(Frank Williams defends for Tapestry as Aidan Horan tries to finish inside for Nichols)

 

High schools hoops are back in WNY and on Tuesday night I took an opportunity to get out to Tapestry Charter for its game against Nichols.  Following an offseason where I had heard plenty about the Thunderhawks' freshman guard Tariq Eubanks, I wanted to be sure I got to see him play at least once.  With the Vikings coming off back-to-back appearances in the Manhattan Cup Finals in Class B and returning some key pieces from last season's team, it seemed like tall order for a young guard in his first high school game.  Not only did Eubanks thrive in the face of that challenge, but his team at Tapestry far exceeded my expectations and are certain to be a group I'll be watching more of this season.

 

Eubanks scored the first points of the game to give Tapestry an early lead they would maintain the entire way in a season-opening 71-55 victory to begin the year 1-0.  With the loss, Nichols slips to 2-1 on the season.

 

Despite the Vikings being two games into their season after earning a pair of wins at the CAN-AM Shootout hosted by Niagara Catholic over the weekend, it was the Thunderhawks who looked warmed up right out of the gates.  Tapestry quickly took a 6-0 lead to start the game and midway through the opening frame when Nichols could have gained momentum by drilling 3-pointers on consecutive possessions, they answered each one by coming right back and sticking treys of their own.  The Thunderhawks showed off their balance and depth from the onset, with six different players contributing points in the first eight minutes, after which Tapestry was in front, 20-17.

 

The second quarter began with an 8-0 run by Tapestry that built the first double figure lead of the contest at 28-17.  Nichols pushed back with an 8-2 spurt of its own to cut the gap to five points, before an 11-3 finish to the half for Tapestry gave them a 41-28 advantage at the break.  The Vikings were held to just one field goal in the second quarter – a two-handed baseline slam by sophomore Aidan Horan, which should have given the Vikings an offensive spark and some momentum.  Instead, it was the pace and pressure that was consistently brought by the Thunderhawks at both ends kept Nichols from establishing any flow of its own.

 

"I don't think there's any doubt they dictated the pace and that hurt us," Nichols coach Pat Clarke said.  "We got playing too fast, took challenged shots, and turned the ball over."

 

It was all part of the well-executed game plan for first year Tapestry head coach Mike Ester.

 

"I wanted to keep that pressure going 24/7, whether we were on offense or defense," Ester said.

 

Over the first four minutes of the second half, it looked as if Nichols adjusted to the tempo.  The Vikings were able to get some early stops and then settled into their offense, slowly mounting an 8-0 run that cut the Thunderhawks advantage to 42-35.  However, that would turn out to be as close as the Vikings would be for the remainder of the game.

 

"We cut it to seven and got comfortable," Clarke said.

 

Eubanks broke his team's scoring drought at the charity stripe, which allowed Tapestry to set its press back up.  The Thunderhawks started turning Nichols over in the backcourt again and quickly rattled off nine straight points for their largest lead of the game at 51-35.

 

Nichols managed to climb back within seven points again during the fourth quarter, but once again allowed Tapestry's pressure to overtake their efforts, falling behind by double-digits just a minute later.

 

"We need some leadership," said Clarke.  "When you're an upperclassmen you have to control the game, you have to talk, you have to say we're not going to play one-on-one, we're going to execute."

 

Dorian Plummer was impressive throughout for Tapestry and led the way with a team-high 20 points, along with three steals.  Eubanks scored 17 points in his opening varsity outing, adding five dimes and three steals.  His energy set the tone and his court presence was far from that of a freshman.

 

"We've got a true point guard in Mr. Eubanks and a good shooter in Dorian Plummer," said Ester.  "I think we've got a good one-two punch."

 

It starts with that combo, but Tapestry has a squad full of capable players.  Mike Towns added 14 points, Ramel Robinson added nine points, and Cameron Wilson was a difference-maker inside all game.  I was clearly asleep on this team in the preseason, as evidenced by the omission of the Thunderhawks in my prediction of teams reaching JCC in Class C.  I can only say now that I definitely feel differently and that seeing is believing.  The rest of Class C should consider themselves warned, this athletic group is going to be a problem.

 

Horan led Nichols with a game-high 21 points, adding 10 rebounds, four assists, and two blocks.  Antonio Jones chipped in 11 points in the loss.  Chris Stineman left the game in the first half with an ankle injury and did not return.  During his limited action, he did record three rejections.

 

Point Totals

Tapestry:   Dorian Plummer 20, Tariq Eubanks 17, Mike Towns 14, Ramel Robinson 9, Cameron Wilson 7, Dashawn Nance 2, Emanuel Trueheart 2

Nichols:  Aidan Horan 21, Antonio Jones 11, Ryan Peterson 6, Hugh Purks 5, Trent Banaszak 5, Chris Stineman 3, Jake Bair 2, Julian Freeman 2

 

-centercourt