Feature Image Photo Credit @JustinGerstung
The Akron Tigers’ dream season reached its conclusion in Friday night’s New York State Public High School Athletic Association Class B Far West Regional, as the Tigers fell at the hands of Section V’s World of Inquiry 58-46 to finish the season one win shy of an appearance in the state final four.
Akron’s phenomenal postseason run included the third sectional championship in program history and the program’s first appearance in the regional round. The Tigers finish the year 23-2.
World of Inquiry built a sizable lead over the first three quarters of play, extending its advantage to as many as 21 during the third quarter. However, Akron refused to quit, hanging tough until the final buzzer sounded while working its deficit to a respectable margin.
Blake Gerstung led the Tigers in defeat, scoring a team-high 12 points, while his brother, Benjamin Gerstung, contributed 10 points. World of Inquiry was paced by Devin Dillion’s game-high 15 points, while Kanaz Linder added 14 points for the Griffins (21-3).
World of Inquiry began the game with a 20-11 lead after the first quarter, but Akron came right back, outscoring the Griffins 15-11 during the second quarter to make it a five-point game at the half.
Despite the Tigers’ strong second-quarter surge, they hit a rut in the third, managing just three points during the frame to WOI’s 19, which made it a 21-point lead entering the final 8 minutes of play.
Akron outscored the Griffins 17-8 during the fourth but it was too little, too late. The Tigers’ remarkable run had come to an abrupt halt.
With the win, World of Inquiry advances to the state final four, where it will take on the winner of Marcellus (III) and Mechanicville (II) next Saturday at 12:45 p.m. at Visions Memorial Arena in Binghamton.
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