Lockport & Kenmore West took turns beating each other in the regular season. The two teams share the NFL crown this season with identical 13-1 league records. So it was only fitting that they get to square off one more time for a rubber match, with high stakes (specifically a season-extending trip to Buff State) on the line.
Friday night's quarterfinal gave us a resounding answer as to which team deserved to represent the NFL at Buffalo State this season - the Lions.
Lockport frustrated Kenmore West with a zone defense and amazed everyone in attendance with a fine shooting display, as they routed the Blue Devils, 82-62 in the Class AA quarterfinal round of the Section VI playoffs. The Lions will face Jamestown at Buffalo State College this Monday night at 7:30 pm.
Two minutes into the contest, the teams were flying up and down the court, trading buckets, and tied at 6. It was an exciting start to be certain, and quickly developed the feel of a potentially classic sectional quarterfinal. Then Colin Dougherty swished a NBA-range 3-pointer. Kenmore West would never lead again.
Lockport finished the opening quarter on a 13-5 run and threw 28 points on the scoreboard in the first eight minutes, while holding the Blue Devils to 17. Dougherty scored 10 of his game-high 28 points in the beginning stanza and then netted the first bucket of the second quarter. Ryan Lawrence followed that up with a bust from downtown, and after a Lockport stop, scored again. Suddenly the score read 35-17.
Every positive thing Kenmore West did was answered by the Lions...and then some. The Blue Devils showed some life, scoring the next three points, making it 35-20. It prompted a 10-0 Lockport surge. Now the scoreboard shows "Home 20 Visitors 45". As the halftime buzzer sounded, a 3-ball from Alex Price fell for the Blue Devils, making it 45-23.
Often times a big '3' at the buzzer gets a team some momentum to come back from the break with. But on this night, Lockport wasn't folding. The Lions extended its lead to 66-40 after three quarters, and at one point in the fourth quarter, held a 76-47 advantage. Dougherty was fantastic all night, particularly in the second half as he shredded the defense with slick ball handling, passing, and timely scoring. Charlie Sobieraski & Moziah Townsend made it tough for Ken West to find a look in the paint or an easy rebound. Ryan Lawrence filled it up effortlessly for the Lions, while Daniel Bronson played maistro and kept setting up scorers.
Lawrence finished with 27 points, Townsend scored 11 points, and Bronson added 10 points to go with 10 dimes. Sobieraski hauled in 10 boards, while Dougherty had seven assists & seven rebounds to compliment his 28 points.
Noah Whalen finished his career at Kenmore West with 13 points, while sophomore Terrell Ford added 12 points.
-centercourt
So is Will North, Jamestown and Clarence. All solid teams. North going with Taplin as a senior, Jamestown back again for how many straight years. Clarence back for second straight year and I believe they were there a few years back as well. Great line up in AA ! Add a solid Lockport team to that and what a classification. Lockport back the first time since 2006. North first time back since 2011, only time with Taplin on team. He will be hungry to win his last chance. Prediction: Lockport over Jamestown 62-59. Clarence over WIll North 68-60. Clarence over Lockport 55-51. Not sure I should go against Taplin as a senior but it takes an entire team to win. Clarence and Lockport are more well rounded.
Posted by: Love the AA | Saturday, February 22, 2014 at 06:40 PM