Panthers lose big to Rochester powerhouse at Cataract Classic
by PATRICK J. NAGY Reporter

Sweet Home's Jamel Werts looks to drive past Rochester East High School's Norman Simmoons during the Panthers' 71-54 loss last Friday in the Cataract Classic at Niagara Falls High School. Photo by Patrick McPartland Purchase color photos at www.BeeNews.com

Sweet Home's boys basketball team was no match against Section V's East at the Cataract Classic last Friday at Niagara Falls High School.

East, led by 43 points from seniors Bobby Bell, Rueben Balkum and Jazzmin Huffman, jumped out to an 18-6 first quarter lead and never looked back, beating Sweet Home, 71-54.

Bell, Balkum and Huffman played as sophomores when the Panthers beat the Orientals, 58-56, two years ago in the Cataract Classic.

Bell a guard, scored 19 points. Balkum added 14 points. Huffman, a 6-foot-9 center, chipped in 10 points.

"They were the better team," said Sweet Home coach Paul Schintzius. "They're loaded. Everyone picks them as the team to come out of Rochester and they played like it. They have good size, speed and strength."

East (6-0) lost to Fairport in the Section V finals last year. Fairport was the team that beat Sweet Home in the Class AA Far West Regional.

The closest Sweet Home could cut the deficit was six, 34-28, midway through the third quarter but Bell hit back-to-back three-pointers to end the threat. Bell finished with four threes.

East led, 49-32, after the third.

"The good news is that after losing the first quarter by 12, we only lost the last three quarters by five points," said Schintzius.

"My hope is that we can learn from this and use it as a springboard." Game MVP Ali Ramadan scored 23 points to lead Sweet Home. Jamel Werts added 18 points.

The Panthers (1-1) played Canisius on Tuesday in the ECIC-MMA Challenge but the result was unavailable before The Bee went to press.

They host Williamsville South on Thursday and Williamsville East on Tuesday, Dec. 18. Tip-off for both games is set for 7:30 p.m. The Williamsville East was originally scheduled at East.

e-mail: pnagy@beenews.com