Nichols 83, Cleveland Hill 71
Cam Lewis scored a game-high 24 points, while Tanner Schmit netted 22 points in his return debut to Nichols, as the Vikings opened their season the same way they did a year ago, with a win over Cleveland Hill at the Lancaster Tournament. The Vikings had five players finish with double figures in scoring, including Chris Miner (13), Tom Nuttle (13), and Jack Vance (11).
Nichols held a slight lead throughout the first half, before the Golden Eagles banged a pair of 3's right before the intermission to take a two-point lead at the break. A 12-2 run to open the second half gave the Vikings the lead back and some separation, at 51-43. From that point, Cleveland Hill could never get any closer than five points, as the size advantage of the Vikings began to prevail during key possessions.
The Golden Eagles were led by 18 points from Jermaine Hairston. Jared Watkins scored 17 points and Aaron Phillips added 12 points in the loss. They will once again be a major factor in both ECIC IV and Class B2, with another highly athletic and competitive team. Their rotation went at least eight players deep, with a scrappy group of players that relentlessly attacked Nichols for 32 minutes.
Cheektowaga 55, Depew 50
Preston Summers scored 13 points, had six steals, and dished five assists to earn game MVP honors as the Warriors opened their season with an ECIC III league win. Freshman Dominick Welch scored 11 points are hauled in 14 boards, while junior Zak Ciezki was did a little of everything as he finished with 10 points, seven rebounds, five assists, four steals, and four blocks.
The Warriors boast an impressive starting lineup that included the above mentioned players, along with Drequon Trotter (nine points) and Patrick Plummer (six points), with the only senior being Summers. They led the game from wire-to-wire, with the lead reaching double-digits on three separate occasions. However, Depew was able to close to within a point in the fourth quarter at 51-50, before Cheektowaga finished the game off. As this team matures and learns how to play with a lead, they will be a dangerous and entertaining one.
Derrick Sekuterski scored 19 points for the Wildcats in the loss.
Williamsville East 65, Oracle Charter 37
Cort Williams scored 23 points, had five rebounds, and four assists, to lead the Flames past the Phoenix at the Pastor-Cooper Showcase. Nicholas Clough added 18 points with five boards, while Jaleel Battle chipped in 10 points and four steals, as Williamsville East blew a close game open with a huge third quarter to win its season opener over last season's Class C1 finalist.
-centercourt
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