By PAUL GOTHAM
BUFFALO, N.Y. — Trailing 20-4 in the early going, Lyons boys’ basketball put on a performance Saturday afternoon that few in attendance at Buffalo State College’s Houston Gym will forget anytime soon.
Contrell Parker Jr. scored 14 of his game-high 27 in the third quarter when the Lions (24-2) turned a third-point edge into a runaway 76-43 win over Section VI champion, Global Concepts (18-5) in the NYSPHSAA Class C quarterfinals.
Parker opened the third with a steal and layup on the quarter’s first possession. He drew contact on his next layup and then set up teammate JJ Johnson for a bucket before hitting a jump shot to give the Lions their first double-digit lead of the game at 42-32 with 4:33 remaining in the third quarter.
“We know our strong suit is getting out and running,” the senior guard said. “Teams try to force us to play half court and slow us down, make us run a lot of [sets]. But when it comes down to it, we’re going to play basketball.”
Parker led teammate Jah Jah Smith into the open court for another bucket and then scored the next six points. Smith’s reverse layup to end the quarter made it a 58-38 game.
The Lyons defense held Global Concepts to two field goals over the first 12 minutes of the second half.
The effort on the defensive started with a change in approach after Global Concepts guard Jose Castro connected on a trio of 3-pointers in the first quarter as the Gators grabbed the 16-point lead and then held a 23-12 advantage heading into the second quarter.
“It’s hard to simulate speed when you’re watching somebody on film,” Lyons head coach Zac Young said of Castro. “We thought we were going to play man (defense) most of the game with maybe a little bit of 2-3. We adjusted to a different defense that became much more effective.”
That adjustment was Smith and fellow sophomore Kaywon Butler taking turns face-guarding Castro, denying the Global Concepts guard any chance to comfortably catch the ball. When Castro finally did get the ball, he was given little or no breathing room. Smith and Butler made each dribble difficult. And getting a clean look at the basket came rarely or not at all over the final 20 minutes of the game.
“We basically chased [Castro] all over the court and trying to get the ball out of his hands. Our bigs early we getting pulled out on the ball screen. The change of defense allowed them to stay back and help us rebound.”
Castro scored 11 in the first quarter. He finished the game with 17.
“We really took him out of the game in the second half,” Young said.
Butler, who goes by the nickname “Smurf” provided the go-ahead basket after he hit a three-pointer and then converted a loose ball on the ensuing inbound into a layup for a 30-29 lead that Lions did not relinquish.
“It gave us momentum,” he said of the sequence. “My coach tells me to shoot the ball. I’m a good shooter. When I felt that shot go in, I knew it was go time from there.”
Teammate Stavell LeBrecht initiated the turnover with a back tip, and Butler was in the right spot to take advantage.
“He brings a lot of energy off the bench for us,” Young said of Butler. “It was desperately needed today. A lot of credit to him.”
Lyons scored on 13 of 17 possessions in the third quarter.
“Once we get our pace, we got the game in our hands,” Butler said echoing his coach’s words. “We were able to get our pace and play good defense.”
Parker added five assists and eight steals in the win. JJ Johnson added 17 points and seven rebounds. Stavell LeBrecht accounted for 10 points. Stephen LeBrecht had six points, nine rebounds, six assists and eight steals.
Lyons improved to 7-6 all-time in state quarterfinal matchups.
The Lions will play either Notre Dame (IV) or Cooperstown (III) in the state semifinals next Saturday. A 1:30 PM tipoff is scheduled at Visions Veterans Memorial Arena in Binghamton, New York.
Eric Davis Jr. added 16 points for Global Concepts.
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