By BILLY HEYEN ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Penfield head coach Mark Vogt had barely hoisted the Class AA Section V championship trophy before Emma Blumenstock snuck in from behind, grabbed it and took off running. Her Patriots teammates followed as they set up in front of their families in the bleachers for a second hopping, celebratory huddle in a handful of minutes. Everyone wanted to … [Read more...] about ‘Everyone doubted us’: Penfield validates self-belief to win Class AA sectional title
Pittsford Mendon’s balance sends Vikings to Class A1 sectional final
By BILLY HEYEN PITTSFORD, N.Y. — Pittsford Mendon’s Jackson Green ran back in transition and waited beneath the basket. Leadership’s Rayshawn Boyd gathered a loose ball and rose up into Green, who stretched his right hand in the air to deny the initial attempt. It fell right back to Boyd, who tried once more. This time, Green swung his right arm and swatted the ball out of … [Read more...] about Pittsford Mendon’s balance sends Vikings to Class A1 sectional final
Heyen: Reflecting on Section V’s view of March 11, 2020
By BILLY HEYEN On March 11, 2020, before covering a regional qualifier basketball game between East and Eastridge, I went to Wegmans and bought toilet paper. It wasn’t my only purchase, by any means — also included in the cart was a bulk container of Goldfish crackers, along with a box of Nilla Wafers that sat unopened for months — but toilet paper is the grocery item that … [Read more...] about Heyen: Reflecting on Section V’s view of March 11, 2020
Ella Fadale leads Brockport to Class A sectional final
By BILLY HEYEN CANANDAIGUA, N.Y. — When the final buzzer sounded Wednesday night, Brockport’s reserves ran to center court to meet Ella Fadale. Surrounding their point guard, the Blue Devils jumped up and down for nearly 10 seconds. The first to break from the huddle was Fadale, who in the leaping had her mask slide down onto her chin. She pushed it back onto her face … [Read more...] about Ella Fadale leads Brockport to Class A sectional final
Bishop Kearney escapes upset bid to reach 11th consecutive sectional final
By BILLY HEYEN ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Bishop Kearney led by two points in a game that, for the last decade, BK has won. About a minute remained, and Webster Schroeder had a chance to tie. Kaia Goode had other ideas, though. She jumped a pass toward the top of the key and tipped it down the court with her right hand before chasing it down and finishing in transition. The next … [Read more...] about Bishop Kearney escapes upset bid to reach 11th consecutive sectional final