By PAUL GOTHAM
WEBSTER, N.Y. — Josh Shadders scored six of his team-high 21 points in the fourth quarter, and top-seeded Pittsford Mendon defeated No. 4 Gates Chili, 56-54 in Section V Class AA2 semifinal action from Webster Schroeder High School, Tuesday night.
Shadders gave the Vikings some breathing room with a 3-pointer for a 52-48 lead with 4:14 left in the game. The senior guard/forward then converted 1-of-2 free throws with 15.1 on the clock for the final margin of victory.
“The boys played their hearts out,” said Mendon head coach Bob Nally. “They played great. They played defense. Gates is a great team. To hold them to 54 points is a good effort. They average in the 60s.”
Tied at 42 late in the third quarter, Shadders connected from distance to give Mendon a lead it did not surrender at 45-42.
After Tremier Lewis opened the fourth quarter with a one-handed slam in transition, Shadders had the response with a bucket off the dribble.
Trevor Nally led John Leitner for a basket before Shadders his next 3 for the four-point Mendon advantage.
A year ago, Gates Chili ended Mendon’s season in the quarterfinals. The Vikings were intent on not letting history repeat.
“They’ve been working really hard since our Gates Chili game last year. They wanted to get to Blue Cross this year. This team has a lot of experience. We’ve got new blood, but we’ve got experience.”
Mendon made a defensive stand on the last possession of the contest, keeping Gates and in particular Joey Vigerzi from changing the outcome.
“On a bad shooting night, the guys stuck to their guns on defense and ultimately that’s what won it for us down the stretch. We did it with defense.”
Vigerzi matched Shadders with 21 points on the night.
“We did not want to foul especially on a three-point shot. They were in the bonus. We were going to switch and make it tough for him to get it.”
Trevor Nally had 12 points in the win. Amari Coleman added eight.
Mendon will face No. 3 Greece Athena in Saturday’s championship game.
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