On a night he made history becoming Western New York's all-time scoring leader, the great high school career of Cheektowaga's Dom Welch came to an end.
The Warrior senior scored 45 points in a 74-64 A2 semifinal loss to South Park.
Shakur Harris scored 28 points in the win while Ray Mushat added 18 for the Sparks.
"It's just a humbling feeling. I know it means a lot to my parents, my school and my teammates," he said. "But the season didn't end the way I wanted it to end. I just wanted to win. I didn't care if I got the record tonight, I just wanted to win."
Welch played like a man possessed in the first half, scoring 18 over the first two quarters.
He continued to have the hot hand, opening the third with a three, to pull within four of Buffalo legend Ritchie Campbell's historic mark of 2,355 career points.
With his team trailing 46-31, Welch broke the record with an and-1 opportunity and was honored at center court.
"I felt like we got more momentum, we started coming back," he said.
It was all a part of a 12-2 run as the Warriors pulled within 54-52 by the end of the third.
However, in the fourth, Harris and Mushat took over. Tied at 56 they powered the Sparks on an 18-8 run to pull away for the victory.
The Sparks will play either Olean or Amherst in the A2 title game on Saturday. The Huskies and Tigers meet Wednesday at Buff State.
BOYS PLAYOFF SCORES
A1 Semifinals
Williamsville South 63, McKinley 51 F
North Tonawanda 64, Grand Island 34 F
A2 Semifinal
South Park 74, Cheektowaga 64 F
C2 Semifinals
Randolph 51, Frewsburg 37 F
East 86, Barker 40 F
Class D
Franklinville 66, Ellicottville 48 F
GIRLS PLAYOFF SCORES
AA Quarterfinals
Clarence 52, Orchard Park 25
Frontier 53, Kenmore West 21 F
Jamestown 43, Niagara-Wheatfield 26 F
Lancaster 51, Lockport 44 F
A2 Semifinals
Amherst 56, Lake Shore 53 F
Olean 53, Kenmore East 37
 |
|
 |
|
