A rematch of last year’s Class AA state championship game highlights the 20-game schedule released by Niagara Falls High School boys basketball coach Giulio Colangelo on Tuesday.

The Wolverines will travel to the Greater Albany area on Dec. 28 to meet the defending state champions from Bishop Maginn. The Griffins beat the Falls, 68-37 in the title game last March and return several players from that team, most notably Tournament MVP and high major Division I recruit Taran Buie.

“It’s going to be a great test for us,” Colangelo said of the game, which is tentatively scheduled to be played at The College of St. Rose. “Our goal is to play the best teams possible and we believe Maginn is once again one of those teams. It will be an exciting challenge for our kids.”

The Falls will also play the Monsignor Martin Athletic Association preseason favorite Nichols. The Vikings, led by all-Western New York forward Will Regan, will invade the Wolvearena on Dec. 13.

The Wolverines will open their season with a pair of tough games in the previously-announced Cataract Classic. Mother Teresa of Ontario will come to the Falls on Dec. 5, followed by a visit from Section V favorite Rush-Henrietta the next night.

“Those are two very good challenges right off the bat,” Colangelo said.

Rounding out the non-league slate is a visit from Father Henry Carr of Ontario on Dec. 20 and a difficult trip to perennial Class AA contender Jamestown on Dec. 23.

“That’ll be a tough environment to play in,” Colangelo said of playing at JHS.

The Niagara Frontier League schedule opens with a visit from Niagara-Wheatfield on Dec. 12 and concludes when NFHS welcomes Grand Island to town on Feb. 18.

“With the NFL being much better this year and a tougher non-league schedule, we should be even better prepared come playoff time,” Colangelo said.

Contact reporter Nate Beutel at 282-2311, Ext. 2262.

2008-09 SCHEDULE

Dec. 5 MOTHER TERESA (Ontario) 8 p.m.

Dec. 6 V-RUSH HENRIETTA 8 p.m.

Dec. 12 NIAGARA-WHEATFIELD 7 p.m.

Dec. 13 NICHOLS 7 p.m.

Dec. 17 at Lockport 6:30 p.m.

Dec. 20 FATHER HENRY CARR (Ontario) 2:30 p.m.

Dec. 23 at Jamestown 8 p.m.

Dec. 28 at Bishop Maginn* TBA

Jan. 6 LEWISTON-PORTER 7 p.m.

Jan. 9 KENMORE WEST 7 p.m.

Jan. 13 at North Tonawanda 7 p.m.

Jan. 16 KENMORE EAST 7 p.m.

Jan. 20 at Grand island 6:30 p.m.

Jan. 23 at Niagara-Wheatfield 7 p.m.

Jan. 30 LOCKPORT 7 p.m.

Feb. 3 at Lewiston-Porter 7 p.m.

Feb. 6 at Kenmore West 7 p.m.

Feb. 10 NORTH TONAWANDA 7 p.m.

Feb. 13 at Kenmore East 7 p.m.

Feb. 18 GRAND ISLAND 7 p.m.

* at The College of St. Rose

Home games in caps