Tigers split league games in weird ways
Boys basketball
by PATRICK J. NAGY Reporter

Amherst Central's Geoff Gallson chases a loose ball during the Tigers' 55-42 home loss to Depew last Thursday. Photo by Patrick McPartland Purchase color photos at www.BeeNews.com

It's been a crazy week for the Amherst Central boys basketball team.

The Tigers opened it with a thrilling 67-64 home victory on Monday over Cheektowaga, which included three shots that fell from half court or longer, and ended with a free throw filled 55-42 home loss last Thursday versus Depew.

Depew (15-1, 11-1) and Cheektowaga (10-6. 8-3) are the top two teams in ECIC Division III.

Amherst led Cheektowaga, 20-16, after sophomore Nico McLean made a three from three quarters of the court away on the last shot of the quarter. McLean shot it from Amherst's foul line.

The ridiculous long range shooting also appeared at the end of the game.

Amherst was leading 64-61 with 9.9 seconds remaining when Cheektowaga's Donte Parks (23 points) stepped across mid court and hit a three.

Amherst got the ball to mid court and with 3.3 seconds left, Amherst's Kevin Ford (10 points) dribbled to his left and fired a three from half court to win the game for the Tigers. Ford was mobbed by fans after the game.

"I've never seen anything like that, two half court shots in nine seconds and a three quarters shot, in the same game," said Amherst coach Mike Chatelle.

The three ball was working throughout the game for both teams. Amherst and Cheektowaga combined for 11 threes. Kurt Ebsary (13 points) hit three threes and McLean (23 points) had two threes for the Tigers.

The teams traded leads throughout the game with Amherst ahead, 31-26, at halftime and Cheektowaga up, 46-44, after three quarters.

Viron Hale added 10 points and 16 rebounds for the Tigers.

Free throws, especially in the fourth quarter, doomed an Amherst upset against Depew, who only has one loss in league play.

In the final quarter, Depew made 13 of 18 free throws. Four of the free throws came after the Wildcats' Tyler Stevens was fouled and Amherst coach Mike Chatelle was called for a technical foul, building Depew's lead to 44-33. Several fans were also ejected in the fourth.

Stevens hit 9 of 10 from the foul line in the fourth. He also hit back-to-back threes to help Depew outscore Amherst, 23-9, in the fourth quarter.

"At halftime, I don't think we matched their intensity level but in the second half Greg (Osika) and Tyler really got us going," said Depew coach Larry Jones. "Tyler also hit some big threes that helped us get a momentum swing."

Osika finished with nine points.

Prior to the fourth, Amherst played Depew even, trailing, 12-11, after the first quarter, leading 22-20 at halftime and going down 32-31 after the third quarter.

"Amherst is playing so much better," said Jones. "They're very athletic. We're quick but not as quick as them."

"They played hard," added Chatelle of his team. "They never gave up. It was a hard fought game."

While Amherst did send Depew to the free throw line a lot in the second half, they missed many shots.

"From midway through the third quarter to the end of the game, I think we missed six layups in the paint," said Chatelle. "We're getting good shots. We just have to make them. In general, we've been playing well but our troubles on offense have held us back from some wins."

Nobody on Amherst scored in double figures. Ford and Mike Yanity each had eight points. McLean and Stephone Brown each had six points. Hale had three points and 17 rebounds.

Depew clinched a share of the division title with the victory.

Amherst (6-8, 5-5) plays its next four on the road. It began on Tuesday at Pioneer but the result was unavailable before The Bee went to press. They play at 7:30 p.m. on Friday at Springville.