Manhattan Cup Play-in games - 2016

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 St. Francis 57, St. Joe's 43

The Red Raiders seem to have flipped a switch in the later part of the season, playing noticeably more competitive games, along with scoring some wins this season that the program can really be proud of and build on.  Add a Manhattan Cup playoff victory to this season's successes, after St. Francis advanced past St. Joe's and into the semifinal round in the quest for the Manhattan Cup in Class A.

 

"It's really been a different team since we got blown out by Park," St. Francis coach Brian Ferris said.  "We got beat up pretty good at home and we were embarrassed...ever since then, we've been in every game."

 

Freshman point guard Julian Cunningham played like a senior and led St.Francis with a game-high 21 points and scored seven of those in the final frame to help his team break open a five-point game through three quarters.  Cunningham 3-pointer hit a 3-pointer one minute into the second quarter to tie the game, and his team never trailed the rest of the way.  

 

Sophomore Bo Sireika added 11 of his 15 points in the second half, while Sean Taggart finished with 10 points.  Late in the game, Roburt Welch put a punctuation mark on the St. Francis victory, slamming one home on a breakaway.  

 

The Marauders didn't shoot particularly well from the field, and Frannies capitalized by hitting the glass and keeping them out of the paint.  The Red Raiders closed the game on an 8-0 run to earn a date with #1 seeded Canisius at Villa Maria College on Friday night at 6 pm.

 

"Joe's is a very similar team to us," Ferris said.  "We matched up well and changed some things on defense - we switched on them because their size doesn't kill us, and that's something we hadn't done all year."

 

Point Totals

St. Francis:  Julian Cunningham 21, Bo Sireika 15, Sean Taggart 10, Roburt Welch 8, Michael Casciano 3

St. Joe's:  Nick Motley 15, Naseer Jackson 11, Anthony Brophy 4, Michael Telesco 4, Grant Beyer 4, Christopher Stineman 3, Hunter Dimitroff 2

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Nichols 62, Cardinal O'Hara 53

After getting swept by the Hawks in the regular season, Nichols cracked the code on its Monsignor Martin counterpart when it mattered most and earned a trip to the Class B semifinal round of the Manhattan Cup playoffs.  The Vikings will face Walsh, who earned the top seed, on Thursday night at 6 pm at Villa Maria College.

 

The Vikings won with a balanced attack offensively, a commitment to defense, and a strong second quarter.  Marcellus Cooper led three players in double figures with a game-high 22 points and a monster slam dunk off the break.  Myles Hervey scored five of his nine points in the second quarter, as Nichols outscored the Hawks in the frame, 19-11, after the teams were locked at 12-12 through eight minutes.  O'Hara was limited to 12, 11, and 13 points over the first three quarters and never got closer than five points in the second half, while trailing by as many as 16 in the fourth.

 

"We knew going into the game that they were a very good team that had beat us twice and averaged about 75 points on us - we had to figure out how to slow them down," Nichols coach John Reinholz said.  "We emphasized control the tempo and be smart offensively so the game is in our favor as far as ball control - I thought our team executed outstanding today."

 

Ted Roach finished with 15 points, with 10 of those coming in the second half.  Roach was the only senior in Nichols' starting lineup and played like a leader on both ends of the floor, with a very determined effort.  

 

"It's been an incredibly hard year on us with the youth and inexperience after losing nine seniors and very good players from last year," said Reinholz.  "We knew if we could just keep building momentum, stay sound fundamentally, and control tempo in this game, we could have a shot."

 

Two seasons ago, Nichols sent shock waves throughout WNY when they knocked off Canisius in the semifinal round of the Manhattan Cup.  A win by this version of the Vikings over Walsh in this season's semifinals, would be an equally spectacular accomplishment.

 

"We know they're a great team," said Reinholz.  "Let's go out there and play as hard as we can and have fun."

 

Point Totals

Nichols:  Marcellus Cooper 22, Ted Roach 15, Will Johnson 11, Myles Hervey 9, TJ Banaszak 3, Edward Halady 2

Cardinal O'Hara:  Justin Hemphill 18, Charles Debose 13, Nasir Benton 12, Rene Velazquez 4, Deamontae Riley 3, Jermaine Haynes 3 

 

-centercourt

Comments

[MMA fan]

Great game St Francis. They looked more prepared and played liked they wanted it more. Joes was to undisciplined, especially in the second have. The guards seemed to have to create their own shots which ST. Francis did not not allow them to be of very good quality. Nice job coach Ferris.

Nice job Nichols, they played as a team on Sunday. Senior leadership, Junior scorers and a sophomore guard who controls the tempo. They could give Walsh a battle if they play that way on Thursday. Talented young group of players.

[Buffalonian]

I don't think any of these teams will be able to stop Walsh this year. They are tough young players, great discipline and when they get hot from three, they don't miss. Hopefully get to see them in states.

[Souther Tier Dude]

I expect Walsh to dissappoint all of us down here and lose in the semifinals. too cocky. Nichols plays harder and wont rely on getting hot from 3. Thank god we have Olean to be proud of!

[Baller]

Impressive wins by Nichols and Niagara Catholic last night. Missing players hurt St Marys a lot.

I enjoyed the Walsh Nichols game a lot. Back and forth. Kemp hitting big threes for Walsh. Those Nichols boys play hard. Shoot it well. Johnson knocking down threes early, Cooper had stellar game and the others played all out. Banacsak gritty running the show and number 12 off the bench was excellent. Maybe they can keep the cinderella run going. What a story.