HS HOOPS INSIDER: Rematches provide intrigue, excitement

By Nate Beutel

We’ve got three rematches slated for early this week that will determine league champions, seeding come sectionals and perhaps give us a good indication as to who might be the cream of the crop in their respective classes come March.

1. Grand Island at Lockport girls

First things first — this one has been moved to 6:30 p.m. Monday at the Lady Lions Den. Thanks a bunch to Lockport AD Pat Burke for the advance notice. Quite frankly the day of the week doesn’t matter right now for LHS, which is showing why it is the best team in Western New York at this time. Lockport recently had a poor shooting night and still blew out a very good Kenmore East team because it defended and hit the glass hard. So much attention goes to Lockport’s size, but I actually think it’s guards Caroline Randall and Renee Schwartz that made the Lady Lions roar. I still like Grand Island down the stretch in Class A-1 despite the loss of senior standout Kristin Wegrzyn to a knee injury, but LHS can beat you in so many ways. Lockport wins and wraps up a fifth straight Niagara Frontier League crown.

2. Niagara Falls at NT boys

The Lumberjacks shocked the world the last time these two teams played and now they get the Wolverines at their place. Tip is set for 7 p.m. Tuesday and don’t expect too many open seats. I keep going back to him, but I really believe NT’s Lucas Pichette is a huge key to this matchup. If the 6-foot-5 senior center can do some work in the paint on both ends of the floor there’s no reason why NT can’t win again. All this said, the Falls has actually played better away from the Wolvearena this winter and I’ve got a strange feeling we’re going to finally see a spirited effort from NFHS. The Wolverines will win and clinch at least a share of the NFL title in the process.

3. Medina at Wilson boys

Talk about no seats. You better get there nearly an hour before the 7 p.m. tip if you expect to see this battle for Niagara-Orleans League supremacy. The Mustangs shot the lights out the last time the two squads met and really torched a normally-strong Lakemen defense. I think the key this time around is for Wilson to believe in what has gotten them this far and play their style of basketball. That’s in-your-face man-to-man defense and transition offense. And if that means 6-foot-6 Medina center Levi Pace scores 25, so be it, as long as his running mates are held in check. The Lakemen, many of whom I will admit I have coached in the past, have promised me a win. I believe in the orange and black. Wilson wins and clinches at least a share of the N-O championship.

Around the Gyms

Several sources within the Niagara Falls boys basketball program have confirmed that 6-foot-5 junior center Jordan Street is no longer a part of the team. While his numbers were not what many expected from the second-year varsity player, Street was by far the biggest body on the roster. This only means more on the shoulders of the Falls’ backcourt trio of C.J. Cox, Davon Marshall and Kenny Stokes… Perhaps even more troubling than losing Street midseason is the fact that this NFHS team lacks energy on a consistent basis. Even coach Giulio Colangelo, who is normally very reserved in his comments, admitted after Friday’s narrow win over Kenmore West that he needs to see more energy, emotion and desire on a daily basis from his squad if they expect to contend for another sectional title… Kudos to Niagara Falls girls basketball coach Sal Constantino for joining Williamsville North coach Clare Crowley in the fight against children without shoes. Both coaches strolled the sidelines barefoot as they led their teams against each other in non-league action this past week. Constantino even painted his toenails blue and gold. Donations were collected at the game and sent to the Samaritan Feet fund… North Tonawanda made its debut in the latest state rankings, coming in at No. 23 among Class AA boys teams. Unfortunately its presence will likely be short-lived after a loss to Lockport earlier this week. NFHS is currently No. 12. On the girls side, Lockport is 15th in Class AA… Tune your dial to WGR 550 at 10 a.m. the next few Saturdays as basketball will be the primary discussion. Expect a few laughs and some good analysis this coming week as local boys coaches Paul Schintzius (Sweet Home), Earl Schunk (Grover Cleveland) and Mark Simon (St. Joe’s) join us for a roundtable discussion.

Contact reporter Nate Beutel at 282-2311, ext. 2262 or nate.beutel@niagara-gazette.com.