HIGH SCHOOL BOYS' BASKETBALL: HORSEHEADS TURNS UP THE DEFENSE TO DOWN CORNING (24 PHOTOS) (2024-02-05)

By Brian Fees
Southern Tier Sports Report
HORSEHEADS — Down 34-27 at the half, the Horseheads Blue Raiders turned up the defense in the second half, holding Corning to 16 points after the break in a 62-50 win.

“Just adjusting to what they did offensively and executing,” Horseheads’ Jack Fesetch said of the defense in the second half. “It feels great, it’s been a little bit, but hopefully we can use this for momentum down the road.”

The win by Horseheads over Corning clinched the STAC West title for Elmira.

The defense in the second half was a big key to the win, including holding Corning to six fourth-quarter points.

“It was really big, just to make them uncomfortable and shoot shots they don’t normally shoot,” Fesetch said. “We were in gaps a lot better in the second half and not letting our guys go 1-on-1 defensively.”

Corning got off to the fast start, hitting five threes, four in the first three quarters, but the Blue Raiders knew they just had to keep playing good defense.

“They got on fire a little bit, but we knew they would cool off eventually,” Fesetch said.

For Horseheads they were down 18-11 after one quarter, and Corning had the lead sitting between five and nine points into the third quarter, when Horseheads started their way back. Horseheads got within 44-43 after three quarters, before outscoring the Hawks 19-6 in the fourth.

“It was a great win, we had fun and we got after it,” John Durr said.

Fesetch had 17 for the Blue Raiders, including two threes in the third quarter and Durr had 16 points, all of them in the final three quarters, including six in both the second and third quarters.

“It’s always great to have that game, it was a team effort,” Durr said.

It was a packed house for the matchup, with both teams having big student sections who were into the game.

“Once in a lifetime,” Durr said of the atmosphere.

Fesetch had two boards with his 17 points and Durr had six boards.

Mason Holloway had seven points and two boards and Miles Woodhouse had six points, four in the second half. Dom Russ had five points, all in the fourth quarter, and 11 rebounds.

Maddox Hughey had four points and 12 boards and Brayden Kelly had four points, while Chase Harmer had three points.

Gavyn Hogue had 12 points, three boards, an assist and a steal and Nolyn Proudfoot had 12 points, a rebound and an assist.

Kyler Stevenson had 10 points, four boards and three steals and Larson Burch had two points, 10 boards, three steals and two assists.

Mekai Daniels had seven points, three rebounds and an assist, while Kohl Hogue had three points and Jeremy Spears had two points and a rebound.

Tiegen Gill had two points, while Caleb Anderson had four boards and an assist.

Daniels had five points in the third quarter and Gavyn Hogue had five of Corning’s six points in the fourth quarter.

For Horseheads the win is a big one as they close out the regular season.

“It’s big, down the road we have some tough ones coming up this week, so hopefully we can use this as momentum,” Fesetch said.
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PHOTOS BY BRIAN FEES.


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