By CHRIS BROOKS, managing editor, wellsvillesports.com
AVOCA — They are the reigning back-to-back Class D New York State Basketball champions for many reasons. Because of that, Avoca-Prattsburgh continues to define greatness of the hardwood, day in and day out.
It’s a montra like no other, especially in this local basketball scene. But it was also something that Arkport-Canaseraga would experience firsthand come Thursday night in Avoca.
It was a challenge that the Wolves were more than happy to accept.
Both teams would enter the night at 4-1 overall and only one would walk away with their fifth win entering the holiday break coming up. All across the night, Arkport-Canaseraga and Avoca-Prattsburgh were both wheeling and dealing across the board.
With it, came a moment in its own right.
From the charity stripe, two clutch shots were driven straight through the twine. Both, by Caden Carey, as he scored his last two points to propel the Wolves towards one of their biggest victories in recent memory over the road, handing Avoca-Prattsburgh their first loss in Steuben County action in three years with an amazing 68-67 victory.
Carey would lead Arkport-Canaseraga on offense with his team-leading 16 points. Following closely behind was Devin Moran, who had 13 points to go with six steals. Tim Vilkhu recorded a big double-double to help further the team’s cause with 12 points and 10 boards. Ibra Ford had 11 points to become the fourth Wolves scorer to eclipse double figures in the scorebook.
For Avoca-Prattsburgh, Dan Stilson led all scorers on the floor with a game-high 32 points to pair with 12 rebounds to complete a double-double. JJ Crowder bucketed 18 points, while Macoy Putnam chipped in with nine points to go with 10 rebounds and 10 assists to help round off the scoring.
The Titans are back on their home floor in Avoca next Friday with a 7 p.m. battle against Wayland-Cohocton.
Arkport-Canaseraga will enjoy the holiday away, as they return to the floor looking to build off their enormous win with a road trip to Perry next Saturday afternoon, taking on the host Yellowjackets in a 3 p.m. tip-off.
Avoca-Prattsburgh 78, Andover/Whitesville 27
ANDOVER — An electric start for Avoca-Prattsburgh’s Kamryn Edwards from the get-go and some more assistance from the three-point arc set up shop for a 28-point first quarter against host Andover/Whitesville on Thursday, as the Lady Titans finished off the end of their calendar year with every punctuation they were able to provide in a 78-27 road win in Andover.
Edwards was Avoca-Prattsburgh’s leading scorer with her game-high 21 points, as she allowed the Lady Titans to get off onto the right foot by recording 12 points to go with three first quarter three-pointers — two from Meyah Putnam and one from Breanna Jorritsma, who both followed behind Edwards in double figures themselves, finishing with 13 and 10 points, respectively.
The 28-11 run across the first eight minutes of play for the team in black and gold allowed them to immediately set the tone against Andover/Whitesville (2-6), as they held onto their lead for good all the way to the finish line.
Katrina Lewis led the hosts in white with a team-leading nine points. Graci Lewis-Ellison and Makaila Brewster each posted five points.
Andover/Whitesville is now off until the calendar flips to 2024, as they return to the floor on January 3 with a 7:30 p.m. contest back in Andover against Friendship/Scio.
Avoca-Prattsburgh 28 15 17 18 – 78
Andover/Whitesville 11 3 5 8 – 27
AVOCA-PRATTSBURGH: D’Mariannah Hinson-Pike 3 0-0 8, Gwen Moon 1 0-0 2, Meyah Putnam 5 0-0 13, Emma Carlton 1 0-0 2, Breanna Jorritsma 4 1-2 10, Kamryn Edwards 10 1-4 21, Marissa Reid 4 0-0 9, Ellie Harrell 2 0-0 6, Kendra Gay 2 0-0 4, Lily Hausauer 1 0-0 3. Totals: 33 2-6 78.
ANDOVER/WHITESVILLE: Graci Lewis-Ellison 2 1-6 5, Grace Fry 2 0-0 4, Makaila Brewster 2 1-2 5, Olivia Waters 1 2-3 4, Katrina Lewis 4 1-3 9. Totals: 11 5-14 27.
3-point goals: A-P 10 (Putnam 3, Hinson-Pike 2, Harrell 2, Jorritsma, Reid, Hausauer).
Total Fouls: A-P 9, A/W 4. Fouled out: None.
