(Photo: J.J. Crowder started as an undersized guard and is now a 5-foot-10 returning third-team all-state selection as a junior for the Avoca-Prattsburgh Titans)
Andy Ratchford has been a big part of the success of the Avoca-Prattsburgh basketball program and his loyalty was rewarded when he was named the head coach for the 2024-2025 season. He knew it would be a rebuilding year, but the Titans got stronger as the season went on and kicked the door down in sectionals before finally losing to Fillmore in the semi’s.
This season, with five starters back, A-P is still improving, and have opened the season strong, with a win over Addison and a tough loss to current No 1 seed Andover-Whitesville on the road.
A-P is at Hammondsport tonight. Teams are once again circling the games against A-P as a measuring stick to see how good they are and if they have a chance at a sectional title.
On Monday, A-P is at Dundee-Bradford then host Class B2 Sodus in Prattsburgh on Wednesday, Dec. 17 and then a big game in Avoca on Friday, Dec. 19 when they host a talented Jasper-Troupsburg team.
The Titans open 2026 on Jan. 2 by hosting a rematch grame with Andover-Whitesville at Prattsburgh. Other big games are Jan. 8 at home in Avoca with Arkport-Canaseraga and home on jan. 12 in Prattsburgh when they host Canisteo-Greenwood.
The rivalry in all sports with Genesee Valley/Belfast is another fun matchup and the teams play each other on Jan. 21 in Belmont and Feb. 2 in Avoca.
There is also a big game on Feb. 4 when A-P travels to Class B3 Williamson.
Here is a preview of the team with quotes from the coach, courtesy of Bill Collmer:
By BILL COLLMER, Hornell Sun Senior Sports Writer
Avoca-Prattsburgh Titans
Coach: Andy Ratchford, 2nd season
Last Season: 7-15 lost in the Class D Sectional Semifinals to Fillmore 88-40.
History Lesson: Prattsburgh won 12 Sectional Championships overall and were the 1991 NYS Class D State Champions finishing 29-0. Avoca won 5 Sectional Championships overall and were the 1989 NYS Class D State Champions finishing 28-0. Avoca-Prattsburgh won four Straight Sectional Championships and Won back-to-back State Championships in 2022 & 2023 they lost in the State Semifinals in 2024.
Returning Starters: Five
Key Returners: J.J Crowder 5’10” Junior Guard 25.3 PPG, 8.0 RPG, 5.4 APG, 4.6 SPG-Section Five Class D All-Tournament Team, First Team Steuben County All-Star. Third Team All-State Class D in 2024 & 2025
Carter Button 6’0” Junior Guard 9.0 PPG, 12.0 RPG 2.0 SPG
Landon White 6’1” Senior Forward 2.0 PPG, 4.0 RPG
Austin Swift 6’0” Junior Guard 7.0 PPG, 3.0 RPG
Colin Zurlick 6’1” Senior Forward 8.0 PPG, 6.0 RPG
Connor Parulski 6’1” Senior Forward 3.0 PPG, 8.0 RPG
Gracyn Rumsey 6’8” Senior Center 4.0 PPG, 6.0 RPG
Top Newcomers: Zach Heale Junior
Josh Carlton Sophomore
Sonny Wilson Junior Forward
Pablo Carpio Senior Forward
Ilai Blickenstorfer Senior Forward
Coach Ratchford says: “With most of the team returning, our expectations to make a post-season run are higher than last season. The progress on this expectation depends on the continued hard work and no let down mentality that has been preached all summer and into the first week of the winter season. These guys this year are focused and determined to push each other and improve on a daily basis. The team leaders are stepping up and leading in all ways thus far. The energy and attitude are contagious and great to see. The non-league schedule is tough again, on purpose. The mindset is to be as prepared as possible going into the post-season. Come sectional time, we should have seen and played higher quality teams. This way there are no surprises.”
