Because they had already beaten the Spartans earlier in the season, Clarence came into Friday night's ECIC I contest as the #2 ranked large school in WNY. But as the game unfolded, it became clear that the one who will go down as the #1 player in Williamsville North basketball history was not going to let it happen a second time.
Sterling Taplin made history for Williamsville North once again, and in the process, led his Spartans to a convincing 66-49 victory at Clarence. It was just the first league loss for the Red Devils this year, while North needed the win to avoid falling two games back in ECIC I.
Taplin scored 23 points, grabbed 10 rebounds, and dished seven dimes in the win, but it was his first feed that made history. The Spartans all-time assist record (296), previously held by current Medaille assistant coach Mike Berkun, was surpassed by Taplin (303) early in the first quarter as he looked off the defense and dropped a pass inside for Gearge Attea, who scored in the paint. Taplin already holds the school record for points scored in a career.
Taplin chased his record-breaking dish with a traditional three-point play that was part of a 15-3 run to open the game for North. Late in the quarter, Taplin and Maceo Jack took turns assisting each other and then Jack sank one from downtown, giving the Spartans a stunning 22-7 lead over the second-ranked large school after just eight minutes.
North's lead increased to 25-9 early in the second quarter, before Clarence woke up and began to solicit the support of the large home crowd that was on hand. Ryan Funk scored all 11 of his first half points during a four minute stretch where the Red Devils outscored Williamsville North, 15-2, to close within three points. Taplin was able to stop the bleeding with a bucket and Kolbe Hughes scored the final points of the half to put the Spartans in front, 31-24, at the break.
Funk came out firing once again in the third quarter and scored Clarence's first seven points to get his team within two, 33-31. However, it would be the last run the Red Devils had in them on this night, as the more energetic Spartans took a commanding lead into the fourth quarter, thanks to a 15-3 finish to the third. North got scoring from five different players during the spurt, while limiting the second chance looks for Clarence.
Leading by 12 points after three quarters, the Spartans continued to answer every comeback attempt from Clarence, while building their advantage along the way. Even a technical foul assesed to Taplin following a two-handed slam did nothing to shift the game's momentum. Having seen the Spartans fives times already this season, I can say without hesitation that this was the best game I've seen from them. Even more impressive, they did it without the services of starting guard Sean Hill, who missed the game with an injured ankle.
Attea finished the night with 14 points for the Spartans, while sophomore Jack added 13 points.
Funk was magnificent in the loss, scoring 30 of his team's 49 points, all of which came during quarters two, three, & four. Clarence has a tough week coming up - at Jamestown on Tuesday night, before hosting them on Friday.
-centercourt
I wonder who wrote the high school article in todays paper? Niagara Falls hasnt been the Power Cats in a ling time.
Posted by: NFL | Saturday, January 18, 2014 at 09:07 AM
How funny!
Posted by: centercourt | Saturday, January 18, 2014 at 09:16 AM