The man-to-man press, West Canada’s trade-mark for as long as I can remember, will need to be front and center against the Watertown Immaculate Heart Cavaliers today at the Utica Memorial Auditorium.
West Canada (20-0) has used defense the entire season to achieve where they are today. Led by Head Coach Steve Porter, West Canada has a fast-paced yet controllable style of play most teams cannot handle. The Indians have won 40 consecutive league games within the last four years to prove it.
Helping West Canada to their 84-5 overall record within the last four seasons has been the contribution of center Jared Suderley. Suderley, a 6’4’’ hybrid, does everything and more for the Indians.
Where most star players in high school basketball excel in either shooting, driving, passing or leading, Suderley excels in everything. When teams decide to double team him, Suderley has the awareness to pass the ball to the open man, giving the team a higher percentage shot than if he were to force something.
When teams decide to man him up, Suderley has the ability to take his opponent either off the dribble or in the post, making him a match-up nightmare for opposing coaches.
When Suderley doesn’t have the ball in his hands, coach Porter looks to an array of other players to get the job done for the Indians.
Besides West Canada’s 6th man, also known as the ‘Tee-Pee’, and Suderley, Porter has six other players he looks to on the hardwood. They are Xavier Maxwell, Alex Maxwell, Paul Atkinson, Matt Butler, Tyler Porter and Kyle Humphrey.
X. Maxwell is the point-guard for the Indians. Though the sophomore started the season off slowly, X. Maxwell came on strong down the stretch, not only scoring in double digits for his team, but cutting down on the turnovers as well.
Alex Maxwell is the defensive stopper for West Canada. Porter usually puts A. Maxwell on his opponents best player, asking him to shut that player down. A. Maxwell has done that job really well for the Indians in 2009-10, only having trouble with Holland Patent’s Alex Smith. Other than Smith, A. Maxwell could be considered ‘the glove’ to all his fans.
Paul Atkinson and Kyle Humphrey, though very different off the court, have the same skills on the basketball court. Both players can shoot the ball from beyond the arch. Numerous times this season, Atkinson and Humphrey led West Canada on big runs thanks to their excellent shooting, forcing opposing coaches to call time outs to weather the storm.
Tyler Porter, the son of Steve Porter, brings toughness to the table when he is on the court for the Indians. No matter how much bigger or stronger you are than him, Tyler will give you everything and more on the basketball court. Tyler brings an attitude to the court the Indians need and thrive on to win games. When Tyler isn’t giving up his body for loose ball, he can be seen contributing in every facet of the game.
The final piece of the puzzle for West Canada is Matt Butler. Butler, a tough kid, usually is put on the court for his ability to rebound. On the offensive and defensive glass, Butler never takes off a possession, which helps take points away from his opponent and give them to his team.
It is now very easy to see why the Indians went undefeated this season and only lost five games in the previous four. This winning mentality and playoff experience will be needed when facing the Cavaliers.
Watertown (19-1) has done pretty much whatever they wanted this season, only losing one game the entire season.
Leading the Cavaliers is Brian Magovney and Connor Caldwell. Magovney and Caldwell, who are both captains, give Immaculate Heart an inside-outside presence which frustrate teams who face them.
Magovney is the regular point who roams around the three-point arch, not allowing teams to double team Caldwell as much as they would like. Last week against Mohawk in the semifinals, Magovney hit six three pointers, which contributed to all of his scoring in the game.
Caldwell is considered a forward, but plays guard for Immaculate Heart when he wants too. Caldwell is a 6’3’’ junior who has already broken the school’s team-record for scoring. Whether it’s from the inside, the perimeter or outside, Caldwell cannot be stopped by any opponent. Teams who can recognize this will do well.
Caldwell is a player you can only contain. He is a lock for a double double in any game that he plays. Thinking that you can stop him is the wrong idea. He will only frustrate you. He can run and dribble like the best guard on your team and overpower you in the paint and dunk on you like no other.
When Magovney and Caldwell do not have the ball in their hand, Immaculate heart relies on a group of solid players like West Canada does.
Patrick Caldwell, Mark St. Croix, Thomas Lazore and Ryan Spicer combined for 25 points against Mohawk last week. Together, P. Caldwell, St. Croix and Lazore, the Cavaliers hit six three point field goals against Mohawk, giving them 12 in the game. As for Spicer, he contributed eight points in the paint.
Today’s game between the top two teams will be played at the Utica Memorial Auditorium. Game time for this Sectional Final is scheduled for 7:45 p.m.
Utica. N.Y. —
