The Greene Trojans boys basketball team celebrates as they hold on against Walton to advance to the next round of sectionals. (Photo by Morgan Golliver)

GREENE -  The Greene Trojans and the Walton Warriors faced one another for the second time this month. This time it was in the first round of sectionals, a game that meant value to both teams. Greene held on against a fierce opponent in the final moments to win 56-53 to advance to the next round.

Greene came out striking defensively to start the first quarter, settling in with a early 6-0 run, mostly led by Joel Vielandi with eight points. Walton didn’t hold back as they posted 20 points in the second quarter to take a brief 28-25 lead at halftime. Walton showed early on that they were consistent at the free-throw line, making seven-of-eight foul shots in the second quarter.

Greene knew they would have to continue to play their best defense in the second half against Walton’s Zack Gardner and Robert Conklin. Gardner was able to throw down a couple threatening three’s and both players found room to score, but were held from any late heroics.

Greene fought back rather quickly in the fourth quarter, tying the game and forcing Walton to commit crucial turnovers. William Dunlap set the Trojans up with the lead with a long three before Joel Vielandi put the game away with his own three.

Holding on to a three-point lead with less than 30 seconds left, Greene knew they couldn’t foul, so they trusted their defense. Parker Flanagan, who earned the call-up from JV, stopped any efforts with a final steal to secure the win.

Vielandi hit a total of four three’s to finish with 24 points on the night while Jaden Eroshevich had nine.

Greene came into sectionals as the seventh seed and heads to Moravia on Friday at 6 p.m. Moravia comes in as a 2-seed and leads Section IV with a 19-1 record while being on top of the Interscholastic Athletic Conference in the North Small League. Admission will be charged through GOFan Digital Ticketing.

Scores by Quarter:

WA 8 20 18 7—53

GR 14 11 19 12—56

WA: Zack Gardner 22, Robert Conklin 17, Seth Hunter 8, Ransom Dutcher 2, Meyer Little 2.

GR: Joel Vielandi 24, Jaden Eroshevich 9, William Dunlap 8, Liam Flanagan 6, Parker Flanagan 3, Trevor Ketcham 2, Kloden Rapp 2.

Three-Pointers: WA 2 (Gardner); GR 7 (Vielandi 4, Eroshevich, Dunlap, P Flanagan)