NIAGARA FALLS — Niagara Falls girls basketball coach Martha Amoretti wanted to see better defense out of her team after surrendering 77 points in Monday’s season-opening loss to Newfane.

And on Friday her team responded to the tune of a 57-26 non-league win over Ellicottville at the Wolvearena.

“It was a little bit better today,” Amoretti said of the defense.

The Wolverines (1-1 overall) jumped out quickly as senior center Desziray Hall scored nine points in the opening quarter to stake NFHS to a 14-6 lead.

“We were missing her last time (against Newfane), but that’s what we expect out of Dezzie almost on a daily basis.”

Hall, who finished with 12 points and 10 boards, missed the opener for an undisclosed reason.

NFHS opened the game wide open in the second quarter as senior point guard Destiny Harrison controled the floor. Harrison scored 12 of game-high 21 points in the period as the Wolverines outscored the Eagles (0-1), 22-3. Harrison added eight assists, five rebounds and four steals on the night.

“She passed the very well,” Amoretti said of Harrison. “She got Dezzie (Hall) and LaLa (Lashanika Whigham) some good looks and her shot was pretty good, too.”

Whigham chipped in with nine points and eight rebounds in the win, which Amoretti said will help her young team’s confidence as they move forward.

“It gets us a win and gets us a little more comfortable with each other,” she said.

Niagara Catholic 43, CCA 19

Emily Bird had 13 points to lead the Patriots past Christian Central Academy and into the championship game of the Park School Tournament. They will meet either Park or Buffalo Seminary at 3:30 p.m. today

NC (1-1 overall) also got nine points from Kyle-Lyn Perreault and 12 rebounds from Jen Hare. Amie Stuije led CCA (1-2) with eight points.

Starpoint 36, Will North 25

Amanda Boron had 11 points and nine rebounds as Starpoint beat Williamsville North in the opening round of the Kenmore East Tournament. Starpoint, which outscored North 8-0 in the third quarter, will play the host Bulldogs in the finals at 7 p.m. today.

Brittney Nye added eight points and four steals, while Jeanette Dumais had eight boards for the Lady Spartans (2-1 overall).

Jenny Paggione led the Spartans (0-2) with eight points.

Ken East 63, Tonawanda 30

Kacie Mills had 18 points, including a pair of trys as Kenmore East beat Tonawanda in the opening round of the Ken East Tournament. Meghan Freund and Joelle Pollak chipped in with 14 points apiece for East (1-1 overall). The Bulldogs adavnce to today championship against Starpoint at 7 p.m.

Jillian Feldmeyer had 13 points to lead Tonawanda, which plays Williamsville North in the consolation at 5:30 p.m.



BOYS BASKETBALL

Newfane 59, O-A 52

Drew Maines had 11 points, all of which came in the second half, as Newfane beat Oakfield-Alabama in the opening round of the Barker Holiday Classic. Fellow senior forward Jose Balseca, added 13 points (10 in the second half) for Newfane (3-1 overall).

“We were down eight at the half and we went inside to Drew and Joey,” Newfane coach Scott Fuller said. “We also played much better defense in the second half.”

Rob Linhart chipped in with 11 points for the Panthers, who advance to Saturday’s championship against Lyndonville at 7:30 p.m.

James David led Oakfield (0-1) with 13 points, while John Gerber added 12.

Lyndonville 48, Barker 36

Joe Payne had 16 points and Cody Caster added 12 points as Lyndonville (1-1 overall) beat Barker in the opening round of the Barker Holiday Classic. Lyndonville will play Newfane at 7:30 p.m. today for the title, while Barker will play Oakfield-Alabame in the consolation at 6 p.m.

Mike Hagen led Barker (0-2) with 13 points.

East 76, Wilson 50

Jamal Webb had a game-high 20 points as East beat Wilson in the opening round of the Wilson Tip-Off Tournament. Brandon Hall added 16 points and Dominque Jackson had 15 points for East (1-0 overall).

Ethan Baker led Wilson (0-1) with 10 points and five boards, while Matt Wendt added 10 points and took three charges on the defensive end of the floor.

East will play Lafayette in the finals at 7 p.m. today, while Wilson plays Cheektowaga at 5:30 p.m.

North Tonawanda 62, Tonawanda 27

Junior Jake Root scored a game-high 15 points off the bench as North Tonawanda dominated visiting Tonawanda in the opening round of the NT Tip-Off Tournament.

Freshman Aaron Davis had 13 points, seven rebounds, five assists and five steals for the Lumberjacks (1-0), who play Nichols in the championship at 3 p.m. today.

Tonawanda (0-1), who plays Clarence in the consolation at 1:30 p.m., was led by senior Eric Davies, who finished with 12 points.

O’Hara 73, St. Joe’s (Ont.) 59

James Ewing had 19 points and 12 rebounds as Cardinal O’Hara beat St. Joe’s of Ontario in a non-league game. Garrison Gross had 23 points and nine boards, while Dennis Weppner chipped in with 16 points and 10 rebounds for O’hara (1-0 overall).

Mark Lemos scored 21 points to lead St. Joe’s (3-1).

St. Joe’s 73, Lockport 55

Returning stars Domonic Cook (22 points, 10 assists) and John Greer (14 points, 10 rebounds) led St. Joe’s over Lockport in the opening round of the Lockport Rotary Tournament.

Derrick Herring had 19 points for Lockport (0-1). The Marauders (1-0) will play East High at 7:45 p.m. today for the tournament title.