BOYS BASKETBALL: Cataract Classic revives shootout format

Sports

April 14, 2007

By Nate Beutel The Tonawanda News Sat Apr 14, 2007, 10:45 PM EDT

After a year hiatus, one of the fiercest high school basketball rivalries in Western New York will be renewed next winter.

Niagara Falls and St. Joe’s will matchup Dec. 8 in the headline game of the 2007 Cataract Classic.

“We’re thrilled to be able to play them,” St. Joe’s coach Mark Simon said. “Last year, I think everybody was clamoring for that St. Joe’s-Niagara Falls matchup. It’s exciting and I think it’s good for high school basketball.”

Simon also said that the Falls will visit the Marauders in a non-league game during the year.

The Classic is back to a shootout format with a total of nine games in a two-day span at Niagara Falls High School and possibly Niagara University.

During Session I on Dec. 7, Canisius High School of the Monsignor Martin will take on Section V’s Aquinas at 5 p.m., Sweet Home plays East High of Section V and then the host Wolverines take on Syracuse-power Henninger, which is led by 7-footer Ben Cronin.

In the second session, Franklinville matches up with Grand Island of the Niagara Frontier League in the opener at 11 a.m. Saturday at NFHS. Then Cardinal O’Hara of the Monsignor Martin will play St. Francis of Ontario followed by Hamburg vs. McQuaid.

The tournament finishes up with Niagara Catholic taking on Liverpool of Section III at 5 p.m., Frontier playing Rush-Henrietta of Section V and the finale between the Falls and the Marauders. This session could be played at Niagara depending on the Purple Eagles’ men’s and women’s basketball schedules.

“This will be one of the top events in New York state,” NFHS junior varsity coach and Classic organizer Sal Constantino said. “The Classic will pit Western New York vs. other Upstate teams and bring in a ton of Division I talent. Our goal is to showcase the talent that we have in our own backyard here in Western New York against some the state’s better programs.”

Contact reporter Nate Beutel at 282-2311, ext. 2262.

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