From the left, Salamanca’s Avery Brown, Lucus Brown, and Cory Holleran celebrate their victory over Randolph on Saturday at the Centercourt Classic at St. Joseph’s Collegiate Institute gym.
P-J photo by Scott Kindberg

Saturday afternoon at the St. Joseph’s Collegiate Institute gymnasium, Salamanca head coach Adam Bennett couldn’t contain his excitement as he raised his arms towards the cheering crowd. And why wouldn’t he, after witnessing his team’s impressive come-from-behind victory over rival Randolph in the Centercourt Classic?

Although the game was part of a highly anticipated series of high school basketball games, Bennett had little to brag about regarding his team’s first-half performance. Thanks to Randolph’s 1-3-1 zone trap defense, the Warriors struggled to find their rhythm, trailing 15-5 after the first quarter and 25-17 at halftime.

But Salamanca’s junior forward, Avery Brown, stepped up to the challenge. Despite picking up his fourth foul early in the third quarter, Brown scored 8 of his game-high 22 points to keep the Warriors within striking distance. His efforts paid off in the fourth quarter when he scored Salamanca’s first three buckets, helping ignite a 16-5 run that gave the Warriors their first lead of the game, 45-43.

The game took a wild turn from there. Randolph’s Kevin McElwain answered with a 3-pointer, but Salamanca’s Cory Holleran responded with a score of his own, putting the Warriors back on top. With 55 seconds remaining, Salamanca had a one-point lead and the ball. Randolph turned the ball over, giving the Warriors a chance to seal the victory. However, they missed two free throws, and Randolph’s Roan Kelly took advantage, sinking an off-balance 3-pointer at the buzzer to send the game into overtime.

In the extra period, Randolph led by as many as three points, but Salamanca’s Zach Trietley and Jaxson Ross responded with driving layups, tying the game at 54-all. Those layups turned out to be the final points of the afternoon, as both teams failed to convert their last possessions. Salamanca cleared the rebound, and the clock hit 0:00, solidifying their thrilling 55-54 victory.

The game between these two small school powerhouses added another chapter to their storied rivalry. Coach Bennett commended his team for not giving up after Randolph’s buzzer-beating shot, saying that most teams would have folded under such circumstances. Salamanca took a deep breath and fought on, ultimately securing the hard-fought win.

Salamanca was led by Avery Brown with 22 points and six rebounds, while Lucus Brown contributed 16 points, 11 rebounds, four steals, and two assists. Holleran and Ross provided significant support with six and five assists, respectively. For Randolph, Drew Hind led the way with 18 points, and Kelly and McElwain combined for 31 points, including ten 3-pointers.

This victory showcased Salamanca’s resilience and showcased their potential in Western New York’s small school basketball landscape. Their next challenge awaits them on Tuesday when they face Dunkirk in a Chautauqua-Cattaraugus Athletic Association Division 1 West game. Randolph will host Frewsburg in a Division 1 East contest.

Key Takeaways:

• Salamanca Warriors staged a thrilling comeback to defeat rival Randolph in overtime.
• Avery Brown’s impressive performance, with 22 points and crucial plays in the third and fourth quarters, helped Salamanca stay in the game.
• Roan Kelly’s buzzer-beating 3-pointer sent the game into overtime, demonstrating the resilience of both teams.
• Salamanca’s Zach Trietley and Jaxson Ross made crucial layups in overtime to secure the victory.
• This victory adds another chapter to the rich rivalry between Salamanca and Randolph.

Randolph’s Jaxon Morrison celebrates with Roan Kelly (2) after Kelly drilled a game-tying 3-pointer at the fourth-quarter horn.
P-J photo by Scott Kindberg