Lewiston-Porter has the same goal as most teams in Western New York — make it to Buffalo State.
Just about everybody wants to take home some hardware and hang banners, but it takes an all-around effort and balanced attack on both fronts for teams to put some tallies in the left column and earn a spot at sectionals.
Although lacking in size, Lew-Port has the ability to make up for it with their shooting talents.
The Green Machine has the green light from behind the arc, netting 60 3-pointers in the first four games to jump out to 3-1 before being squashed by the Grand Island Vikings in the Niagara-Frontier League for their second loss in five games.
Greydan Barnwell, Devan Barnwell and Michael Wylke led the way for the Lancers, splashing 50 of the 60 made 3s.
“It’s just the offense we run and they have the greenlight to shoot it because as you can see, they’re some pretty good shooters,’ head coach Patrick Krawczyk said. “We’re kind of small so we’re gonna have to rely on our shooting more than getting inside.”
Devan Barnwell was responsible for 23 of the 3s, while Wylke netted 16 and Greydan Barnwell added 11. Wylke led all scorers in the first four games averaging 19 points, including 22 points versus the Lewis J. Bennett Tigers and a season-high 29 points in the following game, also against Newfane.
Now, through six games, the team is 4-2 after losing to Grand Island and a win against the CSAT, upping their totals to 69 triples made and 57 field goals.
Lew-Port knows it needs to tighten up in other areas of play to keep winning and keep morale up, especially before and during games. They’re utilizing a more fast-paced play style, shooting within 5-10 seconds of the shot clock and focusing on aggressive defense.
Defense can win any game, but the shot won’t always be there — hence Krawczyk’s emphasis on defense. He also stressed the importance of the boys getting to the basket and getting some foul shots, but they are still a jump shooting team with the trio above in charge.
The Lancers have three athletes listed 6–foot or taller, four listed at 5-foot-11, and another four athletes between 5-7 and 5-9. Devan Barnwell is 5-7, Wylke is 5-9, and Greydan Barnwell is 5-foot-11. Brian Detwiller is the tallest on the roster, standing at 6-3.
“I think it’s benefiting us cause we’re a lot smaller of a team so shooting out from deep is a lot better for us because we get more options from it,” said Barnwell.
The Barnwell’s and Wylke are dedicated to the game, opting to spend their summer mornings putting shots up rather than sleeping in, like many high schoolers do.
“Those three are basketball players. That’s all they want to do is play basketball,” Krawczyk said. “We don’t get a lot of basketball players, we get people that play basketball.”