(Amherst & North Tonawanda slugged it out in the Bob Hettler championship game)
The championship game of the Bob Hettler Classic sponsored by the Jolly Boys at Amherst High School between the host Tigers and North Tonawanda was anything but a clash of styles. Amherst and NT have plenty in common this season. Both teams have size across the board and can play a physical brand of basketball. The two teams have made their mark with defense this season, and while each has some star power, the Jacks & Tigers are both best described as deep, balanced teams with multiple contributing players. They are also two teams with aspirations of a Class A title this season in Section VI and both something have to prove. Neither was the predicted winner of their league to start the season, yet the Jacks already clipped the favorites in their league, while the Tigers went to overtime versus the team pegged to win their division.
I arrived at the Amherst Jungle to see the large school I had ranked #9 host the team I had ranked #6, and received a message just prior to tip asking what the 'line on the game' was. Pick 'em was my reply. I ended up getting the game I came to see.
Amherst made plays over the game's crucial final stretch and earned a hard fought victory over North Tonawanda, 49-45. Marcellus Cooper (14 points) was named Tournament MVP, while the Tigers also landed Da'Shawn Hines and Desean Ashley (nine points) on the All-Tournament Team as Amherst hoisted the Bob Hettler Championship Trophy.
A methodical and deliberate pace to a well-played defensive game by both teams kept the contest close and low-scoring throughout, with neither team allowing the other to make a major run. North Tonawanda held a slight lead for the majority of the first half and took a two-point lead into the break. Amherst outscored the Jacks, 10-3, to start the second half and took a 32-27 lead. But North Tonawanda came right back, sparked by a 3-pointer from Vincent Tripi, to regain the lead late in the third quarter.
In all, the game saw 11 lead changes and was tied five times. With North Tonawanda clinging to a 39-37 lead three minutes into the fourth quarter, Amherst's gameplan for attacking the vaunted 2-3 zone employed by the Jacks really came to fruition. Hines tied the game for the final time at 39-39 with 4:40 left in the game, which kicked off a 12-2 run for the Tigers.
"Going against a 2-3 zone, an extended one that's that aggressive, is tough," said Amherst coach Chris Kensy. "We had our shoot around to prepare for it. I was very proud of my guys and how we attacked the zone - very unselfishly."
The Tigers' committment to their gameplan and consistent work in both ends resulted in a breakthrough late in the game, and it was Jordan Barr that executed with the most energy over the final three minutes to help unravel the Jacks' zone. Barr scored his first points of the game with 3:37 to play, giving Amherst the lead for good. As he scored, he turned to the student section, The Amherst Jungle, and asked for their support. The fans responded and so did Barr, scoring another six points during the decisive run that put North Tonawanda away.
"Jordan can seem not fully into it, then all of a sudden turn a switch on," Kensy said. "When he goes ahead and puts his mind to it, he is tremendous for us."
One month into the season with the most important basketball well ahead of every team, the Tigers have to be pleased with where they are at. The win for Amherst over the Jacks was its second over a ranked large school in a week. Nine different players scored for the Tigers in the win. Cooper has been the guy for his team, but has done so very unselfishly. Hines continues to be a leader and tireless worker at the defensive end. Ashley, a freshman guard, takes steps forward everytime out on the floor. All signs that Amherst is a rapidly improving team heading in the right direction and a squad that the rest of Class A will have to give plenty of thought to.
"Absolutely," Kensy said. "I think this team has a ton of potential if we keep improving."
Trevor Book finished with a team-high 13 points for the Jacks, while Patrick Milbrand added 12 points in the loss.
N. Tonawanda 13 - 11 - 9 - 12 = 45
Amherst 10 - 12 - 12 - 15 = 49
Point Totals
N. Tonawanda: Trevor Book 13, Patrick Milbrand 12, Zack Woodard 6, Vincent Tripi 6, Rory Farkas 4, Brandon Casterline 2, Alex Quinn 2
Amherst: Marcellus Cooper 14, Desean Ashley 9, Jordan Barr 8, Will Alfieri 6, Da'Shawn Hines 4, Richard Kay 3, Brian Fulford 2, Jake Mullen 2, Ja'Kye Womack 1
- centercourt
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