Tigers split first four games
by PATRICK J. NAGY Reporter

With only one starter back from last year, the feeling-out process continues for the Amherst Central boys basketball team.

The Tigers, 2-2, have faced four different styles of play, which will help get them ready for league games, said coach Mike Chatelle.

"We've seen styles like a half-court zone and a full-court press," said Chatelle.

Amherst has defeated Medina, 50-32, in a nonleague game on Dec. 5 and Tonawanda, 61-19, in its first ECIC Division III game at home last Wednesday. Sandwiched in between were two losses at the Dick Harvey Tip-off Tournament at Kenmore West. Amherst fell to Lafayette, 50-45, on Dec. 7 and to Kenmore West, 57-37, on Dec. 8.

Chatelle has been happy with his team depth. He said a lot of players have seen good minutes, especially against Medina and Tonawanda.

Fourteen Tigers scored against Tonawanda, led by eight points from junior guard Kevin Ford. Seven of his points came in the second quarter, which Amherst dominated, 26-4, thanks to a pressuring defense. Ford came off the bench and quickly hit a three-pointer, stole the ball and scored a layup.

Amherst was ahead, 40-8, at halftime and 54-16 after three quarters.

Junior Bert Smith added seven points and seniors Mike Yanity, Geoff Gallson and Viron Hale each had six points.

"We felt 57 points against Kenmore West was too much to give up, so we wanted to play better defense, which we did," said Chatelle.

Kenmore West jumped out to a 19-6 first-quarter lead and never looked back in taking third at its own tournament. Tim Cammarata scored eight of his 12 points in the first quarter to help spark Kenmore West. Edwin Ramulic added 16 points for the Blue Devils, who were ahead 35-17 at halftime and 47-23 after three quarters.

"They were playing really good man-to-man defense, and we didn't do a good job of taking care of the ball," said Chatelle.

Seniors Kurt Ebsary and Sam Schepart each scored nine points each.

Amherst only had one bad quarter against Lafayette (outscored 26-17 in the fourth), but it cost them the game. Lafayette made 11 of 12 free throws in the fourth.

Amherst had the lead at halftime, 17-16, and after three quarters, 28-24.

Sophomore Nico McLean led Amherst with 13 points. Hale, named to the all-tournament team, chipped in 12 points.

Amherst opened a 14-10 lead against Medina, seven points coming from Yanity, and maintained it throughout the game with a zone press defense, going up 24-16 at halftime and 35-25 after the third quarter.

Yanity finished with 13 points as did Hale. Gallson chipped in eight points.

Amherst played at Cheektowaga on Tuesday but the result was unavailable before The Bee went to press. They play at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday at Depew.

e-mail: pnagy@beenews.com