Jack Leasure Shooting and Skills Camp Regional Preview: World of Inquiry and Akron battle for spot in state semis

Two programs making inaugural regional appearances meet on Friday. One squad is making a league-first appearance. World of Inquiry and Akron are set to battle for a spot in the NYS Class B semi-finals. Here’s the breakdown:

WORLD OF INQUIRY GRIFFINS (21-3)
vs.
AKRON TIGERS (23-1)
Friday, Gates Chili High School, 5:30 p.m.

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How they arrived here: Top-seeded World of Inquiry defeated Livonia (80-45) and Hornell (65-38) to reach the Section V Class B1 final. The Griffins beat Waterloo (62-53) to capture the title. WOI then topped East Rochester 61-52 to move to regionals. Akron defeated Southwester 59-30 to open up the Section VI Class B Boys’ Basketball tournament. The Tigers followed with wins over Alden (46-31), Olmsetad (49-38) and Wilson (56-28) to get here.

Scoring offense: World of Inquiry (67.7), Akron (57.5)

Scoring defense: World of Inquiry (52.8), Akron (42.7)

Trends: World of Inquiry has won seven of its last eight games including two postseason victories by 20 or more points. Akron has won 13 straight games entering the matchup.

Players to watch for World of Inquiry: Jaedon Adams–Griffin Sr. (17.3 PPG , 7.1 RPG , 4.4 APG); Kanaz Linder Sr. (18.2 PPG , nine RPG , three APG, 2.8 SPG); Junayde Dunn – Richardson Jr. (6.9 PPG, 8.3 RPG, 2.2 BPG); Curtis Bell Jr. (14.3 PPG, 3.8 RPG); Devin Dillon 8th (12 PPG, 2.4 RPG, 2.1 SPG).

Akron: Benjamin Gerstung Jr. G (14.4 PPG, 6.2 RPG, 1.1 SPG) ; Derren Brooks So. F (13.0 PPG, 10.9 RPG); Blake Gerstung Jr. G (12.7 PPG, 3.2 RPG, 1.6 SPG) ; Syras Jonathan Sr. G/F (8.3 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 1.7 SPG); Bryaden Lamont Sr. G (7.9 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 4.0 APG).

Coaches:  Willie Mason (World of Inquiry), Justin Gerstung (Akron)

History 101: First regional appearance for World of Inquiry in the 12-year history of the program which started varsity play for the 2013-14 season. The Griffins are also the first RCAC team to reach regionals since McQuaid Jesuit in 2019. Akron’s first appearance and the first time a team from Niagara-Orleans League has ever reached a regional. Akron is the only team from Niagara-Orleans league from Erie County. 

What’s at stake: Winner advances to the state semifinal to face either Marcellus (III) or Mechanicville (II).