Published: December 05, 2008 12:18 am      

BOYS BASKETBALL: NFHS faces stiff tests to open season

NIAGARA FALLS — While Syracuse and former Niagara Falls stars Jonny Flynn and Paul Harris continue through the cupcake portion of their schedule, some of their old friends and teammates will begin their season with a bang.

The perennially strong Niagara Falls boys basketball team will play two games in as many nights against top-notch competition at the annual Cataract Classic. The opener, scheduled for 8 p.m. tonight, pits the Wolverines against Toronto-power Mother Teresa. The second game of the back-to-back, set for 8 p.m. Saturday, features the home team welcoming preseason Section V Class AA favorite Rush-Henrietta.

“It’s good to start with the tougher games because it gets you better and shows you what you still have to work on,” said NFHS coach Giulio Colangelo, who is beginning his third season.

The Falls began last year with a loss to eventual Section III champion Henninger. It was the first home loss in the eight-year history of the Wolvearena. NFHS did rebound, though, with a win the following night against rival St. Joe's. It also made a run to the state championship game in Glens Falls last March.

“Our goal is to win these two games, but we realize that it’s early and we’re going to get better,” Colangelo said.

Mother Teresa, which is currently 11-1 and ranked No. 1 in the Toronto Star coaches poll, is led by 6-foot-9 Maurice Walker, who is being looked at by a number of Division I schools including the University at Buffalo. Other potential D-I prospects on Teresa's roster include guard Ashton Kahn and wing John Alexander. Rush, meanwhile, will rely heavily on Rutgers commit Dane Miller.

“The tradition of protecting the homecourt is always in our minds,” Falls senior Kelvin Agee said. “We need to come out and play hard, get the crowd into it and get the win(s).”

Here's a quick look at the event's other games:

Canisius vs. V-Aquinas, 5 p.m. Friday

A strong group of returnees for the Crusaders, including Blair Helton, face one of Rochester's better programs.

VASJ (Ohio) vs. III-Henninger, 6:30 p.m. Friday

Villa Angela-St. Joseph High School out of Cleveland is the most storied program in the event with alumni such as CBS college basketball analyst Clark Kellogg, current Ohio State star David Lighty, Heisman Trophy winner Desmond Howard and former Buffalo Bills linebacker London Fletcher. VASJ, which has appeared in the Ohio state final three straight seasons, has five new starters this winter including 6-foot-5 Bryan Morgan and Clinton Brewer. Henninger, meanwhile, is led by all-Central New York selection Kihaury Blue and 6-foot-7 Jermaine Taylor.

Grand Island vs. Cardinal O'Hara, 11 a.m. Saturday

An interesting non-league matchup that pits a scrappy Hawks squad against a rising GI team. Many believe the Vikings, led by 6-foot-6 Jonas Stalyga, 6-foot-5 Greg Feathers and UB football commit Alex Neutz, will finish as the runner-up to NFHS in the Niagara Frontier League. O’Hara, which is 0-3 on the young season, has 6-foot-7 Reggie Martin to man the post and Andy Tate to fill the rim.

Wilson vs. V-Fairport, 12:30 p.m. Sat.

The small school Lakemen will test themselves against the perennial Section V Class AA contenders. Wilson, which won its own tournament last weekend, is led by junior guard Ethan Baker and sophomore point guard Brennan Moxham. Fairport, which lost to NFHS in the 2006 Far West Regional, has three-year varsity player Mike Glenn back.

Riverside vs. Mother Teresa (Ont.), 2 p.m. Saturday

The Toronto-area squad agreed to stay an extra night and pick up an extra game against one of the Yale Cup’s best after defending Class C state champion Maple Grove backed out of the event. Riverside will try to match Teresa’s size with speed and athleticism from wings Ira Watkins and Isaiah Jefferson.

Frontier vs. VASJ (Ohio), 5 p.m. Saturday

Big man Jason Norsen will be the focal point of the Falcons offense as teammate Grant Wrap is still recovering from a torn ACL he suffered during the Empire State Games.

Sweet Home vs. III-Henninger, 6:30 p.m. Saturday

The Panthers, which will be led by O’Hara transfer Karon Briggs, will dress only eight players because of the football team’s run to a state championship last weekend.

Contact reporter Nate Beutel at 282-2311, ext. 2262.





CATARACT CLASSIC

Session I, Friday

Canisius vs. V-Aquinas 5 p.m.

VASJ (Ohio) vs. III-Henninger 6:30 p.m.

Niagara Falls vs. Mother Teresa (Ont.) 8 p.m.

Session II, Saturday

Grand Island vs. Cardinal O'Hara 11 a.m.

Wilson vs. V-Fairport 12:30 p.m.

Riverside vs. Mother Teresa (Ont.) 2 p.m.

Session III, Saturday

Frontier vs. VASJ (Ohio) 5 p.m.

Sweet Home vs. III-Henninger 6:30 p.m.

Niagara Falls vs. V-Rush-Henrietta 8 p.m.

* All games will be played at Niagara Falls High School's Wolvearena. Admission is $5 per session.