How Newark, Wellsville repeated as Section V boys basketball champions

The Newark Reds collected another high school boys basketball championship, moving the Finger Lakes league powerhouse even higher on the all-time list of Section V titles won.

Wellsville, another reigning Section V champion, then completed its own title repeat, this time inside Blue Cross Arena at the Rochester Community War Memorial.

"After winning it last year but not being able to play here, it was our goal to get ourselves a chance to win it here," Wellsville Lions captain Logan Dunbar said. "It's like nothing else.

"No one quite understands what it's like to play here."

Section V title No. 14 for Newark came after the No. 2 seed Reds defeated No. 1 Batavia 60-55 in the Class B1 Tournament final, the first sectional championship game at Blue Cross Arena in nearly three years.

Tournament MVP Brayden Steve and his teammates were the first team to hold up a trophy and wave on cheers from fans in Section V Boys Basketball's return to "The Big House." Wellsville won the Section V Class B2 title, when the Lions defeated LeRoy 53-42.

Up next for both teams

Newark, which won the 2022 Class B1 title, takes on Wellsville in a playoff game 7 p.m. Wednesday at Penn Yan. The winner advances into the regional or quarterfinal round of the state tournament.

Steve, a senior who is listed as 6 feet-5 inches tall, scored 18 points. A forward who also plays guard, he made three 3-pointers. Newark senior forward Raeshawn Howard scored 15 points and teammate Kellen Foster added 12, including three 3-pointers.

Batavia senior guard Carter McFollins scored a game-high 20 points, as the Blue Devils played without starter Sawyer Siverling, a senior who was injured during the team's semifinal win over Bishop Kearney.

Section V Class B1 All-Tournament team

Russell Ellis (Bishop Kearney), Kellen Foster (Newark), Raeshawn Howard (Newark), Carter McFollins (Batavia), Ja'Vin McFollins (Batavia), Mikey McKenzie (Batavia). Most valuable player: Brayden Steve (Newark).

Section V Coach of the Year: Buddy Brasky (Batavia). Sportsmanship awards: Rashawd Christie (Batavia), Jaypar Allen (Newark). Bill Farrell Memorial Championship Coach Award: Henry Kuperus (Newark).

Section V Class B2 All-Tournament team

Genaro Picco (Hornell), Cody Costello (Wellsville), Aidin Riley (Wellsville), JJ Howard (Wellsville), Andrew Pocock (LeRoy), Merrit Holly (LeRoy). Most Valuable Player: Logan Dunbar (Wellsville).

Section V Coach of the Year: Kurt Scholes (Hornell). Burkett Mills Tom Downey Memorial Coach of the Year: Kurt Scholes (Hornell). Bill Farrell Memorial Championship Coach Award: Tom Muska (Wellsville).

Sportsmanship awards: Asher Billings (Wellsville), Maverick McKenzie (LeRoy). Thomas Emmanuel Sportsmanship Award from the International Association of Approved Basketball Officials (Board No. 60): World of Inquiry.

How the Wellsville Lions roared

Cody Costello scored 17 points, JJ Howard 14 and Dunbar, the tournament's most valuable player, nine for the Wellsville Lions.

Wellsville led 28-22 before going on an 8-0 run. The LeRoy Oatkan Knights went right to work cutting Wellsville advantage but could only get within six in the second half.

"They weren't the most skilled team, but they worked and worked, relentless on the boards," Dunbar said. "Our main focus was no second chances (offensive rebounds by LeRoy), make them shoot from the outside.

"I think we did a good job."

Merritt Holly, who scored more than 1,000 points at LeRoy, finished with a game-high 21. No other Oatkan Knight scored more than six points.

"He had three fouls in the first half," Dunbar said. "He didn't foul out, but it definitely effected how he was able to play the game."

This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Newark and Wellsville win 2023 Section V Class B boys basketball titles