South earns must-needed wins
by PATRICK J. NAGY Reporter

Although the Section VI playoffs don't start until Feb. 21, Williamsville South boys basketball coach Al Monaco felt his team's league games with Lake Shore and West Seneca East last week were must wins. And that's exactly what the Billies did.

South came back to win, 66-49, at Lake Shore on Jan. 30 and walloped West Seneca East, 83-49, at home on Friday.

Ahead 15-9 over Lake Shore after the first quarter, South went into an offensive funk, only hitting 1-of-8 free throws, and trailing, 29-28, at halftime.

"At halftime, I told them our season was on the line and I was looking for someone to step up," he said.

Senior center Frankie Pieri (12 points) answered Monaco's challenge

"When we came out on the floor after halftime, Pieri called the starters over to the bench," Monaco said. "I don't know what he said but he was getting on his teammates. It really showed positive leadership."

The team responded with a 14-5 run to end the third quarter for a 48-39 advantage.

Adrian Wood, another senior, scored nine in the third and another eight in the fourth. He finished with 26 points, six rebounds and four steals.

Scott Steimer and Mark Coppola chipped in seven points each. It was a total team effort on the boards as Pieri, Coppola, Steimer and Spencer McIntyre each grabbed five rebounds. McIntyre also had four steals.

South only shot 8-of-22 free throws.

The Billies came out a lot stronger against West Seneca East. Seven different players scored in a 24-7 first quarter, including seven from McIntyre, five from Coppola and four from Steimer.

South extended its lead to 47-28 at halftime and 62-42 after the third quarter.

Coppola led South with 13 points and five assists. McIntyre (nine points), Wood (eight) and Pieri (seven) also contributed from the starters. South's second team of Brian Webb (11), Eric Novotny and Pat Pidgeon (10 each) all hit career-high point totals. Pidgeon hit three of South's season-high nine three's. He also hit 2-of-4 three's against Lake Shore.

P.J. Coppola also had five points and three rebounds plus great defensive work. He had two steals and two assists versus Lake Shore.

South also shot much better from the foul line against West Seneca East, making 16-of-27 attempts.

South (9-8, 8-2) hosted Maryvale on Tuesday but results were unavailable before The Bee went to press. They travel to Williamsville East at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday. South won the first meeting, 84-76.

"For either team to win, our big players are going to have to step up," said Monaco.

Williamsville East

The Flames (9-6, 6-3) outscored Iroquois, 25-6, in the third quarter to overcome a terrible first half and win on the road, 49-43, on Jan. 30.

East led, 9-8, after the first quarter but was outscored 13-4 in the second quarter to trail, 21-13, at halftime.

Flames coach Dennis Belote said his team played with much more intensity and he put in some different personnel in the third quarter which sparked the offense.

One offensive spark was Adam Kausch. The senior came off the bench and scored 13 of his game-high 16 points (4-of-4 free throws, three three-pointers) in the third. Kausch finished with four three's. He also made three steals.

Andy Heim (12 points, three assists) added six third quarter points and knocked down 4-of-4 free throws in the fourth quarter.

Nick Kanutsu (two steals) also played strong defense in the second half, said Belote. Belote also liked the play of JV guard call-up Kevin Castine.

Brian Wallden (10 points, 16 rebounds, five blocks) and Justin Andreozzi (seven points, big three in the fourth, eight rebounds, held Iroquois' top player Paul Evans to 10 points) were other major contributors for the Flames.

Besides the South game, East, winners of its last three, hosts St. Francis at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday.

"We have to be able to play consistently for four quarters," said Belote.

e-mail: pnagy@beenews.com