News > Boys Varsity
02/18/06
Fairport looks for end to 31-year dry spell
James Johnson
Staff writer
(February 18, 2006) — The Fairport Red Raiders can say, "We're No. 1" before Section V's upcoming Class AAA Boys Basketball Tournament.
An unbeaten record against area teams, including wins over City-Catholic champion East and Monroe County league rival Rush-Henrietta, helped Fairport (17-1) earn the No. 1 seed in AAA.
What the Red Raiders really want is to chant, "We're No. 1" after the tournament final, March 4 at Blue Cross Arena. No Fairport team has done that at the Rochester Community War Memorial in 31 years.
"There's definitely a lot of excitement,'' Fairport coach Scott Fitch said. "We're glad that we're the No. 1 seed.
"There's no reason why we can't do it, but you still need a lot of things to go your way.''
Fairport has reached sectional finals three of the last four seasons.
"My first three years we made the finals and played three different teams,'' Fitch said. "We just couldn't win it.''Democrat and Chronicle file photo
Scott Fitch has coached No. 1 seedFairport (17-1) to the finals three of the
last four seasons.
This year's version of the Red Raiders seem capable.
They have allowed opponents to score an average of 48.4 points a game. No team has scored 65 points against the Red Raiders all season.
Cory Magee, a 6-foot-8 senior who has committed to Division I Canisius College, gives Fairport a strong rebounder and shot changer near the basket.
Corey McAdam is a true point guard who has picked up his scoring lately.
McAdam, a senior who averages 17 points a game, scored 20 or more in Fairport's final three regular- season games against Rush-Henrietta, Penfield and Churchville-Chili.
Fairport's lone loss was in December against defending state champion Niagara Falls. The Red Raiders have won all 15 of their games since, including a 56-55 win Jan. 16 over East at the War Memorial.
"We haven't stayed stagnant,'' Fitch said. "We've kept improving.
"When you start coasting, that's when you can feel pressure.''
No. 2 seed Rush-Henrietta (15-3) and No. 3 East (17-3) could meet in the semifinals if each team advances. Fairport could face No. 4 Gates Chili (10-8) or No. 5 Webster Schroeder (10-8) if it makes it to the sectional final four.
The Red Raiders could be in position to end their wait for a new Section V trophy, something that Irondequoit knows about. Irondequoit's 1945 version of the prize is a lot smaller than the current ones. The Eagles (15-3) go for an upgrade as the top seed in Class AA.
Section V's last unbeaten boys team through Jan. 5, Irondequoit won a share of Monroe County's Division II title after a 10-10 finish last season.
This with a lineup without a player taller than 6-3 senior Dan Foley. What the Eagles have is a chemistry that first began to bubble up in area summer leagues.
They also have guards Cory Humphries (18 ppg.) and Rashaad Stokelin to lead Irondequoit's barrage of 3-point shots.
The Eagles took off to a 6-0 start after an 11-point win over highly regarded Wilson in their season opener.
"I was a little apprehensive because we're not the biggest team,'' Irondequoit coach Chris Cardon said. "We thought that we would have a good year. (The players) were very motivated.
"These guys give you what they can. It's almost like Villanova. We have problems matching up but we can be tough to match up with, too.''
The Eagles could have a bumpy path through the tournament, with league rivals Greece Athena (1992) and Webster Thomas (1983) capable of ending their long waits for a new sectional trophy.
East Rochester came close last year to winning its first title since 1963, but probably played its worst game of the season during a 42-23 loss to Campbell-Savona in the CC final.
The Bombers (16-3) are back, this time as the No. 1 seed in Class CCC, Wayne County's Division II champions and four players with double-digit scoring averages.
East Rochester's only losses are to state champion Sodus by one point, Lyons by four and by five to Class CC No. 1 seed Freddie Thomas.
JAMESJ@DemocratandChronicle.com
