APG, 37 percent 3PT; Griffen Hopkins Jr. 13.7 PPG, 3.4 RPG, 2.3 APG, 40 percent 3PT; Garrett Clar Sr. 19.7 PPG, 5.9 RPG, 3.9 APG, 46 percent 3PT; Owen Dake Jr. 6.8 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 39 percent 3PT; RJ Johnson Fr. 5.4 PPG
Coaches: Mike Setzer (Greece Athena), Tyler Roberts (Victor)
History 101: Greece Athena is looking for its ninth sectional title in program history and first since 2015. That year, Greece Athena also boasted an undefeated record, but came one game short of a perfect season, falling to Scotia-Glenville (II) in the NYS Class A title game. Victor continues its quest for back-to-back state titles and is looking for its third sectional title in program history. The Blue Devils are making their third sectional final appearance in the last four years.
What’s at stake: Winner advances to the Class AA Far West Regional and will face the Section VI Class AA champion.
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