(Ray Blackwell races to the rim for Maryvale)
Maryvale 54, Lake Shore 43
Two of the main contenders in the race for an ECIC III league crown took the court, both unbeaten in their division and each with just one loss on the season. After Lake Shore tied the game in the fourth quarter, Maryvale scored the final 11 points of the contest to remain in first place. Ray Blackwell scored a game-high 21 points, including the last eight points of the night, to help seal the win. The Flyers played with great energy throughout and seemed to be first to the ball, whether a missed shot, a loose ball, and even some timely steals right after Lake Shore had gained possession. Johnathan Park finished with 16 points in the loss for the Eagles.
Maryvale 12 - 15 - 12 - 15 = 54
Lake Shore 12 - 14 - 8 - 9 = 43
Point Totals
Maryvale: Ray Blackwell 21, Dylan Casey 10, Rashad Law 8, Zach Amato 7, Xaier Mitchell 6, Devin Taylor 2
Lake Shore: Johnathan Park 16, Ryan Utley 10, Jay Brueckl 9, Josh Buchanon 3, Dakota Luke 3, Ajay Cybulski 2
Records
Maryvale: 8-1, 4-0 / Next game vs. East Aurora on Friday, January 12th
Lake Shore: 7-2, 4-1 / Next game vs. Cheektowaga on Friday, January 12th
Player of the Game
Ray Blackwell - Maryvale
Unsung Hero of the Game
Rashad Law - Maryvale
Key Runs
Maryvale used an 11-4 run in the second quarter that helped them to a lead at halftime, took a seven-point lead in the third quarter with an 8-0 burst, and closed the game with 11 unanswered points after Lake Shore tied the game at 43-43.
3-Pointers
Maryvale (2): Ray Blackwell, Zach Amato
Lake Shore (6): Ryan Utley (2), Jay Brueckl (2), Josh Buchanan, Dakota Luke
Coaches Quotes
Mark Kensy - Maryvale
On his team's effort
We certainly came to play tonight, we had a great defensive effort. Obviously we're not a big team, we tried to start the biggest team we could tonight.
On Ray Blackwell
He is just a tremendous basketball player. He's certainly a gamer, he works hard in practice, but his game just picks up to another level in games. He's worked hard on not forcing things and I think that was evident, he let the game come to him.
On the keys to victory
We won the game with our defense, no doubt about it, and our rebounding. If we didn't own the boards, we were close to it.
On Rashad Law
He's quite an athlete, he gets off his feet very well, and he's strong.
Brett Lyford - Lake Shore
On where the game was won & lost
Offensively, we got into sets that we didn't want to run - they dictated the game. They pressured us into taking shots that we didn't need. They were active, they went after loose balls. If we got a rebound, they'd come away with a steal...they wanted it more than we did.
Random Smatterings
- I saw the Flyers play once early in the season when they lost at home to Amherst and have to say they looked like a vastly improved team in their win last night. I think they would the Tigers' equal in a rematch and have as good of a chance as any team in a wide open Class A2 this season.
- I've been watching Ray Blackwell play for four seasons now. While he's always played at one speed - full speed, his control of the game and good decision making are really coming to the forefront.
- Rashad Law's performance last night was that of a difference maker. The Flyers have to be delighted that junior gridiron standout came out for basketball again this season. He is so fast, strong, and competitive - the classic running back making a big impact on the hardwood.
- Speaking of gridiron standouts, Dylan Casey knows the offense and where the ball needs to go. He's a good passer & defender and clearly a team leader who is trusted with the ball in his hands.
- Zach Amato's fourth quarter trey broke a tie game and ignited a big finish for Maryvale, whi did not have a good shooting night from the perimeter by any stretch.
- Lake Shore's Johnathan Park was limited to just four points in the second half, mainly because his teammates seemed to settle for shots rather than work to get him the ball more. Maryvale's defense played a big role, but the Eagle's ball movement has to be quicker and more purposeful. Park is a luxury to have on a high school basketball team.
- Jay Brueckl is a solid high school point guard with a good understanding of the game. His three-point play to tie the game in the fourth quarter was one of the toughest finishes I've seen this year and I thought it was going to shift the momentum of the game.
- I'm a fan of Lake Shore coach Brett Lyford. He has such great perspective on things when I've spoken with him regardless of the game's outcome.
- Maryvale is a cool place to watch a high school game. Not the best gym to take pictures in, but that place has character and a unique atmosphere that I like.
- I tweeted all the Maryvale starters with correct spellings, and then proceeded to misspell Xaier Mitchell & Rashad Law's names in subsequent tweets. My apologies to those two and to anyone's name I ever misspell. The crazy thing is, I never misspell Julian Eziukwu (Park) or Ryan Konotopskyj (Will North). Go figure!
-centercourt
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