Liverpool defends section crown with win over West Genesee in Section III Class AA championship

Syracuse, N.Y. — For the third time this season, the Liverpool boys basketball team defeated West Genesee. This time, the 66-53 win came in the Section III Class AA championship game on Sunday at SRC Arena.

Liverpool came out firing from the start. The Warriors jumped out to a 9-2 lead and ended the quarter leading 14-8 behind six points from Andreo Ash.

In the second, the Wildcats were the team that came out hot. West Genesee scored the first four points of the quarter to cut the lead to two with just over six minutes left in the half. After Christian Cain nailed back-to-back 3-pointers, West Genesee led 22-18.

The lead was short-lived, though. The Warriors rallied back behind five straight points from Bruce Wingate and went into the locker room with a 25-24 lead.

The third quarter was all Warriors. Liverpool jumped out with a 14-4 run to extend its lead early in the half. Wingate seemingly could not miss from long range. The junior knocked down three 3s in the quarter to help Liverpool carry a 47-37 lead into the final quarter. Wingate finished the night with 19 points. Teammate Ash added 19 as well.

West Genesee was paced by Christian Amica and Cain who scored 18 and 16, respectively.

In the fourth, the Wildcats kept it within 10 the whole quarter but were never able to break through and regain the lead. The closest West Genesee got was five before the Warriors padded their lead time and time again.

The win marks the fifth-straight time Liverpool (20-3) defeated West Genesee (18-5) including last year’s Section III Class AA championship.

The Warriors will play in regionals against Section II champion Green Tech on Saturday at 12:45 p.m. at SRC Arena. Green Tech defeated Liverpool in regionals last season.

This story will be updated.

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