Purple Eagles survive late scoring drought to gain Class B1 sectional win in overtime

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 23 February 2023 at 9:35 pm

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Albion’s Amari Jones puts up a shot between City Honors defenders Nathaniel Gilbert (24) and George Boucher (33) during the host Purple Eagles overtime sectional win over the Centaurs this evening.

Rebounding from a seven minute plus long fourth quarter scoring drought, No. 8 seed Albion needed overtime to down visiting No. 9 City Honors 65-58 in a Section VI Class B1 pre quarterfinal contest this evening.

Up by as many as 19, 41-22, early in the third period and by 11, 50-39, at the three-quarter mark, Albion saw City Honors rattle off 10 straight points to open the fourth period slicing the Purple Eagles advantage to just one at 50-49.

Amari Jones finally snapped Albion’s long scoring drought when he turned a layup into a three-point play with just 49 seconds remaining upping the Purple Eagles lead to 53-49.

However, City Honors answered back with a pair of baskets by George Boucher, the second coming with 12 seconds to go, to knot the contest at 53-53 forcing overtime.

The lead then changed hands four times in the final period which saw the Purple Eagles outpoint the Centaurs 12-5 to claim the victory. Two threes by Javon Jones and one by Amari Jones along with a layup by Nick Harling keyed the Purple Eagles decisive run.

Amari Jones finished with 28, Javon Jones 15, Harling 9, John Eibl 8, Blake Preston 3 and Aquil Gaffney 2.

George Boucher took game high honors with 33 and Nathaniel Gilbert had 12 to lead City Honors.

Albion jumped out to a 16-12 first quarter lead as six players contributed baskets including a pair of threes by Amari Jones

Keeping the momentum, Amari Jones then scored 10 in the second period, including two more threes, to key a big 18-6 Albion run which upped the Purple Eagles lead to 16, 34-18, at the half.

A three and a two by Javon Jones put Albion up by 19, 41-22, early in the third period. Amari Jones hit two more threes later in the quarter which ended with Albion up by 11, 50-39.

The Purple Eagles then survived the big fourth quarter scoring drought to claim the win in overtime by tallying the contest’s final nine points. A three by Amari Jones put Albion back on top to stay at 59-58 and Javon Jones followed up with his second three of the period to give the Purple Eagles a little breathing room.

Albion next visits top seeded Lew-Port, which is 17-3, in the quarterfinals at 2 p.m. Saturday.

The Purple Eagles are now 9-11 and the Centaurs finish the season at 8-14.

Class C
Wilson sweeps doubleheader
Host Wilson swept to a pair of victories in a Section VI Class C doubleheader this evening.

In the opener, the No. 3 seed Lakewomen defeated No. 6 Frewsburg 45-39.

In the nightcap, the No. 7 Lakemen downed No. 10 Portville 47-38.