Sweet Home boys hoops discovers its identity
by PATRICK J. NAGY Reporter
Sweet Home boys basketball coach Paul Schintzius was looking

Sweet Home’s Terrell Rankin looks to drive past St. Joe’s John Greer and to the hoop during the team’s ECIC-MMA Challenge on Friday at St. Mary’s of Lancaster High School. Rankin finished with 15 points but St. Joe’s won 58-57. Photo by Joe Eberle

for his team’s identity and he got his answer last week.

“We’re a very gutsy team who competes until the final bell rings and will not go easily against anybody,”

said Schintzius. “We’re getting

back to our old Sweet Home days. We’re playing defense like last year’s team and communicating better on the floor. They’re starting to understand it takes a total team effort.”

The Panthers played its best basketball of the year, defeating Jamestown, 61-43, at home last Tuesday, then losing, 58-57, to No. 1 Western New York Large School St. Joe’s, in the ECIC-MMA Challenge on Friday at St. Mary’s of Lancaster High School.

A dominating first quarter, including a 14-0 run to open, led Sweet Home, ranked fifth among large schools at the time, now third, to a surprising easy victory over then fourth-ranked, now sixth-ranked Jamestown.

“Up until that point, we hadn’t played very well,” said Schintzius. “I just didn’t feel like everything was coming together yet. (But against Jamestown), the kids were ready to play. They had beaten us at our gym last year and I think our guys were eager to avenge that loss.”

Terrell Rankin and Glenroy Carr scored 17 of Sweet Home’s 19 first quarter points as the Panthers

rolled out to a 19-4 lead. Rankin finished with 29 points and eight rebounds. Carr had eight points and seven rebounds.

“Terrell and Glenroy are starting to take over the leadership and scoring role that was left by Quentin Hudson and Daniel Joseph (both graduated, led Sweet Home to Class A state final berth),” said Schintzius.

Sweet Home led 36-23 at halftime and 44-30 after the third quarter.

Schintzius was most proud of his team’s defensive effort, holding the Red Raiders to six two-point baskets. Jamestown stayed in the game with eight three-pointers.

Eric Schnirel hit three three’s, finished with 15 points and was his normal pesky self defending Jamestown’s best player, Dominique Kendrick, said Schintzius.

Kendrick finished with 17 points.

Steven Roberts chipped in seven points. Ali Ramadan grabbed 11 rebounds and played great defense, Schintzius said.

It was a playoff-type atmosphere between Sweet Home and St. Joe’s at the ECIC-MMA Challenge, pitting public against catholic schools.

“I think we gave them everything they wanted and then some,” said Schintzius.

The game ended in controversy. A Rankin layup with 6.8 seconds left should have given the Panthers the win but for some reason, Schintzius said the game clock was stopped. (According to high school rules, the clock should continue running.)

On the inbounds, St. Joe’s Andrew Passage was trying to turn up court and bumped into Ramadan. Ramadan was called for a foul with 3.8 seconds and Passage calmly hit both free throws.

“I give Andre credit,” said Schintzius. “He stepped up to the line and made two free throws and they got the win.” It’s amazing Sweet Home stayed

in the game. By the end of the first quarter, Rankin had already picked up three fouls and Carr had two but Sweet Home still led 12-10. With both on the bench, the Panthers were still up at halftime, 27-25.

After Carr picked up his third foul at the beginning of the second half, St. Joe’s banged four three’s and soon were up by eight. But Sweet Home answered to trail 46-42 by the end of the quarter.

Schintzius said the fourth quarter went back and forth. St. Joe’s Domonic Cook (10 points, six assists) missed the front end of a one-and-one with 20 seconds left which led to Rankin’s layup.

Rankin scored 12 second half points to finish with 15. Carr had 20 points and eight rebounds. Ramadan added 10 points and 15 rebounds. Earl Jackson (seven points) and Schnirel (five points) also contributed.

John Greer (16 points), Phil Scafaadi (14 points, nine in third) and Passage (10 points) also scored in double figures for the Marauders, who sank seven three’s to Sweet Home’s three.

Sweet Home (3-0, 4-2) travels to Orchard Park (2-0) at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday in a battle of ECIC I unbeaten.

After OP, Sweet Home plays Kenmore East at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 27 in the first round of the Ken-Ton Holiday Tournament. The winner faces Kenmore West or O’Hara the next day. The consolation is at 5 p.m. with the championship at 6:30 p.m.

“I really like what’s going on with us right now,” said Schintzius. “Hopefully, like last year, we’ll play our best at the end of the season.”

e-mail: pnagy@beenews.com