Before and after the final horn sounded, boys basketball players from the Red and Green were waving goodbye and giving the peace sign to the Quakers’ fan base. As the players did so, their student section and a few fans joined in to wish Orchard Park a farewell on their season.

The back-and-forth between Jamestown and Orchard Park’s fan base stems from a social media back-and-forth, which included the Quakers beating the Red and Green twice during the regular season. With both teams’ seasons on the line, Jamestown survived, defeating Orchard Park, 58-52. Jamestown will play the winner of Lockport/Niagara-Wheatfield at 8:30 p.m. Saturday at Buffalo State.

“It’s obviously great to advance to the championship game,” Jamestown coach Bill Miley said. “It’s special doing this against our somewhat of a rival in Orchard Park because they were able to beat us twice during the regular season. We’ve been in close games against them and are fortunate to get one against them today.”

The previous two games between Jamestown and Orchard Park were decided by a total of 10 points. In their final matchup of the season, the Quakers led 27-26 at halftime, but heading into the third quarter, the Red and Green went on a 12-2 run, forcing Orchard Park to take a timeout with 4:29 left in the period and Jamestown up 38-29.

A fast start in the second half is what the Red and Green needed, and leading them was sophomore Dominic Gonzalez, who scored 12 of his 18 points in the third quarter.

“We had to stay locked down on defense because we knew on offense we could get things clicking,” Gonzalez said.

Jamestown led by 12 points in the third quarter before Orchard Park went on a run to trim the deficit to three with 58.5 seconds left in the game. But the Red and Green were able to hold on.

Jamestown’s Jaydian Johnson had 15 points on 6 of 15 shooting, along with seven assists, five rebounds, and three steals. Bishop Butts added 12 points, five rebounds, three blocks and two steals.

“I feel like this game was definitely more personal, especially with it being win or go home,” Butts said. “Losing at their crib didn’t feel good and then losing at home on senior night didn’t feel good either. We knew we had to come here and get the job done.”

In the first game to open up the 2024 sectionals at Buffalo State, Health Sciences beat Kenmore West, 71-54, in the Class AA2 semifinals.

Falcons guard Amir Moye had 25 points on 9 of 12 shooting and went 7 of 11 from the free-throw line. He also had four rebounds and four assists.

Williamsville East defeated Hamburg 55-46 in the Class A2 semifinals. The Flames were led by Jack DeLuca (14 points), Mason Evans (13 points, six assists) and Kirill Sorkin (12 points, 10 rebounds).

Health Sciences and Williamsville East will meet for the Class AA2 championship at 7 p.m. Saturday at Buffalo State.

Monsignor Martin final set

Canisius and Bishop Timon will meet in the Manhattan Cup final for the third straight season after both teams won their semifinal games. The defending champion Tigers will try to repeat when they play at 7:45 p.m. Wednesday at Canisius University.

The Crusaders beat Nichols 60-56 and were led by Nick Purdie’s game-high 25 points, and Johnny Esposito added 16 points. In his final high school game, Nichols’ Jakye Rainey scored 21 points. He ended his high school career with 2,095 points.

Bishop Timon got 28 points from Nakyhi Harris in a 72-56 win over St. Joseph’s. Tigers guards Jacob Humphrey and Jaiden Harrison combined for 28 points.