By Chris Metcalf for Hornell Sun.com
HORNELL – York head coach Eddie Orman Jr. simply described Gennaro Picco as “incredible” during Tuesday’s performance.
That would be a fitting description for everyone in attendance at the Maple City Park gymnasium during Hornell’s 69-58 victory over a York team fresh off their victory over defending NYS Class D champion Avoca/Prattsburg Saturday night.
In fact, the Red Raiders’ junior guard was sensational as well.
Picco dropped in a career-high 45 points, including six, 3-pointers during Hornell’s victory.
Despite being undersized against a York squad that featured all five starters at six-foot or above, including two 6-3 players, Hornell led throughout the night increasing their advantage to double digits for most of the first half until York cut it to seven at the break at 41-34.
York would continue to battle in the third and cut the deficit to 54-48 after three.
The Golden Knights would pull even closer after two straight baskets from Parker Bonafede cut the deficit to two points with three and a half minutes left before Picco once again took over the pace of the game — increasing Hornell’s advantage back to 10 with some nifty inside baskets as well as another deep three.
“I thought we played pretty well defensively. We took a few more charges which is something I’m trying to stress to the kids,” said Hornell coach Kirk Scholes. “I thought we contested the 3-point shot from York pretty well. They are a very good shooting team, and we knew we had to guard the three-point line. I thought as the game wore on, we were able to get into their legs a little bit with our pressure.”
Scholes didn’t have to look at the score book to know he witnessed one of the most amazing individual performances in Hornell basketball history with Gennaro Picco. The junior had seven rebounds, five assists, two steals and drained six 3-pointers as part of his 45-point night.
“Gennaro was absolutely incredible! He had the feel early in the game tonight and made shots from all three levels on the floor,” Scholes said. “In my 14 years doing this, I’ve never had anybody go for 45 points. It was truly a special performance by him.”
Playing tough teams like Cal-Mum and York is something Scholes is trying to impress on the team.
“I want this group to realize that we have a team that can play with anybody. Our team identity is starting to form,” Scholes said. “We need to come back and have two great days of practice and then come out Friday night and put another good performance together.”
York placed three players in double figures as Maddox Timothy led the Golden Knights with 17 points whileTyler Brady and Jake Pangrazio both added 10 points.
“Outstanding effort for Gennar Picco, he was incredible tonight and all over the floor and we really didn’t have an answer for him,” York head coach Eddie Orman Jr. said. “We struggled from the free throw line (5-of-15) and missed some shots we’d definitely like to have back. It’s a long season and when you play good competition especially on the road you’re going to have some tough nights. We need to stay together and get better, it’s a long season and everyone is going to have some set backs. We will try to learn from this game and get better.”
PJ Picco (11 rebounds, five assists, two blocks and a charge), Shawn Rose (three steals, three assists) and Gates Miller (two rebounds, three assists) each had six points and Quinn Mauro scored two. Wyatt Argentieri had five rebounds and two steals.
Hornell, who captured the Olean Tournament title over the weekend, improved to 3-1 on the season.
The Red Raiders will host Le Roy in a LCAA D-I match up Friday.
York fell to 1-1 on the season and will host Letchworth Dec. 14.
In JV news…
Hornell JV Raiders came out on top of another hard-fought game tonight as well. Marco Picco and Demayne Dixon were Hornell’s top scorers with 19 points and 12 points respectively. The remainder of scoring was spread out among Kellen Crowe and Nick Gray, each with 8 points, Austyn Gollnitz with 7, Lucas Hancock with 4, and Owen Hyer and Cody Cardamone with a bucket each. Liam Ezard led his Golden Knights with 19 points on the evening. Also scoring for the Knight were Kayden Skinner (8), Adam Sczcech (7), Mason Parsons (5), Zach Bauer (4), Brody Pangrazio (3), and Ethan Hall (2).
Dansville 61, Pavilion 33
The host Mustangs outscored Pavilion 36-16 in the second and third periods to take control during their LCAA crossover victory Tuesday night.
Dansville (2-0)was led by Reid Martin who scored 14 points with five boards and Collin Gray’s double-double of 12 points and 10 rebounds. Gray also added five assists and two steals.
Also for Dansville,Reese Dixon added eight points and five caroms while Aazan Sohail also scored eight points. Dawson Wadsworth netted six points with four assists while Ethan Canfield dropped in six points with four rebounds and two assists.
Pavilion was led by Zack Tillotson’s nine points.
JV score: Dansville 54-22.
