NIAGARA FALLS —No matter the circumstances, when you play against a Jim Badgley-coached team you tend to feel it. Niagara Falls can attest to that.
The perennially-powerful Wolverines needed a late push to fend off Badgley’s pesky Kenmore West crew, 59-50, in Niagara Frontier League action at the Wolvarena on Friday. NFHS improves to 12-3 overall and 10-1 in league play with a showdown against North Tonawanda on tap for Tuesday. NT handed the Falls its first-ever NFL loss since the merger earlier this season.
“They played well,” NFHS coach Giulio Colangelo said of West. “They forced us into turnovers and really challenged us. We’ve got to get better. And we will.”
After trailing by as many as 13 in the first half, the Blue Devils cut the NFHS lead all the way down to one late in the third quarter. Scott Grandits, who scored all 11 of his points after halftime, converted an old-fashioned 3-point play and followed that up with a deep trey to highlight West’s spurt.
“We were really starting to get some confidence,” Badgley said of the run.
The Blue Devils’ next two offensive possessions, though, ended with monster blocks by the Falls’ Marcus Feagin and Maurice Respress. Both rejections led to layups on the other end and a 44-39 NFHS lead after three quarters.
That energy continued into the fourth as the Wolverines began the quarter on a 9-2 run to extend the lead to 12. Davon Marshall had seven of his team-high 20 points, including a 3-pointer over two defenders, during that stretch.
“Once we were able to get some defensive stops, we were OK,” Colangelo said.
C.J. Cox scored 15 points for the Falls, which also got nine points and 18 rebounds from Feagin. Mike Carson added eight points off the bench.
West, which was without suspended point guard Nate O’Donnell, was led by Wade Josiah’s game-high 23 points. The big man added 12 boards and four blocks.
“This might be the hardest working group I’ve ever had in my 20 years of coaching,” Badgley said. “We were missing our point guard and people stepped up. It’s been that way all year with this group. It’s just unfortunate we’re not getting the wins because I really enjoy coaching this team.”
Contact reporter Nate Beutel at 282-2311, ext. 2262.
Photos
James Neiss/staff photographer
Niagara Falls, NY - Niagara Falls High School #31 C.J. Cox races toward the basket in the 2nd Quarter of basketball action against Kenmore West.None/(Click for larger image)
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