One team is back in the state quarterfinals for the first time since 2017. The other program looks to three-peat as Far West Regional champs. Fairport and Jamestown are ready to go this Friday, March 13 in the Class AAA Far West Regional. Here’s the breakdown:
FAIRPORT RED RAIDERS / No. 6 NYSSWA Class AAA
(21-1 / Monroe County Division I)
vs
JAMESTOWN RED AND GREEN / No. 16 NYSSWA Class AAA
(18-4 / Erie County Interscholastic Conference Division I)
Friday March 13, Buffalo State University, 5 p.m.
VIEW MORE PHOTOS FROM STEVEN TWARDZIK.
How they arrived here: After finishing the season with just one loss, top-seeded Fairport continued its dominance with a 70-50 victory over No. 4 McQuaid Jesuit in the semifinals. In the sectional final, the Red Raiders got revenge and cruised to a 77-43 victory against the defending Class AAA champs, No. 3 Rush-Henrietta to earn a spot in the Far West Regional. Jamestown tipped off its postseason run with a 64-51 win against No. 3 Niagara Falls. In the Section VI championship, the Red and Green pulled off the upset against top-seeded Health Sciences with a 61-55 victory to reach the quarterfinals.
Scoring offense: Fairport (75.3), Jamestown (64.1)
Scoring defense: Fairport (52.5), Jamestown (49.7)
Trends: Fairport rolls into the state quarterfinal on a four-game win streak all by double-digits, scoring 70-plus points in each game while holding opponents under 60 points in that stretch as well. On the season, the Red Raiders compiled 20 wins by 10-plus points with their only loss coming to NYSSWA Class AA No. 1 Penfield on Feb. 13, 80-58. Jamestown cruises into the Far West Regional on a nine-game win streak with seven victories coming by 10 or more points. In that stretch, the Red and Green have scored at least 60 points in eight of the nine outings while holding opponents under 50 points six times. In games decided by two possessions or less this season, Jamestown is 3-0.
Players to watch for Fairport: Alex Grejda Sr. (13.0 PPG); Noah Meabon (13.0 PPG, 8.0 RPG); Hadi Dergham (13.0 PPG); Jon Roessel (9.0 PPG); Gannon Culver Sr. (8.0 PPG, 5.0 APG); Sam Roselli Sr. (8.0 PPG)
Jamestown: Dominic Gonzalez Sr. G (19.7 PPG, 80 Rebs, 81 Asts, 36 Stls, 3 Blks); Elijah Farmer Sr. G/F (16.6 PPG, 211 Rebs, 47 Asts, 36 Stls, 26 Blks); Gavin Johnson Sr. G (14.5 PPG, 81 Rebs, 48 Asts, 25 Stls, 17 Blks); Karson Milne JR. F (4.4 PPG, 120 Rebs, 19 Asts, 15 Stls, 8 Blks); Jericho Thagard Sr. G (3.6 PPG, 53 Rebs, 41 Asts, 19 Stls); Jordan Spencer Jr. G (2.8 PPG, 47 Asts, 42 Rebs, 13 Stls); Kameron Milne Jr. G (2.3 PPG)
Coaches: Scott Fitch (Fairport), Bill Miley (Jamestown)
History 101: Fairport is back in the state quarterfinal for the fourth time in program history. In its most recent matchup in 2017, the Red Raiders defeated Niagara Falls and got its other Far West Regional win in 2007 against Sweet Home. Fairport is 2-1 all time in state quarterfinal matchups. Jamestown is back in the Far West Regional for the ninth time in school history and look to achieve the three-peat as regional champions after a victory over Rush-Henrietta last year and defeating Victor in the 2024 Class AA state quarterfinal. The Red and Green are 5-3 all time in state quarterfinal appearances.
What’s at stake: A spot in the NYS semifinals against either William Floyd (XI) or Corning-Painted Post (IV).
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