The 2009-2010 season was full of some dramatic games with fantastic finishes and buzzer beaters. I’ve compiled a list of what I thought were the top ten games. All but two of them are linked to video.
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10. January 22, 2010 – Nichols @ Bishop Timon St. Jude
http://blogs.buffalonews.com/preptalk/2010/01/friday-night-live.html#tp
In Nichols first big game without 2nd Team All-WNY guard Ron Canestro, the Vikings trailed by as many as 18 points late in the third quarter. The Tigers held off a late rally from Nichols, which included a controversial moment when Timon assistant and rules interpreter Mark Clifford seemed to influence the reversal of an officials call. A very rowdy Tigers student section stormed the auditorium floor as time expired.
Final Score: Timon 64, Nichols 60
9. January 8, 2010 – Medina @ Newfane
The Panthers trailed by as many as 12 in the second half, but were able to pull within a point with under a minute to play. After Medina hit the back end of a pair from the line, Newfane had the ball trailing by two with 28 seconds remaining. After a couple Panther misses and offensive rebounds, Rohn Pierce was fouled on a bucket that tied the game and with 2.8 seconds on the clock. Following timeouts from each team, he calmly sank the game winning free throw.
Final Score: Newfane 54, Medina 53
8. January 26, 2010 – Grover Cleveland @ Lackawanna
http://blogs.buffalonews.com/preptalk/2010/01/grover-beats-lackawanna-82-79.html#tp
An exciting non-leaguer between a pair of top ten small schools. Grover knocked down four 3-pointers in the fourth quarter and pulled the game out in the final two minutes despite its leader, Chris Holland, being fouled out of the game.
Final Score: Grover Cleveland 82, Lackawanna 79
7. December 27, 2009 – Jamestown vs. Olean – IAABO Tournament @ St. Bonaventue
The Huskies led most of the first half before Jamestown finished the half on a 9-0 run to lead by a point at the break. The Red Raiders held that lead until 12 seconds remained. Trailing by two, Ryan Carney calmly drained a 3-pointer from straight away to put the Huskies ahead by one. The shot was just like the one that put East Aurora away in the B-1 championship in March of 2009 – except that it wasn’t for the win. Carlos Rivera came right back and drew a foul while shooting the potential go-ahead jumper. He sank both free throws and Olean was unable to get a clean shot off in the final seconds.
Final Score: Jamestown 67, Olean 66
6. January 16, 2010 – St. Joe’s vs. Grover Cleveland – MLK Classic @ ECC
http://blogs.buffalonews.com/preptalk/2010/01/live-from-the-mlk-classic.html#tp
The Presidents seemed completely disinterested late in the third quarter and trailed by 22 after three. But in the fourth quarter, St. Joe’s players and Grover 3-pointers started dropping like flies. As time expired, Chris Holland finished off the Presidents comeback with a trey reminiscent of the Jordan shot over Bryon Russell. Luckily, the game ended in the first OT, because the two teams were nearly out of eligible players by the end of this one.
Final Score: Grover Cleveland 89, St. Joe’s 82
5. January 12, 2010 – Canisius @ Bishop Timon St. Jude
Despite a 20 point halftime deficit and still trailing by nine with one minute left in the game, the Tigers managed to take a one point lead on the Crusaders with under ten seconds on the clock. Canisius then imbounded to Aaron Nevins, who drove the length on the court and finished with a driving lay up for the win.
Final Score: Canisius 78, Timon 77
4. January 14, 2010 – Jamestown @ Clarence
A great ECIC I tilt that first opened our eyes about the potential Clarence had. With the home crowd believing after the Red Devils took possesion with a two-point lead with less than 30 seconds to go, Clarence missed a pair of free throws and a chance to ice the game. That gave Carlos Rivera a chance, which he used to go for the game winner from downtown…and drilled it.
Final Score: Jamestown 70, Clarence 67
3. February 12, 2010 – Jamestown @ Orchard Park
http://blogs.buffalonews.com/preptalk/2010/02/video-watch-nowaks-gamewinner-on-preptalktv-.html#tp
The Red Raiders looked to be well in control over the host Quakers, leading by 18 to start the fourth quarter. But over the final eight minutes, OP franticly pressured Jamestown into turnovers and bad decisions. Down by two in the waning seconds, Troy Nowak raced down the court and received a pass off a well designed play, then drained a game winning ‘3’ over Jamestown’s 6-8 Fletcher Larson.
Final Score: Orchard Park 63, Jamestown 61
2. February 14, 2010 – St. Joe’s @ Canisius
http://blogs.buffalonews.com/preptalk/2010/02/live-from-st-joes-at-canisius.html#tp
There was no love lost when these two rivals met up for a date on Valentine’s Day. After missing a shot from the baseline which would have given the Marauders the lead, Aaron Nevins was fouled. He sank a pair of free throws, giving his Crusaders a three-point lead. Steve Moser then brought the ball up for St. Joe’s and when nobody could get open, he had to let a 3-pointer go from straight away…which dropped as time expired. Canisius went ahead for good in OT when James Gaines scored after a wild scramble with three seconds left.
Final Score: Canisius 69, St. Joe’s 67
1. March 4, 2010 – Clarence vs. Orchard Park – AA semifinal @ Buffalo State
With ten seconds remaining in regulation, the Quakers had a two-point lead as they headed to the line to shoot a pair of free throws. After missing the front end, OP extended its lead to three by swishing the second. Clarence quickly pushed the ball upcourt and penetrated the lane, while big man Tyler Funk (who had made exactly zero 3’s all season) waited alone in the corner. When the Quaker defenders collapsed inside, a pass sailed out to Funk, who delivered the memorable 3-point bomb that sent this one to OT. In the extra session, the Red Devils rode the momentum from regulation into the AA final.
Final Score: Clarence 67, Orchard Park 61
** But the single best buzzer-beating basket was this one by a long shot.
Have a better game in mind, a more thrilling finish? Were you bored by one of my top ten? Let me know.
-centercourt
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