Is Athena's Khorie Reaves the best in Section V basketball? 91 players on AGR watchlist

GREECE — Though Greece Athena was projected to return an entire starting lineup from a Section V finals run, multiple factors made the offseason "interesting" for the championship hopefuls.

Senior Khorie Reaves is one of the area's best two-way guards. The All-Greater Rochester first teamer, however, generated Division I offers and considered transferring to a prep school.

"At one point I thought he wasn't coming back," Athena coach Mike Setzer said.

It wouldn't have surprised Setzer if Khorie's brothers, juniors I'zick and I'zayah, or their cousin Zee Johnson, left too. Senior Connor Osier committed to the University of Houston's baseball team in the spring, and could have just focused on his college sport as a senior.

"Once that happens, baseball is his main sport, so I thought he wasn't coming back either," Setzer said.

It wasn't until August when Setzer knew they all would return. A close call for an Athena team that has high hopes after making another Section V championship game appearance.

Greece Athena's Khorie Reaves a 'special' player

Khorie Reaves said Greece Athena was "embarrassed" at their loss to Irondequoit in the Section V Class A1 final. The Trojans swept the regular season but but fell to the Eagles 76-59 in the title game rubber match.

Reaves averaged 19 points as a junior. Setzer said Daemen University made an offer to his star guard, but hopes Reaves' move to point guard will attract more colleges. Reaves is 6-foot-4, can "jump out the gym", and is a key defender in Athena's full court trap. He had five steals in the opener.

Setzer expects Reaves will be the program's latest great scoring point guard, following the likes of Jay Sarkis and Casey Sheehan.

"To be honest, I'm not sure why I'm not getting more calls. He's a special player. ... Plus he's great at (point guard)," Setzer said. "

Athena has plenty of scoring options. Johnson, a senior, is another AGR first teamer who is expected to improve on his 12 points per game. Setzer was pleased with Osier's performance against Pittsford Sutherland star Max Machalski in Greece's season opening 66-41 win Dec. 1. I'zick and I'zaya are key players on both ends. Ne'Sean Fowlks comes from a 15-5 junior varsity team and started the opener. Byron Williams, Ryan Grasley, Rocco Prota and Roger Webb are also in the rotation.

One thing's for certain: The Trojans will enter sectionals battle tested. For the first time, Greece Athena will visit Rochester City School District teams like Monroe and Franklin. University Prep even comes to town. The Trojans are on the road until Jan. 3.

"Once we got everybody back, I told them we were not going to have a soft schedule. This is all by design," Setzer said.

Bookmark this: Section V boys basketball scores for the 2023-24 season

They said it: Greece Athena basketball players

Zee Johnson: "Our whole starting five, me, Khorie, I'zick, I'zayah, Connor, and we have great people coming off the bench too, Byron (Williams), Ryan (Grasley), Ne'Sean (Fowlks), Rocco (Prota)."

Connor Osier: "Everyone is going to get theirs. We're going to be swinging the ball, moving fast and running up and down the court, just trying to run people off the court."

Khorie Reaves: "During this offseason we also had a chip on our shoulder due to what happened last year, getting embarrassed at (Blue Cross Arena). I feel like this year we're all motivated and ready to kill."

Section V's top boys basketball players, preseason 2023-24

List was compiled by Section V coaches and the Democrat and Chronicle.

Jaedon Adams-Griffin, World of Inquiry: Junior averaged 14 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists.

Alejandro Aguilar, Bishop Kearney: The 5-11 junior combo guard has nice shot, defends multiple positions and is a relentless rebounder.

Jaypar Allen, Newark: The 5-9 point guard is a great leader, ball handler and scrappy defender.

Isaiah Anderson, McQuaid: The 5-9 point guard averaged 6.4 points, 3 assists and 2.3 rebounds; "tremendous leader" and three-year player.

Isaiah Ballard, Irondequoit: The 6-3 senior forward averaged 7.2 points and 7.2 rebounds; senior leader with great experience; will be leaned on to finish inside, outside and defend the post.

Karon Beale, Franklin: Senior 5-7 guard.

Johnny Bianchi, Hilton: Senior point guard is a floor general with a good shot.

Cam Blankenberg, Wayne: The 6-5 sophomore point guard averaged 13 points.

Micah Breedlove-Johnson, East: The 6-1 junior guard averaged 13.2 points and 4 rebounds.

Mikey Briggs, Lyons: A 5-8 senior point guard.

Iron Brown, Wilson: Senior guard is a defensive leader and impact player.

William Brown-Nelson, Greece Olympia: The senior 6-3 guard/forward averaged 8.6 points and 5.1 rebounds.

Garrett Clar, Victor: Returning AGR first teamer, guided Blue Devils to Section V Class AA title and NYS championship; scored 31 points on seven 3-pointers in Friday's win at Webster Thomas.

Jackson Cook, Livonia: The 6-4 power forward/center has guard skills and can take over games around the rim; a vocal leader who's confidence is growing.

Bill Covey, Honeoye: The 6-2 senior power forward can stretch the floor with his jumper; strong team leader.

Nicholas Coyle, Livonia: The 6-1 point guard is a quiet leader who is long, quick, athletic, intelligent and disruptive in the passing lanes.

Jahmeik Donald, Early College: Senior joins a trio of guards who will lead the team offensively.

Nate Doll, Caledonia-Mumford: The 6-2 forward is a three-year starter and senior captain.

Austin Durand, Haverling: The six foot scoring point guard was the team's second leading scorer and loves to compete.

Russell Ellis, Bishop Kearney: The 5-7 freshman is a crafty and shifty guard who can score and handle the ball; plays with poise.

Caiden Evans, Greece Olympia: The 6-2 junior guard averaged 11.4 points and 2.5 steals.

Connor Feehan, Livonia: The six foot shooting guard is a competitive, vocal leader who's adding a downhill game to pair with his streaky shooting.

Jaiven Fell, Northeast: Senior forward.

Kellen Foster, Newark: The six foot guard/forward is a great leader who's explosive on offense and defense.

Luke Fliss, Pittsford Sutherland: The 6-1 three-sport star will handle the ball more this season; Providence lacrosse commit.

Braedon Fonte, Caledonia-Mumford: The 5-10 guard/forward and two-year starter will defend the opposing team's best guard.

Daniel Gay, Franklin: Junior 6-2 forward.

Brady Gerig, Hilton: The senior shooting guard is one of the Cadets' best shooters ever.

Shawn Goins, Franklin: The 6-4 senior guard averaged 15 points and 4 steals.

Ishmael Gonzales, School of the Arts: Junior guard will help lead backcourt.

Timmy Graziano, Hilton: Senior shooting guard can also handle the rock.

Jake Hagadone, Haverling: The 6-4 forward plays all five positions; leading scorer; great leader on and off the court.

Josh Harter, Avon: The 5-10 point guard enters his third year with a 5-1 assist-turnover ratio; made Section V record 14 3-pointers in a game.

Merritt Holly Jr., LeRoy: Had 43 points and 16 rebounds in win over Livonia.

Griffen Hopkins, Victor: The junior point guard will play a larger role after scoring a team-high 15 points in the state championship game.

Sam Howland, School of the Arts: Senior point guard had breakout season in 2022-23.

Latrell Ingram, School of the Arts: Junior guard will help lead the backcourt.

Zymier Jackson, East: The 6-2 senior averaged 9 points, 5 steals and 6 rebounds last season.

Josh Jefferson, Early College: Senior joins a trio of guards who will lead the team offensively.

Jamire "JJ" Johnson, Lyons: A 6-5 sophomore center.

Zee Johnson, Greece Athena: Returning AGR first teamer is a 6-4 senior guard/forward who averaged 12 points.

Jaiyden Jones, McQuaid: 6-4 forward/guard averaged 8.5 points and 7.2 rebounds; very active defender and rebounder; Knights began 2022-23 0-7 without Jones and finished the season 6-2 with him.

Levi Kulik, Webster Thomas

Bennie Laver, School of the Arts: Sophomore forward/guard has greatly improved.

Keysean Leonard, East: The six foot senior averaged 10.1 points and five assists last season.

Nick Leonard, Victor: Returning AGR first teamer was named MVP of the Section V and NYS tournaments.

Chris Leysath, Aquinas

Kanaz Linder, Northeast: Junior guard.

Kamell Little, East: Junior point guard.

Davijon Lipscomb, Edison Tech: Senior guard averaged 18 points.

LaShard Lowry, Fairport: scored 30 points in win against Penfield.

Jacob Luc, Rush-Henrietta: The 5-11 senior is an extremely smart and excellent point guard.

Max Machalski, Pittsford Sutherland: A post player who's a good finisher and rim protector; averaged 12 points and 10 rebounds; shooting over 50% for career; had 21 points and 25 rebounds in '23 semifinals; played in the Basketball Coaches Association of New York's Summer Hoops Festival.

Diego Martinez, World of Inquiry: Senior averaged 14 points and shot 43% from 3.

Daiquon McKinney, Monroe: Senior guard.

William McKinney, Monroe: Junior guard.

Ryan Mills, Caledonia-Mumford: The 5-9 guard/forward and two-year starter is a "blue collar" senior who does all the little things that don't make the box score.

Michael Mitchell, Wilson: Senior guard is a good shooter and high energy spark off the bench.

Kendrick Moxley, Wilson: Senior guard is key ball handler who averaged 1.7 steals and 5 assists.

Connor Osier, Greece Athena: The Houston baseball commit is a 6-5 senior forward who averaged 11 points and 9 rebounds.

PJ Ostrowski, Wayne: The 6-2 forward averaged 14 points.

Jake Pangrazio, York: Returning AGR second teamer.

Donny Peet, Caledonia-Mumford: The 5-11 point guard is a senior captain in his third season.

Dutch Pestorius, Pittsford Sutherland: The 6-foot-5 three-year varsity player moved to guard; good defender and rebounder.

Macoy Putnam, Avoca/Prattsburgh: Returning AGR first teamer for the two-time state champions.

I'zayah Reaves, Greece Athena: The six foot junior guard averaged 7 points.

I'zick Reaves, Greece Athena: The 6-3 junior guard averaged 9 points.

Jahmez "Jah" Reaves, Bishop Kearney: The eighth-grader 6-2 combo guard is physical, skilled and plays with energy on both sides; all-around player gives 100% effort each play.

Khorie Reaves, Greece Athena: Returning AGR first teamer for the Section V finalists; generating Division I interest; averaged 19 points.

Owen Reynolds, Honeoye: The 5-10 junior point guard is a floor general who finishes strong at the basket; defends opponent's best players.

Junayde Richardson, World of Inquiry: Sophomore averaged 9 points, 11 rebounds and 3 blocks.

Michael Rowland, Avon: The six foot guard enters his fifth varsity season with 755 points; key contributors to three section championship teams; guards team's best post player.

Kenny Scott, Monroe: Senior forward.

Zach Sisson, Fillmore: The 6-2 senior guard is a gifted scorer and improved defender who is expected to become more of a leader.

Reggie Smith Jr, Brighton: Returning AGR second teamer; scored 108 points in first three games, including 40 in season opener against Rochester Academy Charter.

Ben Sneddon, Hilton: Senior forward is a tenacious rebounder with improved strength.

Paul Stevens, School of the Arts: Sophomore forward expected to be greatly improved.

Trevor Stroud, Avon: The six foot guard entered his third varsity season as the team's best on-ball defender; shooter with deep range and can attack off dribble.

Michael Stroughter, Early College: Senior joins a trio of guards who will lead the team offensively.

Jalen Taggart, Rush-Henrietta: The 6-3 sophomore forward is a raw talent.

Shane Talbot, Webster Thomas

Yacoub Tarawally, World of Inquiry: Senior forward averaged 14.3 points and 8 rebounds.

Clarence Thompson, Franklin: The 6-foot-4 senior guard/forward averaged 20 points and 7 rebounds.

Terrance Thompson, Franklin: The 6-8 senior guard/forward is a returning AGR second teamer after averaging 16 points and 11 rebounds.

Quinn Vankerkhove, Irondequoit: The 5-11 senior guard averaged 9 points; will be a senior leader; tough as nails; blue collar athlete will run point, guard opposition's bet player, and is a 3-point threat for the reigning Section V Class A1 champions.

Landon Washburn, Honeoye: The 6-2 freshman shooting guard is a natural scorer; averaged 11 points as eighth-grader.

Christon Wester, Northeast: Senior guard.

Aidan White, Fairport

DaSiah White, Wilson: Junior guard on pace to surpass 1,000 points; averaged 17 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists.

Danny Williams, Franklin: Junior 5-11 guard.

Isaiah Wonneberg, Edison Tech: Junior forward/center averaged 6 points.

This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Section V boys basketball 2023-24: 91 players on AGR watchlist