After months of anticipation, Carlos Bradberry got to see some live-action again. The atmosphere was the same but Niagara Falls began its new season with an old, yet familiar wrinkle — having an independent schedule.
The Wolverines had just won its sixth Section VI Class AA championship in an eight-year span but then finished in the state quarterfinal. With the future of the program in mind, Bradberry spearheaded the request to return to independent status, which was later approved by first the Niagara Frontier League and then the section overall in May.
So, it was only fitting that the Wolverines would start this new era of the program’s history against Victor, of Section V, which handed the blue-and-gold only their second loss of the season in the Class AA state quarterfinal in March on its way to winning the state championship.
Niagara Falls, though, got one back with a 56-51 overtime victory against the Blue Devils Friday at Niagara Falls High School to finish the first night of the Cataract Classic. Tied at 47 in the first minute of the extra period, the Wolverines pulled away with the victory as sophomore Tre Gayle hit the go-ahead 3-pointer to pull the momentum back to finish with 18 points in his varsity debut.
The effort marked the fourth consecutive year the Wolverines won their season opener since Bradberry became head coach in the COVID-abbreviated 2021 season. But, more importantly, the contest marked the start of Bradberry’s plan coming to fruition, with one of the end goals being prepared to face Lancaster in the sectional Class AAA game at 6:30 p.m. March 1 at Buffalo State University.
“We’re excited about the opportunity we have,” Bradberry said, “We’re excited about the challenge that we have ahead of us. We put a challenging schedule together with the thought that this group is good enough to compete in that challenge. And I think tonight was just the start of showing maybe we’re not over our heads with what we’re doing. We put a really tough schedule together but that’s what we want.”
Niagara Falls last had independent status — a season without league games — in the 2005-06 season, before returning to the Niagara Frontier League in April 2006. But as an independent team, the Wolverines finished 28-1 and won the federation championship in the 2004-05 season, led by Dan Bazzani and with Paul Harris and Jonny Flynn in the backcourt as the Wolverines. Niagara Falls then finished as the state runner-up the following season.
Sophomore John Strong, who scored 14 points against Victor, heard a lot about that era of Wolverines basketball with many players that went on to play at the Division I and All-American selections. The yellow banner honoring the 2005 team hangs in the rafters, near the Niagara Falls bench. But Strong said it’s now time for this year’s team to carry the legacy.
“I love every moment of it,” Strong said. “Like being independent. … Yes, a lot of people saying, ‘Oh my God, they have the best schedule, they’re gonna lose a lot of games., they’re gonna have a negative record.’ We’re ready to step up and compete with anyone they got. We’re dogs over here. They got to show us they’re better than us.”
The game against Victor is only the beginning for Niagara Falls and it’s not just counting
the quick turnaround with a 3 p.m. Saturday matinee against Section V’s Bishop Kearney to conclude the Cataract Classic. The Wolverines are also hitting the road to take part in the BAM Winter Classic Dec. 21-22 in Charlotte, North Carolina, as well as the Burger King Classic, a national showcase, on Jan. 5 in Erie, Pennsylvania.
Bradberry said the team isn’t aiming to be a nationally ranked team like the Bazzani-led group nearly two decades ago. But, as the practices and game experiences go by, Bradberry said his players are embracing the opportunity ahead.
“I think the guys really understand what we’re trying to do and I think that they’re very appreciative for what we’re doing,” Bradberry said. “Not a lot of kids get the chance to play in a schedule that we’re gonna play. I think our guys are more than anything. They are appreciative of it, but they also know that they’re up for the challenge.”
In the victory, senior Ephraim Strong had 12 points while junior Nick Estell added eight points.
The Cataract Classic began with Grand Island defeating Wilson, 68-30. The second and final day will feature Kenmore West against Williamsville North at noon and Niagara Wheatfield versus Depew at 1:30 p.m., followed by the aforementioned Niagara Falls-Bishop Kearney game.