Two teams with two different histories are set to battle for a spot in the Girls’ Class AA NYS semifinal. One squad is looking for its first championship appearance in program history. Another looks for its third title in program history and to avenge last year’s semifinal defeat. Here’s the breakdown:
HILTON CADETS (21-4 / Monroe County Division I)
vs.
AVERILL PARK WARRIORS (24-0 / Section II/Suburban)
Friday, Hudson Valley CC, 7 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 and dropped Starport (59-43) to clinch the Far West Regional. Averill Park cruised past Mohonasen (74-40), Niskayuna (59-24), Bethlehem (62-39) and Central Square (68-35) to reach the Class AA semifinal.
Scoring offense: Hilton (62.4), Averill Park (60.1)
Scoring defense: Hilton (48.5), Averill Park (33.7)
Trends: Hilton has won seven straight games, including six by double-digit margins. Averill Park has not lost this season and has been in only two contests decided by a single possession.
Players to watch for Hilton: Mallory Heise Jr. G 19.1 PPG, 5.1 RPG, 3.8 APG; Ella Clark Sr. G/F 12.9 PPG, 6.4 RPG, 3.2 APG; Leah Thompson Sr. F 7.3 PPG, 7.0 RPG, 1.0 APG; Maddie Murphy Fr. G 6.3 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 1.7 APG; Ella Simonelli Jr. F 4.3 PPG, 3.6 RPG; Elena Graziano Jr. G 3.4 PPG, 1.9 RPG, 1.0 APG.
Averill Park: Arianna Verardi Jr. G 12.9 PPG; Taylor Holohan Sr. F 18.6 PPG, 2x Suburban Most Valuable Player; Kayleigh Ahern Jr. G 10.3 PPG;
Coaches: Dave Heise (Hilton), Sean Organ (Averill Park)
History 101: Hilton is looking for its first NYS title in program history. The Cadets are coming off their first sectional title since 2011 and first regional title in program history. Section V holds the previous two NYS titles for the Girls’ Class AA division with Webster Schroeder winning the 2023 title and Bishop Kearney taking the 2022 championship. Averill Park aims for its third state championship in program history and second in the last three years. The Warriors are looking to avenge their 47-42 loss to eventual state Class A champ, Walter Panas (I).
What’s at stake: A spot in the NYS Class AA final against the winner of Albertus Magnus (I) and East Meadow (VIII).
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