Back again.
Niagara Falls is making its 23rd Section VI championship game appearance since the district consolidated into one high school 25 years ago. It’s just another check on its to-do list to make it to the state tournament.
The Wolverines defeated Lancaster 81-53 at home on Wednesday to punch their ticket to the AAA Class finals against Jamestown.
The Falls only led by five at the half after giving up a 16-6 run, but came out of the half more focused and settled down to get the job done.
“We don’t wanna overreact and be too happy and we wanna try to keep the guys a little even-kill, but anytime you win a playoff game you’re happy with it,” Carlos Bradberry, the head coach at the Falls, said.
The Wolverines had six days between today and their last game, against Cardinal O’Hara, and they spent that time cleaning up things on defense and focusing on playing fast.
Bradberry opted to give the team a more difficult regular schedule, believing the challenging games and tougher opponents would help them in the postseason. As a result, they have eight losses, the most by the program in a decade.
But he thinks the boys’ experience in hard games will be an advantage and help them know what to do, and how to make plays down the stretch. In high-pressure games, the team that doesn’t get rattled and can handle their composure tends to be favored.
Bradberry also believes that playing harder teams outside of the area is humbling and makes the team realize that although they’re good, they’re not as good as they can be.
“It humbles us, it makes us get in the gym and work a little bit harder,” Bradberry said.
The team has improved in scoring overall. At the beginning of the season, it was mainly Tre Gayle and John Strong tallying most of the points. There are more players in double digits or scoring at least eight points now, something that helps win games.
“Those are the teams that I find it tough to guard, for me,” Bradberry said. “When you have a team that can have five or six guys that can get you eight to 12, eight to 15 points. I think we’ve done a better job becoming connected.”
Against the Legends, Strong led the team with 19 points, Jaike Ralands and Jeremiah Shipp had 10 points, Nashaun Ferrell tallied nine while Louis Porter netted eight points.
Gayle missed the game due to injury but is expected to be back for the finals.
Strong led the team with an average of 14 points per game heading into the semifinals, while Gayle was averaging 14.4, and Deaquarius Seaberry 8.9. Strong is the clear leader of the team, also leading with 116 rebounds, 71 assists, 38 steals and 11 blocks total this season.
Heading into sectionals, Bradberry wanted to focus on tightening their rotations on defense and boxing out, as well as taking care of the ball and finishing better to not leave any points on the floor.
The Wolverines’ focus is now on Jamestown, a team they’re very familiar with. The teams are set to meet in a sectional final for the 12th time in the last 20 years, with the Falls holding a 7-4 advantage.
The Wolverines ran into Jamestown at the Class AA final in 2022 and 2023, and split those games, capping a run that saw the two schools win the class 14 times in 15 seasons. Both teams went to the state semifinals last year, the Falls in AAA and Jamestown in AA.
Jamestown, which only has three losses this season, is led by Jaydian Johnson, who is averaging 23 points per game, Dominic Gonzalez with 16.6 points per game, and Elijah Farmer with 15.8.
“They’re very good, they’re very good every year,” Bradberry said. “They’re very well coached and have three kids that can really score the ball. I think it’s just gonna come down to who wants it more. I think we’re pretty equal talent-wise, it’s just gonna come down to who executes better on that night.”
The Class AAA final is scheduled to be held at 3:30 p.m. on March 8 at Buffalo State.