(Noah Hutchins takes it to the rack for Park/Photo by Larry Scheur )
Park's ascent to the top of the WNY basketball scene happened really fast. They joined the Monsignor Martin Association just three seasons ago and quickly became a household name to local hoops junkies. And with the recent Charter School boom, several of those teams have quickly put together talented rosters as well. One in particular, Health Sciences, has its sights set on winning the school's first ever Section VI title this season after coming very close two seasons ago. On Monday night, the Falcons arrived at Park for a nonleague game with a 4-0 record and an excitement surrounding its team.
Health Sciences was never overwhelmed, but to say they were over-matched by the Pioneers would be fair, as Park held a double figure lead for the final 25 minutes, on it way to a 90-62 victory. The Pioneers move to 4-0 on the season, while the Falcons slip to 4-1.
For Park, who was coming off a pair of narrow-margin victories over Niagara Falls and Starpoint, after a 13-point win to start the year against Middle College, the win over Health Sciences was easily the best the team has looked this season because of the way they played.
"You need to do three things to be a successful team - play hard, play smart, and play together," Park coach Michael Battaglia said. "Getting a team to play together is always the hardest."
Playing together is exactly what the Pioneers did. Getting scoring from six different players in the opening quarter, Park rolled up 27 points, and did so with just one 3-pointer. Defensively, Park stayed in good position and didn't over chase anything, using timing and length to create opportunities in transition. They were sharing the ball on the break and getting easy finishes, despite Health Sciences' best efforts to get back.
Kyle Harris connected on a pair of 3-pointers to start the second quarter, that quickly increased the Park lead to 35-16. The Falcons put together their best stretch in the game in response and were able to make it an 11-point game before halftime with a, 44-33. But the game's biggest run, and the one that would put the game out of reach, was still to come. A 21-5 push from the Pioneers gave them a 65-40 lead. During the run, Park got treys from Harris, Noah Hutchins, & Jordan Nwora, a three-point play from Nwora, and an awesome look-away assist on the fast break from Nwora to Ethan Cottrell that completely fooled the Falcon defender.
The game included multiple dunks, along with multiple missed attempts. Nwora had the game's finest flush in a half court set, throwing down a one-hander on the lane with force. Hunter Anderson also put one down on the break for Park, along with turning in yet another all-around performance that is near mistake-free and essential to getting the Pioneers into the flow that allows them to be so good.
"Hunter Anderson has matured so much over the last couple years here and he's become such a leader for this team," Battaglia said. "Look at him over there smiling - he doesn't care about how many points he scored, he's just having fun out there and wants to make us better."
Hutchins, Park's freshman point guard, had some freshman plays in the game. But he made a lot more upperclassmen-type plays and continues to look better in each varsity contest. He is undoubtedly one of the area's best freshmen and caught the attention of a scout from Dayton, who was over to inquire about the young floor general after the game.
Joe Jones tried playing in the game, but clearly wasn't ready, and checked back out of the game almost immediately. Park will take its time bringing him back, as he would key to a postseason push later in the year. Chris Efretuei, the team's 6-11 addition this season, is coming along for the Pioneers and also played his best game of the early season.
One player from Health Sciences that has to get a shout out after last nigh is sophomore Davonte Gaines, also known as The Ticket. He's a highly coordinated 6-4 wing, with great length who works hard on both ends and is an effective finisher. Gaines got loose in the open court last night and put on down for the Falcons, something that will be happening a ton over the next three years.
-centercourt
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