After watching Cassadaga Valley's improbable march through sectionals that ended in the overall Class B title last March, I decided to make the effort to see more CCAA schools during the regular season this year. After getting to Olean for the first time earlier this month, I was able to catch Maple Grove dominate its rematch with Randolph on Friday in Bemus Point. Then, as I looked at the lineup of games on Monday, the first matchup to jump out was St. Joe's vs. OTC/MEC. But after considering the number of times I've seen each of those teams the last few years, I opted instead to make another trip south to see a pair of CCAA II contenders go at it with Salamanca visiting Silver Creek. I had just voted the Black Knights #7 on my small school poll ballot the night before, after they opened the year with 30-point wins over Lake Shore and Gowanda, and also beat both Portville and Westfield.
The Black Knights looked like they will be a tough team to top in their league this season, using a big second half to put away the visiting Warriors, 66-48, on Monday night. Silver Creek was led by junior Steve Marcey's game-high 24 points, while junior Zeddy Williams added 15 points, along with several assists and rebounds.
Trailing 14-10 in the first quarter, Silver Creek pulled to within a point when Williams penetrated and kicked out a pass for John Jimerson, who hit a '3' at the buzzer. The second quarter began the same way with Williams again finding Jimerson for a long-range bomb as part of a 12-0 run. The Black Knights built a 9-point lead during the second, but Salamanca was able to narrow the gap to 31-28 at the half, thanks in part to the strong inside play of Bryce Stahlman, who scored eight of his 14 points in the quarter.
The second half began with a flurry of Silver Creek 3-pointers as part of a 16-3 run that effectively put the Warriors away. Jimerson began the ambush from beyond the arc, before Marcey got hot and drilled three straight from downtown. On the third, Marcey was clapping for the ball, and when the pass came, drilled it right over the defender's outstretched arm. In the first three minutes of the third quarter, Marcey netted 11 of his 24 points.
"He's a pure shooter and a classic gym rat" Silver Creek head coach Robert Genco said of Marcey. The junior showed off his skills on several occasions throughout the game by breaking down defenders with dribbling, a nice touch from the perimeter (a total of five 3-pointers), a nifty up-and-under move around the basket, and the highlight play of the game. Driving the lane in the second quarter, Marcey blew past two defenders with by wrapping the ball around his back and finishing with a layup.
Salamanca got the score back to 51-42 at the start of the fourth quarter on a basket by Jevon Battle (team-high 18 points). But once again, the Black Knights asserted themselves and built their lead to 20 points with a 15-4 run.
Silver Creek offers a little of everything - balance at each position, can shoot from the perimeter, score well in transition, and have a star player in Williams who plays every position on the court. Williams has the size to play inside, but also has a good handle on the ball and was exceptional at drawing the defense with penetration and always found an open teammate. After what I saw last night, I am comfortable having voted for the Black Knights at number seven, ahead of Maple Grove, who I voted ninth.
-centercourt
Bennett turned out to be the overmatched one in Jamestown over the weekend.
Olean only by 3 over Dunkirk. Huh??
Posted by: Lucky13 | Tuesday, December 20, 2011 at 01:21 PM
That was a solid win for Fredonia. I was referring to the matchup with Jamestown being one in which they were overmatched, which they were, down 30 after three.
Dunkirk looking to show they are not just a one year(regular season) wonder.
Posted by: TML1000 | Tuesday, December 20, 2011 at 01:51 PM