(Dan Scott and Park were soaring in the first half /Photo: Larry Scheur)
On Tuesday night, Timon scored a major victory in South Buffalo. The Tigers defeated the two-time defending CHSAA state champions from Canisius, which ended the Crusaders' 36-game wining streak against the local competition from WNY. Coming off such a high, it may have been tough to start Friday night's tilt at Park with that same intensity. But in the no-nights-off Class A ranks of the Monsignor Martin Association this season, even a quarter off will be costly.
Park built a sizable halftime lead over visiting Timon and went on to earn a 65-52 victory. The Pioneers, ranked #1 in NYS Class A, move to 7-1 on the season with no local losses, while Timon falls to 5-2.
An quick sign of the success the Pioneers would enjoy came in the opening seconds of the game. Dan Scott took the opening tip from Joe Jones and proceeded to bury a 3-pointer from the left wing just six seconds in. The shot gave the sophomore his 1,000th career varsity point, which he was honored for after the first stoppage of play. Scott added a second trey in the quarter as Park raced out to a 16-2 lead just past the midway part of the first stanza.
Jones got off to a fast start and was a force near the basket. His teammates would look to him when the action settled into half court sets and the big man rewarded them with assists, scoring 12 of his 18 points at the start. He added 12 rebounds, with six of those coming in the offensive end, along with three swats.
"I think Jones is tough to guard - he's big, strong, quick, and has good hands & feet," Park coach Michael Battaglia said. "As long as he catches the ball close to the paint, he's tough."
All five starters scored for the Pioneers in the first eight minutes. Brandon Smith shook his defender to free up enough space to smoothly swish a jumper, while Noah Hutchins got loose late in the frame and brought the ball back behind his head before finishing with a two-handed slam. After just eight minutes, Park was already in front, 25-6.
"We dug ourselves a hole in the first quarter which is tough to get out of against a good team like that," said Timon coach Des Randall.
The defense of Park was intense throughout the first half, which forced the Tigers into several uncharacteristic mistakes. Hutchins, who scored 13 points, grabbed seven boards, and dished five assists, led also led his team in steals with four. Jones and Scott added three steals apiece. In the first half alone, the Pioneers had a hand in 18 Timon turnovers.
"When you turn the ball over like we did in the first half, it's hard to win," Randall said.
The turnovers allowed Park to keep running and building its lead. Hutchins added another dunk in the second quarter, while Scott threw down a pair with force, along with banging another from the perimeter. Scott had 13 of his team-high 19 points by halftime, as the Pioneers allowed just three first half field goals from Timon to tale a 39-15 lead at the break.
The Tigers turned the tides in the third quarter and slowed the Pioneers down with some trapping, while finding more success in the offensive end. Park was outscored 15-6 in the frame, as a 15-2 run trimmed a once 28-point lead down to a 45-30 advantage heading into the fourth quarter. Timon got within nine points late in the game, before Hutchins and Quentin Nnagbo sealed the win for the Pioneers at the stripe with six late free throws.
"I think they're a good basketball team and when we play again in their gym, it's going to be a battle," Battaglia said.
Davion Warren scored a game-high 22 points, while Joe Harrison added 13 points in the loss.
The rematch is Friday, February 3rd at Timon.
Timon 6 - 9 - 15 - 22 = 52
Park 25 - 14 - 6 - 20 = 65
Point Totals
Park: Dan Scott 19, Joe Jones 18, Noah Hutchins 13, Quentin Nnagbo 9, Brandon Smith 4, Marques Lowe 2
Timon: Davion Warren 22, Joe Harrison 13, Jaurney Boyland 8, Juston Johnson 7, Tim Payne 2
- centercourt
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