After winning its first sectional title in over a decade, Hilton is looking to carry its success into regionals. The only thing in between the Cadets and a state semi-final appearance is the Section VI Class AA section champion Starpoint, which has won all but one of their 22 games this season. Here’s the breakdown:
HILTON CADETS (20-4/Monroe County Division I)
vs.
STARPOINT SPARTANS (21-1/Erie County Interscholastic Conference Division II)
Friday, Finger Lakes CC, 8 p.m.
How they arrived here: Hilton defeated Wilson/Early College (65-22), Penfield (66-50) and Bishop Kearney (59-48) to advance to the Section V championship. The Cadets posted a 36-33 win over Victor in the Section V Class AA championship to clinch a spot the Far West Regional. Starpoint defeated Lockport (80-39), North Tonawanda (66-40), and Clarence (48-46) to win the Section VI title.
Scoring offense: Hilton (62.5 PPG), Starpoint (63.0 PPG)
Scoring defense: Hilton (48.7 PPG), Starpoint (37.5 PPG)
VIEW MORE PHOTOS FROM LAURA ACCIAIO.
Trends: Hilton is currently the winner of six straight games, five being double-digit victories. Starpoint has won five straight games since its lone regular season loss.
Players to watch for Hilton: Mallory Heise Jr. G 19.1 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 3.7 APG, 3.3 SPG; Ella Clark Sr. G/F 13.4 PPG, 6.3 RPG, 3.1 APG, 2.5 SPG; Leah Thompson Sr. F 7.2 PPG, 6.8 RPG, 1.1 APG; Maddie Murphy Fr. G 6.4 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 1.7 APG; Ella Simonelli Jr. F 4.4 PPG, 3.7 RPG.
Players to watch for Starpoint: Ava Anastasi Sr. G 11.5 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 2.5 SPG; Sophia Waliszewski Jr. PG 10.0 PPG, 6.0 SPG, 6.0 RPG, 4.8 APG; Madelyn Schmidt Jr. G 11.0 PPG, 6.8 RPG, 2.9 SPG; Megan Milleville Jr. C 8.2 PPG, 10.3 RPG, 2.0 SPG; Alli Milleville Jr. F 6.7 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 1.7 SPG
Coaches: Dave Heise (Hilton), Megan Reed (Starpoint)
History 101: Hilton girls are making their first regional appearance. The Cadets fell in the qualifiers in 2003 and 2011 to Greece Athena and Gates-Chili respectively. The sectional win for Starpoint was first since 1995.
What’s at stake: A spot in the Class AA state semi-finals against the winner of Central Square (III) and Averill Park (II).
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