Except for this coming Saturday when five different Section VI teams win championships in their respective class, last night was the single biggest night of the season for high schools basketball in WNY. With the results of last night, the matchups are set for the Manhattan Cup Championship and the Class B1 and Class D sectional title games, while Wilson awaits the winner of tonight's Class B2 semifinal between Cleveland Hill and CSAT.
Wilson 51, City Honors 48
Jamaal Carter scored 10 of his game-high 23 points in the third, as City Honors built a double-digit lead on the Lakemen in the third quarter. Wilson trailed by eight points entering the final minute of the quarter, but got a basket from Tyler Martin (17 points) to cut the Centaurs lead to six entering the fourth. During the final eight minutes, the Lakemen turned up defensive pressure, which caused City Honors to completely unravel. With 3:55 remaining in the game, Liam McIntosh who had come off the bench to inject some defensive energy, drilled a 3-pointer to break a 48-48 tie and give way to the eventual final. Carter missed several shots and was whistled for a charge in the game's final minutes, as City Honors was shutout in a 9-0 fourth quarter. For the Lakemen, who have made five straight semifinal appearances, it will be their third title game in five years. Wilson has never won a Section VI championship.
Olean 48, East 44
It wasn't pretty and it was far from exciting, but the top ranked Class B school in NY survived a lengthy 2-3 zone from the Panthers, as Olean advanced. The Huskies led by as many as nine early in the first quarter, but soon found themselves in a low-scoring grinder that would require some clutch free throw shooting. The game was tied six times and saw six lead changes, before Olean went up for good with 4:11 left in the game. The Huskies connected on 13 of 16 attempts from the charity stripe over the final eight minutes, led by Wil Bathurst, who scored nine of his game-high 15 in the final frame. Olean, who has seven Section VI championships in school history, will attempt to win its fourth sectional crown in the last five years against Depew on Saturday. Daquawn Griggs led East in his final game with 12 points.
Depew 47, Tonawanda 39
The Wildcats broke an early 4-4 tie and never trailed the rest of the game. Depew smothered the Warriors top offensive weapons all evening and used a deep bench to keep fresh defenders on the court all evening. The game felt like it was dominated by Depew, who won all four quarters, but never got away from Tonawanda. The Warriors were within three points in the final three minutes before Depew pulled away for good. The Wildcats were strong inside and got a game-high 19 points from senior Jaden Cotton. Depew will play for a sectional championship for the fifth time in six years, most recently losing to Olean in 2010. The Wildcats won their only Section VI title in 2009.
Canisius 75, Bishop Timon/St. Jude 66
The Crusaders advanced to their fourth straight Manhattan Cup final by beating the Tigers for a fifth consecutive time. Canisius will attempt to become the first team to win back-to-back Manhattan Cups since Turner/Carroll did it in 1999 & 2000. Matt Hart led the Crusaders with 21 points in the victory.
St. Mary's 62, St. Joe's 45
The Lancers win get their first crack at a Manhattan Cup in school history on Wednesday night, following an emphatic win over a school that was the unanimous number one large school for three consecutive weeks this season. Erik Simmons led St. Mary's with 18 points, while Jake Denz and Devin Redden each scored 13 points, while limiting Mr. Basketball New York finalist, Reggie Agbeko, to just 10 points.
Clymer 40, Sherman 39
The Pirates got a putback basket from Dan Lictus, to beat the buzzer and move Clymer past Sherman to the Class D final. Lictus finished with a game-high 16 points.
Panama 65, Brocton 37
The Panthers had no trouble with Brocton and have earned a chance to redeem a semifinal loss to Clymer from last season. Nick Lenart led Panama with 23 points, six assists, and five steals.
-centercourt
As has already been alluded to, the concession stand situation at Buffalo State is maddening. I would advise everyone to eat before they come and bring a snack.
At 5:20 pm, no pizza was ready. I asked when the first game started, they said 5 pm (It was 5:30). Nice planning.
Gatorade - $2.16 and three minutes for them to count back your change, which then falls out of your pocket when you get back to your seat after missing several minutes of the game.
I asked for a slice - $6.80 she said, to which I declined and swore off concessions for the rest of the week and my life at that place. Don't worry though, they now sell milk, a staple of sporting events across America.
Nothing will ever top the year I was told I couldn't buy a slice of pizza until all the hot dogs were gone, but at this point, I'd gladly unload all the change in my pocket (or now on the floor) that piled up last night to get slices back.
Posted by: centercourt | Tuesday, February 28, 2012 at 11:52 AM
Tonight, Mister Pizza will be delivering to the front row at Buffalo State.
The "Hey centercourt, save me a seat" list for tonight includes MIG, Keith McShea, hoopster, Bulls fan, and his wife.
I have a gut feeling that tonight we are in for a treat in the A2 battle between East Aurora and Riverside. During the last 20 minutes of my drive home last night, I had this premonition that Stan Wier was going to have one of those signature moments tonight. It will be the biggest stage of the season for Wier, and I don't think he'll disappoint. I would urge any high school basketball fan to be in attendance for that one tonight.
Posted by: centercourt | Tuesday, February 28, 2012 at 12:03 PM
CC,
You think Hart gets POY if CHS wins?
BTW St. Mary's isn't gonna be an easy win for CHS. They aren't a fluke they can play soem ball.
Posted by: Rick | Tuesday, February 28, 2012 at 12:25 PM
I think Canisius winning is far from the only factor in the POY race. Still lots of basketball left. Having a Mr. Basketball finalist in WNY is something to consider. Tonight's A2 game could be a factor. Don't rule out a candidate in AA. Lots of basketball remains.
Posted by: centercourt | Tuesday, February 28, 2012 at 12:38 PM
If EA wins gotta think Stan is the guy
Posted by: Rick | Tuesday, February 28, 2012 at 12:41 PM
Great win for the Lakemen last night! A tremendous team win. Very physical game on both sides of the ball. Lakemen seemed to adapt to the officiating better than CH did. They played more disciplined than the young, talented CH team. That goes for the coaching as well (technical). CH fans would tell you that the officials called too many fouls against their team. Wilson fans will tell you they didn't call enough. Martin was grabbed and 'bumped' numerous times without a call, but they continued to play and controlled what they could control. Great effort by both squads.
City Honors will be a force for the next few years. Hopefully Wilson will win their first sectional title on Saturday.
Posted by: Lakemen Fan | Tuesday, February 28, 2012 at 03:47 PM
Ha...the Wilson fans wanted a foul called on Honors every time a Wilson's player jersey was rustled.
Honors stopped moving the ball in the fourth quarter...they had begun to have washington bring it up the floor and Carter playing off the ball, which resulted in extending their lead, but for some reason largely abandoned that strategy late. They also failed to use a single timeout late in the game...how you do not call one when your team is continually down a single possession in the waning minutes, especially after playing so ragged the entire quarter, is beyond me.
Sippel did not have to do much to out coach Honors in this one.
Posted by: TML1000 | Tuesday, February 28, 2012 at 04:21 PM
Honors will not be good for years to come, their 2 best players are leaving one to graduation and the other transferring,couple that with what transferred out prior to this season. They could have been dominant had they kept everyone(coaching matters)
Posted by: guest | Tuesday, February 28, 2012 at 04:34 PM
Is Washington to Nichols a done deal? I had heard its not and that one or both of the current transfers may be looking to head back.
Posted by: PJB | Tuesday, February 28, 2012 at 10:41 PM
Washington just waiting on final word,just a formality, nobody is leaving Nichols to go back
Posted by: guest | Tuesday, February 28, 2012 at 10:48 PM
I also think it's great that Jim is so open about bringing guys 2 Nichols instead of trying 2 hide from it. Good 4 him! Washington should go 2 Nichols so should Taplin. Taplin w Washington and those 2 big Freshman? All the A catholic schools will b down next year so Nichols could win that B berth next year. City Honors DESERVES 2 lose that kid just 4 not calling a timeout during a 13-0 run that lasted an entire quarter!
Also I AM DONE w the stands at Buff State. Went 2 get waters and soda 4 the guys and I saw 3 groups of people ahead of me. I was like 'cool' over TEN minutes later I had the honor of paying 5.68
Guys I am not a genius by any means. But MAYBE just MAYBE use BOTH CASH REGISTERS during this week of games? I mean I gave up something 4 Lent they did a Seinfeld episode on so my frustraion level is already hi but add that concession stand 2 it and a Kramer 'I am out!' is certainly on the way!
Posted by: McShea is God | Tuesday, February 28, 2012 at 11:36 PM
Heard a rumor last night at the Joes game that Cam Lewis of Nichols is transferring to Joes.
Posted by: WT716 | Wednesday, February 29, 2012 at 12:07 AM
washington headed to Canisius,Mackinnon experiment not working
Posted by: guest | Wednesday, February 29, 2012 at 05:23 AM
All this transfer talk is a joke. Kids should not be allowed to switch schools just because of basketball. If they do they should be required to sit out as least part of the season. A kid could switch private schools every year going to the best team. This isn't free agency, this is HS basketball.
Posted by: Dark TML | Wednesday, February 29, 2012 at 08:23 AM
Rumors and gossip belong in the tabloids not CC's blog. I wonder though if losing mentality has a comment for this to set things straight.
Posted by: rumors??? | Wednesday, February 29, 2012 at 08:38 AM
I wouldn't be surprised if all of these rumors are true...not a good year for the "Nichols Tradition"...
Posted by: losing mentality | Wednesday, February 29, 2012 at 09:29 AM
CC, just read your review from monday. I believe this is Depew's 5th trip in 6 years. I could be wrong, i just remember that 07 game. They beat Lafayette in the semis in 07 in one of the best games ever @ Buff St. and then lost to Maryvale in the final. they may have beaten Maryvale the following year in the finals. Olean seems to be there every year. not sure what their run is upto.
Posted by: proud dad | Wednesday, February 29, 2012 at 12:54 PM
Dark TML - you are right on. Alhtough, everyone knows that the privates encourage it and even if the grades are not up to par the athletes are allowed in and have tuition covered. That is why have to laugh when the MMA gets all the pub and are better teams then most of the publics. Recruting. Pity the poor sap who is a great student but not an athlete. You are right. Make them sit out a year. Then they may make a wiser decision where to go from the outset. It is starting to get ridiculous.
Posted by: Rollo Clown | Wednesday, February 29, 2012 at 01:07 PM
Thanks for that, you are correct about 2007. I fixed it above.
Depew's title games since 2007:
2007 - lost to Maryvale in A2 final
2008 - lost to East in A2 final
2009 - beat Maryvale in A2 final
2010 - lost to Olean in B1 final
2012 - vs. Olean for B1 final
Posted by: centercourt | Wednesday, February 29, 2012 at 01:17 PM
Didn't know Depew has such a streak. Very, very impressive. Have to go see them. Hope they pull it off.
Posted by: Truth Be Told | Wednesday, February 29, 2012 at 01:59 PM