Boys basketball
Amherst capitalizes on East mistakes, picks up key road win
by PATRICK J. NAGY Reporter

Williamsville East has a lot what if questions after its 54-51 ECIC Division II home loss last Tuesday against Amherst.

Down 49-43 early in the fourth quarter, the Flames went on an 8-0 run to take a 51-49 lead with 3:10 remaining.

That's when the Flames went up in smoke.

East center Brian Wallden (21 points) tipped an Amherst pass around mid-court and missed an attempted two-handed dunk instead of taking the easy layup. On East's next possession, Andy Heim missed an uncontested layup. He later fouled out trying to stop the Tigers' Cordell Freeman from laying in the game-tying basket. Andre Hakeem, who stole the ball, fed Freeman who scored and hit the ensuing free throw to put Amherst ahead, 52-51, with 26.4 seconds left. Viron Hale tacked on two crucial free throws to seal the Amherst win.

"I was just running the court and I saw Andre running with the ball and I knew he was going to give it to me for the layup," said Freeman, who finished with 26 points, three three's, and nine rebounds.

"We didn't play smart," said East coach Dennis Belote. "We only turned the ball over 12 times so it's more of our mistakes. I think the kids are pressing two hard. Amherst made their shots at the right time and we missed our shots at the wrong time."

The win moved Amherst to 5-1 in league play and 7-4 overall. The loss dropped East at the time to 6-6, 3-3. The Flames won, 63-47, at West Seneca East on Friday to move to 4-3 in league play, 7-6 overall.

Amherst and East each won a quarter in a sloppy first half (East, 13-11, after first quarter; Amherst, 25-23, at halftime). The Tigers turned up its defensive man-to-man intensity midway through the third quarter to take a 45-41 lead, with 12 points coming from Freeman.

"That's typical of him," said Amherst coach Mike Chatelle. "He's capable of taking over and drawing a defense when he takes a shot. He's very talented, sees the court well and is tough to stop by the basket."

Freeman was one of only four Tigers who scored. Troy Martin scored 12, Will Gowen added 10, including two first half three's and Hale finished with a career high six with six rebounds. Chatelle also liked the minutes from Peter Caffarelli and Matt Krajna.

Wallden shot 10-of-20 from the floor and finished with 20 rebounds, six blocks and one steal.

Heim had 14 points, six rebounds and three assists. Justin Andreozzi added 10 points.

East jumped out to a 10-0 lead and never looked back against West Seneca East.

The Flames were up, 13-4, after the first quarter, 34-19, at halftime, and 50-32, after three.

"I think we played pretty good defense," said Belote. "Plus the kids just wanted to win. They were tired of having a couple of losses."

Belote also said his team played looser as evident by its seven three-pointers and 14-of-20 from the foul line. They also only committed eight turnovers.

All 11 East players who dressed scored. Rick Silvestri led with 12 points. Wallden added 10 points, 15 rebounds and five blocks. Heim scored 10 points and dished out six assists. Mike Ferguson added nine points.

East hosts Hamburg at 7:30 p.m. on Friday.

e-mail: pnagy@beenews.com