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Section V basketball sectionals 2024: Batavia's Buddy Brasky still learning after 34 years

Marquel Slaughter, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
·4 min read

GREECE, NY — Batavia coach Buddy Brasky is still learning the game of basketball well into his 34th season.

Brasky has seen how much chemistry and commitment to defense can positively affect a team. He's seen selflessness guide Batavia's Blue Devils to six Section V titles under his watch. Brasky has even witnessed yearly roster turnovers. In 2023, Batavia was Section V Class B1's top-seed with a 16-4 record. One year later, the Blue Devils are 10-10 and Class A's 10th seed.

The shuffling-of-the-deck is a challenge Brasky has learned to love over his long career. He'll see what Batavia is truly made of when the Section V postseason begins this week.

Buddy Brasky and the Batavia Blue Devils are 10th seeds in Class B in Section V's boys basketball 2024 sectionals. Despite this being his 34th season, Brasky says he's still learning.
Buddy Brasky and the Batavia Blue Devils are 10th seeds in Class B in Section V's boys basketball 2024 sectionals. Despite this being his 34th season, Brasky says he's still learning.

"You learn every year. You start the journey all over again and get kids to buy into the culture. That to me is the challenge and where I find fun in coaching," said Brasky, who last led Batavia to a Section V title in 2016.

Section V Class A playoffs will be 'tough'

Another thing Brasky has also learned is how "tough" the Section V Class A postseason will be.

Brasky mentioned East High, Monroe and reigning Class A2 champion Pittsford Sutherland as examples, but there aren't many easy outs. Wayne and Newark are strong again, and Bishop Kearney isn't your typical 8th-seed.

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No. 10 Batavia will travel to No. 7 Geneva in a Class A first round game Feb. 20. Brasky's Blue Devils have three seniors leading a young team that has gradually improved all year. Batavia has played well in spurts when they defend, shoot well and limit turnovers.

Juniors Justin Smith and Carter Mullen are Batavia's go-to scorers each averaging around 14 points per game. Senior point guard Joe Marranco is their best perimeter defender, and senior Estavon Lovett has a "great overall game." But will they be enough to help Batavia advance and ruffle the Class A bracket?

"The game has changed. You've got to get a group of guys that are committed to a common goal, and you've got to get them to like each other, like to play with each other, play unselfishly. If you can get a team to do that, then you have a chance," Brasky said.

Section V basketball sectionals 2024 sneak peak

Moments after falling 87-35 in Thursday's regular season finale at Greece Athena, Brasky said Class AA will be a "gauntlet" even for Khorie Reaves' 20-0 Trojans. Reigning state champion Victor is healthy with leading scorer Garrett Clar's return, and low seeds like Brighton, Pittsford Mendon and Webster Thomas can make some noise.

Class AAA coaches have said all year that any of its seven seeds can win the section title. Lower seeds like Rush-Henrietta, Edison Tech and Fairport are home to some of the area's best players.

Avon is a perennial Class B champion, but Hornell and Canisteo-Greenwood have played well all year. Lyons is the reigning overall Class C champ, though East Rochester, Fillmore, Harley Allendale Columbia, Pembroke and York are just a few notable teams in the section's deepest class. Avoca-Prattsburgh is 11-9 but the two-time state champs still remain the team to beat.

Section V boys basketball sectionals: Top seeds in every class

Aquinas's Christopher Leysath tips a rebound away from Franklin's Terence Thompson as they battle under the basket.
Aquinas's Christopher Leysath tips a rebound away from Franklin's Terence Thompson as they battle under the basket.

Class AAA

  1. Aquinas (17-3).

  2. Fairport (16-4).

  3. Franklin (13-6).

  4. University Prep (11-9).

Hilton's Brady Gerig tries to drive around the pressure from Athena's I'zick Reaves.
Hilton's Brady Gerig tries to drive around the pressure from Athena's I'zick Reaves.

Class AA

  1. Greece Athena (20-0).

  2. Hilton (14-6).

  3. Canandaigua (16-4).

  4. Webster Schroeder (14-6).

East's Markell Kingston-Johnson drives to the basket against Franklin's Lavante Brown.
East's Markell Kingston-Johnson drives to the basket against Franklin's Lavante Brown.

Class A

  1. East High (15-2).

  2. Wayne (18-2).

  3. Pittsford Sutherland (15-5).

  4. Monroe (14-6).

Hornell senior point guard Gennaro Picco became the school's all-time leading scorer on Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2024. Picco scored 18 points in three quarters of an 81-38 win over Pavilion.
Hornell senior point guard Gennaro Picco became the school's all-time leading scorer on Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2024. Picco scored 18 points in three quarters of an 81-38 win over Pavilion.

Class B1

  1. Hornell (17-3).

  2. Mynderse (12-8).

  3. World of Inquiry (9-11).

  4. Livonia (10-10).

Avon began the season 12-0 before a 61-55 setback to Lyons on Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2024. Left to right: Juniors Josh Harter and Trevor Stroud, and senior Michael Rowland.
Avon began the season 12-0 before a 61-55 setback to Lyons on Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2024. Left to right: Juniors Josh Harter and Trevor Stroud, and senior Michael Rowland.

Class B2

  1. Avon (19-1).

  2. Canisteo-Greenwood (18-1).

  3. Marcus Whitman (14-6).

  4. Attica (16-4).

Lyons improved to 11-2 after defeating previously unbeaten Avon on Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2024. Left to right: Devyn Williams, Dezmen Bell, JJ Johnson and Mikey Briggs.
Lyons improved to 11-2 after defeating previously unbeaten Avon on Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2024. Left to right: Devyn Williams, Dezmen Bell, JJ Johnson and Mikey Briggs.

Class C1

  1. Lyons (18-2).

  2. East Rochester (18-2).

  3. Pembroke (16-4).

  4. Gananda (15-5).

Class C2

  1. Byron-Bergen (16-4).

  2. Alexander (16-4).

  3. Bolivar-Richburg (15-5).

  4. York (14-6).

Batavia Notre Dame's Chase Aminore, Ryan Fitzpatrick, Jaden Sherwood, Mavrik Hall, Jay Antinore, George Woodruff and Evan Fitzpatrick after a senior night 66-49 victory over visiting Elba on Tuesday, Feb. 6. The Fighting Irish improved to 13-4.
Batavia Notre Dame's Chase Aminore, Ryan Fitzpatrick, Jaden Sherwood, Mavrik Hall, Jay Antinore, George Woodruff and Evan Fitzpatrick after a senior night 66-49 victory over visiting Elba on Tuesday, Feb. 6. The Fighting Irish improved to 13-4.

Class C3

  1. Fillmore (18-2).

  2. Harley Allendale Columbia (17-3)

  3. Arkport-Canaseraga (15-4).

  4. Batavia Notre Dame (15-5).

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Class D

  1. Avoca-Prattsburgh (11-9).

  2. Jasper-Troupsburg (11-9).

  3. Andover-Whitesville (10-10).

  4. Hammondsport (7-13).

This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Section V basketball sectionals 2024: Boys seedings, teams to watch