One team is making a second straight trip to the state semis. The other hasn’t played on the final weekend of the season in more than four decades. Section V champion Aquinas and Section IX’s Warwick meet on Saturday in the NYS Class AA semifinal. Here’s the breakdown:
AQUINAS LI’L IRISH
(23-1/Section V/Private-Parochial/No. 3 NYSSWA)
vs.
WARWICK WILDCATS
(21-1/Section IX/Orange County II/No. 10 NYSSWA)
Saturday, Hudson Valley Community College, Troy 11:45 a.m.
VIEW MORE PHOTOS FROM LAURA ACCIAIO.
How they arrived here: Aquinas defeated Churchville-Chili 74-47 to open the postseason and then Canandaigua (73-42), Pittsford Mendon (57-53) and Webster Schroeder (55-44) to claim the Section V Class AA title. The Li’l Irish knocked off Section VI champion, Starpoint (59-50) to reach Saturday’s semifinal matchup. Warwick started its run to the state semis with a win over Minisink Valley (58-34) before beating Walkill (35-31) and Horseheads (40-31).
Scoring offense: Aquinas (71.8), Warwick (49.8)
Scoring defense: Aquinas (52.2), Warwick (30.3)
Trends: Aquinas enters the weekend riding a 20-game win streak. The Li’l Irish, though, have faced double-digit deficits in each of their past three outings. AQ has not been held under 55 points this season. Warwick has won seven straight and not allowed an opponent to score more than 46 points during that stretch including a 53-46 win over Middletown (No. 16 NYSSWA Class AAA).
Players to watch for Aquinas: Molly O’Toole Sr. G (20.1 PPG, 6.0 RPG, 1.5 APG); Loren Green So. G (19.3 PPG, 3.0 RPG, 3.0 APG, 3.0 SPG); AJ Orr Jr. G (18.2 PPG, 6.0 RPG, 5.0 SPG); Carlé Thomas Fr. G (9.0 PPG, 2.0 RPG, 2.0 SPG); Jade Harvey So. G (5.0 PPG, 5.0 RPG); Samiyah Wright Sr. F (4.0 PPG, 9.0 RPG).
Warwick: Reese Girardi Jr.(10.0 PPG, 3.0 APG. 3.0 SPG); Kaitlyn Larney Sr. (6.0 PPG, 6.0 RPG 4.0 APG, 3.0 SPG); Angelika Quadrino Sr. (7.0 PPG, 6.0 RPG, 3.0 APG, 3.0 SPG); Emily Romig Jr. (11.0 PPG, 8.0 RPG, 2.0 SPG); Kelsey Larney So. (4.0 PPG, 3.0 RPG, 3.0 SPG); McKenzie Decker Jr. (7.0 PPG, 6.0 RPG).
Coaches: Mark Loria (Aquinas), Jim O’Brien (Warwick)
History 101: Aquinas is making its fourth state semifinal appearance in program history and second in as many years. The Li’l Irish lost to Section II champion Catholic Central (63-46) in the 2024 Class A final four. The Li’l Irish return all five starters from that team. AQ beat Hoosic Valley, 47-23 in the 2011 semis. That Li’l Irish squad lost to Irvington (91-52) in the Class B championship game. AQ girls’ basketball is 1-2 overall in state semifinal games. Warwick last reached the state semifinals in 1982 when the Wildcats beat Olean (VI) for the Class B title.
What’s at stake: A spot in Sunday’s Class AA championship game against either Baldwin (VIII) or Catholic Central (II).
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