Thursday was a light night for HS basketball in WNY, so I made my way out to Silver Creek to get another look at the Black Knights, who opened in the number two spot of the first Buffalo News small school poll. Silver Creek defeated visiting Frewsburg, 88-49, in its first league game in CCAA II, and improved to a 4-0 start for a second straight season. Once again, this group did not disappoint, treating me to a fine-tuned display of transition basketball and 3-point shooting.
Silver Creek took the opening tip, thanks to 6-7 sophomore Bill Brooks, and then immediately looked inside to him for the game's opening bucket. Before Frewsburg could even attempt its second field goal at the 5:13 mark, the Black Knights were in front 11-0, thanks to 3-pointers from junior Kaine Kettle, sophomore Brennan White, and senior Stephen Marcey. A minute later, a traditional three-point play from Marcey pushed the Silver Creek lead to 16-2. With 1:33 remaining in the opening quarter, the Black Knights held a 25-6 advantage and had gotten scoring from all five starters, with four of them registering at least five points.
Less than three minutes into the second frame, Silver Creek was on top, 43-19, after three more 3-pointers from Kettle, Marcey, and Zed Williams (who also added a three-point play to the scoring spurt). After enduring a 10-1 run from Frewsburg with a pair of starters on the bench, the only substitutions of the half for the Black Knights, Silver Creek scored the final six points of the half to hold a 50-29 lead at the break.
The Silver Creek starters played sparingly in the third quarter after the score moved to 60-31 two minutes into the second half. Before the six minute mark of the fourth quarter with the score 77-40, the starting five was done for the evening.
One thing that strikes me about this team is its demeanor. They play a highly entertaining brand of ball with such flare, but they do it in a very even-keeled way. A lot of what they do seems so effortless, so calm, so chill. I actually wrote in my notebook "Chill Showtime", because while watching a 13-0 run in the second quarter last night, that's the best way I could think to describe what I was watching. Maybe some of that mentality comes from head coach Rob Genco, who is very dialed in to his team, but is also very laid back in the way he delivers his words to the team. The most emotion showed from the Silver Creek bench came late in the game when a reserve canned a deep two, after attempting to step back for three.
Four starters finished in double figures for the Black Knights. Kettle had a game-high 30 points, Marcey scored 16, Brooks added 15 points, and Williams chipped in 10. Williams, a fourth team All-Centercourt selection last season, played under 20 minutes and barely asserted himself in the game, seeming very content to defer to his teammates.
Alex Elderkin led Frewsburg with 20 points, with 13 coming in the fourth quarter.
-centercourt
Does Silver Creek have any notable opponents in the regular season? If so, when and where?
Posted by: StateChamps2003 | Friday, December 14, 2012 at 11:50 AM
Most notable in the regular season will likely be Portville and Salamanca.
@ Salamanca 12/17
Portville 12/20
Salamanca 1/25
@ Portville 1/29
Posted by: centercourt | Friday, December 14, 2012 at 12:14 PM
I thought Tapestry would give Silver Creek a test but they beat them and Park School each by 40+ to win the Park Holiday Tournament. They're averaging 80+ ppg and they probably would of scored closer to 100 a couple times if not for the blowouts and getting lesser players minutes.
They had OTC/Middle College on the ropes last year in the Section VI Class C Final at Buffalo State. Game was tied with 22 seconds remaining, Silver Creek ball and they turned it over. They immediately fouled Cordell Torres of OTC/Middle College and Torres made 1 of 2. Zeddie Williams of SC got a final look, a runner from inside the 3pt arch but rimmed out. Silver Creek lost by 1 and are even more talented this year adding 6'6" Sophomore Billy Brooks who alters every shot and has a nice left handed touch.
I don't think Salamanca or Portville will test them but they are the best opponents they will face until the Section VI Playoffs. Most of the players on SC are Native Americans who play year round together. Their chemsitry & talent is a deadly mix.
Posted by: Hawk Pride | Sunday, December 16, 2012 at 03:09 PM
The only part you left out was the lane violation called on Silver Creek's Frank Brown after Torres missed both free throws. It gave Torres a third charity toss, which he sank to keep the game from OT.
Also, Williams' shot at the buzzer that rimmed out was not only inside the 3-point line, it was inside the free throw line, in the middle of the paint.
They definitely have chemistry. Crazy thing is, Kettle, Brooks, and White were all in the Lake Shore district at one time.
Posted by: centercourt | Sunday, December 16, 2012 at 06:23 PM
Yes, I coached at Lake Shore from 2001-2011 before going to Cardinal O'Hara and Kaine Kettle was our best Junior Varsity player as an 8th Grader before leaving for Silver Creek for his Freshman Year. Billy Brooks just went there(Lake Shore)for the 2nd Semester last year then came back (to Silver Creek)in September to start his Sophomore Year. Brennan White was on an undefeated Modified Team of ours (at Lake Shore) his 8th Grade year, then went to Gowanda the past couple years, now Silver Creek for his Junior Year. Andrew John, a Junior and starter the last two years at Lake Shore as a Freshman and Sophomore, transferred to Silver Creek a couple months ago, but has to sit out a full calender year of basketball before he is eligible to play.
Posted by: Hawk Pride | Sunday, December 16, 2012 at 09:24 PM
I've heard Andrew John will be a guy to watch for next season - looking forward to seeing him play. It's unfortunate for Lake Shore that its lost so much talent before it reaches the varsity level.
Posted by: centercourt | Sunday, December 16, 2012 at 10:15 PM
CC, Andrew John will be a dynamite player for Silver Creek. He has played in our summer league in Westfield. He went up against several college players and past All-WNY players and he was able to hold his own. Having him to go along with Kettle, Brooks, and White means that Silver Creek will still be a dominant force even after losing Zeddie Williams and Stephen Marcey.
Posted by: Andrew Webster | Monday, December 17, 2012 at 10:19 AM
Silver Creek should be #1... I doubt any of the teams above them can slow down there style of play. The games I've seen the starters have overwhelmed there opponents to a point where they couldn't even bring the ball down the court.
Posted by: ryan | Tuesday, December 18, 2012 at 10:31 AM
Silver Creek should be #2 in Smalls Schools, only behind Olean.
Olean deserves #1 with returning most of their players who participated in their NYS Final Four run last year and they already beat Canisius this year.
Can't wait to see Silver Creek vs. Middle College in the Section VI Class C Final for the 2nd straight year.
Posted by: Hawk Pride | Tuesday, December 18, 2012 at 11:12 AM
cant wait to see if thats the way it turns out!!!best of luck....im a game by game guy cause any team can suffer injuries ,off night and bang...so much for the sectional finals buzz...and at least it can add alittle preasure to these guys to make sure they can weather the storms....red skies at night..oh-oh...!!!!!good luck to all.....it a fun game.
Posted by: thats my boy | Thursday, January 03, 2013 at 07:24 PM
wow just read about Feagins-unreal
Posted by: guest | Thursday, January 03, 2013 at 08:51 PM
Dave Thompson from Chautauqua Today sent me these Silver Creek/Cass Valley highlights.
http://chautauquatoday.com/pages/index.cfm?id=309
Posted by: centercourt | Friday, January 04, 2013 at 05:14 PM