Genesee Valley boys, Fillmore girls lead local schools in latest New York State rankings

Genesee Valley senior Cody Schneider (35) drives his way to the basket against the C.G. Finney defense during the 2019 IAABO Tournament earlier this season in Belmont. On Tuesday, the Jaguars were officially ranked 14th in the Class D State rankings with a record of 4-1. [Chris Brooks/WellsvilleSports.com]

In this March 1, 2019 photo, Fillmore head coach Tom Parks, right, talks with his team on the sidelines during last season’s Class D1 Finals against Avoca/Prattsburgh at Letchworth. On Tuesday, the Lady Eagles were ranked 8th in New York State with a record of 4-0. [Chris Brooks/WellsvilleSports.com]

The news broke this morning when Old Saint Nick officially departed the North Pole to make his yearly trip around the world for all the boys and girls on his list, on this Christmas Eve.

For two local schools, they received an early Christmas present from the State, as the New York State Sportswriters Association (NYSSWA) officially released their State rankings for both boys and girls basketball across the area, with both the Genesee Valley boys basketball, and Fillmore girls basketball squads garnering rankings that saw them earn a spot within the top 15.

The Jaguars of Genesee Valley are off to a roaring start to their 2019-20 campaign. After a season-opening loss to the hands of State-ranked Allegany-Limestone on the road, they have accounted for four consecutive wins, including a sweep of their home IAABO Tournament, and a narrow overtime victory over previously unbeaten Fillmore to start their season with four of their first five victories in the win column, entering the holiday freeze with a No. 14 rank in Class D.

Genesee Valley will take their 4-1 record out on the road this upcoming Friday, when they participate in Prattsburgh’s holiday tournament with a first-round matchup against Wayland-Cohocton, slated for a 2:30 p.m. start. The winner will face either Naples or the host Vikings in the tournament’s title game the next day.

On the girls side, it was the defending Class D1 champion Lady Eagles of Fillmore that picked up a State rank, as their deep bench and balanced scoring in each game saw their title defense start on the right foot with a perfect 4-0 record. Thus far, they have garnered wins over Whitesville, Cuba-Rushford, Alfred-Almond, and Arkport/Canaseraga, allowing them to earn the eighth position in the Class D State ranks.

The Lady Eagles return to the floor after holiday break on January 7 at 7:30 p.m, when they travel to Alfred-Almond to finish off their two-game set.