Two teams that have both reached the final weekend of the season for the first time in individual program histories. Section V champion Hornell faces Section IV victors Chenango Forks with a spot in the New York State Public High School Athletic Association Class B championship is on the line. Here’s the breakdown:
HORNELL RED RAIDERS
(21-3 / Livingston County Division I/No. 2 NYSSWA)
vs.
CHENANGO FORKS BLUE DEVILS
(20-5 / Section IV/ Southern Tier East/No. 3 NYSSWA)
Friday, Hudson Valley Community College, 11:45 a.m.
How they arrived here: Hornell topped Livonia 58-38 to open the 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) and then Salamanca (68-32) in the state quarterfinals. Chenango Forks opened the postseason with a 75-32 win over Whitney Point before beating Waverly (57-41), Susquehanna Valley (46-37) and Yonkers Montessori (56-51) to reach Friday’s semifinal.
Scoring offense: Hornell (61.8), Chenango Forks (62.4)
Scoring defense: Hornell (43.3), Chenango Forks (48.9)
Trends: Hornell has won seven straight and 10 of its last 11 games. Six of those wins, including the most recent win in the Far West Regional, have been by 30 points or more. Chenango Forks has won 12 consecutive games.
Players to watch for Hornell: Jordyn Dyring Jr. G (18.1 PPG 4.8 RPG, 2.7 APG, 2.3 SPG); Selena Maldonado Jr. G (11.3 PPG, 6.2 RPG, 5.5 APG, 4.0 SPG); Raegan Evingham So. F 10.3 PPG 8.3 RPG 4.1 SPG. 3.2 APG); Payton Bentley Jr F. (10.3 PPG, 8.4 RPG, 3.6 BPG, 1.2 SPG); Mia Nasca Jr. G (3.6 PPG 3.1 RPG 3.1 APG, 2 SPG); A’Jonay Hawkins Jr. F (2.9 PPG 3.6 RPG).
Chenango Forks: Maggie Warpus Jr. F (20.7 PPG, 12.0 RPG); Lauren Paske Sr. F (7.0 PPG, 6.7 RPG); Jordyn Ericksen-Hrehor 9th G (5.5 PPG, 4.0 RPG); Grace Harkness So. G (7.0 PPG, 3.0 RPG); Mary Pourby Jr. G (6.9 PPG, 3.6 RPG).
Coaches: Jim Dagon (Hornell), Mike Curtis (Chenango Forks)
History 101: Last year, Hornell narrowly lost in its first program regional championship appearance, 63-61 to Southwestern. The Red Raiders now have a chance to reach the state finals for the first time. Chenango Forks girls’ basketball won its first sectional last season and is also trying to reach the state finals for the first time.
What’s at stake: A spot in Saturday’s state championship game against either Cold Spring Harbor (VIII) or Voorheesville (II).
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