(Adrian Baugh drains a jumper for the Indians)
West Seneca West 83, Orchard Park 72
The West Seneca West Indians will now have their name mentioned among the teams in NYS with an active 10-game winning streak after staying unbeaten with a victory over the visiting Quakers. The Indians are now 10-0 and one of two teams left in WNY without a blemish on their record. Despite playing in their closest game of the season, the Indians never trailed and held a double figure lead that reached 24 points in the third quarter, for most of the final three quarters, to keep a pesky Orchard Park team at bay. The game was consistently called tightly throughout, and yielded a career-high scoring output by standout guard Juston Johnson, who finished with 34 points.
WSW 23 – 23 – 22 – 15 = 83
OP 14 – 16 – 18 – 24 = 72
Point Totals
WSW: Juston Johnson 34, Alex Wayland 17, Nate Ryniec 14, Adrian Baugh 10, Mike Borton 4, Anthony Espe 2, Dylan Weir 2
OP: Eric Liberatore 21, Josh McTigue 13, David Morris 12, Matt Burney 9, Tino Mancabelli 6, Ben Shoop 6, Nate Wereski 5
Records
WSW: 10-0, 5-0 / Next game vs. Jamestown Tuesday, January 9th
OP: 3-5, 1-3 / Next game vs. Iroquois Saturday, January 6th
Player of the Game
Juston Johnson – West Seneca West
Unsung Hero of the Game
Mike Borton – West Seneca West
Key Stats
WSW: Juston Johnson 10 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals, & 34 point were career-high / Mike Borton 5 rebounds, 3 blocks, & 2 steals / Nate Ryniec 4 steals / Adrian Baugh 4 rebounds & 4 steals
OP: Eric Liberatore 6/8 FGs, 6/8 FTs, team-high points & assists / Matt Burney 8 rebounds / Josh McTigue 7 rebounds / David Morris 7 rebounds
Key Runs
WSW got out to a 19-5 lead, had an 8-0 stretch in the 2nd quarter, and used a 15-6 run in the third frame to take its largest lead (24 points)
3-Pointers
WSW (4): Alex Wayland (2), Nate Ryniec (2)
OP: (4): Eric Liberatore, Nate Wereski, Josh McTigue, David Morris
Coaches Quotes
Des Randall – WSW
On the play of Juston Johnson
He's really found a groove and rhythm, he's learned how to get his shots and get to the basket. He knows what we're asking him to do on offense individually and for the team. The biggest thing is his hunger and his drive, it's a determination and a mindset – he's dialed in and really focused.
On the Quakers giving his squad their toughest game of the season
We expected that. They're tough, scrappy, talented, and they believe they can win. We expected a dogfight against a team that really likes to get after it. The toughest teams to beat are that believe they belong on the court with you and can beat you. I don't care how much we won by, that's a great win.
On his team's depth
We've got multiple guys who can do multiple things. We're not one-dimensional and not one-player oriented. They don't wait for Juston to do something, they have the confidence to make plays.
Jim Gibson – OP
On what makes WSW so difficult to defend
They use a lot of dribble penetration and hit their shots.
On why it wasn't an even closer game
We missed a lot of easy inside chippies and that's been our problem, we've not made those shots in the games we've lost.
On the encouraging takeaways from the loss
We haven't been blown out by anybody, but haven't been able to get over the hump because we're not physically big and get hurt on the glass. We're getting closer, we didn't back down from them and we fought hard.
On team captain Eric Liberatore
Libs is just starting to be himself. He broke his ankle in the middle of October. He's definitely our floor general and we need him.
Random Smatterings
– Having seen the Indians play twice now, they look like the favorites in Class A1 this season.
– I heard a lot of preseason rumblings about all the former Timon players who would be suiting up for the Indians this season. There are two – Juston Johnson & Adrian Baugh, and Johnson played for the Indians as an 8th grader before enrolling at Timon as a freshman to play for his brother.
– Juston Johnson deserves to be mentioned among our area's top players. His play this season has been consistently impressive.
– The last time Juston Johnson or coach Des Randall tasted defeat in a high school game, basketball or football, was in the 2017 Manhattan Cup semifinals.
– Having Johnson run the point is a big advantage for the Indians, but this team is winning with balance. Adrian Baugh, Mike Borton, Alex Wayland, Nate Ryniec, Jesse Broad, and Anthony Espe are all players who contribute to the team's success, and the reason I see them as the favorites.
– The 2017 Connolly Cup winner, Matt Myers, is front and center cheering the basketball team on with the WSW student section, known as the 'Tribe'.
– Orchard Park reminds me a lot of Clarence, an undersized team that plays with a lot of heart.
– Eric Liberatore is super quick guard for the Quakers with solid game instincts and a motor that runs in overdrive all game. For all the energy he brought, his game was very efficient and he was a leader.
– There were 73 free throws attempted in the game, 43 makes.
-centercourt
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