The sooner you get used to it, the better off you'll be.  The problem is, it's a difficult thing to get used to.  I'm talking about McKinley's pressure.  You know it's coming.  Everyone knows what the Macks bring…heavy pressure.  From the opening tip to the final horn, they are flying around, aggressively challenging every ball handler, fighting for rebounds, diving for loose balls, and just plain getting after it.  For opponents of the Macks, settling into a gameplan against the program that has reached Buff State for 15 consecutive seasons, won the last three Class A1 titles, broke the Yale Cup winning streak, and delivered a state championship to the city of Buffalo in 2013 – now that's a lot of pressure.

McKinley has some familiar names and some new ones contributing in its rotation.  But ultimately, they're the same old Macks.  On Tuesday night, they strayed over to Hopkins Road in Williamsville, and headed back to the city with an exciting 59-57 victory over the Spartans.

Williamsville North got off to a fast start last night against McKinley.  The Spartans came out in a zone and McKinley's shots were off the mark in the opening minutes.  North was able to convert some of those misses into points going the other way.  Less than five minutes into the game, Maceo Jack scored his seventh point on a traditional three-point play to give his team an 11-3 lead.  But then Mikell Fann got a 3-pointer to fall for the Macks and they were able to set up their press, eventually tying the game at 13 each by quarter's end.

The Spartans regained an 18-14 advantage early in the second frame, scoring five straight points, before McKinley dialed up even more pressure.  The final six minutes of the half saw the Macks outscoring North 17-7, leading by as many as nine points, led by an 11-point quarter from Devin Morris.  Sam Cimato came off the bench for Williamsville North and scored his team's last four points of the half, including a three-point play right at the end of the half, cutting North's deficit to 31-25.

McKinley was able to build its largest lead of the game at the start of the second half, when a 3-pointer from junior guard Jaylen Prophet made the score 38-27.  The Spartans quickly took a timeout and came out of it looking more settled.  Point guard Sean Hill got his team into some sets on the offensive end, scoring four points and initiating a Spartans push.  They were able to get to the line on three different possessions over the next three minutes and a 12-5 run cut the McKinley lead to 43-39 at the three-minute mark of the third quarter.  However, the Macks closed out the quarter strong, once again turning pressure into points.

Trailing 49-40 entering the final quarter, the Spartans responded by looking as composed as they had all game.  Finally accustomed to McKinley's pressure, North was quickly able to rally back into the contest.  A dunk by Jack sparked a North run and a three-point play from Dylan Lambert pulled the Spartans within two points midway through the fourth.  On its next possession, Hill scored to tie the game at 53 apiece.  Following a McKinley free throw, Lambert scored to give North its first lead of the second half after trailing by double figures.  

A free throw from Prophet gave the Macks a one-point with 1:39 left, before Timothy Kreuz answered in the paint for North, giving his team a 57-56 lead.  The Spartans then regained possession, but could not extend their lead.  Instead, Morris netted the go-ahead basket and ultimate game-winner for McKinley in the waning moments.

Morris scored a game-high 19 points and Shaquan Jones added 15 points for McKinley.  The Spartans got 18 points from Maceo Jack and 16 points from Dylan Lambert.

-centercourt