There was something weird from the moment I walked into Kenmore West High School last night.  On a mild Friday night in January, coming off the first real week of winter we've had, the gym was quiet & empty.  Not what I was expecting, considering NFL-leading Niagara Falls was in town for a rematch of a game the Blue Devils let get away in the fourth quarter of their first meeting.  The lack of excitement I found when I arrived, unfortunately continued for Ken West on the offensive end all evening.

 

Niagara Falls held Kenmore West to just 13 points in the second half, as they poured it on to win going away, 65-41.  The win gives the Wolverines a two-game lead in the NFL, as they improve to 8-0 in league play and the only unbeaten among the eight squads.

 

"I think our defense started our offense – I know I sound like a broken record, but that's who we are," said Niagara Falls coach Sal Constantino.

 

Entering the second quarter, Falls had a 19-17 lead on the Blue Devils after Qeyion Williams had just bombed one from downtown right before the quarter ended.  It was the start of the second when everything started for the Wolverines – and started to unravel for Kenmore West.  Williams picked up where he'd left off, drilling another from long range as part of a 12-2 run that quickly took the Falls' lead to nine points, 28-19.

 

"When he makes one or two early, his confidence builds," Constantino said of Williams.

 

Williams scored 15 of his game-high 21 points in the first half, with 10 of those coming in the second quarter as Niagara Falls began to create some separation.

 

After Kenmore West's Terrell Ford scored to end the 12-2 run, he had a chance to convert the 'And 1', but missed the free throw.  The Blue Devils secured the rebound, but the ball was quickly stolen by Breon Harris, who blazed a trail down the court for two points, starting another 7-1 run for Falls that included another trey from Williams.  The steal and score for Harris was indicative of the direction the game was heading.  Falls took a 15-point lead after the run and went to halftime leading 39-28.

 

A 14-2 start to the second half for the Wolverines made the score 53-30, as Kenmore West struggled to get into its offense and repeatedly turned the ball over, allowing Falls to run – something they thrive on.

 

"When we can turns teams over and get the ball in transition, we've been very unselfish," Constantino said.

 

Niagara Falls won for the second game without senior starter Daquan Hubbard, who is still bothered by nagging knee trouble from football season.  

 

The Wolverines are squarely in the driver's seat in the NFL now, as they could lose two games the rest of the way and still earn a share of the league crown.  However, Falls has its sights set on winning out to secure at least the #2 seed in Class AA heading into sectionals.

 

Point Totals

Niagara Falls:  Qeyion Williams 21Breon Harris 11, Syquan Ralands 9, Cortese Myles 8, Charles Lamar 7, Jhamir Isom 5, Tyler Sanders 2, Devin Sanders 2

Kenmore West:  Tyler Aquilina 10, Terrell Ford 7, Kyle LaPlante 6, Tal James 6, Tyler White 4, Carson Gaughan 4, Andrew Fron 2, Aaron Tucker 2

 

-centercourt