One squad is looking for its first NYS title in 12 years. Another aims to reach the title game for the first time in program history. Elba and Northville are set to battle on Saturday for a spot in the Class D title game. Here’s the breakdown:
ELBA LANCERS (21-4 / Genesee Region II)
vs.
NORTHVILLE FALCONS (20-3 / Section II/Western)
Saturday, Hudson Valley CC, 12:30 p.m.
How they arrived here: Elba opened up sectional play with a 98-32 win over Romulus. The Lancers then beat league foes Notre Dame-Batavia 55-47 to move to the semifinals where they defeated Avoca-Prattsburgh 55-43. A 56-54 sectional championship win over Finney pushed Elba into the Far West Regional, where the Lancers beat Panama 58-47 to advance to the NYS semifinal. Northville blew out Saratoga Central Catholic (50-23), Bishop Gibbons (53-33) and Boquet Valley (60-30) en route to the semifinal.
Scoring offense: Elba (60.2), Northville (51.9)
Scoring defense: Elba (40.8), Northville (32.2)
Trends: Elba has won 12 of its last 14 games, including six straight. Northville has won 11 of the last 12.
Players to watch for Elba: Maddie Hall Jr. G 5.0 PPG, 3.0 RPG, 2.0 APG; Mariah Ognibene Jr. F 8.0 PPG, 6.0 RPG, 2.0 APG; Sydney Reilly Jr. G 22.0 PPG, 8.0 RPG, 5.0 APG; Lydia Ross So. G 14.0 PPG, 3.0 RPG, 3.0 APG.
Northville: Hailey Monroe Jr. 25.3 PPG, 5.9 RPG, 3.7 APG, 5.8 SPG; Keria Mackey So. 9.4 PPG.
Coaches: Charlie Pangrazio (Elba), Jim Zullo (Northville)
History 101: Elba is coming off its first regional win since its 2012 state championship. The Lancers won six sectional titles since 2012, but fell before making the state semifinals. Northville is looking to make its first appearance in the NYS final in program history. First-year head coach Jim Zullo has over 500 wins coaching boys’ basketball and won the 1987 Class A Boys’ NYS championship with Shenendehowa.
What’s at stake: A spot in the NYS Class D final against either Cherry Valley-Springfield (IV) or Hammond (X).
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