By PAUL GOTHAM
Chris Cardon didn’t know what to expect when he got his Irondequoit Eagles together earlier this week. Fresh off the program’s first state title earning a them a spot in the Federation Tournament of Champions, the 31st-year coach wondered if his squad might appreciate a laidback week of practices. The senior-laden Eagles had something else in mind.
“’We’re going down there to win,’” Cardon said repeating his team’s message. “That was all I needed to hear.”
When the Federation Tournament of Champions (TOC) tips off in Glens Falls on Saturday, Irondequoit will try to do what no other Section Five team in history (Class A or higher) has accomplished: to bring home a TOC title.
“You win the state title, and then you go to the Federation it’s quite an honor,” Cardon commented. “We’re taking it just like that. It’s all business.”
Irondequoit, the New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) champion will face reigning Federation champ Albany Academy. The Cadets, the New York State Association of Independent Schools Athletic Association (NYSAISAA) champ, have won the TOC twice in four years and will make its fifth straight appearance in the Final Four.
Reigning state Player of the Year, Hameir Wright leads an Albany Academy (15-5) squad which has three players scoring in double figures. At 6-foot-8, Wright, being recruited by Syracuse and Cincinnati, averages nearly 17 points per game. CJ Mulvey (6-foot-7) and Marcus Filien (6-7) combine with Wright to make up a formidable front court.
Cardon noted how the opposing front court will challenge his team’s defense of ball screens.
“That’s going to be the key,” Cardon said of screens on the ball. “I just don’t think we can do the big to small switch like we’ve done all year. We’re trying make some adjustments in practice.”
Sophomore guard August Mahoney nets 16.1 for the Cadets.
Irondequoit (24-1), ranked No. 1 in the state, has won 14 straight. Their last loss came on January 14th against Victor when senior point guard Zach Stenglein was on the bench with a sprained ankle. Stenglein’s injury was not the first setback the Eagles had to overcome.
“We’ve had quite a journey,” Cardon said referring to injuries earlier in the season to seniors Alex Goldsberry and Devyn Walker. “We had some bumps in the road which is hard to believe when you’ve only lost one game.
“I’m proudest of these guys for when we got Zach back it took a couple games to get our mojo back, but then they were playing with more purpose. Once we got to the second season, they’ve been really, really good. I just see a level of maturity, a higher level of focus.”
Tysean Sizer averaged 17 points last weekend and earned tournament MVP honors as Irondequoit defeated Jamesville-DeWitt (III) and Our Lady of Lourdes (I) to claim the state title.
Sophomore Gerald Drumgoole scored 13.7 points and 6.5 rebounds per game during the regular season. Jeremiah Zitz added 5.7 points, 5.4 rebounds, 6.4 deflections and blocked 1.5 shots.
Aquinas fell last year in the Class AA TOC final. The Li’l Irish were the first Section Five team to reach a Class A final since John Wallace led Greece Athena to the 1992 championship. The Trojans brought a 27-game winning streak into the contest before falling to Bishop Loughlin of Brooklyn.
Bishop Kearney reached the Class B final in 2009, and Palmyra-Macedon made it to the B finals in 2005.
Matt Verkey and Mynderse were the last Section Five squad to win a Federation TOC when the Blue Devils took the 1992 Class C crown. Mynderse joined Lyons (1989) and Charlotte (1983 and 1984) as the only Section Five Federation champions.
Irondequoit and Albany Academy will tip off 1 pm on Saturday. The other semi-final tips off at 3 pm between Monsignor Farrell – Staten Island (Catholic High School Athletic Association/CHSAA) and Walton (New York City Public School Athletic League/PSAL). The winners will meet Sunday at 4 pm.
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