PENFIELD, N.Y. — The Penfield Patriots boys basketball team is making history with their first-ever appearance in the state semifinals. With only one loss this season, the team is eager to continue their groundbreaking journey.
Jackson Green, a junior, reflected on the team’s growth: “My freshman year we didn’t really have like a basketball culture. I mean, we were still trying to build it.” Green is among six juniors who have developed strong bonds through years of playing together.
Head Coach Jason Ellis, who took over the program 11 years ago, has witnessed the team’s transformation. “I think they’ve been pretty close for a long time. But, I mean, this group is special,” Ellis said. “You’re looking at lifelong friendships for sure.”
Ellis recalled the skepticism he faced when he joined Penfield, a program that hadn’t won a Section V title since the 1950s. “I was asked, are you sure you want to go from this varsity program to Penfield? And I said of course I do,” Ellis said. “I teach here, I live here like, this is where we want to be.”
In recent years, the Patriots have claimed two Section V titles and now have a shot at state glory. Junior Jake McCarthy expressed his excitement: “First time for our history. It’s incredible. Just second time in a row making history.”
Standing at 6-foot-9, McCarthy is a threat to dunk on any and every possession but not the only standout. When asked about the team’s best dunker, junior Constantine Johnson said, “Shout out Jake. That’s my guy. But, you know, I gotta give it to myself.”
Assistant Coach Adam Bendlin noted the team’s impressive athleticism, saying, “We joke like, it almost becomes commonplace now. We’re not even excited for some of these dunks.”
While the team’s flashy plays draw attention, their true strength lies in defense and effort, holding opponents to just 50 points per game. “It’s what we preach,” Ellis said. “It’s what we kind of built our mantra on over the last couple of years. It’s attitude.”
Green emphasized the team’s mindset: “Our mindsets definitely changed over the past couple of years. And it’s just we got a brick mentality. We got a brick and now we want the ring.”
The Patriots are set to play Section IV’s Seton Catholic in Binghamton on Friday, tipoff is set for 10 am. A win would advance them to Saturday’s final. Johnson highlighted the significance of their journey: “If you look at the banner, you know, there’s nothing for states. We’ve never even got to states. This is the furthest we’ve ever been. So if we could bring it home, that would be really special.”
PATS TO THE DANCE | Penfield boys basketball to make first-ever state final four appearance WHEC.com.
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