Undefeated East defeats Catholic schools on the road
by PATRICK J. NAGY Reporter

It's hard for any basketball team to win at St. Francis and Bishop Timon-St. Jude, but Williamsville East was able to accomplish both feats last week.

The Flames beat St. Francis, 64-62, in overtime last Monday and knocked off Timon, 63-58, last Friday.

"It's real tough to go to two Catholic schools and come out with wins," said East coach Dennis Belote. "Hopefully, it will set us up for our league games."

East (4-0, 1-0), ranked seventh among Western New York large schools, played at 10th-ranked Sweet Home on Tuesday, but the result was unavailable before The Bee went to press. They host Lake Shore at 7:30 p.m. on Friday.

East saw leads against St. Francis and Timon slip away. The Flames were up 32-28 at halftime and had a six-point lead after three quarters versus St. Francis and a 28-23 halftime advantage and six-point lead after three quarters versus Timon, but both teams came back. The St. Francis game was tied 57-57 at the end of regulation. Steve Bryant (14 points) nailed one of his four threes for Timon to tie the game late at 58-58.

Brian Wallden was crucial in helping East pick up both non-league wins. The 6-foot-6 senior center scored five of the Flames' seven points in overtime against St. Francis and nailed a wide-open three-pointer with 20 seconds remaining and hit two free throws to clinch the East win over Timon.

Wallden finished with 25 points, 12 rebounds and five blocks against St. Francis and 23 points, including two threes, 17 rebounds and five blocks versus Timon.

East's other inside presence, 6-foot-11 junior Mark Rutecki, had 11 points and 10 rebounds against St. Francis and 13 points, nine rebounds and four blocks versus Timon.

Senior Aaron Tichenor only scored two points against St. Francis, but they were two crucial free throws with 10 seconds remaining in overtime to seal the win.

Peter Heim scored eight points versus St. Francis and 15 against Timon. Belote also thought Heim did a good job covering Timon's best player. Senior Chris Schiumo scored three points and dished out six assists against Timon.

e-mail: pnagy@beenews.com