Jack Leasure Shooting and Skills Camp Regional Preview: Hornell meets Salamanca for spot in state semifinal

Section V’s representative got its first taste of regional play a year ago but came up short. Section VI’s squad has gotten hot at the right time. Hornell and Salamanca face off for a spot in the state semifinal. Here’s the breakdown:

HORNELL RED RAIDERS (20-3 / Livingston County Division I)
vs.
SALAMANCA WARRIORS (18-6 / Chautauqua-Cattaraugus – Division I)
Saturday, Buffalo State, 2:00 p.m.

How they arrived here: Hornell topped Livonia 58-38 to open their Class B1 tournament and followed that up with a 62-26 win over Penn Yan. The Red Raiders topped Mynderse 36-27 to win the Section V Class B1 tournament. In the regional qualifier, Hornell downed Lyons 76-44. Salamanca collected post-season wins over Royalton-Hartland (68-40) and Eden (56-34) before dropping Wilson in the sectional championship (51-32). To reach the state quarterfinals, the Warriors beat Newfane 40-34.

Scoring offense: Hornell (60.9), Salamanca (46.3)

Scoring defense: Hornell (43.8), Salamanca (37.2)

Trends: Hornell has won six in a row and nine out of its last ten games. Four of those wins have come by at least 30 points. Salamanca is on a nine-game winning streak. On their sectionals run, the Warriors outscored all opponents by 19 or more.

Players to watch for Hornell: Jordyn Dyring Jr. G (17.2 PPG 3.3 RPG, 2.6 APG, 2.3 SPG); Selena Maldonado Jr. G (12.9 PPG, 6.2 RPG, 4.3 APG, 4.0 SPG); Raegan Evingham So. F (9.8 PPG 7.8 RPG 4.0 SPG. 3.2 APG); Payton Bentley Jr F. (10.3 PPG, 7.8 RPG, 3.6 BPG, 1.2 SPG); Mia Nasca Jr. G (3.3 PPG 3.2 RPG 3.0 APG, 2 SPG); A’Jonay Hawkins Jr. F (2.9 PPG 3.6 RPG).

Salamanca: Leilene McComber Jr. G (12.7 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 2.7 SPG); Maliyah Foster Fr. G (8.7 PPG, 3.2 RPG, 1.5 SPG); Makenzie Crouse Jr. C/F (7.5 PPG, 7.8 RPG, 2.5 BPG, two SPG); Skyla Dowdy Sr. G (7.1 PPG, 2.5 RPG, 2.5 SPG); Kynleigh Wass Fr. PG (4.5 PPG, 3.1 APG, 4.3 RPG, 1.2 SPG).

Coaches: Jim Dagon (Hornell), Joe Hinman (Salamanca)

History 101: Last year, Hornell narrowly lost its first program regional championship appearance, 63-61 to Southwestern. The Red Raiders are winners of three straight sectional titles. Salamanca is making its second regional appearance since 2002. The Warriors lost (58-40) to eventual state champion, Nazareth in 2009.

What’s at stake: The winner advances to face either Yonkers Montessori Academy (I) or Chenango Forks (IV) in the state semifinals.