Rams rally to down old rival Spartans

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 29 January 2022 at 2:33 pm

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Roy-Hart’s Aiden Petrie puts up a shot against Starpoint defender Evan Floss during the Rams non league win over the Spartans at NCCC this afternoon. Brandin Masters moves in on the play for the Rams.

Renewing an old Niagara-Orleans rivalry, Roy-Hart rallied from a slow start to defeat Starpoint 63-57 in a non league game this afternoon at Niagara County Community College.

Trailing by 14, 19-5, early in the second quarter, Roy-Hart got back into the game by putting together a key 13-0 run. Aiden Petrie scored 7 and John Conley and Brandon DiNeri both hit threes during that rally which pulled the Rams to within one at 19-18.

The Spartans though answered with a 9-3 run, including two baskets by Tyler Milleville, to take a 28-21 led at the half.

Roy-Hart quickly pulled back to within one, 28-27, with a 6-0 run to open the third period on two free throws by Jamel Johnson Jr. and a pair of baskets by Vinny Buscarino.

The Rams stayed within one, 41-40, at the three-quarter mark as Johnson had a total of 7 in the period, Buscarino 6 and Petrie 4.

Roy-Hart finally grabbed the lead for the first time at 48-47 early in the final stanza after back-to-back threes by John Conley and Buscarino.

Two more threes and a rebound bucket by Buscarino along with two baskets by Petrie and one by Johnson helped Roy-Hart build up an eight point, 59-51, advantage with just :20 remaining.

Four clutch free throws by Buscarino in the final 10 seconds then put a lock on the victory for the Rams.

Petrie finished with 19 and Buscarino 18 to lead the Roy-Hart attack as Johnson added 9, Conley and DiNeri 6 and Brandin Masters 5.

Sam Parise scored 15 and Jackson Griesmer and Evan Floss both had 11 to pace the Spartans. Parise 7 in the opening period.

Roy-Hart’s Vinny Buscarino drives against Starpoint’s Sam Parise.