There are quite a few Section V championships in the history of the Bishop Kearney/Chesterton Academy boys basketball team, a number that reached 14 after winning the Class B2 final March 6.
But before pulling away from state-ranked Canisteo-Greenwood for an 82-58 victory, the Kings had not won a sectional title since 2013 — a surprise to anyone who followed the program at the Irondequoit private school from 2000 to 2015.
If that wait seems like a long one, imagine what went through the minds of Maddox Volpe and Jayden Capers at times in recent years and on this Friday night. Both players are seniors, and they were on the team for years before Bishop Kearney/Chesterton’s latest championship drive.
“I’m excited, I’m happy,” Volpe said. “I’ve had a long history of, you know, not having the greatest years at BK.
“It’s nice to have in my senior year, a (championship) on my back, and bring something to the school that I can celebrate with everybody.”
Player of the game
The Section V boys basketball committee chose Maddox Volpe, who scored 22 points, as the most valuable player. A good choice after watching him calmly turn, extend his arms and make jump shot after jump shot. Volpe looked comfortable.
Really, the committee had another can’t-miss choice for MVP. Jayden Capers scored a game-high 24 points while also rebounding, stealing and assisting as he does regularly.
By the numbers
2 – Number of Section V champions coached by Willie Mason in the last two seasons. Mason was the leader of the World of Inquiry team that won a championship last season.
23 – Point total for Carson Chaffee, the leading scorer for Canisteo-Greenwood. He made no 3-point shot attempts. A 6 foot-3 inch tall guard/forward, Chaffee is the Canisteo-Greenwood Chargers all-time leading scorer.
18 – Point total for James Smith III. The six-foot tall guard’s aggressive play helped Canisteo-Greenwood.
16 – Point total for Bishop Kearney/Chesterton sophomore Jaiden Pascoe, who at 6-foot-6, plays guard/forward.
24 – Point total for Bishop Kearney/Chesterton senior Jayden Capers, with no 3-pointers. Capers is a 6 foot-2 inch tall guard/forward.
22 – Point total for Bishop Kearney/Chesterton power forward/center Maddox Volpe, the tournament’s most valuable player. Volpe is senior listed as 6-foot-5 inches.
They said it
“It felt amazing (while celebrating as the clock wound down), not only just playing with this team, but these are my brothers. I love each and every single one of them. We’ve been going at this since July, and it just feels good. From our backstory, we had four different coaches in four different years. I’m just glad that they stayed, adjust to a system. It just felt good to win, when you know, everyone counts you out.” – Bishop Kearney guard/forward Jayden Capers
“It is the main tool. They say (the mid-range jump shot) is the hardest shot in the game, but that’s like my layup. It’s a shot I can get open at, I feel comfortable with. Not to say that I can’t get to the basket, but it’s my bag (go-to shot). Once I see the ball go into the net, it’s like an activation.” – Bishop Kearney forward/center Maddox Volpe
“It’s the year after I graduated (from the now closed Freddie Thomas High School in the Rochester City School District).” – Bishop Kearney/Chesterton coach Willie Mason talking about the year 2013, the last time the team won a Section V championships prior to this season.
“I remember taking the job on a Friday, and I had to wait until that Monday to meet the team. Literally, when I walked into the gym to talk to the team, I had guys approach me and say, ‘You know what coach, I know your history, we are ready to win.’ ” – Bishop Kearney/Chesterton coach Willie Mason
What’s next
Bishop Kearney/Chesterton (20-3) takes on LeRoy (16-7), the Section V Class B1 champion, for a chance to play in the state tournament, 7 p.m. March 9 at Bloomfield.
Below is how the Section V Class B2 Tournament Final unfolded:
Final
Bishop Kearney/Chesterton 82, Canisteo-Greenwood 58
4th quarter – 2:10 remaining
Bishop Kearney/Chesterton 75, Canisteo-Greenwood 58
Jaiden Pascoe makes two free throws, then after a turnover by Canisteo-Greenwood, the 6 foot-6 inch left-hander makes a long jumper.
4th quarter – 3:06 remaining
Bishop Kearney/Chesterton 71, Canisteo-Greenwood 58
Kearney/Chesterton Kings turn a missed 3-pointer into a fast break, then lay-up. Corey Speight puts the ball in the basket while ahead of all defenders.
4th quarter – 7:32 remaining
Bishop Kearney/Chesterton 58, Canisteo-Greenwood 48
Canisteo-Greenwood senior guard Kevin Sirianni picks up his fifth and final foul, about four minutes after he was whistled for his fourth.
End of 3rd quarter – 0:00 remaining
Bishop Kearney/Chesterton 58, Canisteo-Greenwood 48
Canisteo-Greenwood fails to get off the final shot of the quarter, or at least score and leave very little time on the clock. Jayden Capers, a 6-2 guard/forward, scores for Kearney/Chesterton after a strong, basic move near the basket before time expires.
3rd quarter – 4:24 remaining
Canisteo-Greenwood 46, Bishop Kearney/Chesterton 45
Chargers charge. Jack Beers makes a 3-pointer that caps off a 13-2 run. The lead is not held for long. A jump shot by Colby Speight puts the Kings back in front. The shot is the start of a 9-0 run.
Halftime
Bishop Kearney 43, Canisteo-Greenwood 33
Kevin Sirianni makes his second 3-pointer of the quarter for Canisteo-Greenwood. Sirianni’s deep shot is followed by a nice drive near the baseline to a reverse lay-up by Carson Chaffee, who is certain to have at least 10 points in the half.
Bishop Kearney/Chesterton’s lead was down to seven points after Canisteo-Greenwood’s back-to-back baskets, until Jacob Rybczynski makes another 3-pointer for Bishop Kearney/Chesterton.
2nd quarter – 1:01 remaining
Bishop Kearney 40, Canisteo-Greenwood 28
Jaiden Pascoe, a 6-foot-6 inch tall sophomore, takes long strides to the basket as he dribbles, and scores. The play helps the Kings push back a spurt by Canisteo-Greenwood.
End of 1st quarter – 0:00 remaining
Bishop Kearney 26, Canisteo-Greenwood 10
Kearney/Chesterton Kings continue to get their hands on rebounds in the air and on the floor. Kings close quarter on a 14-4 run.
1st quarter – 4:05 remaining
Bishop Kearney 14, Canisteo-Greenwood 6
Canisteo-Greenwood calls timeout after Bishop Kearney/Chesterton guard Jacob Rybczynski hits a short jump shot.
Where was the Section V Class B2 boys basketball championship?
Blue Cross Arena at the Rochester Community War Memorial is the site of all the boys basketball championship games.
Bishop Kearney/Chesterton boys basketball
Canisteo-Greenwood boys basketball
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Bishop Kearney/Chesterton pulls away to win boys basketball title
Reporting by James Johnson, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle / Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
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