Boys basketball
Orchard Park snaps Sweet Home's win streak
by PATRICK J. NAGY Reporter

Sweet Home's Eric Schnirel, right, drives up court while Orchard Park's Andy Buyea pursues. Orchard Park won 68-63 in overtime last Thursday at Sweet Home. The loss snapped the Panthers' eight-game win streak and was the second defeat against the Quakers this season. Photo by Joe Eberle Purchase photos at www.BeeNews.com

Orchard Park spiced up the ECIC Division I boys basketball race with its second win over Sweet Home, this time a 68-63 overtime road victory last Thursday.

Orchard Park also beat Sweet Home, 58-53, at home on Dec. 20. Since then, the Panthers had won eight straight.

Despite the loss, Sweet Home (9-2) still has a one-game lead over OP (8-3) and Jamestown (9-3) for the top spot in ECIC I.

Sweet Home had a slim lead over Orchard Park over the first three quarters, 14-13, after the first, 28-27, at halftime, and 38-36, after the third quarter, but needed a three-pointer from Terrell Rankin (24 points) with two seconds remaining to send the game into overtime tied at 59-59.

Rankin opened the extra session with a three for a 62-59 Panthers lead. After a Sweet Home defensive stop, Josh Parker (seven points, five in fourth) missed two free throws and OP's Greg Michael (20 points) scored, was fouled, and hit one of seven OP free throws in the period. The Quakers were 17-of-18 from the free throw line in the fourth quarter and OT and 19-of-26 overall. Sweet Home was 4-of-7 from the line in the fourth quarter and OT and 11-of-14 overall.

After Parker's missed free throws, Sweet Home never recovered. A free throw from Steven Roberts was the only other point for the Panthers in overtime.

"After Parker missed, it felt like if we ever got the lead to five, Orchard Park may have tightened up and pressed too much," said Sweet Home coach Paul Schintzius.

Michael outplayed Glenroy Carr (six points), who was benched in the second half for Marcus Johnson (eight points).

Tom Schiffler (19 points) and Andy Buyea (12 points) also scored in double figures for the Quakers.

Sandwiched between the OP game were Sweet Home wins at West Seneca West, 58-45, on Jan. 30, and at home over Hamburg, 68-39, on Friday.

Sweet Home built a 28-21 halftime advantage over West Seneca West and were ahead, 43-36, after three quarters. Rankin (21) and Carr (18) scored in double figures.

The Panthers led Hamburg, 16-6, after the first quarter, 28-12, at halftime, and, 55-27, after the third quarter and never looked back.

Eleven of 13 players scored, led by Earl Jackson's 13 points (three three's). Carr added 12 points. Richard Rush added seven points.

Sweet Home (13-4, 9-2) hosted Frontier on Tuesday but results were unavailable before The Bee went to press. They play at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at Williamsville North.

e-mail: pnagy@beenews.com