Dec 23, 2024
Fredonia’s Malachi Hall shoots in traffic during the first half of Saturday’s nonleague basketball game against Buffalo Science at Fredonia High School. OBSERVER Photo by Scott Kindberg
FREDONIA — It was a Saturday afternoon to remember the past and the present at the Fredonia High School gym.
Alumni from the basketball program were in attendance.
The current team, which squared off against Buffalo Science in a nonleague game, wore uniforms from the program’s glory days three decades ago.
And All-American diver and New York State Public High School Athletic Association champion Elizabeth Pucci-Schaefer was honored at halftime for her amazing career that will continue at Penn State University next fall.
The only disappointment for the Hillbillies and their rooting faithful was the game’s outcome.
Fredonia’s Elizabeth Pucci-Schaefer was honored for her diving accomplishments during a ceremony at halftime of the boys basketball game Saturday afternoon at the Fredonia High School gym. An All-American and a New York State Public High School Athletic Association champion, Pucci-Schaefer will continue her academic and diving career at Penn State University next fall. OBSERVER Photo by Scott Kindberg
Buffalo Science used a 15-2 run in the first five minutes of the fourth quarter to pull away for a 61-52 win that raised its record to 4-2.
“I knew coming in that this team was very, very good,” Fredonia coach Nick Bertrando said. “They moved up this year to (Class) A2. We played them in the playoffs last year and they had everybody back. … We knew we were going to have our hands full. Their athleticism, their speed and their ability to do a lot of things caused us fits today.”
Marq Bradley scored 17 points to lead the way for the Wolverines, while Dejheir Walker had 13, Jaleel Flowers contributed 11, and Damon Parker and Muhammad Adams both had 9.
RJ Koopman, Ashton Putney and Luca Gullo had 12 points apiece for Fredonia (3-3), which led by as many as seven points in the first quarter, but ultimately trailed 26-24 at halftime and 39-35 heading into the final period.
The Hillbillies pulled to within a point following a 3-pointer by Koopman inside the first minute of the fourth quarter, but they managed just one field goal over the next four-plus minutes and Buffalo Science took full advantage. Led by Bradley, who drilled a pair of 3-pointers to go along with a layup, the Wolverines built a 54-40 lead and they remained in control the rest of the way.
“At this point in the season, we’re still trying to get better,” Bertrando said.
“Obviously, there’s quite a few things that we need to iron out,” Bertrando added. ” … Our league is very, very difficult, but there’s a different dynamic when you play a city team. … This is one of those teams that, hopefully, is going to make us better.”
NOTES: Koopman also finished with five rebounds and four assists; Gullo collected five assists and three boards; Malachi Hall had four rebounds and two assists; and Colin Luce added three rebounds and three assists for the Hillbillies.
BUFFALO SCIENCE (61)
Dixon 1 0 2, Flowers 4 2 11, Parker 3 2 9, Walker 4 5 13, Adams 4 0 9, Bradley 7 1 17. Totals 23 10 61.
FREDONIA (52)
Koopman 5 0 12, GPutney 0 0 0, Ferguson 0 0 0, Dowdy 2 0 4, Luce 0 0 0, APutney 4 0 12, Gullo 4 3 12, Hall 1 3 5, Lincoln 3 1 7. Totals 19 7 52.
3-point goals–Flowers, Parker, Adams, Bradley 2, Koopman 2, APutney 4, Gullo.
Buffalo Science 14 12 13 22 — 61
Fredonia 12 12 11 17 — 52
Jayves: Buffalo Science 56, Fredonia 50, OT
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