A guy named Gary Lantinen from Barker, actually took the time to write the local paper in Lockport to complain about Newfane's student section, The Blue Zone, for chanting "airball" and "start your tractors". I'll probably put up a separate post on this at another time, but for now I have these thoughts. First, you're giving thick-skinned farmers a bad rap by being so overly sensitive (besides, they all know you shouldn't run those machines cold). Second, he may have set the stage for numerous "Gary needs a hug" chants the next time the Raiders visit Newfane.
After suggesting that Maryvale might lack scoring options beyond Blair Estarfaa, the Flyers dropped 99 points on Pioneer.
Maryvale's 99 points were the fifth most scored by a WNY team this season. The top four are Jamestown 106, Newfane 102, Chautauqua Lake 101, and Bishop Timon-St. Jude 100.
There are only three teams in WNY that remain undefeated: Niagara Falls, McKinley, and Dunkirk.
Don't be surprised if Cleveland Hill starts rattling off victories and finds itself in the thick of the ECIC IV race. After some early season struggles following last season's appearance at Buffalo State, the Golden Eagles are finally healthy, with both Daryl Spencer and Julian Glover back in the lineup.
Cassadaga Valley moved up to Class B2 this season. Of its 18 regular season games, only two are against a Class B school (both against Falconer). Three games are against Class D schools and the rest against Class C.
After losing at McKinley, East took out its frustrations on Lafayette, beating them 85-28.
Niagara Falls has gotten some some good contributions recently from Ramir Burton, who was brought up from the JV team after Dale Stewart left the team.
Lockport will be without the services of its leading scorer, Andrew Bailey, for the remainder of the season, after he was dismissed from the team.
There is a very good possibility that we will see a Falls/McKinley game at Buffalo State. That matchup would create a major buzz among hoop fans, as we are rarely treated to a game between Falls and a Buffalo school. The last two times it happened were in 2008 when Falls played Grover in the MLK Classic at Hutch Tech and in 2005 when Falls played Riverside at Buffalo State for the AA championship.
When I-Prep at Grover was playing against Canisius at the MLK Classic, it looked like the Crusaders were playing against themselves. The Presidents new uniforms are a dead ringer for the Canisius jerseys, except they say "Prep".
Speaking of Prep, some of the fine bloggers from Section V get quite worked up over schools like OTC, I-Prep at Grover, and Tapestry Charter, because they think of them as true "Prep" schools like the one Paul Harris attended his senior year (Notre Dame Prep). Even though we all know that the aforementioned schools don't get their pick of the city's best players, I say we perpetuate this myth and make them think I-Prep is compiling a team that will rout the Falls next year.
-centercourt
The West/Lockport game isn't going to be put on any basketball "how-to" instructional videos, but was a fun game. I know the News said Grandits was sick but he smacked his head on the floor after taking a charge late against East on Tuesday....that is why he was out tonight. West is off until the Falls game and has mid-term exam week next week so they're not even in class, so he should be ready to go then. The remaining Bailey in this matchup...you already know Bailey from Lockport is gone...really took charge. He consistently got to the basket off the dribble. Lockport played decent defense on everyone else.
The Falls has more talent at every position but the four....however I just really feel West matches up well against them, mostly because they have the athletes to run with them all game. Plus, the Street/Fegin duo can't really have their way in the paint. It will be interesting to see how the Falls comes out after not really having another test since the first West game, after having numerous test prior.
Posted by: TML1000 | Friday, January 21, 2011 at 12:48 AM
Cleveland Hill has a young man named Molson who is worth watching. Saw them play at Lackawanna and looking at their box scores, he has been their leading scorer most of the time.
Posted by: Lucky13 | Friday, January 21, 2011 at 10:43 AM
I noticed Jero Molson as well when I watched them play earlier this year. He's only a sophomore and was a bit reckless at times, but was very athletic, went all out, and is loaded with potential.
Posted by: centercourt | Friday, January 21, 2011 at 10:50 AM
Nice win for Niagara C.C. and Coach B today. Local guys played extremely well. Vince K (St. Mary's) had a great day hitting big shots, nearing the 10 minute mark in the first half, seemed like he scored 12 straight and also 2 or 3 big blocks. AJ Roberts (N.C.) and Old Man Charles "Chuck Wagon" Shellman (Lockport) also played extremely well. Coach B doing a great job up North with the Local talent.
Posted by: coach_ek | Saturday, January 22, 2011 at 03:18 PM