McKinley used a 34-2 third quarter to extend its lead to 85-15, during a 105-22 nonleague demolition of Dunkirk.  Karma is a Mack!

 

Midway through the fourth quarter of Newfane's 78-43 win against Grand Island, the Panthers' student section, known as the Blue Zone, chanted "We're not Wilson".  The Lakemen had lost to Grand Island four days earlier, 54-17.

 

With Section V's Bishop Kearney the favorite to represent Rochester in Class AA, Niagara Falls coach Sal Constantino scheduled two regular season nonleague games with the Kings.  When people would ask me why, I said maybe Sal subscribed to the theory "it's tough to beat a team three times in a season", so he was trying to give Falls an edge at the Far West Regionals.  Then they won in the first meeting.

 

I've only seen Constantino wear a tie twice and it's been good luck both times.  Once was a three-point win against Aquinas in the 2010 Classic and the other was this year's 2012 Classic win against Kearney.  In each game, the dress shirt became completely untucked by early in the third quarter.

 

While tyring to convince the ref that his player's pass had been tipped before it went out of bounds, Batavia coach Buddy Brasky said "Come on, he's not that bad that he'd just throw the ball out the door".

 

While watching the Crusaders dig themselves a huge hole in the first half of their loss to Olean, I thought, "They're playing with no Hart".  It was an illustration to me of just how important Matt Hart was to that team last year.  Canisius will be fine, but they'll have to find a way to compensate for his leadership.   Speaking of Hart, he scored a _{career-high 27 points} in leading Hamilton College to a win earlier this month.  He leads his team in scoring, minutes played, and steals.

 

Bishop Timon/St. Jude's win against Kenmore West on Monday was the schools first victory over a ranked WNY large school since the 2010 season.  

 

Next season, Jamestown versus Olean in a nonleague game. Please.

 

New St. Mary's AD Joe Rera didn't miss a beat in carrying on the AdPro ECIC/MMA Challenge.  Another outstanding three-day, 10-game event.

 

During Jamestown's win over Williamsville South, I asked Keith McShea about the Red Raiders' Quinn Lee Yaw.  I wanted to know if Lee was part of the first or last name.  McShea replied, "Yaw don't know his name?"

 

Jared Keppel of North Collins scored 32 points  & grabbed 12 rebounds in a win against Gowanda on Wednesday.

 

My first poll ballot of the season for the large schools was identical to how the actual poll turned out.  Clearly a smart group of pollsters has been assembled for this season.

 

When Depew and Niagara Catholic played at the Cataract City Classic, both teams wore away jerseys.

 

East has stumbled out of the gates as usual, beginning 1-2, including a 10-point loss to Maple Grove.  It likely doesn't get better when they host Riverside this Friday.  Look for the Panthers to win Class B2 and face Olean in the overall Class B final.

 

At the Cataract City Classic, the game announcer would say something like, "at the end of the 3rd quarter, it's Willaimsville North 39, Batavia 23…you do the math".

 

Middle College junior Bri'an Brown set the early season scoring bar at 38 points, which he scored in a nonleague victory over CSAT Wednesday night.

 

Coaches:  Please teach your players some subbing etiquette.  Don't tap the media table and then stand in front of it so no one can see.  Go to the middle, where the scoreboard operator is, and SIT (just like they do in college & NBA).  He will sound the buzzer at the next whistle and then wait for the officials to wave you in.  That's how it works.  Amazing how many kids have no idea what the rationale is behind checking in at the scorer's table is.

 

-centercourt    

@centercourt42