The historic run continues for Honeoye (25-1) as the Bulldogs punched their ticket to their first-ever state championship with a 63-55 victory over Section IV’s Moravia (21-2) in the Class C semifinals on Friday afternoon at Visions Veterans Memorial Arena in Binghamton.
After a slow start, Honeoye found its rhythm late in the first quarter, clawing ahead 15-13 behind a dominant opening frame from sophomore Landon Washburn, who scored 11 of the team’s points. Washburn remained the offensive catalyst, tallying 18 points by halftime as the Bulldogs took a 28-23 lead into the break, matching their largest lead of the first half.
Honeoye came out strong in the third quarter, extending the lead to 11 just two minutes in and pushing it to 12 late in the frame. They entered the final period with a 42-31 advantage. However, Moravia, riding a 21-game win streak, refused to go down without a fight. The Blue Devils cut the deficit to six with 1:32 remaining and then to five with under a minute left, but clutch free-throw shooting from the Bulldogs kept them in control as they held on for a second straight game.
Washburn led the way with a game-high 27 points, going 13-for-15 from the line as free throws proved to be the difference down the stretch. Braiden Schneider poured in 14 points, making a handful of clutch plays on both ends of the court. Owen Cuba had nine points, while Dylan Washburn and Owen Reynolds each scored six.
With the win, the Bulldogs advance to the Class C state final, where they will face undefeated Berne-Knox-Westerlo (25-0) from Section II on Saturday at 7:45 p.m.
Kyle leads sports coverage and hosts the Concrete Jungle podcast. Have a lead or question? Send it to [email protected].