THE VIEW FROM CENTERCOURT | Western New York Boys High School Basketball

St. Joe’s knocks Falls from the ranks of the unbeaten

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What I originally billed as the game of the week, turned out to be the game of the year. 

 

After 15 lead changes, six ties, a ridiculous alley-oop dunk in traffic on the fast break, the best first quarter I've ever witnessed in a high school basketball game, and an eight-point deficit erased in the fourth quarter…St. Joe's provided what was likely the most memorable senior night in the school's history.  The Marauders defeated the number one ranked team in New York State's Class AA, Niagara Falls, 59-58.

 

With 18 seconds left in the game and trailing by a point, St. Joe's senior A. Keith Louie took the ball to the basket and scored what would be the game winner, on a driving layup.  The Wolverines were unable to answer with a designed lob pass in the final seconds.

 

Trailing 56-50 with under five minutes to play, the Marauders used a 7-0 run and forced a key shot clock violation, to take its first lead in over a quarter, with 2:40 remaining.  After the Wolverines answered to regain the lead, they got the ball back with a chance to add to it.  However, a second shot clock violation gave St. Joe's the ball back to set up Louie's game winning basket.

 

The first quarter was just incredible, and right from the start, it had the makings of a special night for St. Joe's.  A pair of seniors not regularly in the Marauder rotation, started the game and hit big 3-pointers. Jack Murray and Brandon Hickey each connected from long distance for the first six points for St. Joe's.  At the 4:44 mark of the first, the regular starters for St. Joe's subbed in with the game tied, 8-8, and got a standing ovation from the Joe's faithful. 

 

The rest of the quarter was a blistering pace of one big play followed by another.  The highlight of the night came when Falls guard Taijay Williams entered the lane on the fast break, and without breaking stride, lobbed an alley-oop pass for Marcus Feagan, who finished it with a two-handed slam.  Before you had even grasped the incredible play that had just happened, Connor Rehbaum (16 points) answered with a 3-pointer to tie the game.   When the first quarter ended with the Marauders leading, 23-19, fans for both teams stood and cheered the exciting display of basketball that had just occured.

 

Reggie Agbeko had his best game as a Marauder, scoring 17 points, grabbing 16 rebounds, and blocking three shots.  The 6-7 junior was a difference maker against the imposing front line of the Falls, and made big plays in the game's crucial moments.

 

Niagara Falls was led by 13 points from Feagin, while Wilkins and Jermaine Crumpton each scored 12 points.

 

-centercourt

 

 

13 responses to “St. Joe’s knocks Falls from the ranks of the unbeaten”

  1. Patrick Moran Avatar
    Patrick Moran

    Just an incredible game. Reggie really stepped up, he was a man out there tonight for sure.

    Reply
  2. McShea is God Avatar
    McShea is God

    I can’t believe I couldn’t b at that game. Missed a classic. Voting 4 Large schools should be interesting this week. I still say Falls 1, Jamestown 2, W South 3, Joe’s 4, Canisius 5, East 6, and so forth. A 1 point loss at Joe’s doesn’t slide them on my ballot. Jamestown’s only real loss (I don’t count losing at North in OT without the possible Player of the Year) in the area was at Falls. W South lost 1 game all year by I think 3 at Jamestown. Joe’s win certainly keeps them ahead of Canisius who lost to Falls at home. We will c how it shakes out.
    And yes Timon has no good wins but SEVERAL VERY good ‘losses’ if that makes sense and I still feel they belong anywhere from 7 to 10.

    Reply
  3. Tripp Avatar
    Tripp

    What a great game from start to finish. Both teams win in the long run, Joes gains a ton of confidence beating a very good team and the falls got a much needed competitive game that will help them re-focus. In a quick chat with Feagins and Wilkins after, their maturity in the moment was very apparent. Rehbaum, Louie and Reggie made big plays all night long. Good luck to both teams in the playoffs!

    Reply
  4. Division1 Avatar
    Division1

    St. Joes showed how a tough nonconference schedule can benefit you; They might have had a couple of odd losses early (Riverside, Aquinas) but i chalk those up to team chemistry early. Chemistry looked suspect for first 10 to 14 games even though they won most; a lot of look offs by some players to others, and no real trust of each other. I felt this would be the game the Falls loses because Agbeko looks to me to play to level of competition. If not in foul trouble, he would clean the glass which Falls needs for there transition game. Agbeko’s success against the Falls frontline is no fluke; He punished the same frontline far worse in private workouts last October for those who don’t know. Something i felt would be in back of minds of all Falls players and did seem to play into last nights game. Agbeko’s activity dictated the game and contributions by the seniors Louie, and Rehbaum was crucial in success. Lastly, Coach Simon did probably his best coaching job all season.

    Reply
  5. Patrick Moran Avatar
    Patrick Moran

    Tripp: I didn’t get a chance to interview Feagin (or Wilkins) post-game. You wrote “maturity in the moment was very apparent”. Share what they said.
    Division 1: You (correctly) said “a lot of look offs by some players to others, and no real trust of each other”.. That is true early for sure. Ironically, you just described the CURRENT Timon basketball team.

    Reply
  6. Patrick Moran Avatar
    Patrick Moran

    For the record (and I don’t mind speaking on the record before postseason is over). Connor Rehbaum is now my frontrunner for Player of the Year. If Joe’s wins the Manhattan Cup and he plays well in the next three games, I don’t see how he doesn’t win it.
    Wrote about it this morning in my H.S. Column: http://www.buffalosportsdaily.com/rehbaum-my-front-runner/
    And I want people to see the video described in column about the “little things” that matter.

    Reply
  7. hoopster Avatar
    hoopster

    Random thoughts on the “Game of the Year”
    Great win for Joe’s. Great game! Great game for Falls.
    The challenge for Coach Constantinio and his team is how they respond to the loss. Heard Falls’ parents/boosters blaming coaching last night. Bah!! You don’t go 17-0 without good coaching. The true mark of a champion is how you respond to adversity. Championship teams learn from losses/mistakes and get better. This Falls team seems to be as disciplined as any I’ve seen. Should bode well for their post season hopes.
    The difference in the game last night was the team rebounding of Joe’s on both ends of the floor. Reggie of course did a fantastic job in that regard. Falls got very few offensive boards and gave up far too many.
    48-40 Falls!!!! That was the pivotal moment in the game. Falls had Joe’s running ragged and out of control to seize an 8 pt 3rd quarter lead after being down by 2 at halftime. It appeared Falls took their foot off the gas just enough to allow Joe’s to regain their composure and then get back in the game, which led to the big W. Joe’s and their coaches deserve credit at this point. They held Falls to 3 empty possessions in a row.
    Great performance by A. Keith Louie and Reggie especially when Falls clamped down on Connor in the second half.
    A great scene after the game. Saw Mr. Rehbaum right after the final horn. He was swelling with joy and pride so much so I thought he’d burst. You might caption the moment as “The Thrill of Victory!!” Great moment!
    Lastly and away from The Game, surprising defeat for North and a quality performance at Canisius by the Tigers of Timon. Perhaps they can challenge in the Cup playoffs.

    Reply
  8. Patrick Moran Avatar
    Patrick Moran

    In a post-game interview last night, Constantino pointed out that in 2005 when Falls won the State title, they also lost their last regular season game. Said his expecation this year is the same.

    Reply
  9. Division1 Avatar
    Division1

    I won’t blame coaching for last nights loss. A loss does not a season make; Joes won on the glass, slowed the game down and made it a possession game down the stretch. Falls i don’t believe due to there number of blowout games have not had to execute in half court this season, much less in a close game (except Aquinas and Kenmore game)and it showed mightily. I agree with Hoopster that you don’t win 17 in a row due to bad coaching (Falls supporters getting spoiled…eh) I would not have picked Rehbaum as Player of the Year if you would have asked me 3 weeks ago, but i think he has definitely solidified it in my mind that he is the correct choice of Player of the Year; He has had some big games this season in which he looked to do it by himself, but he has become the calming effect on a team that i feel is at worst the second best team in western new york. He has very good averages, his team wins; he hits that key bucket when you need it; Ex: After Feagen caught the alley last night and you felt that slight momentum swing, Rehbaum calmly went down court and sank a 25 footer and get it right back. He did much of his offensive damage last night in the first half but yet didn’t force the issue in the second half, he trusted his teammates and kept making the right basketball play. I don’t have a vote but Rehbaum is my choice.

    Reply
  10. Patrick Moran Avatar
    Patrick Moran

    Division 1:
    Cleary, I agree about Rehbaum and just wrote a colunmn about as such this morning.
    However, race is definitely not ever. If Paige averages 27 points in postseason and explodes on Niagara Falls in a Class-AA finals win at Buffalo State, will be re-examined for sure.
    There’s also a couple of other candidates that could emerge over the next 2 weeks.
    But in my mind, it’s a two-horse race at this point.

    Reply
  11. Tripp Avatar
    Tripp

    “This loss isn’t going to bother us, were are 17-1 and we are still a good team.” Feagin
    “This isn’t a sectional loss, we still have games to play and this loss will help us make it all the way to Glens Falls! Our goal is to win the state championship.” Wilkins
    Both seemed very level headed while speaking and anticipating the teams focus would be enhanced.

    Reply
  12. Lucky13 Avatar
    Lucky13

    Please see comment, question on PrepTalk Video: Watch St. Joe’s…

    Reply
  13. Division1 Avatar
    Division1

    Patrick; I just read your article on Rehbaum and must say it is a well written article; It’s good to know we have picked up on alot of the same things. I agree 100% with your assessment on Rehbaum and Paige. Paige is definitely not out of it; He is very capable of changing the tide, but somehow i have a feeling that Rehbaum turned that proverbial corner about a month ago that i think we will see a more complete and seasoned player as the season winds down.

    Reply

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