News > Boys Varsity > Section V Capsules
02.16.08
Section V boys basketball capsules
(February 16, 2008) — Class AAA
Top seed: Fairport. Defending champ: Fairport.
Contenders: No. 2 Rush-Henrietta, No. 3 Gates Chili.Outlook: This is western New York, so to say R-H is on the brink of being the Buffalo Bills of Section V basketball is, well, a layup. Coach Chris Reed's Comets have lost three straight title games, including two in a row to Monroe County rival Fairport. They also lost in 2005 to East, a year after winning their last crown in 2004 by beating Fairport. But this winter R-H beat Fairport twice in the regular season — 67-47 on Dec. 21 and 81-76 in overtime on Jan. 30 — scores that suggest coach Scott Fitch's club hasn't found a way (yet) to stop R-H. If it's not R-H vs. Fairport, with their star players (Dane Miller and Kyle Downey), squaring off on March 1 for a fourth straight year, lots of people will be surprised.
Class AA
Top seed: East High.
Defending champion: Greece Athena.
Contenders: No. 2 Athena, No. 3 Wilson.Outlook: In order to three-peat, Athena will probably have to knock off East, the top squad in the Democrat and Chronicle coaches' poll all season. While Athena hasn't faced anyone with as many weapons or speed, the Trojans are a team with pieces that fit together. Last year's tourney MVP, Kourtney Goff, and Mike Palermo give them a slashing playmaker and shooter in the backcourt, and with 6-foot-8 Brian Benson and 6-6 R.J. Kalb there's plenty of size to keep the Orientals on the perimeter. A showdown with East will hinge on limiting turnovers and defense.
Class A
Top seed: Newark. Defending champ: Aquinas.
Contenders: No. 2 Batavia, No. 4 Pittsford Sutherland, No. 5 Aquinas.Outlook: Don't expect this year's favorites — Newark and Batavia — to look past anyone. Each was stunned in the first round last year, losing on its home floor. But land mines are everywhere. Marshall, which took Aquinas to OT last year in the quarterfinals, could test Batavia in the quarters, and the likely survivor of Sutherland and Aquinas will have momentum in a possible semifinal vs. Newark. Javon McCrea, a 6-8 sophomore, is a strong finisher and point man Tyshun Stephens a solid floor general for the Reds.
Class BB
Top seed: Charlotte.
Defending champion: Charlotte.
Contenders: No. 2 Hornell, No. 3 Attica, No. 6 Freddie Thomas.Outlook: A Lakesiders' repeat is possible, especially since they should cruise to the final and coach Jeff Curtis' club can hurt teams inside and out or in an up-tempo or half-court game. All-Greater Rochester forward Terrell Moore (12 ppg, 13.5 rpg) is a horse down low, while guards Jordan Major (19.5 ppg), Gerald Williams (11.2) and Bradley Griffin (11.5) and forward Remington Glenn (9 ppg, 10 rpg) spark a swift attack.
Class B
Top seed: Bishop Kearney. Defending champion: Kearney.
Contenders: No. 2 Wellsville, No. 3 Mynderse.Outlook: The Kings, a No. 3 seed last year and No. 5 in 2006, are the pick here to three-peat as the No. 1 seed, especially since this regular season they won on the road at Mynderse and beat Wellsville, last year's runner-up, handily. Coach Jon Boone counts on 6-3 sophomores Roderick Gray (17 ppg) and Blair Roberts (10.2 ppg) and senior guard Chris Washington (13 ppg).
Class CC
Top seed: Avon.
Defending champion: Gananda.
Contenders: No. 2 East Rochester, No. 3 Oakfield-Alabama.Outlook: This could be an intriguing class, as ER tries again to end a 45-year sectional drought and Avon attempts to complete its dream season of going unbeaten. ER got a scare this week when senior point guard Sean Michele, who along with Anthony Danizio, gives the Bombers a speedy backcourt and about 40 points per game, pulled a muscle near his right (shooting) wrist. But his father and coach, Mark Michele, said the heady floor general should be OK. Letchworth, which lost 49-46 to Avon, could be a quarterfinal test. ER lost in the finals in 2005 and '06 to eventual state champion Campbell-Savona. Avon, meanwhile, relies on 6-4 center Matt McBride (12 ppg, 10 rpg) and 6-3 Matt Phillips (10 ppg) down low. "We don't have anyone as quick (as ER's guards)," first-year Avon coach Rob Fries said. "That's hard to simulate in practice."
Class C
Top seed: Harley Allendale-Columbia. Defending champion: Red Jacket.
Contenders: No. 2 Dundee, No. 3 Red Jacket, No. 4 Wheatland-Chili.Outlook: H-AC may have to dodge a good dose of revenge to win its first title since 2004. The Wolves eliminated Wheatland-Chili, which has 6-3 Alex Williams (double-doubles in every game this winter), the past two years. H-AC also topped Dundee and Red Jacket twice this season in Finger Lakes West play. Second-year coach Kevin Gibbs returned all five starters from last year at H-AC, which is led by 6-7 senior Anthony Simmons (18.1 ppg, 12 rpg, 3.1 blocks), and guards Santino Cinotti (16.1 ppg) and Jonny Benjamin (15.2 ppg, 5 apg).
Class DD
Top seed: Batavia Notre Dame.
Defending champion: Finney.
Contenders: No. 2 Jasper-Troupsburg, No. 3 Fillmore.Outlook: Notre Dame, which most likely faces two-time defending champion Finney in the quarterfinals, hasn't won a title since 2001 — a drought by its standards. The Fighting Irish are led by 6-4 senior forward Chris Bochicchio and junior guard Kevin Francis.
Class D
Top seed: Prattsburgh.
Defending champion: Whitesville.
Contenders: No. 2 Northstar Christian, No. 3 Houghton.Outlook: The top-seeded Vikings have the chance to write a pretty special script for their veteran coach, Jim Burke. He has 497 career wins. If Prattsburgh can reach the title game and win it, Burke's stage for No. 500 would be an 11:30 a.m. game at Blue Cross Arena at the Community War Memorial on March 1. Northstar, powered by talented post man Jaanai Beckford, could be there waiting.