After winning just four games a season ago, the Tonawanda Warriors are already one win away from equaling that total after starting the 2010-11 campaign at 3-0. The start by Tonawanda is even more impressive when you look at how they are winning...by a lot.
The Warriors opened the season with a 35 point win over Roy-Hart and followed that up by beating Alden by 20. Last night, Tonawanda went on the road to face division foe Cleveland Hill, finalists in Class B2 last year. For the third straight time, the Warriors were victors by at least 20, beating the Golden Eagles, 45-25.
Tonawanda has a solid starting five, led by junior Jesse Lalka, who scored a game-high 19 points in the win over Cleveland Hill. Lalka is a pure scorer who can shoot from anywhere and also put the ball on the floor. Senior Kyle Schroeder has good size and is tough on the boards inside. Schroeder also has good hands and passed the ball well when it came to him inside against the zone. Sophomore Clayton Hess is tall and broad, and is a nice inside/outside threat. During the second quarter, Hess showed a soft touch on a pair 0f 3's and defended well in the post. Steve Stich handles the point and came up with several timely steals. Stich, along with Shane Foster, make good decisions with the ball and do a good job setting up the offense.
The improvement from Tonawanda this season should make for a good league race in ECIC IV, where Lackawanna is going through some early season struggles. JFK looks like a formidible team as well, after wins against Niagara Catholic and Cleveland Hill. The Warriors visit the Bears on January 4th and host Lackawanna on January 7th. If the early season success continues for Tonawanda, they could also be a factor during sectionals in Class B1, where Lackawanna, JFK, Newfane, and Dunkirk all look to be contenders.
The fast start for Tonawanda also makes for an intriguing non-league rivalry game next week. Last year's NFL champ and Class AA semifinalist, North Tonawanda, will host the Warriors at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, December 22. I'm sure Tonawanda would be happy with any margin of victory in that one.
-centercourt
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