Greece Athena is undefeated, No.1 in the state: Section V's ranked boys basketball teams

GREECE — Following the completion of a perfect regular season, Greece Athena gathered in the locker room and wrote two records on the board.

Coach Mike Setzer wrote "20-0" and "And still more to do". One of Athena's players added "0-0".

The state-ranked Trojans' 20-0 record is a well-deserved feat that didn't come easy. They beat Batavia 87-35 in Thursday's regular season finale, but overcame multiple double-digit deficits and leaned on clutch performances while playing one of Section V's toughest schedules. Athena defeated the likes of East High, Franklin, Pittsford Sutherland, University Prep and Hilton. The Trojans even beat Section VI's East Aurora 113-61.

But Athena's perfect regular season record doesn't win a Section V title. Writing "0-0" reminded the Trojans to "stay hungry," just as their team t-shirts read.

"I want them to enjoy tonight and being 20-0," Setzer said. "But tomorrow when we start practice I want us to start like we're 0-0. Everything's a one day playoff from this day forward. It's really just about us staying hungry."

Greece Athena basketball playing at 'high level'

Ranked No. 1 in the New York State Sportswriters Association's Class AA poll for the third straight week, Greece Athena's hopes were high after their entire starting lineup returned.

Junior Ne'Sean Fowlks is a versatile guard who leads Athena in 3-point percentage. Junior Byron Williams has played well as the reserve big man. Junior lefty Jacob Curatalo can shoot it too, and classmate Dominic LaMar is playing at a "high level" entering playoffs.

As for the starters, seniors Reaves, Johnson and Osier have delivered. Reaves and Johnson are 1,000-point scorers who improved their long range shooting. Osier could've have focused on baseball but wanted to prove himself and knew Athena would be good again. I'Zayah Reave also improved his 3-point percentage, and in a lineup full of defenders, I'Zick Reaves may be Athena's best on the ball.

"Every time we were down, I never thought we were out of it, because they wouldn't let us be," Setzer said.

Greece Athena earns Section V Class AA No. 1 seed

But will Greece Athena's rotation be enough to win its first Section V title since 2015? Setzer sees Class AA as a tough field, especially with Irondequoit in the bracket. The Eagles beat Athena in the 2023 Section V Class A1 final.

Hilton, Canandaigua, Penfield and Webster Schroeder ended the season strong. Pittsford Mendon and Brighton also has what it takes. Reigning Class AA section and state champ Victor faced injuries during a losing skid but is better than where it will be seeded.

Friday's seeding meeting will confirm postseason matchups. Athena will be the Class AA top seed and appears to have a home game against Northeast (4-16) in the first round.

"We can't afford to look past anyone," Setzer said. "Starting tomorrow the only team we're allowed to talk about is Northeast," Setzer said. "We just have to stay focused."

Section V boys basketball teams in NYS rankings

NYSSWA rankings and records through Feb. 11.

Attica's Cole Harding became the latest Section V player to surpass 1,000 career points. Harding racked up 19 points and 11 rebounds in eclipsing the century mark in leading his NYS honorable mention Blue Devils to a 77-50 win over Holley on Wednesday.

Class AAA

• Honorable mention: Aquinas (15-3), Fairport (15-4), University Prep (9-8).

Class AA

• No. 1 Greece Athena (18-0).

• HM: Canandaigua (14-4), Hilton (13-6), Irondequoit (12-7), Penfield (13-5), Victor (10-8), Webster Schroeder (13-5).

Class A

• No. 2 East High (15-2).

• No. 9 Monroe (13-5).

• No. 13 Wayne (17-2).

• No. 20 Pittsford Sutherland (15-4).

• HM: Bishop Kearney (10-7), Eastridge (12-7), Newark (14-5).

Class B

• No. 3 Avon (18-1).

• No. 6 Hornell (16-3).

• No. 7 Canisteo-Greenwood (17-1).

• HM: Attica (15-4), LeRoy (13-5), Marcus Whitman (13-6).

Class C

• No. 4 Lyons (17-2).

• No. 8 York (14-4).

• No. 13 Byron-Bergen (15-4).

• No. 14 Pembroke (14-4).

• No. 20 Alexander (16-4).

• No. 23 Batavia Notre Dame (14-4).

• No. 25 Wheatland-Chili (14-5).

• HM: Arkport/Canaseraga (14-4), Bolivar-Richburg 14-5), Finney (12-6), East Rochester (17-2), Fillmore (17-2), Gananda (15-4), Mount Morris (12-7), Sodus (11-5).

Class D

• No. 3 Avoca/Prattsburgh (11-8).

• HM: Andover/Whitesville (10-9), Jasper-Troupsburg (10-9).

— Marquel Slaughter is a journalist for the Democrat and Chronicle, specializing in high school sports.He has been reporter for 14 years. Follow him @MarquelSports on X or on Instagram. You can contact him at mslaughter1@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: section v boys basketball new york rankings greece athena