Robert Jeffrey

Sun Sports Contributor

sports@evesun.com

UNATEGO – If there was any premonition that Andrew Jackson of the Unadilla Valley Storm was going to have a break-out night offensively, perhaps the thought began to enter the minds of those in attendance on Wednesday night. Jackson scored 20 points in the first half and by games end accumulated 32 points, establishing a new career high and the highest scoring total set by a Chenango County basketball player this season.

Regardless, Jackson’s early offense played an important role by setting the tone of the contest early on as UV made sure their opponent knew they were there strictly to take care of business.

Looking to recover from their loss on Monday night to a gargantuan Cooperstown team, the Storm sought to right the ship early in the contest. Jumping out to a 22-9 lead by the end of the first quarter, Unatego could not match the offensive output by Jackson and his comrades. As the game shifted into the end of the first half, UV took command of a staggering 44-22 lead.

While Jackson was pinpointed as the main cog in the Storm’s offensive machine, it did not matter what the defensive coverage or strategy integrated by Unatego - Jackson was going to score it was only a matter of when and how he was going to do it.

With Jackson orchestrating the Storm’s offense, Levi Rifanburg got in on the action scoring 16 points and Wyatt Grey tossed in nine points to add to the potent UV offensive effort. While Jackson led the Storm in points on the evening with 32, he managed to grab 10 rebounds and dish out eight assists while also recording six steals; filling up his statistical sheet on a night that will surely be remembered by the Unadilla Valley junior.

For Unatego, two players scored in double figures with Cooper Thayer scoring 10 points and Zach Carey led the Trojans in scoring with 11 points on the evening.

Unadilla Valley (4-4, 2-0) is back in action on Wednesday December 27 as they kick off their annual holiday tournament with game time scheduled to begin at 7:00- following the conclusion of the S-E vs Vestal first round match-up.

Unatego: Bosley 1 0-0-2; Smith 1 0-0-2; Thayer 3 2-2-10; Hatalla 2 0-1-4; Sheldon 0; Stein 1 1-2-3; Wilsey 0 3-4-3; Innes 3 0-1-6; Blake 0; Reed 2 1-3-5; Carey 4 0-0-11; Young 0; Griffin 0. Totals: 17 7-15-46.

Unadilla Valley: Jackson 7 1-2-32; Dye 1 0-0-3; Loeffler 0; Parker 2 1-2-5; Meade 0; Rifanburg 8 0-0-16; Grey 4 0-2-9; George 0; Osborne 2 0-0-4; Postma 1 0-0-3; Morgan 2 0-2-4. Totals: 34 2-8-76.

U 9 13 13 11 – 46