Barker to host sectional opener Friday

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 19 February 2026 at 2:07 pm

Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Anthony Taliaferro and his Barker teammates will open Section VI playoff competition at home Friday evening against Cassadaga Valley.

Section VI boys basketball playoff competition will get underway on Friday evening as No. 12 seed Barker will host No. 13 Cassadaga Valley at 7 p.m. in a Class C contest.

The victor will advance to face No. 5 Cattaraugus/Little Valley on Tuesday February 24.

Both teams bring identical 6-14 regular season records into the sectionals.

Offensively Barker is led by the quartet of Anthony Taliaferro who has scored 334 points for a 16.7 average. Donovan Hefferon (204 points, 10.2 ave.), Carter DerSarkissian (169 points, 8.9 ave.) and JJ Prynn (166 points, 8.3 ave.)

Taliaferro has also grabbed off 150 rebounds, Prynn 138, Hefferon 99 and DerSarkissian 77.

Cassadaga Valley is led by Mason Debo who has scored 236 points (13.1 ave.), Connor Main who had tallied 151 points (8.4 ave.) and Brody Hawkins who has scored 141 points (8.3 ave.). Debo has also pulled down 184 rebounds and Hawkins 125.

Also on Friday evening No. 11 Roy-Hart will visit No. 6 Springville at 7 p.m. in a Class B1 game.

The Rams went 5-15 during the regular season and the Griffins 12-8.

The winner will face No. 3 East Community (9-10) on the 24th.