IAC BOYS BASKETBALL: CANDOR LOOKS TO CHALLENGE IN IAC, CLASS C (December 9, 2025)

By TIM TAYLOR
Tioga County Sports Report
CANDOR — The challenge will be grueling, but the Candor boys basketball team is looking to return to the top of the IAC South Small School Division, a spot the Coyotes held just two seasons ago.

The field is loaded with senior-laden talent — 10 at division rival Newfield and, in the North, seven at Trumansburg, five at Moravia and four at Union Springs. There are also a bunch of juniors back on the court as well.

Candor has five seniors, including IAC South Small School Division MVP Jakobe Foster. The senior guard’s stats were impressive, 22.5 points, 5.7 assists, 2.7 steals and 8.6 rebounds per game.

Two other IAC all-stars are back. Senior forward Ryan Huizinga, a division honorable mention, averaged 5.1 rebounds and 1.1 blocks per game, and junior Donald Makie, a division second team guard, averaged 14.8 points, 1.8 assists per game and knocked down 61 3-pointers.

Also returning are senior guard Mat Smith, who averaged 4.7 points and 2.5 rebounds per game, junior guard Teagan Kwiatkoski, who averaged 4.6 points and 3.6 rebounds per game, and senior guard James Pritchard.

The Coyotes newcomers, whom Thomas is looking to for contributions, include guards Kyle Jantz, Ben Sheridan, Kellen Williamson and Ocean Bateman, and forwards Kyron O'Dell and Carter Edwards.

Like every year, Thomas has one main goal for this season, “just like every team that sets out in November, the goal is to win,” he said.

Candor opened the season with an impressive performance in the Charlie Sibley Memorial Tournament, defeating Newark Valley, 70-39, and giving Class A Owego a battle before falling, 61-51.

The Coyotes graduated Jason Jantz, Carson Heidl, who was a second-team pick, and Cam Sinn from last season’s team, which went 15-6 overall and 9-4 division

The teams to beat this season are familiar — Newfield, Union Springs, Moravia, Trumansburg.

Candor reached the Section IV Class C quarterfinals last season before bowing out to T-burg.

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TCSR PHOTOS.

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