HIGH SCHOOLS
Holland’s buzzer-beater gives Grover IAABO title
Titus, Crabb lead Pioneer to girls win
Grover Cleveland coach Earl Schunk’s final play worked like a charm.
Chris Holland drove the length of the court in the final six seconds and his layup beat the buzzer and Olean, 47-45, Saturday night in the boys large school championship game of the IAABO Tournament at St. Bonaventure.
“It was a designed play to get him the ball and he was going to go as far as he could,” said Schunk, noting he was worried when Holland slowed down before making the shot to sink last year’s state Class B champion. “It’s a great test. It was a great atmosphere. Big crowd. Going on the road like that. It’s one of those wins you hope is a character builder.”
After Olean’s Alex Moore hit the first of two free throws to tie the game at 45-45, the ball went out of bounds off the Huskies (3-3) while the teams were scrambling for the rebound of the missed foul shot to set the stage for Holland’s winning drive.
“We had one foul to give and [I] said if Holland goes by us, foul him right away,” said Olean coach Jeff Anastasia. “He got by us . . . and ended up banking it in at the buzzer.”
The Presidents’ Kenyon Edwards earned MVP honors for dominating the boards as he had 20 in two games, including 11 Saturday. Ricky Alejandro led Grover (5-1) with 15 points.
In the girls final, Pioneer made a statement that’s sure to capture the attention of Section VI’s contenders.
Pioneer (6-1) rallied from a 10-point third quarter deficit to edge previously unbeaten Olean, 61-55. Tournament MVP and sophomore Kiley Titus had 12 of her game-high 25 points during Pioneer’s 23-point fourth quarter, while Jenna Crabb’s three-pointer with four minutes left gave the Panthers the lead for good.
Girls basketball
Katie Gibbins had 14 points and eight rebounds for Holy Angels i na 41-34 nonleague win over visiting Niagara- Wheatfield..
Hyde Tournament: Grand Island advanced to the final of the Pete Hyde Holiday Tournament in Binghamton with a 55-40 triumph over IIILiverpool
as Kallie Banker had 21 points, four assists and four steals.
Boys basketball
Clarence Tournament: Ira Watkins had a nice all-around game for Riverside in a 76-62 win over Niagara- Wheatfield. Watkins finished with 21 points, 16 rebounds, six steals and five assists for the Frontiers.
Coaches vs. Cancer: Aaron Davis found his shooting legs, pouring in 15 of his game-high 31 points in the fourth quarter during North Tonawanda’s 69-59 win over Hamburg. Davis entered the game averaging roughly seven points under his 21 ppg average from last season. He made 11 of 19 shots Saturday.
NT will play host Maryvale in the final as the Flyers routed town neighbor Cleveland Hill, 74-43, behind Andre Davis’ 14 points and 10 boards.
Fordham Prep Tournament: Canisius defeated Xavier, 60-55, in New York City as four Crusaders hit double-figures led by Blair Helton’s 17 points.
Holland Tournament: Buffalo Arts survived Seneca, 98-96, in overtime as Dallas Smith led four Arts players in double figures with 28 points. Eric Hall scored a game-high 42 points for Seneca.
NHSCA Festival: Canisius wasn’t the only Monsignor Martin Association school to hit the road during Christmas break as Nichols defeated Poly-Tech, 53-46, in Delaware. Will Regan led the Vikings (5-1) with 19 points 10 rebounds and six blocks.
Hockey
Frontier (5-3) won the Cortland- Homer Christmas Invitational in overtime, 3-2, over Section V’s Canandaigua. Josh Baker scored the game-winner short-handed with three minutes left. He and Connor Ventura were named to the all-tournament team, while Nick Tuttle had with 23 saves.
