(South's Greg Dolan shoots over a UPrep defender at the RAP Showcase)
After falling last weekend in the house of their league rivals at Amherst, the Billies from Williamsville South rebounded nicely with a bounce-back win at the team tied for first place in the Monsignor Martin, St. Francis. Amidst the toughest stretch of their schedule, the Billies found themselves in Rochester on Saturday afternoon for the RAP Showcase at Aquinas, paired up against UPrep - the #5 ranked team in NYS.
South earned its biggest win of the season with a 70-64 victory over UPrep, putting together a solid performance led by unior guard Greg Dolan. The Billies improve to 11-2 on the season with a home game against Jamestown coming up on Tuesday night.
Dolan scored 20 of his 24 points in the second half, with 16 of those coming in the final stanza, to lead his team to the win. Adam Braniecki added 15 points after getting off to a fast start and netting nine in the opening frame.
"I really thought the intensity and focus were great after getting off the bus for a Saturday afternoon game in Rochester," South coach Gabe Michael said.
The Billies led after the opening quarter and took a five-point lead into halftime, after closing on an 8-1 run.
"Take shooting out of the equation, we probably played our best half of basketball," Michael said. "As far as being in position defensively, poassing the ball, and limiting turnovers."
The game featured 17 lead changes and nine ties. The final lead change came with 5:06 left in the contest, when Dolan broke a tie at the charity stripe. The Billies held UPrep at bay for the remainder by playing smart, getting to the free throw line, and making their shots.
"We work on that a lot now," said Michael. "I felt like we were in control down the stretch...we didn't do it perfectly, but we did it well enough to get the job done."
UPrep was led by 6-6 Jeenathan Williams, a high-level Division I recruit. Jabez Thomas, a 6-7 post player, added 14 points in the loss.
"We knew coming in that they would be a big, strong, athletic team and we'd have to beat them on the boards to have a chance to win," Dolan said. "I felt like we did a good job of that all game."
Dolan & Williams earned Game MVP honors.
South 20 - 14 - 9 - 29 = 70
UPrep 17 - 12 - 14 - 21 = 64
Point Totals
South: Greg Dolan 24, Adam Braniecki 15, Devin Degree 8, Dakota Wiley 7, Cody Sanford 7, Anthony Lombardo 5, Mark Worthy 4
UPrep: Jeenathan Williams 26, Jabez Thomas 14, Kassius Williams 8, Jahki Lucas 7, Tamar Jackson 4, Elroy Clark 2, Derek Minigan 1
- centercourt
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