If defense wins championships, these 4 advancing boys basketball teams are looking strong

So they say defense wins championships?

Pittsford Mendon, Newark, Avon and Avoca-Prattsburgh can attest to that.

With a spot in the Far West Regionals on the line, each Section V boys basketball champion surrendered no more than 51 points Wednesday night.

"We knew that we were going to have to win this game with defense," Mendon coach Bob Nally said after his team's 51-37 win over East High.

The Far West Regionals, or New York State Public High School Athletic Association quarterfinals, are Saturday at Buffalo State College. Winners will advance to the state final four March 18-20 at Cool Insuring Arena in Glens Falls.

Class A

Pittsford Mendon 51, East High 37

Jackson Green did a little bit of everything for the Vikings.

Green's 18 points was a game high. The Mendon junior's 12 rebounds made it a double-double. He also also dished out five assists and blocked three shots.

What else? Green guarded East High star Damani Barley, limiting the Division I prospect to 13 points with assistance from solid helpside defensive rotations.

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As for team defense, coach Bob Nally's Vikings surrendered just 14 second half points during Wednesday's final at Gates-Chili.

"To get through another COVID restricted season, get a sectional title out of it

against such a historic program like East High, it feels good, and we're proud to represent Section V," said Nally, whose team improved to 23-1 after winning a third title since 2019.

Coach Darrell Barley's aggressive trap defense, with his son Damani up top, helped East's Eagles (14-4) lead 18-13 in the second. Mendon took better care of the ball during an 11-5 run. Kidder Lindley's 3-pointer beat the buzzer for a 24-23 Mendon halftime lead.

Pittsford Mendon held a slight 29-28 third quarter advantage when Matt Woods made one of his four 3s, sparking a 12-2 run for the Class A1 champs.

Mendon thought it could win the offensive glass, just as Pittsford Sutherland did in its loss to East in the Class A2 final. Caleb Lewis had 15 rebounds and 10 points. Lindley, who scored 11 points, pulled down six boards. Luke Hoyser grabbed seven off the glass.

East High, which has won 27 titles, struggled to shoot. Senior Damani Barley, who recently signed a name, image and/or likeness deal, is a prolific scor, but was inefficient after a 19-point performance in the Class A2 final.

Senior guards Kai McCullough and Shamir Caruthers added nine and eight points, respectively, the East's loss.

Pittsford Mendon will play Section VI champion Amherst at 8:30 p.m. Saturday.

Class B

Newark 45, Wellsville 41

Brayden Steve's 22 points helped the Reds (18-6) hold off the Lions at Penn Yan in the closest game of the night.

Steve's smooth midrange jumper over a double team broke a 38-38 tie with 3:14 remaining. He then went 4 for 4 from the free throw line down the stretch.

Wellsville (14-9) clearly focused on Steve, face guarding the junior guard from the jump ball.

"Brayden never backed down," Newark coach Henry Kuperus said.

Newark led 19-6 early, but only had a 22-19 halftime lead. Wellsville coach David Thompson, who won his 300th game in February, guided his Class B1 champs to a 29-25 lead after Tyrell Watkins' 3.

Even with point guard Gabriel Carabello in foul trouble, the Reds never panicked, coming back to lead 34-30 after three. The Class B2 champs had trouble matching Wellsville's physicality much of the game, but Newark senior Isaiah Camp was up for the challenge and blocked nine shots.

"Lockdown" defender Stevie Brown, Raeshawn Howard, Daveon Wright and Zach Herd all played essential roles. The Reds began the season 1-3 after a 27-point loss to Wayne that coach believes turned the season around.

"Coming into season I knew I had special group," Kuperus said. "We got pushed around by Wayne, and they got after each other and held each other accountable. Since then they've been playing hard."

Wellsville was led by Elijah Schmidt's 16 points. Cody Costello scored 13 points.

Newark will play Section VI champion Allegany-Limestone at 7 p.m. Saturday.

Class C

Avon 56, Oakfield-Alabama 43

Seniors Zach Colvin, Andrew Rowland, and sophomore Michael Rowland, are now three-time champions.

The key for Avon (22-3) came when coach Rob Fries entered three 6-footers in the game. Fries knew he was sacrificing scoring, but the additional height helped the C1 champs win the boards and combat Oakfield-Alabama's athleticism Wednesday at Letchworth.

"When you get to this point, defense, rebounding, and physical teams move on," Fries said.

Hudson Volpe is 6-foot-4 coming off the bench. Jack Brown is 6-2, and Colvin is 6-3. The Rowland brothers are also feisty defenders at guard. Avon also drew seven charges.

Avon led this low scoring contest 8-4 through one, and 19-11 at halftime. It was a 44-37 for a few possessions in the fourth until Michael Rowland's 28-footer helped the Braves escape.

Lee Hartke led Avon with 13 points. Brown added 11 points and five assists. Zach Colvin collected 10 points and 10 rebounds while Michael Rowland scored 10 points.

COVID-19 outbreaks and snow days kept Avon from finding its rhythm until mid-January. The Braves are 16-1 since Jan. 14.

"It hasn't been easy, but this group has a lot of confidence, and they practice hard," Fries said.

Avon will play Section VI champion Salamanca at 1:45 p.m. Saturday.

"This is a goal we've had. We don't talk about it a lot because it's so hard to do," Fries said. "We can play with anybody, it's just a matter of finding ways to win."

Oakfield-Alabama coach Ryan Stehlar's C2 champion Hornets fell to 22-2. Gaige Armbrewster scored 15 of his 16 points in the second half. Kaden Cusmano added 12.

Class D

Avoca/Prattsburgh 71, Batavia Notre Dame 51

Pacey Hopkins' 16 points and 10 rebounds led Avoca/Prattsburgh to a second straight title, and 35th straight victory.

Despite the perfect 24-0 record, No. 1 NYS ranking, and D1 title, Avoca/Prattsburgh coach Brian Putnam said it's been easy to keep his players focused at Dansville.

"They're still hungry, no doubt about it," coach Putnam said. "They know what's in front of them, and they know what they want. They just keep working on the defensive end."

Avoca/Prattsburgh had 22 assists as a team. The game was tied at 19 early in the second, but A/P led by as many as 22 by the final moments.

In the win, Caleb Johnson scored 14 of his 16 points in the second half. Macoy Putnam had 12 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists. Haden Abbott added 10 points and 13 rebounds. Sawyer Devoe had 11 points, 11 rebounds, six assists, and limited Fighting Irish big man Cody Henry to two points.

Jordan Welker's 23 points led Batavia Notre Dame (20-4) in the rematch of last year's Class D2 final, which doubled as the final game for legendary coach Mike Rapone. The Section V wins leader will retire with 728 victories. Rapone's Class D2 victory on Saturday marked his 10th title.

"They're a great team to go up against," coach Putnam said. "Mike is one heck of a competitor."

Avoca will play Westfield at noon Saturday.

Class AA

Aquinas (19-3) will play Jamestown at 3:30 Saturday.

Email Marquel Slaughter at mslaughter1@gannett.com and follow his Twitter @MarquelSports. Sign up for our high school sports newsletter.

This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Pittsford Mendon, Avon, Newark advance in boys basketball tourney