By PAUL GOTHAM
BUFFALO — A mid-March snow storm greeted the bus transporting the Fairport boys’ basketball team Friday afternoon as it traveled along New York State thruway.
Not much else slowed the Red Raiders on this day.
Fairport (22-1) sprinted out to a 23-8 advantage, led by 12 at half and didn’t allow the game to become a single-possession affair over the final 29 minutes on the way to a 66-51 win over Section VI champion, Jamestown (18-5) in the NYS Class AAA quarterfinal at Buffalo State College.
“We came out with great energy and confidence,” said head coach Scott Fitch.
Jon Roessel connected on two of his five 3-pointers in the opening quarter. The second of which staked the Red Raiders to the early 15-point advantage.
“We had a great week of practice,” Fitch said. “I felt comfortable coming in that we had prepared well. It was nice to get that buffer to start for sure.”
Roessel, who finished with 15, was one of three in double figures along with Hadi Dergham with 16 and Alex Grejda, 16 points.
The double-digit victory was the third straight in the postseason for the Red Raiders who have not allowed an opponent within 15 points in their three playoff victories.
Friday night’s win came after a six-day layoff, but the Red Raiders didn’t skip a beat once they took court.
“At the end of the year, we were banged up,” Fitch said referring to the break. “We had to get healthy. Sometimes, the time off is hard, but we really embraced it. Practices have been great. I feel like we’re still getting better.”
Noah Meabon had nine points in the win. Gannon Culver (7), Sam Roselli (3) and Trey Bauza (2) also scored.
Fairport, making its first trip to the state tournament since 2017, will play either William Floyd (XI) or Corning Painted-Post (IV) next weekend in the state semifinals.
Dominic Gonzalez led Jamestown with 15 points. Elijah Farmer had 14. The Red and Green played without starting guard Gavin Johnson. Johnson averaged 14.5 points per game.
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