Boys’ Basketball

Unadilla Valley 73, Unatego 44

NEW BERLIN – During Unadilla Valley’s late season-push where it won seven of its final eight games, junior Brett Hanslmaier scored in double figures just one time.

The team’s top scorer the first half of the season returned to form on the offensive side of the ball as Hanslmaier scored a career-high 21 points to go with 15 rebounds sending the Storm forward in the Section IV Class C playoffs.

Hanslmaier’s production in recent weeks was hampered by an ankle injury and the flu, said UV head coach Matt Osborne. “He’s finally healthy,” Osborne said. “When Brett plays well, our team usually plays well.”

Earlier this season, UV prevailed by just four points over the Spartans. Right out of the gate, the Storm set a pace the visiting club couldn’t match. Jon Schermerhorn hit a three for UV’s first points, and four more three-pointers followed in the opening quarter as Ryan Postma and Ethan Grey hit back-to-back threes, and reserve Tyler Simmons banged in two treys, the latter he actually banged in at the first-quarter buzzer getting a friendly assist from the backboard.

At the first turn, UV led 26-11, an auspicious beginning to the playoff season. “The last few games we haven’t come out strong, and we’ve lacked focus and intensity,” Osborne said. “We certainly didn’t have that problem tonight.”