With the clock ticking down in the fourth quarter, Health Sciences coach Ty Parker called an isolation play for sophomore Amir Moye to take Nichols senior Jakye Rainey one-on-one.
As the other eight players spaced out, the crowd watching Saturday’s third game of the CenterCourt Classic at St. Joseph’s rose to their feet. Moye dribbled between his legs a few times, then side-stepped for a right-wing 3-pointer.
Health Sciences guard Amir Moye dribbles against Nichols during the first half of the sixth annual CenterCourt Classic at St. Joseph’s Collegiate Institute on Saturday.
The crowd celebrated and Parker cracked a smile, as he called the isolation to reward the fans. Health Sciences was throttling Nichols, and went on to win 85-57, extending its winning streak to a season-high eight games.
“We are working and take pride in our work,” Parker said. “We work and we’re engaged and are supposed to have fun. I don’t coach to score, I coach the game. Jakye Rainey is one of the top players in this area and I respect my guys for stepping up to the challenge.”
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Moye and Rainey were All-Western New York first-team selections a season ago and put on a show. Moye, with his slashing ability, found his way to 29 points on 10 of 17 shooting, 5 of 8 from the free-throw line, and had seven rebounds, seven assists and three steals.
Rainey, one of the best shooters in Western New York, scored 43 points. He shot 13 of 31 overall, 6 of 16 from the 3-point line, and made 11 of 15 free throws. Anytime Rainey steps on the court, he’s worth the price of admission alone, and it was on display, even in defeat. Without senior Parker Rey, Nichols’ second-leading scorer, Rainey was forced to carry the scoring load and was the focus of Health Sciences’ defensive game plan.
“Today was a big day for us and how we planned turned into a big win,” Moye said. “We just had to limit Jakye’s shots and try and keep him from shooting the ball and driving.”
With the two guards offsetting each other, Health Sciences (12-2) had the advantage with its size. Senior Montrice Webster dominated a Vikings (8-8) team that wasn’t as big, skilled or aggressive. He finished with 31 points and 16 rebounds, both season highs, including nine offensive rebounds. Webster shot 11 of 17 and 2 of 3 from the 3-point line. He also went 7 of 8 from the stripe.
“I just had to get rebounds and box out and put it back up,” Webster said. “This was a good win because we came out and executed and came out and dominated.”
Salamanca wins in OT
In a matchup of the top two small schools in The Buffalo News’ poll, No. 1 Salamanca and No. 2 Randolph showed the Buffalo audience why they’re the best small school programs in Western New York.
The Cardinals led after each of the first three quarters and were up 36-29 entering the fourth period. Junior Avery Brown and senior Lucus Brown combined to score all 20 of Salamanca’s fourth-quarter points. But following a missed free throw from Salamanca, Randolph went the length of the court and trusted senior Roan Kelly with the game on the line. He made a 3-pointer at the buzzer to force overtime. Kelly is a Virginia Tech cross country and indoor/outdoor track and field signee.
In overtime, Salamanca (13-3) pulled out a 55-54 win after Randolph (16-2) missed an open 3-pointer for the win. Avery Brown scored a game-high 20 points despite picking up his fourth foul midway through the third quarter. Lucus Brown had 18 points.
“It was a good game and a lot of battling,” Avery Brown said. “I feel like our defense really stood out towards the end of the game.”
Husband gets 400th win
Canisius beat Niagara Falls (10-5) 52-44, giving Crusaders coach Kyle Husband his 400th career victory, fittingly on his birthday. All of Husband’s victories have come at Canisius (15-2), a program he’s coached for 20 seasons.
Husband was surprised after the game with a banner and posed for a picture with his players and assistants. He’s Canisius’ winningest coach and led the program to 10 Manhattan Cups and a Catholic Class A state championship in 2022.
Husband, class of 1996, also was inducted into the Canisius Athletic Hall of Fame in 2023 for his playing days with the program.
“It’s tons of fun and the guys were great,” Husband said. “To get this here at St. Joe’s and part of CenterCourt, with us all thinking of Gabe (Michael, the former high school basketball coach who died in November at age 43), who was a close friend of mine, was special. To do this where I played at such a great institution and a place I’m proud of, I can’t wait for my sons to attend Canisius. To have the most wins and now 400 is special, no doubt.”
Timon whips Victor
In the CenterCourt Classic finale, Bishop Timon, ranked No. 2 in The News’ large schools poll, defeated Rochester’s Victor High School, 81-57. The Blue Devils are the reigning New York State Public High School Athletic Association’s Class AA state champion.
Bishop Timon (15-2) was led by Jaiden Harrison (24 points), Nakyhi Harris (24 points) and Jacob Humphrey (14 points), the trio who combined for 62 points to outscore Victor (10-6) by themselves.
