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Section V returns a wealth of talent: Girls basketball teams set to contend in each class

Justin Ritzel, Canandaigua Daily Messenger
·5 min read
Kearney's Klarissa Goode drives in to score in the second quarter between Penfield's Lena Lipani and Ashley Kalvitis.
Kearney's Klarissa Goode drives in to score in the second quarter between Penfield's Lena Lipani and Ashley Kalvitis.

When the 2022-23 girls basketball season came to an end at Hudson Valley Community College in Troy last March, no New York state region had more representation on the season's final day than Section V.

Three teams (Webster Schroeder, Canandaigua and Waterloo) reached their respective championship games, a feat matched only by Section I (Dutchess, Putnam, Rockland, Westchester counties). However, Section V's two championship winners led New York state.

While each season promises surprises and breakout teams, many of last year's top teams return a wealth of talent that'll be reluctant to relinquish their crowns.

The lone guarantee: Section V will present quite a challenge for opposing sections when NYSPHSAA tournaments begin in March.

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

Here are teams expected to contend in 2023-24:

Section V girls basketball, Class AAA

Defending champion: N/A

Fairport's Livea Amadori (14), left, goes for the steal on Victor's Allie Pisano (4), right, in the first half during their Section V game Friday, Dec. 9, 2022 at Fairport High School. Fairport won the game 57-43.
Fairport's Livea Amadori (14), left, goes for the steal on Victor's Allie Pisano (4), right, in the first half during their Section V game Friday, Dec. 9, 2022 at Fairport High School. Fairport won the game 57-43.

Class AAA makes its girls basketball debut this winter, marking New York state's first classification addition since 2004. Section V features six teams eligible for sectional play.

Of the teams making the jump from AA to AAA, Fairport (13-7 in 2022-23) returns the best record. However, the Red Raiders must contend with the loss of two all-state selections from last season following the graduation of Bella Pucci and Ella Meabon.

Edison Tech could also present a challenge. Gabriela Lopez, who averaged over 17 points per game last season, is the team's top returner.

Section V girls basketball, Class AA

Defending champion: Webster Schroeder

Schroeder's Addison Morgan scores from low inside.
Schroeder's Addison Morgan scores from low inside.

Schroeder, the defending NYSPHSAA champion, returns almost its entire roster from last season's title-winning team. While reigning All-Greater Rochester Player of the Year selection Mariah Watkins will miss the season, Schroeder has enough talent to challenge for another section crown.

Bishop Kearney is only a season removed from winning its own Class AA state title, and brings back AGR pick Klarissa Goode. Penfield, last year's section runner-up, is already off to a strong start following a blowout win over Fairport in the Patriots' season opener Dec. 1.

Another team to watch could be Hilton. The Cadets bowed out in the section quarterfinals last year, but retain all-state selections Ella Clark and Mallory Heise.

Section V girls basketball, Class A

Defending champion: Canandaigua

Pittsford Sutherland's Leora Cook goes for a layup while Mercy's Audrey Hintz defends.
Pittsford Sutherland's Leora Cook goes for a layup while Mercy's Audrey Hintz defends.

Class A is wide open with Canandaigua's move to AA. Pittsford Sutherland is a logical successor, especially with forward Leora Cook (13 points per game last season) back in the mix. Sutherland was the No. 1 seed in last year's Class A tournament, but fell to the aforementioned Gray Wolves in the championship game.

Honeoye Falls-Lima is a team off to a hot start -- two blowout wins in two games to start the season -- that could take a step this winter.

Aquinas and Palmyra-Macedon, two teams up from Class B, return plenty of talent and should challenge come February and March.

Section V girls basketball, Class B

Defending champion: Waterloo (B1), Hornell (B2)

Waterloo's Addison Bree (5) drives to the paint in the girls Class B state semifinal game against Cortland at Hudson Valley Community College in Troy, on Friday, March 17, 2023.
Waterloo's Addison Bree (5) drives to the paint in the girls Class B state semifinal game against Cortland at Hudson Valley Community College in Troy, on Friday, March 17, 2023.

Waterloo was the class of Class B basketball last season. The Tigers made their fourth state final appearance in 2022-23 and captured their first state title.

After graduating three all-state selections (Morgan Caraballo, Jazzmyn Lewis, Natalie DiSanto), Waterloo will lean on a roster that features no seniors and only one junior. Sophomore guard Addison Bree will lead this year's youthful group.

Hornell, which fell to Waterloo in last year's regional qualifier, possesses a youthful roster in its own right. Last year's Red Raiders included three freshman -- including all-state pick Jordan Dyring -- and one eighth-grader in the playing rotation, and each returns this year with the benefit of experience.

Who'll be AGR Player of the Year? 40 Section V girls basketball players to watch

Section V girls basketball, Class C1

Defending champion: Oakfield-Alabama

Oakfield-Alabama's Caitlin Ryan drives to the basket and gets fouled during their Section V Class C1 championship game against Canisteo-Greenwood at Rush Henrietta High School.
Oakfield-Alabama's Caitlin Ryan drives to the basket and gets fouled during their Section V Class C1 championship game against Canisteo-Greenwood at Rush Henrietta High School.

Oakfield-Alabama will lean on juniors Alea Groff and Caitlyn Ryan in its pursuit of a second straight section title.

Lyons, the top seed in last year's C2 tournament, will also be in play with guards Jayla Bell and Kamryn Bonnell leading the way. Bell, who made the AGR list and was named second team all-state, averaged over 22 points per game as a sophomore in 22-23.

Gone is last season's top tournament seed Canisteo-Greenwood, which moved to Class B this season.

Section V girls basketball, Class C2

Defending champion: Pavilion

Junior guard Kendall Parker is a key returner for Dundee/Bradford this season.
Junior guard Kendall Parker is a key returner for Dundee/Bradford this season.

Pavilion has claimed C2 titles in three of the last four seasons, and looks to extend its run in 2023-24 minus two of its stars (Lauren Kingsley and Karlee Zinkievich) from last year.

Could Dundee/Bradford take the reins after falling to Pavilion in last year's final? Guard Kendall Parker, who was named to the AGR's second team in 2022-23, returns for her junior season and leads a team that features six seniors on the roster.

Keshequa, a Class D program last season, fell in the NYSPHSAA quarterfinals and brings back core members from last year's team, including guards Libby Bender and Braelyn Isaman.

Section V girls basketball, Class D

Defending champion: Andover/Whitesville (D1), Keshequa (D2)

Class D shifts to a single bracket this winter.

Andover/Whitesville merged athletic programs in 2021-22 and is 2-for-2 in claiming section titles since (D1 in 22-23, D2 in 21-22). The NYSPHSAA tournament has proved elusive, however, as the team has dropped the Class D regional qualifier both seasons. A-W will need to replace the production of forward Vanessa Hall, who averaged 27 points a game last season.

This article originally appeared on MPNnow: Section V girls basketball 2023-24: Teams expected to contend