Williamsville South hasn't been dominant as of late, but they have been winning...something that's become an expectation for the Billies. The team has been ranked in the top four large schools the entire season and has won 16 straight games since suffering its only loss of the season - a three-point decision at second ranked large school Jamestown. After recording 16 wins two seasons ago, South won 19 games last year as they advanced to the Far West Regionals after winning the overall Class A title in Section VI.
The Billies' season has been highlighted with wins against Manhattan Cup champion Canisius and district rival Williamsville North to claim their first ever championship in the Williamsville Holiday Tournament. South also boasts a season sweep over Williamsville East and defeated Timon-St. Jude. After a relatively close call in the quarterfinals with Iroquois, the Billies overcame a 10-point fourth quarter deficit against Hutch-Tech, by outscoring the Engineers 24-7 in the final stanza. The Billies now face a Bennett squad which they beat earlier this season, 87-69, for a chance to repeat as Section VI champs. If South is able to repeat, they would register a school-record 20th win and give head coach Al Monaco his 350th career victory in the process.
The Bennett Tigers have other ideas for Saturday night's final. The talented Yale Cup team offers a little bit of everything. They have size, depth, shooters, and solid play at the point from William Vanoy. After facing some lineup issues during the regular season, the Tigers are at full strength and playing their best basketball of the season. Bennett owns a series sweep against Class AA semifinalist McKinley, and also beat both Class A1 semifinalist Hutch-Tech and Class A2 finalist Riverside. The sectional run for the Tigers included wins against West Seneca East and Kenmore East.
The Class A1 final will tip at 6:30 pm Saturday night, with the winner facing the Class A2 winner in a crossover battle on Tuesday evening for the right to move on to Rochester.
-centercourt
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