by TYLER HATHAWAY
CANANDAIGUA, N.Y– Landon Washburn scored a game-high 28 points, and Dylan Washburn added 16 as the pair combined to score 29 of Honeoye’s 37 second-half points and the No. 2 seed Bulldogs (No. 2 NYSSWA Class C) won 60-53 over No. 6 seed Notre Dame Batavia at Finger Lakes Community College on Monday night.
“Hats off to Notre Dame Batavia,” said Honeoye head coach Robb Delisanti. “They played extremely hard, extremely physical.”
The second half success came after a first half riddled with turnovers and missed shots by both teams that ended with Honeoye leading 23-21.
“We were settling for too many outside shots in the first half, but I think the key was in the second half we started getting the ball inside, and getting them in foul trouble,” said Delisanti.
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After the Fighting Irish scored the opening points of the third quarter, the Bulldogs got a three-pointer from Kyle Schmitt and back-to-back baskets from Landon Washburn to force Notre Dame Batavia into a timeout. Honeoye ended up outscoring the Irish 21-12 in the frame.
“They responded very well,” Delisanti said of his players. “We made a couple adjustments (at halftime), and they were the difference in the second half.”
“We were able to get inside the paint more,” said Landon Washburn. “We also knew that most of our issues in the first half were because of us. We stopped turning the ball over as much and we were able to get inside more.”
The Washburn brothers took the game over with around four minutes left in the third quarter, with the two combining to score the team’s final 21 points. Dylan closed the quarter out with five points by getting to the paint and drawing contact, helping the Bulldogs enter the fourth with a nine-point lead.
“He loves these kind of moments in big games,” said Delisanti. “He was playing a bit sluggish or passive in the first half, but he picked it up in the second half.”
“I was just trying to get inside and attack down low because I knew their bigs were in foul trouble,” said Dylan Washburn.
It was Landon’s turn when the fourth quarter began, converting an and-one layup, a transition finish, and a pull-up three-pointer from NBA range to make it 52-43 at the halfway point of the frame. He had multiple rebounds and blocked shots on defense throughout the half as well to help Honeoye preserve its lead.
“He just does it all,” said Delisanti. “He gets a ton of accolades for his scoring, but I don’t think people realize how well he rebounds and plays defense. He’s an incredible player, and an incredible kid.”
“We just wanted it more,” Landon Washburn said of what the difference was down the stretch. “It was a battle of who wanted it more. Notre Dame is a great team but we just kept fighting.”
In the final moments, each Washburn brother had a layup, with Dylan adding a pair of free throws that sealed what is Honeoye’s 13th straight victory.
“We knew that it was going to be tough,” he said of the game. “It feels good to get it done.”
“To win games deep into March, you got to be able to win in the half court,” said Delisanti. “I don’t know if we’ll face a more physical or better defensive team than Notre Dame tonight. I think that will really help us going forward.”
“We know that there’s no easy games left at this point of the season,” said Landon Washburn. “There’s not going to be any more blowouts, every game is going to be like this one and we’re going to have to work hard to win each one.”
The Bulldogs are looking to win their second straight sectional title after taking home the C3 crown a season ago, a year that ended in the NYS Class C title game.
“It helps a lot,” Delisanti said of the experience gained a year ago. “I think scouting wise as we went further last year, it was a good learning experience for me because we’ve never been that far. So we’re spending more time in film, learning the other teams. I think last year, and playing in big crowds like tonight has been invaluable.”
Schmitt finished with eight points. Braiden Schneider added five points. Eli Stumbo knocked down a three-pointer.
“We were dogs tonight,” said Landon Washburn of his team’s effort. “It’s in our schools nickname for a reason. We just fought hard and I’m proud that we got it done.”
Matthew McCulley finished with 16 points, two rebounds, two steals, and two blocks for Notre Dame Batavia (18-5). Chase Antinore totaled 14 points, six steals, and five rebounds. Finn Davies scored eight points, had three rebounds, and four blocks. TJ Cephus had six points, six assists, and two rebounds. Carter Suro scored five points and had two steals. Eli Corcoran turned in two points, a block, and a steal. Mackoy Hall had two points and a rebound.
Honeoye will face No. 8 seed York, the defending Class C2 champion, in the title game Saturday at 7:00 at Blue Cross Arena.
“If we’re going to win, it’s going to be because of our defense and our rebounding,” said Delisanti of the title game. “Our offense has been pretty consistent, but the games we win are when we buckle down on defense.”
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