Boys basketball: Pittsford Mendon moves past Sutherland again, reaches state Class A tournament

James Johnson
Democrat and Chronicle

Bragging rights in the town of Pittsford rivalry and a spot in the Class A public high school boys state tournament belong to Pittsford Mendon.

That is without a doubt, after the Mendon Vikings were comfortable 74-53 winners Wednesday night over the Pittsford Sutherland Knights in a Section V state tournament qualifier at Blue Cross Arena. 

Mendon turned the matchup of 2019 Section V champions at the Rochester Community War Memorial into a runaway late in the second quarter. 

The Vikings (24-0), ranked No. 3 among Class A teams in the state by the New York State Sportswriters Association, move on to face Lewiston-Porter (21-3) of the Buffalo region at 2:30 p.m. Saturday at Greece Athena.

Pittsford Mendon's Jacob Shadders, right, defends against a layup by Pittsford Sutherland's Ben DiGiovanni during the Class A state qualifier played at The Blue Cross Arena, Wednesday, March 6, 2019. Pittsford Mendon advanced to the state tournament quarterfinal with a 74-53 win over Pittsford Sutherland.

Mendon senior Mike Harrington scored a game-high 27 points to lead the Vikings to their third win over Sutherland (16-9) this season.

Senior swingman Dan Cook had 21 points with 12 rebounds and sophomore guard Jacob Shadders added 16 points for the Vikings. Sutherland had three players in double figures, the same number of Knights who finished with at least four fouls.

Kevin Ryan led Sutherland's group with 16 points and six rebounds, while key guard Ben DiGiovanni had 13 points and Matt Panara 11. 

Mendon defeated Sutherland 61-57 during the school district's Rainbow Classic game at University of Rochester on Dec. 21. The rematch Jan. 26 at Mendon ended up with a final score of 68-53. Sutherland went on to win the Section V Class A2 title to set up Wednesday night's matchup.

Player of the Game

Pittsford Mendon's Michael Harrington, right, drives the baseline against Pittsford Sutherland's Matt Panara during the Class A state qualifier played at The Blue Cross Arena, Wednesday, March 6, 2019. Pittsford Mendon advanced to the state tournament quarterfinal with a 74-53 win over Pittsford Sutherland.

Mike Harrington, Pittsford Mendon: His selection as Most Valuable Player of the Section V Class A1 Tournament was far from a fluke.

The 6 foot-3 inch senior was 9 of 14 shooting from the floor, a healthy 5 of 8 from 3-point range. He made all but one of his five free-throw attempts had five rebounds, turned the ball over just twice and had three steals. 

Sequence of the game

Someone sitting courtside said “We have a ballgame,” not long after Kevin Ryan made the first and missed the second of two free throws that reduced Mendon’s lead 22-20.

Then, we didn’t have a ballgame.

A layup by Cook with 3:49 remaining in the second quarter was the start of a 16-2 run the rest of the first half. Just like that, Cook made a 3-pointer before the buzzer to give Mendon a 16-point lead as the Vikings charged to their dressing room at halftime.

Unsung hero

Caleb Arena, Pittsford Mendon: When Mendon starter Nate Strauf picked up his second foul, in went the 6-1 Arena to become part of the crew trying to deny 6-6 All-Greater Rochester forward Kevin Ryan the ball.

Did Arena shut down Ryan? No. Did Arena becoming a scoring option. No, he failed to score, taking two shots. Arena did grab six rebounds, five on the Mendon defensive end in 18 minutes.

Key stats

21 — The number of fouls committed by Sutherland, nine in the first half, compared to 12 overall for Mendon.

15 — Sutherland’s turnover total, six more than Mendon’s.

Best quote

Pittsford Mendon head coach Bob Nally, right, shakes hands with his brother Pittsford Sutherland head coach John Nally following the Class A state qualifier played at The Blue Cross Arena, Wednesday, March 6, 2019. Pittsford Mendon advanced to the state tournament quarterfinal with a 74-53 win over Pittsford Sutherland.

“You just can’t put them out in transition. Bad shots and turnovers offensively is just two points for them every time. They’ve got too many guards that can make good decisions and too many finishers that can finish the play at the end.” Pittsford Sutherland coach John Nally.

What’s next

Mendon tries to remain undefeated and reach the final four of the New York State Public High School Athletic Association state tournament, when it takes on Lewiston-Porter at 2:30 p.m. Saturday at Greece Athena.

JAMESJ@Gannett.com

More:Section V basketball state qualifier scores for Wednesday, March 6