By TYLER HATHAWAY
CANANDAIGUA, N.Y – After a back-and-forth first quarter that saw top-seeded Lyons build a four-point lead, the Lions (No. 5 NYSSWA Class C) opened the second quarter on a 8-0 run and never looked back in a 72-58 win over No. 4 Gananda (No. 17 NYSSWA Class C) in the Class C1 semifinals at Finger Lakes Community College on Monday night.
“We just had to get stops,” said Lyons head coach Zac Young. “They opened the game scoring on their first five possessions. We did too, but we got to get stops. When we get stops, our transition game gets us down the court, and I think we have advantage there.”
The Lions (21-2) pushed the ball up and down the court all night after generating steals or coming up with rebounds. In a second quarter that saw Lyons score 21 points, a dozen of those came in the fast-break.
“We know we have to play at our speed always,” said senior JJ Johnson. “We’re not going to let a team slow us down to their pace. We’re prepared and we practice it every single day.”
VIEW MORE PHOTOS FROM STEVEN TWARDZIK.
“That’s our game”, said Young. “I feel like we’ve got a lot of speed. We’ve got guards, forwards who can all run.”
Contrell Parker Jr. scored nine points in the frame and Stephen LeBrecht added six to help the Lions take a 14-point lead into the locker room, which ended up as the difference.
Johnson paced Lyons with 20 points, eight rebounds, and three blocks. He helped Lyons stay afloat when Gananda was hot early, scoring eight points in the first three and a half minutes of the game while contesting the paint.
“I knew we were going to be a little bit nervous because we were in a similar spot when we lost last year,” said the center. “So when the first quarter ended I just told the guys that we know how we can play, so let’s just go out and get the win.”
The Lions’ offense has been at its best in the past few weeks, with the team averaging 92 points per game in its last six games.
“We’ve just been trying to be unselfish,” said Young. “I think earlier in the year we were taking too many “me” shots. I think we only had one of those tonight. Not forgetting that there’s not many JJ’s (Johnson) out there, so doing our best to get him the ball. But also sharing it, moving it, and trying to get it into transition as much as we can.”
It was the third time that the two Wayne County foes met this season, with Lyons taking both matchups in the regular season, too.
“They have that old phrase,” said Young. “It’s hard to beat a team three times, we know each other so well. I have a lot of respect for Coach (Jeff) Thomson and his players.”
“We knew they were a good team,” said Johnson. “We knew what they were going to come with and they knew what we were going to come with, we just came out with the W.”
Parker Jr. finished with 21 points, six assists, five rebounds, and three steals. LeBrecht put together 14 points, eight rebounds, and four assists. Jah Jah Smith added eight points.
For Gananda (19-4), Owen Switzer led all scorers with 22 points. Hunter Vogt tallied 18 points. Peter Jacobs had six points, while Cooper Grassel totaled five.
The Lions advance to face No. 2 Geneseo in the C1 finals this Saturday. A 5:00 tip is scheduled at Blue Cross Arena.
“We’re going to take Tuesday off and support our girls team,” Young explained the plan for the week leading up. “Then we’re going to get back to it, keep working on what we do in the half court and defensively. Geneseo is a great team, great program, and we’re going to just get ready like we would for any other game.”
“We just need to be disciplined, and be prepared,” said Johnson of how they can be in best shape for the title game. “Just be basketball players and be coachable.”
Leave a Reply