Girls Basketball

Class AA Far West Regionals: Hilton 56, Starpoint (VI) 43

Mallory Heise scored 14 of her game-high 27 points in the first quarter as Hilton blitzed by Starpoint to reach the state semifinals for the first time in program history.

Heise netted a pair of three-pointers in the first quarter as the Cadets led 21-8 after the first quarter. Their charge continued in the second half as they pushed the lead to 39-18.

Starpoint battled back in the third quarter, cutting the lead to 48-31 heading to the fourth. However, Hilton’s victory was never in doubt in the final frame.

Hilton (21-4) will play either Averill Park from Section 2 or Section III’s Central Square in the Class AA semifinals. Averill Park is the top-ranked team in the latest NYSSWA rankings while Central Square is ranked 13th. Hilton clocks in at third in the state-wide poll.

Class AAA Far West Regionals: Lancaster (VI) 41, Fairport 31

The Cinderella Red Raiders kept Lancaster in check for most of the game, but they were unable to generate enough offense to advance to the state final four.

Five-star recruit Maddie Francis scored 20 points to lead Lancaster and was a force on defense, recording a number of big blocks.

The two teams were knotted at six entering the second quarter when scoring finally started to pick up. Lancaster netted 15 in the frame to take a 21-16 lead into the second half.

Fairport was able to stay with the Legends in the third, taking their five-point deficit into the fourth quarter with a 29-24 score.

However, the Red Raiders failed to score in the first three minutes in the fourth quarter as Lancaster pulled in front 35-24. Fairport responded with three baskets to cut the deficit to six points with 3:30 to play, but they couldn’t get any closer than that.

Jada Crocker led the Red Raiders with nine points. Fairport had seven players register in the score book.

Francis had a game-high 20 points while Morgan Molino had 11 for Lancaster.

Fairport’s season ends with an 8-16 record after winning the Class AAA sectional title as the sixth seed, their seventh title in program history.

Boys Basketball

Class AAA Far West Regionals: Niagara Falls (VI) 54, UPrep 48

After trailing by ten at the half, the Griffins cut their deficit to just two points entering the fourth. However, they were unable to pull in front as the Griffins’ season ended in the state regionals.

UPrep trailed 26-16 after halftime and stormed out of the gates in the third. They opened the half on a 15-0 run, pulling in front 31-26. They eventually led by six, up 34-28 late in the third quarter. However, Niagara Falls ended the third quarter strong to take a 39-37 lead into the fourth.

UPrep stayed close, but they could never pull in front as Niagara Falls did not trail in the fourth quarter.

Jermelle Cotton led the Griffins with 14 points while Alex Webb had 12.

John Strong and Nick Estell each had 13 points to pace Niagara Falls

UPrep’s season ends with a 14-10 record after winning their second sectional title in the last four years.

Class C Far West Regionals: Lyons 61, Randolph (VI) 44

After leading 24-22 at halftime, Lyons scored the first 15 points of the third quarter to knock off the defending Class C state champions.

Sophomore JJ Johnson had a game-high 21 points to lead the Lions. He joined three others in double figures, as Jaheim Morris scored 11 points while Stephen LeBrecht and Dezmen Bell each had 10.

Lyons fell to Randolph 57-47 last year in the regionals, with the Cardinals finishing as state champions.

Lyons (23-2) will advance to the state final four in search of their third-ever state title. The Lions will play either Section IV’s Moravia or Section III’s Waterville on Friday, March 15th at 8:45 p.m. Lyons is ranked second in the latest NYSSWA state rankings. Moravia is fourth and Waterville is eighth.

Primetime 585 spoke with Lyons after the win.

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