Jack Leasure Shooting and Skills Camp Far West Regional preview: Notre Dame-Batavia and Sherman set to battle for spot in state semis

Familiar foes will meet in the NYS Class D quarterfinal when Section V champion Notre Dame-Batavia faces the Section VI victors, Sherman. Here’s the breakdown:

NOTRE DAME-BATAVIA FIGHTING IRISH/NO. 5 NYSSWA
(18-5/Genesee Region II)
vs.
SHERMAN WILDCATS / NO. 8 NYSSWA
(14-9/CCAA 2)
Saturday, Finger Lakes Community College, 6:00 PM

VIEW MORE PHOTOS FROM STEVEN TWARDZIK.

How they arrived here: Notre Dame-Batavia defeated Mount Morris (67-33), C.G. Finney (53-35) and Elba (49-35) in the sectional championship to get here. Sherman upset No. 1 Panama in the first round of sectionals (46-37), then topped No. 3 Forestville (63-48) to make the Far West Regional.

Scoring offense: Notre Dame-Batavia (59.7), Sherman (39.2)

Scoring defense: Notre Dame-Batavia (61.6), Sherman (38.6)

Tempo and trends: Notre Dame-Batavia has won six straight, all by double-digits, heading into the matchup. Sherman has won four straight coming into the game.

Players to watch for Notre Dame-Batavia: Sofia Falleti Jr. (20.4 PPG, 9.5 RPG, 2.75 APG, 3.4 SPG, 2.8 BPG); Shirley Thompson 9th (14.3 PPG, 5.25 RPG, 2.0 APG, 3.1 SPG); Gianna Falleti Sr. (6.8 PPG, 3.2 RPG, 2 APG, 4 SPG); Quinn Boardman 9th (6.6 PPG, 6.2 RPG, 1.3 SPG); Clairissa Milliman Sr. (5.1 PPG, 3.5 APG, 4 SPG).

Sherman: Baya Oehlbeck So. (13.8 PPG, 2.1 APG, 3.0 RPG, 3.0 SPG); Emmersen Crawford So. (12.5 PPG, 2.3 APG, 5.5 RPG, 2.8 SPG); Carlie Gable Jr. (5.7 PPG, 2.6 APG, 3.5 RPG, 2.0 SPG); Jayne Chambers So. (3.4 PPG, 3.3 RPG, 1.5 SPG); Ava-Kay Irwin Fr. (3.1 PPG, 2.1 RPG, 1.4 SPG).

Coaches: Vinny Falleti (Notre Dame-Batavia); Emily Eckwahl (Sherman)

History 101: Saturday will mark the fifth meeting in the state quarterfinals between these two teams. Notre Dame-Batavia holds a 3-1 advantage in those matchups including the 2013 game when the Fighting Irish went on to win the NYS Class D championship. ND-B also topped Sherman in 2006 and 2002. Notre Dame is 3-3 in regional games since 2002. Sherman took the most recent meeting between the two – a 35-25 decision in 2022. The Wildcats are making their second straight and ninth overall state quarterfinal appearance since 2002. They are 2-6 in those games with a win over Jasper-Troupsburg in 2009.

What’s at stake: The winner advances to the New York State semi-finals to face either Copenhagen (III) or Stamford (IV).