L-P loses in last seconds at GI

Photo and story by Larry Austin
Lewiston Porter Sentinel, January 20, 2007

Lancer Nation, green clad supporters of the Lewiston-Porter basketball team, give Grand Island’s Chris Rajczak the business during last Friday’s game at Grand Island.

Mark Gramza’s 14-foot jump shot off the dribble in the waning seconds provided Grand Island with a 54-53 win over Lewiston-Porter last Friday night.

GI erased a 10-point deficit with a little more than a quarter left in the basketball game. A three-point shot by Chris Rajczak had drawn the Vikes to 53-52 with :59 remaining.

Gramza wasn’t exactly the first offensive option to take the last shot, according to GI coach Chris Simpson, or even the second option.

“He’s about No. 3,” Simpson said. “The big guys are (1 and 2). We wanted to go into them, but we didn’t do it. He’s a guy that can shoot. If it’s open, he can knock it down.”

L-P trailed 18-12 early but fought back to take a 45-36 lead after three quarters. Dave LaChance drained a 45-foot shot at the buzzer of the first half during the run.

“They’re very scrappy,” Simpson said of the Lancers. “They pushed us around, and we let them push us around. That’s what happens when you let a team walk all over you. You’ve got to have a little pride and go back in there and fight.”

Lew-Port plays at Lockport on Monday in a game originally scheduled for Jan. 16. They hosted Niagara-Wheatfield last night.