UV’s Haywood Edwards (#3) makes a move towards the basket against Afton defenders. Edwards scored a team-high 15 points in the 60-54 win. (Photo by Morgan Golliver)

NEW BERLIN – The Unadilla Valley Storm boys’ basketball team faced off against league opponent Afton for the final time this season, coming away with a close 60-54 victory to sweep the two-game series. It was the final game for both teams in what has been a challenging year all around, but both teams finished the season strong.

Both teams were off to a fast start with UV making valuable free-throws off Afton’s early foul troubles in the first quarter. However, Afton matched efforts at the foul line, being very consistent. In fact, the Crimson Knights made 14 of 15 free throws, shooting 93 percent at the line, but UV was smart to limit attempts late in the game.

Afton took a brief 24-21 lead after some strong rebounding from Cooper Warren and Ryan Wright.

UV came out strong for the second half, tying the game early and only adding intensity with both teams going back and forth in buckets. UV had the upper hand, laying down three-pointers from seniors Keegan Platt and Zach Smith and found themselves down two to start the final quarter.

Those final eight minutes were the deciding factor and UV’s Haywood Edwards made it his time to shine. The junior excited the crowd as he went off with 12 of the team’s total 21 in the fourth quarter. Smith also added two more three’s to secure the victory.

Equan Patterson, who led Afton with 20 points, pushed through with seven points in the fourth quarter and finished nine-for-10 at the foul line. Carter Burns added six points in the final eight minutes and finished with 15 points overall.

Edwards had a team-high 15 points for the Storm as Platt finished with 14 points and Smith with 12 points. Tucker Cattanach and Dalton Allen both added eight points in their final game.

Congratulations to both teams and good luck to all the seniors.

Scores by quarter:

AF 8 16 17 13—54

UV 12 9 18 21—60

AF: Equan Patterson 20, Carter Burns 15, Cooper Warren 8, Ryan Wright 7, Aidan Rogers 4.

UV: Haywood Edwards 15, Keegan Platt 14, Zach Smith 12, Tucker Cattanach 8, Dalton Allen 8.

Three-pointers: AF 2 (Patterson, Burns); UV 9 (Smith 4, Platt 3, Edwards).