SECTION 4 BOYS' BASKETBALL: CORNING WRAPS UP FIRST PERFECT SEASON IN CORNING HAWKS HISTORY, AND FIRST FOR CORNING SINCE WEST IN 2002 (February 10, 2026)
Southern Tier Sports Report CORNING — The Corning boys’ basketball team wrapped up a perfect regular season with a 105-71 win over Wellsville.
Corning, ranked 21st in AAA in the state, finishes the year 18-0. It’s the first time for the Hawks program, and the first time since Corning West went 18-0 in 2002.
“It’s very special,” Corning coach Mike Johnston Jr. said. “The last time we did it was 2002 when I was coaching at Corning West when wer were 18-0 in the regular season and this is 24 years later. That goes to show these aren’t things you take for granted.”
The unbeaten regular season is something that the Hawks have thought about during the season.
“From the beginning of the season we want to be like the undefeated Corning West team and it’s really special because we came out and did just that.”
While the perfect regular season was nice, they have much bigger goals, and are taking things a game at a time.
“We are very excited for STAC playoffs of course, but the coaches have been preaching you get no banners and no hardware for an undefeated season, so even though being undefeated is great, we need to finish it and win the STAC and I think we can do just that and if we comd out and do our job we can win sectionals. I
“It was amazing to have senior night right at home in front of all our fans and we can’t do any of this without our seniors. So many people come ot practice and come to games and show up and give everything they have and it’s amazing to have such a special group who is willing to to do just that and contribute like everyone is. STAC finals will be packed and a very special game because it is at home and it will be a very special moment and I think we need to just come out and give our all and take care of business.”
After a schedule that saw the Hawks on the road a lot early in the season, they ended the regular season in front of the home fans on Tuesday.
“It was a bizarre schedule,” Johnston Jr. said. “We played our first nine out of 12 games on the road and the kids excelled and for us to come home and play so many at home at the beack end of the season gave us a lot of confidence.”
While the 18-0 regular season is special, now it’s onto the STAC Tournament.
Corning hosts Oneonta at 6 p.m. on Feb. 19. Oneonta is ranked 15th in Class A. The other semifinal is 16-1 Seton Catholic, ranked third in AA, against 12-5 Maine-Endwell, ranked 19th in A.
“We are taking it one step at a time,” Johnston Jr. said. “Our first goal was to win the STAC West title, the undefeated season was nice and a bi-product of the hard work the kids put in the regular season. Next goal is to win a STAC semifinal game and take it one game at a time.
“It’s a break week for February recess and we’ll be reaching out to all our fans to show up. We got into one game at a time, focused on one team in Oneonta and our focus will be entirely on them.”
Nolyn Proudfoot had 40 points in just three quarters, with 12 rebounds. He is averaging 42.5 points a game his past four games.
“The thing about it is he’s done it in three quarters,” Johnston Jr. said of the 40 on Tuesday. “He’ll be the first person to compliment all of his teammates who get him the ball. He’s been able to knock down shots. It’s a total team effort, everybody is playing within themselves. We believe that defense wins championships.
“We have four other guys who can shoot the heck out of it. We are prepared. We are working on things we potentially can see and dfinding ways to get the ball. I’m a firm believer your best offense is transition. If you get out and run and shoot good shots, you are going to get good looks.”
Proudfoot was 10-for-10 from the line and Kohl Hogue had eight points and six assists. Proudfoot added four steals.
Kyler Stevenson had 21 points and Carter Proudfoot had 10 points. Dylan Brewster finished with seven points and Arda Derman had six points.
Teigen Gill had six points and Brady Johnston finished with three points, while Andrew Welch and Coooper Bange each had two points.
Trenton Green led Wellsville with 23 points.
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