Joe Kraus Radio Show January 19

Joe Kraus Radio Show January 12

Woodard, Billie Spark Jacks second-half Comeback

The Jacks won over LewPort on Friday night, 55-35, which puts them at a 5-5 record, and a 4-2 record in Niagara Frontier League play. Chris Woodard went 7 of 9 from the floor and fnished with 14 points along with 5 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals. Joe Piotrowski had 9 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 assits, and Nehemiah Stone chipped in 10 points, 4 assists, and 4 steals. North Tonawanda's bench was a huge part of their victory with Alex Billie leading the bench in production. The junior finished with 7 points, 2 assits, and 2 rebounds. I talked with head coach Ryan Mountain after the game and he said that he is an example of being a hard worker off the bench and giving some production to the team.

"It was a very even first half," he went on to say. "We were down two but we didn't panic. We just said that we just had to stay true to our discipline on the defensive side of the floor. We recognized some flaws in Lewiston's transistion defense and we took advantage. We held them without a field goal in the fourht, which was a testament to our will on the defensive side of the ball."

"This was a team win. Everyone that came off the bench brought something to the table in terms of productivity, energy, and effort and made plays. Chris Woodard played outstanding. It was probably the best game he's ever played. He was really the key to our win."

When inquired if they could continue their winning streak, Mountain replied, "We can if we focus on just one game at a time." The team will face Grand Island at home at the Student Alumni Center on Tuesday night.

Jacks Pounce On Lions In Close Game On Road, 57-53

The Jacks varsity team took on the Lockport Lions Friday night in Lockport. At the half, the Jacks were up 30-18, and then going into the fourth quarter, it looked like they had it in the bag up 45-29. The Lions then picked up the pace with a comeback trail, and it was capped off by a three-pointer by junior Dan Bronson with just 39.4 seconds left. The Jacks lead was cut down to just a basket, 52-50.

Then, Ian Gilhousen took over while sending a message to the Lions saying you're not going to win without a challenge and got even rougher by making a steal, getting fouled, and made both of his free throws as the Jacks put the proof in the pudding, 57-53. Gilhousen finished with a game high 16 points, 2 rebounds, 5 assists, and 9 steals. Since he came back from his illness, Gilhousen has been averaging 12.6 points per game and he told me after the game that he's been feeling more and more comfortable with the Jacks system every day since coming back.


Joe Piotrowski finished with 12 rebounds, 2 rebounds, and 4 assists, Nehemiah Stone finished with 10 points, 2 rebounds, 7 assists, and a steal, and Chris Woodard had 10 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, a steal, a deflection, and 2 blocks.

Head coach Ryan Mountain said after the game, "It was a great win. We had an excellent week of practice and tonight, we were fortunate to get the win. We've got a ways to go yet. We're young and right now it's process over product." The team generated 19 assists with only 6 turnovers, their best ratio of the season so far. The Jacks are now 3-5 on the season, 2-2 in NFL play, and will face Niagara-Wheatfield tomorrow night at the Student Alumni Center.