(Health Sciences' game at South on Saturday will be the hottest 'Ticket' in town)
Monday, January 29th
Medina @ CSAT - 6 pm
Niagara Catholic @ St. Francis - 6:30 pm
Tuesday, January 30th
Iroquois @ Cheektowaga - 6:30 pm
East @ McKinley - 6:30 pm
South Park @ Middle College - 6:30 pm
Franklinville @ Ellicottville - 7:30 pm
West Seneca West @ Williamsville North - 7:30 pm
Jamestown @ Clarence - 7:30 pm
Amherst @ Williamsville East - 7:30 pm
Allegany-Limestone @ Silver Creek - 7:30 pm
Wednesday, January 31st
Cardinal O'Hara @ Timon - 6:30 pm
Canisius @ Niagara Catholic - 7:30 pm
Thursday, February 1st
Lancaster @ Clarence - 6 pm
Newfane @ I-Prep - 6:30 pm
Lackawanna @ Depew - 7:30 pm
Friday, February 2nd
Timon @ Park - 6:30 pm
Amherst @ Sweet Home - 6:30 pm
North Tonawanda @ Niagara Falls - 6:30 pm
McKinley @ South Park - 6:30 pm
City Honors - Riverside - 6:30 pm
St. Francis @ Canisius - 7 pm
Olean @ Dunkirk - 7:30 pm
Iroquois @ Maryvale - 7:30 pm
Fredonia @ Chautauqua Lake - 7:30 pm
Gowanda @ Allegany-Limestone - 7:30 pm
Saturday, February 3rd
Centercourt Classic at Williamsville South HS
Medina vs. Franklinville - 12 pm
Newfane vs. Ellicottville - 2 pm
St. Mary's vs. East - 4 pm
Williamsville South vs. Health Sciences - 6 pm
* Game of the Week - Health Sciences @ Williamsville South on Saturday, February 3rd
For several years, I considered trying to arrange an event similar to the ones that fill up the calendar in December, but I wanted the concept to be a little different. Nothing ground breaking, just a lineup of games with matchups that were intriguing for different reasons. Well, heading into Saturday's Centercourt Classic, I love the four games that are being played, but the event's headliner is downright special.
Health Sciences against Williamsville South. Davonte Gaines against Greg Dolan. I could stop right there and say 'See you Saturday'.
Dolan has put together a four-career at Williamsville South will have him mentioned among the very best to ever take the court in WNY. As a freshman he led the Billies to the Far West Regional in Class A. He was a First Team All-Centercourt selection as a sophomore after advancing South to Glens Falls. Last season, his Billies spent time as the #1 ranked team in the area. This year, he's been downright filthy with the things he does on the court and the numbers that accompany those performances, like 29.5 ppg and a season-high 47. Once again, he has his team piling up wins and regarded among the best teams in this area.
Gaines is in his third varsity season at Health Sciences and his accolades there during that span are eye-popping. As a sophomore, I remember watching 'The Ticket' & the Falcons play at Park, and it was glaringly obvious he was a future big time player that night, watching him shine against a bevy of talent on that Pioneers' team that included Jordan Nwora & Noah Hutchins. After a junior season that saw Gaines take his game to another level, he took his team to the next level as well. Health Sciences, just as South did the year prior, advanced to the state final four. Then came the offseason and the offer he was waiting for, which he accepted - Tennessee! His senior year has already produced the best numbers all the way around - a pair of quadruple-doubles and a WNY game season-high 52 points.
The Billies & Falcons are two teams that can really defend and their points allowed per game combined is under 100, but they can fill it up too. Both teams are very comfortable playing fast and that's exactly what I think we're going to see. Fast in a good basketball kind of way, not out of control. One thing I'm very confident predicting about this game is entertainment. Look for some fun in the open court and a high scoring affair. If you've never watched Dolan or Gaines, this is your chance...and you're in for a treat.
See you on Saturday for a great afternoon of basketball during the Centercourt Classic at Williamsville South High School. I would come as early as possible to get a seat and enjoy all four games. You will not want be on the outside during this special presentation of 'The Game of the Week' !
-centercourt
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