Thursday Roundup: County Volleyball Playoffs begin for Wellsville, start postseason trek with 4-set win over Rebels; C-R, GV/Belfast, Fillmore boys claim boys hoops wins; C-G ladies fall in OT to A-P

WELLSVILLE — On day one of the Allegany County Playoffs on Thursday, it saw the third-seeded Lions of Wellsville push Cuba-Rushford straight to the brink after two dominant sets of play. But the Rebels bounced back and for the remainder of the match, the action would begin to tighten up more than ever.

In what was the fourth and final set of the night, points were exchanged at a rapid rate between the two foes. With the Rebels looking to feed off the match-saving momentum, the hosts would ultimately navigate their way toward the finish line with a big four-point cushion in hand, as they ended Cuba-Rushford’s season while moving into the Semifinal round in one foul swoop after a 25-13, 25-6, 21-25, 25-21 win.

The Lions (11-4) witnessed Xavier Scott take command of the pilot’s chair to propel the offense, as he posted a game-high 13 kills to go with a pair of blocks and an ace. Lucius Griggs chipped in with seven more kills to couple with his three aces, while Terrence Benz had four kills and three aces to further the team’s cause.

On the other side of the net, Anderson Siegel kept the ball off the floor as much as he could on defense, compiling 10 team-leading digs to pair with his eight kills on the attack and one ace to pace Cuba-Rushford. Brock Stadler chimed in with his six additional digs, four kills and an ace, while the team’s setter Ethan Cole dished out 19 helpers in the center of the floor, adding three aces, one kill and one dig along the way.

The Rebels end their 2023-24 campaign with a record of 3-14 overall.

Wellsville’s journey continues after the weekend, where they will either host No. 7 Friendship/Scio or visit No. 2 Arkport-Canaseraga in the Semifinal Round of the County League Playoffs. The date and time of the match is yet to be determined.

BOYS BASKETBALL

Cuba-Rushford 58, Houghton Academy 35

CUBA — At this stage of the game, any win you can muster, is one to have. With Sectionals a mere two weeks away, teams around the area have begun to pump the gas pedal straight down to the floor, building all the momentum they can to carry into the second season.

For the Rebels of Cuba-Rushford, winners of four of their last six, they’ve begun to hit all the right strides and at the most opportune time. On Thursday, it was no different, as they escaped Houghton Academy’s grasp after the first quarter and set sail for a game-altering run that allowed them to remain out in front for good with what morphed into a 58-35 home victory on Gary Wight Court.

“We played with good intensity and rebounded very well,” said Rebels coach Pat Wight. “Defensively, we got lazy in the fourth quarter, but overall it was a solid effort. Credit to Jeff (Prentice) and Houghton, they never quit. (James) Adenuga got hot in the fourth, and Peyton (Joy) came up with some big blocks and led us off the glass. It was nice to see him assert himself on the offensive end as well. It’s always a good night when you get a win and everyone gets in the scorebook.”

After an early exchange of baskets that saw the Rebels (10-7) score 11 of the first 15 points, a megaton of momentum was established going into the second quarter where they used every bit of it to set a massive tone, going off on a 24-6 run with five different scorers all getting involved, including Peyton Joy who scored all nine of his points in the frame to light the offensive fuse.

The lead was solidified at the start of the second half, with a pair of Braeden Wight three-pointers aiding Cuba-Rushford’s ascension towards victory with one final run of the Panthers (6-7), holding them scoreless from the field in what was a 13-0 run. Wight would net four of the team’s six triples in all to lead the Rebels in scoring with his 14 team-high points. Following Joy, who also had eight blocks and eight rebounds, was Luke Brooks and his eight points.

For Houghton Academy, James Adenuga was red hot in the last eight minutes of their 22-point conclusion on offense, as he posted 17 of his game-high 24 points within the frame — a fierce tenure that included four of the team’s five triples from beyond the arc. Behind him was Josh Davidson, who had five points. The Panthers will hit the road once more Saturday afternoon to visit Genesee Valley/Belfast in a 1 p.m. tip-off in Belmont.

Cuba-Rushford will now square off with the Oswayo Valley Green Wave back on their home floor Monday night, beginning at 7:30 p.m.

Houghton Academy 7 6 0 22 – 35

Cuba-Rushford 11 24 13 10 – 58

HOUGHTON ACADEMY: Jack Prentice 2 0-0 4, Josh Davidson 2 1-2 5, James Adenuga 9 1-2 24, Jerry Yu 0 2-2 2. Totals: 13 4-6 35.

CUBA-RUSHFORD: Braeden Wight 5 0-0 14, Kaden Bell 1 0-0 2, Luke Brooks 4 0-0 8, Zach Deck 2 1-2 7, Eli Sleggs 2 0-0 4, Dean Frank 1 0-0 2, Finn Ricketts 3 0-0 6, Tristan Clayson 2 0-0 4, Adam Roe 1 0-0 2, Peyton Joy 3 3-3 9. Totals: 24 4-5 58.
3-point goals: HA 5 (Adenuga), C-R 6 (Wight 4, Deck 2).
Total Fouls: HA 5, C-R 5. Fouled out: None.

Genesee Valley/Belfast 68, Friendship/Scio 30

BELFAST — Genesee Valley/Belfast gave the Eagles of Fillmore a run for their money back on Tuesday, forcing the County’s hottest team into a thrilling overtime session that nearly saw them bring out the fire extinguisher right at the very end of it all.

Although Fillmore came away victorious, it would allow Genesee Valley/Belfast to break ground on a big momentum builder to carry forward with them through the rest of the regular season and beyond. On Thursday, it was put to use in its entirety against visiting Friendship/Scio, as they started the evening fast with their largest stand of offense before their defense settled in to close the first half out strong, energizing what was a 68-30 win in Belfast.

There was simply no signs of slowing down for Genesee Valley/Belfast (8-9), as they went full steam ahead across the first half to set the tone against Friendship/Scio, beginning bright and early with a 23-point quarter to claim the lead going into a second quarter that saw them flip the script on defense.

With a 23-12 lead in hand, the hosts in white continued control of all facets of the game with a half-ending 12-2 run to solidify their lead permanently to record the win.

Leading all scorers on the floor was a stellar inside presence assembled by Jacob Borden, who recorded a game-high 20 points for Genesee Valley/Belfast. Behind him was Kenton Shultz, who chipped in with 14 points while Ian McKenzie had 11 of his own to add.

For Friendship/Scio (3-14), Aiden Golden paced the offense with his 13 team-high points. The team will mark their return to the court Monday night with a 7:30 p.m. visit from Alfred-Almond in Scio.

Genesee Valley/Belfast will get set to host their Senior Day celebration in the Jungle in Belmont, as they host the Houghton Academy Panthers in a 1 p.m. contest on Saturday.

Friendship/Scio 12 2 14 2 – 30

Genesee Valley/Belfast 23 12 21 12 – 68

FRIENDSHIP/SCIO: Aiden Golden 5 1-2 13, Connor Blouvet 3 0-3 6, Sean Dieter 1 0-0 2, Jerimiah Brown 2 0-0 4, Cooper Greenman 1 0-0 3, Deacon Brown 1 0-0 2. Totals: 13 1-5 30.

GV/BELFAST: Kadin Logue 2 0-0 4, Lannden Tilton 2 0-1 4, Matt Cater 2 2-2 6, Ian McKenzie 4 1-2 11, Jacob Borden 10 0-0 20, Kenton Shultz 5 2-2 14, Fisher Herdman 2 0-0 4, Ryan Daciw 2 1-2 5. Totals: 29 6-9 68.

3-point goals: F/S 2 (Golden), GVB 4 (McKenzie 2, Shultz 2).
Total Fouls: F/S 9, GVB 4. Fouled out: None.

Fillmore 69, Andover/Whitesville 46

FILLMORE — Senior Night was in full effect Thursday night inside The Rock, when the Eagles of Fillmore took to the court to pay homage to all five of their seniors — Zach Sisson, Eben Schilke, Marcus Wolfer, Layton Sanasith and Brandon Buck, for their contributions over the years.

And on that night, all five Eagles had a hand in making one of their very last nights of the regular season on their home floor a memorable one, as they started quickly out of the gate against visiting Andover/Whitesville and continued straight ahead in maximum overdrive, compiling a 30-point second quarter along the way to cement a 69-46 victory in front of their home crowd.

“Andover/Whitesville was a little shorthanded tonight, but they came out and played hard. We were really led by our five seniors Zach, Mark, Eben, Brandon and Layton, who got us off to a great start,” said Eagles coach Randy Crouch. “I can’t thank those guys enough for the foundation they have established for our program for the last four years. We get a couple of days rest until we get focused again on a big game come Monday.”

Off and running out of the gate came the Eagles (15-2), as they struck while the iron was hot to deliver a run that witnessed them scoring 11 of the game’s first 12 points — the majority of which stemming off two big threes from Marcus Wolfer downtown, and more aid from Zach Sisson inside and at the charity stripe in the midst of his 10-point frame to set up an 18-5 lead after the opening quarter.

In the second, Fillmore would proceed to run the table with a 30-point offensive outburst that saw Sisson fire on all cylinders from the main road out front of the school, as he knocked down five of his seven triples from within the frame to set up a 30-9 run of Andover/Whitesville (8-8) that ultimately pushed their lead out insurmountably to ignite their victory.

Sisson would finish the night with a game-high 35 points for the Eagles.

Following behind him was Jonah Bialek, as he chipped in with eight points, while Cam Mucher and Jameson Rhett each had five points. For the visitors in black, Colton Calladine propelled the Andover/Whitesville offense with his team-high 25 points. Vinny Joyce added in nine points of his own.

Both teams will make their return to action on Monday, with Fillmore hitting the road for a 7:30 p.m. stop in the Lion’s Den to face Wellsville, while Andover/Whitesville aims to bounce back with a 6 p.m. visit to Hinsdale.

Andover/Whitesville 5 9 16 16 – 46

Fillmore 18 30 14 7 – 69

ANDOVER/WHITESVILLE: Derek Perkins 2 0-2 4, Jake Mattison 1 0-0 2, Ethan Warriner 0 2-4 2, Vinny Joyce 3 3-4 9, Colton Calladine 9 4-6 25, Gage Putnam 1 0-1 2, Carter Grice 1 0-0 2. Totals: 17 9-17 46.

FILLMORE: Cam Mucher 2 1-3 5, Marcus Wolfer 2 0-0 6, Isaiah Sisson 0 1-1 1, Layton Sanasith 2 0-2 4, Brandon Buck 1 1-2 3, Zach Sisson 12 4-5 35, Jonah Bialek 3 2-2 8, Jameson Rhett 2 1-1 5, JD Bialek 1 0-0 2. Totals: 25 10-16 69.

3-point goals: A/W 3 (Calladine), Fillmore 9 (Z. Sisson 7, Wolfer 2).
Total Fouls: A/W 13, Fillmore 15. Fouled out: None.

GIRLS BASKETBALL

Avoca-Prattsburgh 43, Canisteo-Greenwood 41 (F-OT)

CANISTEO — Thursday night brought out a ton of emotion in the Canisteo Valley, especially for one of the area’s brightest stars in Lillian Mullen for the Lady Chargers of Canisteo-Greenwood, where the curtain has begun to come down on what has been an incredible and illustrious career on the hardwood.

She would receive the honorary start in what was her final regular season home game of her career, waiting inside the paint in the offensive zone during the opening tip against visiting Avoca-Prattsburgh. Upon receiving the ball from her younger sister Bailey, Lillian would put away her very last bucket donning the white and red colors to put a bow on a remarkable campaign that featured 1,784 total points.

The number inscripted on a commemorative basketball that was gifted to her by head coach Les York and the rest of her Lady Chargers teammates. A number she will remember for time to come.

Following the emotional start to the game, there was a score to be settled before the Steuben County Tournament officially kicks into gear next week, as the Lady Titans and Lady Chargers fought tooth and nail all throughout the night. After back and forth exchanges across the majority of their battle, it would set the stage for an exciting finish to regulation, with both teams continuing the constant swinging of the pendulum.

That was until the game rested on the hands of Bailey Mullen from the free throw line, as she knocked down a humongous shot to tie the game for Canisteo-Greenwood with three minutes remaining to force overtime. In the extra four minute session, the momentum that the Lady Chargers had built was erased by Avoca-Prattsburgh, as they went on to score all six of their points in consecutive fashion to put the finishing touches on what was a thrilling 43-41 road win.

After an 8-7 Lady Titans lead was gathered, the second quarter saw the Lady Chargers (9-8) continue to close in on Avoca-Prattsburgh through a vast majority of time behind the guidance of Bailey Mullen, who posted seven of the team’s 12 points in the frame. The Lady Titans countered with a response of their own from Kamryn Edwards, who provided six points inside to couple alongside a couple of big threes from Emma Carlton and Breanna Jorritsma to claim a 17-12 advantage in the frame, and a 25-19 lead at the break.

The scoring would come at a premium in the third quarter, which allowed the Lady Titans to keep their lead intact before the Lady Chargers were able to power up one final run to close the gap behind them in the last eight minutes, as they posted a massive 12-5 jaunt headlined by Mullen’s two-point jumper to cut the deficit to one prior to a shot at the charity stripe, which tied the game at 37 just seconds later.

In overtime, the Lady Titans were able to find their groove in the early stages, recording all six of their points in a row to open what was the final frame, taking advantage of a 43-37 lead before Mullen made things interesting in the waning seconds with a triple and one more shot at the line, closing the gap to a pair.

But the late spark could not be completed in time, as Avoca-Prattsburgh hung on for dear life to swipe the victory away.

Mullen finished with 18 team-high points to pace the Lady Chargers, adding 12 rebounds and five steals along the way to complete a double-double performance. Peyton Peters chipped in with seven points and nine rebounds, while Harlie McCaffery added 11 more boards off the glass to fuel the special teams cause even further.

Avoca-Prattsburgh was led by Kamryn Edwards and her team-high 18 points. Emma Carlton finished with eight points, while D’Mariannah Hinson-Pike had six points.

Both teams will now rest up and begin preparations for the Steuben County Tournament, which will get underway next week.

Avoca-Prattsburgh 8 17 7 5 6 – 43

Canisteo-Greenwood 7 12 6 12 4 – 41

AVOCA-PRATTSBURGH: D'Mariannah Hinson-Pike 3 0-0 6, Meyah Putnam 2 0-2 5, Emma Carlton 3 0-0 8, Breanna Jorritsma 1 2-4 5, Kamryn Edwards 8 0-3 18, Marissa Reid 0 1-2 1. Totals: 17 3-11 43.

CANISTEO-GREENWOOD: Kora Button 1 0-0 3, Bailey Mullen 5 5-10 18, McKenna Ferris 1 0-0 2, Lillian Mullen 1 0-0 2, Harlie McCaffery 2 0-0 4, Paris May 2 0-2 5, Peyton Peters 3 0-0 7. Totals: 15 5-12 41.

3-point goals: A-P 6 (Carlton 2, Edwards 2, Putnam, Jorritsma), C-G 6 (B. Mullen 3, Button, May, Peters).
Total Fouls: A-P 15, C-G 15. Fouled out: Jorritsma (A-P).