Last season, Bishop Kearney was led by a pair of future Division I towers in 6-10 junior Chinonso Obokoh and 6-8 freshman Thomas Bryant.  After losing in the NYSPHAA Class A semifinals and only graduating one starter, the Kings moved up to the state's largest classification, Class AA.  They also added another 6-10 D-I prospect, 6-10 transfer Gods Power Ogide, prompting a hype machine that included them in a preseason fab 5 Max Preps article.

 

On Friday night, the Kings embarked on the first game of a grueling regular season schedule.  Despite all the preseason buzz, the Kings quickly found out that teams would be gunning for them, including the one that's for now considered the favorite to keep them making it out of the Far West Region.

 

Junior Vinzell Watkins drained both ends of a one-and-one free throw situation with just 1.3 seconds remaining in regulation to force overtime, where defending Section VI Class AA champ Niagara Falls would go on to defeat Bishop Kearney, 52-47.  Canisius College signee, senior Jermaine Crumpton, scored a game-high 18 points to lead the way for the Wolverines.  Ramir Burton added 16 points (13 in the 4th & OT), while Watkins scored 13 points.

 

Obokoh scored 12 points, Ogide netted eight points and Bryant finished with seven points in the loss.

 

While I think the Kings did little to exploit their distinct size advantage, I feel it's better explained as what Falls did to earn the win:

– Blistering man-to-man defense all evening that contested every shot

– A willingness to hit the floor for every loose ball

– Ramir Burton picked up a pair of early charges, limiting how agressively he could defend

– Because of the size discrepancy, Falls was forced to shoot from the perimeter, and knocked down  shot after shot

– They did an outstanding job of limiting the Kings' second chance opportunities

– NFHS brought the energy for 36 minutes and dictated the tempo because of it

 

Not exactly breaking news, but Crumpton is really good and provided a little bit of everything in leading Falls to the win.  I highly doubt anyone in attendance last night would argue that he has earned his signing with the Canisius Golden Griffs.

 

Last night was what it's all about.  It was a game that'll be permantly burned into my memory for the combination of atmosphere, talent, and intensity that filled the Wolv-Arena.  Year after year, some of the best nights of basketball each season unfold in the headliner games of the Cataract City Classic.

 

-centercourt