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Josh Thibeault attempts to take down his opponent, Maurice Jackson, of Niagara Falls. (Photos by David Yarger)
Josh Thibeault attempts to take down his opponent, Maurice Jackson, of Niagara Falls. (Photos by David Yarger)

Falcons Flashback: Basketball teams go on win streak; hockey does opposite

by yarger
Thu, Jan 17th 2019 12:45 pm

By David Yarger

Tribune Editor

The winter sports season is getting closer and closer to the postseason, and with that some Niagara-Wheatfield sports teams have begun a steady run to try and increase their value come playoff time.

The boys basketball team had one of the best weeks amongst Falcons teams. Coach Erik O’Bryan’s squad is currently on a three game winning streak, the team’s longest win streak since early December of 2017.

The team won last Tuesday versus Grand Island to begin the streak (72-65), then followed up with a thrilling 71-69 victory over Kenmore East. After struggling at the free throw line the last two games, N-W senior Raejaun Smith knocked down two free throws to give the Falcons a 70-69 lead late. Roman Wright knocked in a late free throw to make it a two-point game, and East’s final shot went off the back rim and out to seal the victory.

Davon Ware led the team with 17 points, while Smith added 14 and TJ Robinson had 13.

Tuesday night, the team faced another tough battle with CSAT, but came out victorious 68-60. The freshman Robinson led the way with 17 points, while Smith added 15 points and 17 rebounds. Additionally, Ware added 12 points, six assists, five rebounds and four steals.

The Falcons’ next matchup is at 7 p.m. Friday versus Williamsville East in the school’s Bring Back the 100 game, which will honor members of the Falcons Athletic Hall of Fame.

Despite some struggles this season, the girls basketball team has won two straight games. First, the Falcons defeated Kenmore East 38-24, Friday. Sydney Crangle led the way with 15 points, while LeGary Jackson added 10 points and 12 rebounds.

Next, the girls defeated CSAT 33-19. Angela Gilliam led the team with 7 points, while Jackson, Elizabeth Beutel and Mackenzie-Mae Smith added 6. Jackson also corralled 17 rebounds.

The girls’ next game is at 5:30 p.m. Friday versus Mt. St. Mary’s at home.

The Falcons wrestling team recently picked up a big victory over Niagara Falls. For a full report on the team visit www.wnypapers.com.

The girls Niagara County hockey team celebrated senior night on Monday. From N-W, Julia Gerspach and Sarah Jackson were honored. Jackson has netted five goals and three assists this season, while Gerspach has dished out 4 assists.

The team was defeated Lancaster/Iroquois/Depew on Wednesday night.

The boys hockey team has struggled of late, losing its last three contests. The last Falcons hockey three-game skid occurred in late January of 2017.  

Most recently, the Falcons were downed by Orchard Park 8-4. A six-goal second period by the Quakers doomed the Falcons chances.

In the defeat, Caleb Lee, Chris Cacciatore, Cam King and Ben Shapiro all scored. Lee, Shapiro and Ben Foster added assists.

The team has two games this weekend; first, versus Clarence at 1 p.m. Saturday at Northtown Center, then at 6:15 p.m. Sunday versus St. Mary’s at HarborCenter.

The boys and girls bowling teams split a pair of matchups this past week.

For the boys, they were defeated by Lockport, 6.5-0.5.  Derek Carr led the Falcons with a high series of 630, while Evan Hardy rolled the high game of 236.

The boys followed the loss with a victory over Lewiston-Porter, 5-2. Hardy rolled the high series of 568, while Nick Cashatt bowled the high game of 237.

The girls were also defeated by Lockport, 7-0. Hope Hill led the Falcons by rolling a high series of 531 and high game of 203.

In the team’s 4.5-2.5 victory over Lewiston-Porter, Victoria Mayes did it all, rolling a high series of 581 and high game of 234.

The bowling teams’ next matchup is at 4 p.m. Thursday versus Niagara Falls.

The boys swimming and diving team split a pair of meets this past week.

In a 100-81 loss versus Lockport, the 200-yard medley relay team of Chris Congi, Chris Dyer, Andrew Rambali and Ryan Wagoner was victorious. Additionally, Rambali won the 100-backstroke, and Tom Peltier won the 100-breaststroke.

In the 96-90 win over Lewiston-Porter, Chris Dyer won the 50-freestyle; Joe Dyer won the 1-meter diving; the Dyer’s along with Cole Scofield and Paul Wissel won the 200 free relay; Chris Dyer won the 100 breaststroke; and the 400 free relay team of Wissel, Joe Hahn, Joe Dyer and Jack Baumann was victorious.

The boys’ next meet is at 5 p.m. Tuesday versus Kenmore. 

Raejaun Smith sinks a free throw late in the game versus Kenmore East to help the Falcons secure a victory. Smith had 14 points in the win. 

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