Tigers pick up pace, end three-game losing skid
by PATRICK J. NAGY Reporter

Williamsville East's Dave Mernan, right, beats Williamsville South's Armaan Wood for the ball underneath the basket during the Billies' 70-65 win last Friday at East.

The Amherst Central boys basketball team changed the tempo of its home game last Friday against Springville and it resulted in a 30-point win.

Leading Springville, 18-12, after the first quarter, the Tigers turned up its defensive intensity in the second quarter to take a 40-25 halftime advantage and never looked back, winning 77-47. The win snapped a three-game losing skid.

Amherst coach Mike Chatelle credits sophomore Nico McLean and juniors Bert Smith and Kevin Ford for changing the tempo of the game.

"Springville was doing a nice job early on controlling the tempo," he said. "We wanted to play faster and all three of them got us a larger lead by halftime by scoring on fastbreak layups in transition off of turnovers we created. It was a real turning point in the game."

McLean, Smith and Ford scored 14 of Amherst's 22 points in the second quarter.

Amherst was in control the rest of the way, going ahead, 59-38, after the third quarter.

The Tigers' offense, which had been slumping as of late, got four players in double figures. McLean, Ford, and Smith each finished with 11. Senior Kurt Ebsary led Amherst with 14 points and five steals. Nine of his 14 came in the third quarter. Seniors Mike Yanity and Geoff Gallson added nine and eight points, respectively. Viron Hale had only five points but made eight steals and grabbed four rebounds.

In all, 11 of the 13 players who dressed scored. They made 22 steals.

"Obviously, it's what we're striving from the guys," said Chatelle. "Hopefully, they will gain confidence from it. We'll need those contributions this week."

Amherst (3-5, 2-3) played Maryvale on Tuesday but the result was unavailable before The Bee went to press. They host Starpoint at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday.

"Starpoint plays a disciplined half court zone defense so we're going to have to hit open shots," said Chatelle.

Williamsville North

It wasn't a work of art but the Spartans (11-1, 4-1) won last Saturday at Niagara-Wheatfield, 61-54.

"It was our first game in eight days and we played like it," said North coach Chuck Swierski. "We were sloppy. Our defense was the poorest it has been all year as far as fundamentals."

North led, 15-13, after the first quarter, 26-25, at halftime and 40-35, after three quarters. Swierski said his team had a 12-point lead two minutes into the fourth.

Junior Alex Barth continued his great play, leading the team with a career-high 25 points. He made 9 of 10 free throws. He also led North with nine rebounds and three assists.

"He's starting to become our leading scorer and our go-to guy, especially on the offensive end," said Swierski. "He's well suited for the role. He can go inside and has a jump shot so he can be a scoring threat from the outside as well."

Alex Barth was the only North player in double figures. Seniors Josh Barrett and Alex Ullrich scored eight and seven points, respectively. Senior John Piaggione and Alex's twin brother, Steve, each chipped in five.

North, winners of its last six, hosted Jamestown on Tuesday but the result was unavailable before The Bee went to press. They host Orchard Park at 7:30 p.m. on Friday. North is ranked ninth among Western New York large schools.