Congratulations to the Unadilla Valley Storm boys’ basketball seniors. Pictured for L to R: Zach Smith, Tucker Cattanach, Keegan Platt, and Dalton Allen. (Photo by Morgan Golliver)

NEW BERLIN – The Unadilla Valley Storm boys’ basketball team hosted MAC league opponent Afton on Thursday night. It was also UV’s senior night, where they honored seniors Keegan Platt, Zach Smith, Tucker Cattanach, and Dalton Allen. UV celebrated their seniors in winning fashion with a 53-49 victory. While it has been a challenging season for the Storm, it was a great night to get things rolling.

Both teams showed strengths defensively, but it was UV, who was able to capitalize by stealing the ball and quickly driving to the basket and score. Afton struggled with ball control in the first quarter, but made adjustments in the second quarter while knocking down a few three’s to tie the game. However, UV added two free-throws to take a 24-22 lead at halftime.

UV remained even in the second half with Afton fighting back in the final eight minutes of play. UV excelled at the foul line, which helped them secure the victory. Keegan Platt was perfect at the line, making four-of-four shots while Zach Smith went four-for-six.

Platt and Smith matched in total points as well with 18. Smith had the upper hand with four three’s, including a three at the buzzer to end the first quarter. Platt knocked in two three’s.

Afton had a few three’s of their own with Equan Patterson, Ryan Wright, and Carter Burns finding luck with the long shots. Patterson and Burns got the Crimson Knights closer with under five minutes to go in the contest. However, UV stood their ground and forced Afton to turnover the ball in one of the final possessions of the game. Afton had another chance, but missed a three-point shot as the clock continued to wind down.

Ryan Wright led the Crimson Knights with 19 points and three three-pointers as Patterson had 15 points. Patterson had a strong second and third quarter with scoring 12 of his total 15 in those 16 minutes. Carter Burns finished with nine points in the loss.

Afton hosts Sidney on Tuesday at 7:15 p.m. while UV travels to Greene on the same day.

Scores by quarter:

AF 4 18 11 16–49

UV 13 11 16 13—53

AF: Ryan Wright 19, Equan Patterson 15, Carter Burns 9, Spencer Wrench 3, Cooper Warren 2, Bob Mercilliott 1.

UV: Keegan Platt 18, Zach Smith 18, Haywood Edwards 8, Tucker Cattanach 6, Denzel Peter 3.

Three-pointers: AF 6 (Wright 3, Burns 2, Patterson); UV 7 (Smith 4, Platt 2, Edwards)