Since the Monsignor Martin had a break in the action Tuesday night, I took myself to Buffalo State to watch some public school basketball. The game I was looking most forward to was East Aurora versus Riverside. Stan Wier of East Aurora had an opportunity to basically lock up All-WNY Player of the Year after Reggie Agbeko and St. Joes lost to St. Mary’s of Lancaster the previous night.
Jonathan Belton of Amherst
I arrived at Buff St shortly after tip off of the first game to watch some B2 action. I was entertained by the Eagles. There was the Applied Technology Eagles, and the Cleveland Hill Golden Eagles. Only one eagle would be advancing. At halftime the score was only 38-33 at the end of the third quarter. CSAT then went on to outscore Cleve Hill 21-10 in the final 8 minutes to seal the 59-43 win. Darnell Carson, only a junior for CSAT, looked like their best player. He did a little bit of everything on the offensive side of the ball, whether it be getting into the lane, shooting a 15 foot jumper, or facilitating to his teammates, In the loss, I walked away impressed with number 23 of Cleve Hill, Daryl Spencer. He may not have played his best game of the season, but he just looked like an athlete. CenterCourt told me the kid is quite a football player. Don’t mean to hurt anyone’s feelings with this comment, but Jordan Parker, you bricked three shots last night including a lay up. I know coaches say that shooters will always shoot, but at some point they need to learn to stop when they are not even close.
In the most anticipated match up of the night, the East Aurora Blue Devils played the Riverside Frontiers. I had seen EA play once this year, but was not able to make it to any Riverside games. CC told me the players to watch from the Frontiers were the two captains, Lamont Little and Justice Feggans. I was also there to watch Stan Wier, the University at Buffalo commit, to see if he could basically wrap up All-WNY POY.
East Aurora was up after the first quarter 10-3, but was then outscored the next two periods 28-17 putting them down 31-27. It was then the Stan Wier show. Wier scored 20 of his 27 points in the second half. Wier finished with 27 points, 10 rebounds, to go along with 6 assists, 3 steals, and 2 blocks. After watching East Aurora lose over Christmas Break in the West Seneca tournament to Tonawanda I did not think that the Blue Devils would make it far come playoff time due to the rest of the players surrounding Stan. Well last night they proved me wrong. Brendan Cox and Ian Allen both played solid games down low, and James Ritchie who had some nice flow by the way, did a good job controlling the tempo of the game. East Aurora outscored Riverside in the final 8 minutes 22-11, giving the Blue Devils a 49-42 victory.
East Aurora will be playing the Amherst Tigers on Saturday after the Tigers defeated the Cheektowaga Central Warriors 63-54. The Warriors tried to make a push late but they were not able to overcome the early lead that the Tigers had. The Tigers played a balanced game with 3 players scoring in double digits. Alex Turecki led the way with 16 points, followed by Jonathan Belton with 14, and Jonah Heim with 10. For the Warriors it was Derek Clyburn and Melvin Henley who led the team in scoring. Clyburn finished with 14, and Menley with 12.
I am really looking forward to the A2 championship on Saturday between Amherst and East Aurora. I am not sure who coach Kensy of Amherst will put on Wier but I think he will have an even better game. Stan got off to a slow start, only scoring 7 points in the first half, and I expect things to be different come Saturday. I will be at the Koessler Center tonight for the Canisius St. Mary’s game but will be returning to Buff St on Thursday for more semi final action and then on Saturday for the championships. CC also mentioned this year that the Rochester schools will be coming here, so I am looking forward to see Aquinas and Bishop Kearney play the section VI representatives.
