Crumpton shines against top competition in the Burger King Classic

In 2005, the Wolverines basketball team was a national power loaded players who would go on to compete at the Division 1 level.  This weekend, Niagara Falls traveled to Erie, PA to play in the Burger King Classic.  The Wolverines opponent on Friday night was Milton, a team from Georgia that is similar to the Falls team from '05. 

 

Milton entered the Classic ranked #15 nationally and after graduating a pair of Division 1 talents last year, boast four more in its starting lineup this season:

6-5 Shaquille Johnson - Auburn

6-6 Charles Mann - Georgia

6-8 Evan Nolte - Virginia

6-8 Tevin Glass - Ranked #81 by Rivals

 

Falls junior Jermaine Crumpton, who has been recruited to play for Canisius, was just a fourth grader in 2005 and never even saw the legendary Falls squad, that was declared National Champions by Hoops USA.   His performance against Milton at the BK Classic would have made that team proud and certainly got the attention of those in attendance at the Hammermill, located at Gannon University.

 

Crumpton scored 21 points and grabbed 10 rebounds, both game-highs, in helping Niagara Falls compete with the mighty Milton team for all four quarters.  Milton ultimately came away with a 76-55 victory, but needed all 32 minutes to create the 21-point margin of victory over Falls.   Milton would go on to win the Classic with a resounding 93-52 win against Jamesville-DeWitt, the four-time defending state champion in Class A in New York.  Falls fell in the consolation game to host Cathedral Prep, 65-60, in front of more than 1,500 fans.

 

"It was fun to play against that level of talent" Crumpton said.  "It's good for us defensively to play a team like that and it can only make us a better team". 

 

Even after a valiant effort against an elite opponent, Niagara Falls coach Sal Constantino talked of what they could have done differently to have gotten closer, but did offer high praise for Crumpton's recent play.

 

"Jermaine has been asserting himself more recently and he's getting more comfortable", Constantino said.  "He was really strong against Lockport on Thursday, and continued to assert himself for us tonight".

 

Crumpton acknowledged that he's made effort and assertion a priority since the team opened its season with a win over Bishop Timon-St. Jude, and that the team's success will hinge on the way they defend.

 

"Since the Timon win, I've been making sure to give a full effort every game.  That's how we have to play, we can't take any plays off and it all has to start on the defensive end for us", Crumpton said.

 

 

-centercourt

 

 

 

 

Comments

[StateChamps2003]

I got a question for centercourt or anyone else that watched the City Honors game. How was the play of this 8th grader, Howard Washington? I met this young man last year at a game but never saw him play. I was told that him and a couple of other City Honors middle schoolers were the future before Nichols was able to pluck a couple of them away. I've been seeing that Howard has been scoring in the double digits lately.

[centercourt]

Howard Washington definitely stood out in the Honors/Lackawanna game. He shot well from outside, had a good handle on the ball, and was active defensively. I had never heard of him. But as I watched that game, I thought that after Jamaal Carter, he had the most court sense of any player in the game. I was very surprised to learn he was just an 8th grader.

He does look very young and needs to fill out more, which I'm sure will come with time. But scoring a game-high 18 points in a varsity game against Lacckawanna as an 8th grader is an accomplishment.

[Andrew Webster]

Niagara Falls should be proud of their efforts at the Burger King Classic, especially against Milton who is definitely the best high school team I've ever seen in person. Falls played them much tougher than Jamesville-Dewitt who boasts 6'9 DaJuan Coleman (Syracuse) and 6'8 Tyler Cavanaugh (Wake Forest). Falls will be disappointed that they were not able to beat Cathedral Prep of Erie in the consolation game but I feel that game would've of been different if played in New York State. Because there is no shot clock in Pennsylvania high school basketball, Prep was able to slow down the tempo of the game and run their sets very well until something easy opened up. Either way, it will be nothing but beneficial for the Falls down the road to have played this competition.

[tipoff]

Good to see Falls get that opportunity. The 18 game limit on public schedules are like handcuffs on the teams and players. Saw both late games at City Honors Saturday. Great opportunity to compare the games of Wier and Hart. Both players took over their games down the stretch, Wier in overtime. Looked like both players had 20 plus points in second half. Wier certainly bigger and stronger at this point, he had many rebounds to go with his scoring. Hart has a more pure shooting touch and handles the ball a bit better and was out on the wing more on the fast break. I really like Hart's shooting off the dribble, don't see that much anymore and he jumps surprisingly high on jump shots and going to the basket. Both players made clutch free throws to seal the wins. It will be interesting to see Wier transition to the big next level. Good that we'll be able to watch locally. Looks like lots of upside for Hart too with still a young body. He will make a fine college player as well. Based on next level potential they look like two of the best guards in the area this year.

[TML1000]

With the way UB's guards have disappeared, mainly Filzen, in conference play, he should be welcomed with open arms. For those that say Filzen is more complete, he's shown nothing of that sort, particularly in the last month. Sure, Stan is not going to beat anyone at that level off the bounce or dish out assists, but at the least, he is confident and that will only lead to improvement. As long as he gets on the floor, there is no reason he can't contribute right away.

Also, the Niagara Gazette has an article on Falls and Sal wanting to go independent again and why he thinks it won't happen any time soon.

[PJB]

Does anyone know if Washington at City Honors will be staying there beyond 8th grade? I heard Nichols was interested in him, as I imagine any of the other MMA's would be.

[StateChamps2003]

Thanks CC. Appreciate it.

[centercourt]

Tipoff -

Very good analysis! Look forward to reading more in the future.

Andrew Webster -

That's crazy about the shot clock. I had read that Prep really held the ball late in the game, something Falls is obviously not used to.

Did Bob Cousy play well? Jeesh!!!

[jackherlan]

Shot clock is the reason we will not go to Pa. - Does nothing to enhance or improve us in NY.

[tipoff]

One other thing I saw as a big positive in this game for both players is they were not shot happy. Yes they took over at crunch time but they definitely had their teammates involved and seemed to take pride in that. Really good to see from both players who are the leaders of their team.

[guest]

Washington is headed to Nichols, they have some kids leaving Honors due to a connection between the family aau and Nichols coach. May work for the kids but i thought Honors was a very good school

[sal]

TML,
We will not be asking to go independent, although we would like to. NFL will not allow us. I want people to understand we do not want out because we think we are a national type team, we would like the chance to play catholics(MM) and roch. teams. , and travel if it was possible. If we were independent this yr. there would be no who is better argument it could be settled on court. last yrs. St. joes and canisius games vs. nf were great for wny hoops and unfortunately i do not see them happening anytime soon.

[centercourt]

Here's a link to the article:

http://niagara-gazette.com/sports/x1929697770/Wolverines-still-seek-independence

[StateChamps2003]

Guest - Honors is an exceptionally great school both academically and athletically and best of all...it's FREE! My 4 years at UB cost less than one year at Nichols. But...to each its own right? I can only hope for the best of Mr. Washington if in fact he will be departing to Nichols to join his former teammates that played at Honors

[TML1000]

Sal, I would say go ahead...I dont see the problem. Of course it would help NF while also helping some of the weaker NFL teams who could schedule two more accurate non leaguers rather than losing by 40. Personally, I dont really see why NF ever went back into the NFL. I know that was before your time there but there never was a real down year.

[John Long]

I don't think Mr. Washington will be paying a dime at Nichols.

[McShea is God]

Was nice 2 c Niagara kick the crap out of Canisius again by 20 on their home floor. That was the final nail in Parotta's coffin. Hey where r all the Stan Weir haters now? Still think he isn't on first team? Ya - whatever. Give him Player of the year right now. That award has 2 go 2 an American player not a kid who fly's in 4 hoops season.

[Andrew Webster]

Stirring the pot.....

[McShea is God]

Hey CC how is that #2 vote 4 Depew looking now? Haha just kidding.

Hey just 4 the record I do NOT think Sal is a bad coach. I will admit a guy I have known 4 years was up 4 the job and I wanted him 2 get it but it is nothing against Sal. And when I said Ben Drake is worth 10 points I wasn't trying 2 make Sal look bad I just think he is the best coach in WNY with Jeff A (I can't spell) #2.

I do think if Falls-Jamestown play their noral games Falls wins by 10-12. I was only trying 2 say IF Jamestown shoots the lights out which they ARE
capable of doing they COULD win. I'm sure Sal has seen them or will scout them soon so he doesn't need my help but it's not just 1 guy they can ALL shoot and can ALL make 3's. So just 2 clear that up....I also think Joe's will beat Timon in the Man Cup semis, but lose 2 Canisius 3 times.

I go 2 the Fed every year and I want 2 c Canisius there this year! Long Island Cathlic is down this year there is no 'St Mary's' like 2011. Not 1 team is ranked in the A State poll. Granted it will b a road trip this year Sunday March 4th. BUT if they get by that game the NYC A Catholic team has 2 come up here Sunday March 11th. Right now that looks 2 b either Iona Prep or Moore Catholic.

[McShea is God]

NORMAL and CATHOLIC....I really need spellcheck :)

[Guesst]

Coaches who did the best job 1st half of the season - Trybinski ( Will East), Cullinan (Cheek), Banazak(Clarence). These guys have gotten a lot out of their players so far this year. Coaches with a ton of talent are not always the guys doing the best job. Although there are many good coaches with good talent. Drake and Sal do a nice job also.

[Division1]

Halftime: St. Joes 39 - Aq. 33

[Division1]

End of 3rd: Joes 53 Aq 46

[Lucky13]

Awesome win !!!

[Division1]

Game Final:Joes 67 - Aq 58

[KKBundy]

Total team effort in Joe's win. Great contributions from every player who steped on the floor.

[Panthers]

This is a win that no one thought Joe's could pull off after it's dismal performance at BK but when Herlan's JV squad trounced Aquinas prior to the game it was theirs to take. Team has turned the corner in time for the second half of the season.Great win!

Game was not sold out but packed a little more than usual. But I believe since most did not expect this outcome it was not the main spot to be. This coming Friday at Joes it will definitely be a problem.