KING OF THE JUNGLE: Schneider nets 1st quarter three to become Genesee Valley’s all-time leading scorer in 76-22 win over Alfred-Almond

Written By Chris Brooks

ANDOVER — Dating back nearly three summers ago, Lintz Bliven had to make one of the toughest decisions of his life — at the time, continue coaching the girls basketball program in Belfast, or return home to his transplanted roots at Genesee Valley to lead the Jaguars boys basketball program.

He had decided to ultimately head back to a place he had called home, and now entering his third season with the Jaguars, he has uncovered one of Allegany County’s offensive diamonds in now-senior Cody Schneider. Over the years, the Jaguars senior has become the program’s Swiss army knife, whether it’s taking command of the inside game, or knocking down a three or two to expand his offensive arsenal.

He can do it all.

The coach-player duo have come to know one another very well over the course of Schneider’s varsity career, having served on former head coach Bill Horn’s staff when his older brother Carter Schneider was still representing Jaguars colors as the team found Sectional greatness in 2015.

For both Cody and Coach Bliven, it’s a goal that they have set atop of their list entering this year. A list that has already seen a number of monumental moments during its time — their many epic encounters with Prattsburgh, a 1,000-point career for Schneider, a Class D1 semifinal run last season, eclipsing 100 points in a game in their very first game of the year. The list goes on.

But on Friday, a brand new accolade was pasted onto the list.

After making history in front of a packed crowd with a record-breaking three-pointer in the waning seconds of the first quarter, Bliven went a few steps away to the scorer’s table to grab the microphone to make an announcement.

While holding back tears, the three-year Jaguars coach announced that Schneider had beaten the number 1,434. He had become the new king of the jungle at Genesee Valley, establishing his mark as the boys basketball program’s all-time leading scorer by surpassing Jaguars alum Nick Kelley, whose record has stood since the 2003-04 season, in the team’s 76-22 first round victory over Alfred-Almond.

“It’s amazing,” said Bliven. “It means a lot to me to see Cody put in all the work possible to get to where he is now. It’s simply amazing, and it’s like I said the first day I started coaching back here at Genesee Valley, it’s kids like him that makes us coaches look better than they are. He gets to you with his attitude, the way he lives, the way he talks, walks, presents himself. He’s locked horns with some of the best teams around in Allegany-Limestone, Wellsville, Finney. Other coaches may say that it’s well-deserved, but there is nobody like Cody Schneider anywhere around here.”

Genesee Valley (11-3) started out red hot in the first eight minutes, collecting a 22-6 run of the Eagles. Schneider netting the second to last basket from outside with under 20 seconds left to play to break the record that was held onto by Kelley for the last 17 years.

Schneider would finish with 16 points in the contest. But as for what separates his senior center from the rest of the class, an emotional Bliven said that his heart for every generality makes everything as simple as can be.

“He does everything in all the right ways possible. School, life, sports. He comes out every night and plays with his heart,” he said of his senior. “I’m a little like the coach on The Replacements who says to his team that they have to have heart. If you looked up heart in athletics, Cody Schneider’s name is going to be there every time. He makes life easier, he makes basketball easier. I’m going to miss this kid, he’s that amazing.”

After Schneider took the throne as the school’s new leading scorer, the Jaguars went back to business to deliver a big performance from almost everyone that saw the floor. With a double digit lead at the half, they extended it for good with another 20-point frame in the third while holding Alfred-Almond to just six points.

Genesee Valley saw Evan Windus lead the charge on offense with a game-high 27-point performance. Following Schneider behind his senior teammate, was Trevor Clark, who helped ignite a 22-point first quarter with a three-pointer just 12 seconds in, en route to 11 points. Christian Tuttle and Brock Ellsessor each had six points to chip in.

The Jaguars are into the Andover Lions Club Tournament championship game for a sixth straight season, where they will go for their third consecutive title against the Belfast Bulldogs, who defeated the host Andover Panthers in the nightcap later on in the evening. Tip-off for tonight’s title game is slated for a 7:30 p.m. start.

Genesee Valley        22 17 25 12 – 76

Alfred-Almond          6 10   6  0 – 22

GENESEE VALLEY: Christian Tuttle 2 0-0 6, Jon Rizzo 1 0-0 3, Trevor Clark 3 3-3 11, Evan Windus 11 4-4 27, Brock Ellsessor 2 2-2 6, Riley Gordon 1 0-0 3, Cody Schneider 7 1-4 16, Cody Platt 2 0-0 4. Totals: 29 10-13 76.

ALFRED-ALMOND: Ty Kenney 1 0-0 3, Isaac Little 4 0-0 8, Kevin Dunning 2 0-0 5, Jonas Kays 2 1-2 6. Totals: 9 1-2 22.

3-point goals: GV 8 (Tuttle 2, Clark 2, Rizzo, Windus, Gordon, Schneider), A-A 3 (Kenney, Dunning, Kays).
Total Fouls: GV 7, A-A 7. Fouled out: None.

Chris Brooks
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