Oriskany – For a few moments early in tonight’s Section III, Class “D” boy’s quarterfinal basketball game, the top seeded Oriskany Redskins were playing sluggishly and the 9th seeded Hamilton Emerald Knights were taking advantage, taking a quick 6-4 lead in the first quarter. For a few moments.
Feeling a little embarrassed by turnovers that led to Hamilton baskets on three consecutive trips up the floor, Ryan Schmadel and Co. shook off the ice and kicked their game into overdrive. It’s safe to say that the message from Head Coach Chris Mahoney during an early first quarter timeout may have had a little something to do with the home team remembering what gear to put the car into.
Ryan Schmadel lines up 1 of his 5 three pointers on the night. The senior finished with 22 to lead all scorers. (Photo By – Jeff Pexton – Perfect Game Imaging)
The Redskins finished the first quarter on a 16-4 run and never looked back from there, shooting their way to a 77-48 victory.
The win improved Oriskany’s remarkable season record to (22-0) good enough for the #3 ranking in the latest New York State Sportswriters Association poll. Moriah (20-0) of Section 7 and Fort Ann (20-0) Section 2, are ranked one and two respectively.
Oriskany’s Anthony Warcup (33) scored all of his 15 points from three point range. (Photo By Jeff Pexton – Perfect Game Imaging)
Tonight, Oriskany relied heavily upon perimeter shooting, scoring 42 of their 77 total points from behind the 3 point arc. The Redskins got five 3-pointers apiece from Ryan Schmadel and Anthony Warcup, en route to the 29 point victory.
Schmadel once again led all scorers with 22 points and Oriskany’s all time leading scorer also accounted for a whopping 15 rebounds to secure the double-double.
Marcus Smithling, who did most of Oriskany’s driving to the basket tonight, finished with 18 points and 6 assists.
Jordan Baerga finished with 13 points for Hamilton, which finished their season at (12-10).
Hamilton’s Jordan Baerga (23) drives for two of his team high 13 points. (Photo By Jeff Pexton – Perfect Game Imaging).
Oriskany will meet the winner of tomorrow night’s quarterfinal game between #5 Sackets Harbor and #4 Cincinnatus, at SRC Arena in Syracuse this Sunday at 2:45 in the semifinal round. The winner of that game will punch a ticket to the Section III, Class “D” Final on 2/27 at SRC.
In the only other high school basketball playoff game played tonight, #3 seeded Madison topped #6 West Canada Valley 77-75. Madison will now await the winner of tomorrow night’s New York Mills vs. McGraw quarterfinal game, to fill out the 4:30 p.m. Class “D” semifinal match up this Saturday.
