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Honeoye holds off reigning state champ Moravia, clinches spot in Class C final

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Honeoye’s Dylan Washburn (1) uses a Braiden Schneider (4) ball screen to attack the paint off the dribble. Honeoye defeated reigning state champion Moravia, 63-55 in the NYSPHSAA Class C semifinal. (Photo courtesy of Honeoye Central Schools)

By PAUL GOTHAM

BINGHAMTON, N.Y. — Braiden Schneider scored 10 of his 14 points in the fourth quarter, and Honeoye boys’ basketball held off a late push to defeat reigning state champion, Moravia, 63-55 in the New York State Public High School Athletic Association Class C semifinals, Friday at Visions Veterans Memorial Arena.

With the win, Honeoye boys’ basketball advanced to the state final for the first time in program history.

Schneider, who entered action averaging 7.8 points per game, connected four times from the floor and converted 2-of-2 free throws over the final eight minutes.

He credited Honeoye Athletic Director, Mark Pulver with motivation at halftime.

“I walked over to him,” Schneider said recalling as he came out of the locker room for the third quarter. “He told me to ‘Pick it up, wake up.’ I went out there and did the best I could.”

Schneider got ahead of the defense and took a long lead pass from teammate Landon Washburn for a layup to match the Bulldogs’ largest lead of the game at 44-32.

The sophomore guard then grabbed an offensive rebound and converted with contact for an emphatic basket.

“He’s not the tallest guy out there,” said seventh-year head coach Robb Delisanti. “He’s very athletic, can jump and has a knack for the ball. He’s a special player and a special kid.”

Schneider scored on another putback for a 51-39 Honeoye lead.

“It’s amazing,” he said of the win. “I’m so happy.”

Washburn scored 18 of his game-high 27 points in the first half. Despite the sophomore guard’s efforts, the Bulldogs lead was single digits and that took a drive and finish with a euro step from Dylan Washburn to give Honeoye a 28-23 lead heading into the break.

The Bulldogs (25-1) came out and scored on six of their first nine possessions of the third quarter.

“We made some adjustments at halftime,” Delisanti said. “They play a very good 2-3 (zone defense). They extend it. We call it the window area (space between the guards and front court). Getting the guy higher up on the window and then getting the ball inside.

“We’re an okay 3-point shooting team, but we’re better when we’re driving to the basket and getting the ball inside.”

Moravia (21-2) rallied.

Joe Baylor hit from distance to pull the Blue Devils within five at 58-53 with less than a minute remaining.

Landon Washburn and Dylan Washburn connected on pairs of free throws. Eli Stumbo hit 1-of-2 from the stripe with 8.9 seconds remaining.

“It was a team effort, for sure,” said Delisanti. “Everybody was cheering on the bench, yelling out where their shooters were.”

Landon Washburn had 13 rebounds, eight steals and four assists. Owen Cuba finished with nine points and eight rebounds. Cuba fouled out with 1:46 remaining in the game.

Owen Reynolds accounted for six points and four rebounds.

Baylor paced Moravia with 24 points along with eight rebounds. Jairen Francis had 13 points and seven rebounds.

Honeoye will face Section II champion Berne-Knox-Westerlo (25-0) which defeated Tuckahoe (I), 71-46.

A 7:45 p.m. tip-off is scheduled on Saturday.

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