So I didn't pick Kenmore West at North Tonawanda as the "Game of the Week", but it did have it as one of the week's top battles to watch for. Thankfully, I ended up at the Lumberyard on Tuesday night, the nickname of the gym where the Jacks play ball. I ended up seeing the finish of the week, and got to witness one of those moments that stays in your head forever - the type of moment that sports is all about.
Ryan Gilbert buried a 3-pointer from the corner with 1.8 seconds remaining, to lift his Jacks over visiting Kenmore West, 48-46. The win keeps North Tonawanda unbeaten in the NFL, improving them to 4-0 in the league.
"I was nervous obviously, but my coach and my team had faith in me to take that shot", an ecstatic Gilbert said following the game. "I wouldn't have even gotten open without that screen - perfect play".
North Tonawanda head coach Ryan Mountain knew Gilbert was the player he wanted shooting, and felt good about the shot before it even went in.
"As soon as he let that shot go, the prayers were answered", Mountain said. "He held the follow through and actually took a little contact there".
North Tonawanda spent most of the first half playing a step behind the aggressive Blue Devils. Kenmore West did a good job scoring points against the stingy Jacks with a combination of transition points and knocking down a few of its jumpers. The Blue Devils also showed North Tonawanda a 2-3 zone of their own, something the Jacks haven't faced very often this year. Kenmore West's halftime lead of 22-16 matched its largest lead of the half.
Terrell Ford opened the second half with a bust from long range, giving the Blue Devils the largest advantage they would hold all evening - a nine-point lead. Trailing 27-18, North Tonawanda gained some momentum after one of the Blue Devils players was whistled for a technical foul. While the Jacks surged ahead, Kenmore West seemed to takes its foot off the pedal briefly. The result was a 19-3 run, keyed by 3-pointers from James Garavaglia, Colby Moultrie, & Gilbert (who converted his into a four-point play) and a pair of buckets from Chris Woodard. Suddenly the Jacks looked largely in control of things and had the home crowd rocking with a 37-30 lead late in the third quarter. But a trey by the Blue Devils' Jay Taylor toned the crowd down and led to a 7-2 finish over the quarter's final two minutes, taking the Jacks into the final stanza with a 39-37 lead.
Gilbert and Garavaglia struck in concession from beyond the arc to start the final eight minute frame off, and suddenly NT was on top 45-37. But then the sense of urgency set in for Kenmore West. The Blue Devils began trapping. NT buckled a bit under the pressure. Taylor scored again for Kenmore West. Aaron Tucker hit one of two from the stripe. Then Tyler Aquilla scored. Another turnover got Terrell Ford loose in transition - score. Then with 26 seconds left, Tucker earned a steal and found Ford streaking towards the basket again for another layup. With the shot clock off, North Tonawanda found themselves down 46-45 after holding an eight point edge minutes earlier.
That's when the Jacks drew up a play they had worked on, trusted what they had practiced, and then executed it. You already know how it ends - in the right corner closest to the NT bench, the ball gets kicked out to Gilbert, a southpaw senior, who lets a '3' go without hesitation...swish!
"I think people would have a deeper appreciation for what we do if they knew how hard we work", said Mountain. "You hope all that hard work pays off and you have a few memories along the way. Now Ryan has one that will last a lifetime".
Gilbert finished with a team-high 18 points, that included three 3-pointers, three more FGs, and a 3/3 night from the charity stripe. Chris Woodard added 10 points, 11 rebounds, three steals, and two blocks for the Jacks.
Ford scored a game-high 22 points for the Blue Devils in the loss.
-centercourt
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