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Rojas Pours In Career High To Send Red Raiders Into Semifinals

Jamestown’s James Rojas scored a career-high 42 points to go along with 12 rebounds, five assists, two steals and two blocked shots as the Red Raiders beat Clarence, 63-57, in overtime Friday night in Section VI Class AA quarterfinal action at McElrath Gymnasium. P-J photo by Valory S. Isaacson

The Section VI Class AA basketball quarterfinal complete, James Rojas walked around the court at McElrath Gymnasium on Friday night, accepting congratulatory hugs and handshakes from a host of supporters.

He earned every one of them.

The Jamestown High School senior poured in a career-high 42 points, pulled down 12 rebounds, dished out five assists, had two steals and blocked two shots to send the top-seeded Red Raiders to a thrilling, 63-57, overtime victory over No. 8 Clarence.

The win advances Jamestown (14-6) into the semifinal Wednesday at a time to be announced against No. 5 Niagara Falls (13-8) at the Buffalo State Sports Arena. The Wolverines held off No. 4 Lockport, 48-45, on Friday afternoon to move on for yet another meeting with the Red Raiders.

But what seems to be an annual showdown between the storied Western New York powers almost didn’t happen, because Clarence (11-11) gave Jamestown all it could handle.

Jamestown’s Matt Hill takes the ball to the basket Friday at McElrath Gymnasium. P-J photo by Valory S. Isaacson

“They pushed us to our limit,” Rojas said.

In fact, the Red Devils had a chance to win the game in regulation, but misfired on two shot attempts in the closing seconds.

In the extra session, Rojas scored eight of the Red Raiders’ 12 points, including a pair of clinching free throws with 15.4 seconds left to send them to the sectional semifinals for the 17th time in the last 19 seasons, including the last 12 straight.

“(Rojas) was just a man among boys tonight,” Jamestown coach Ben Drake said. “We did a great job of getting him the ball.”

Added Drake: ”We tried to move him around to different spots — in the high post, the low post and on the perimeter. Once he gets the ball, he’s so hard to guard.”

The Red Raiders, who defeated Clarence twice during the regular season, needed every point.

“That was a great game,” Drake said. “Clarence really played well. They have been playing well the last couple weeks. This is one of those years in Class AA where I just don’t think there are easy games.”

Junior Marcus Rojas joined his brother in double figures with 12 points to go along with nine rebounds to aid the Red Raiders’ attack, and senior Matt Hill turned a steal into a critical layup with 28 seconds remaining to give the hosts some breathing room, 61-57.

And after missed a Red Devil layup, James Rojas cashed a pair of free throws with 15.4 seconds remaining to finally put away pesky Clarence, which entered the game on a five-game winning streak.

Sophomore River Reinhardt led the Red Devils with 17 points, and junior Joe Olivieri and sophomore Jack Putney added 15 apiece.

The game was close throughout.

Despite James Rojas pouring in 22 points, Clarence led 28-25 at intermission. Jamestown ripped off the first 10 points of the third quarter, capped by a layup by Ryan Holdridge, to push the Red Raiders’ advantage to 35-28.

But the Red Devils went on a mini-run of their own to end the period. Only a bucket by Marcus Rojas in the closing seconds gave Jamestown a 43-42 advantage heading into the fourth quarter.

In the final eight minutes of regulation, neither team led by more than a point until Olivieri drilled a 3-pointer from the left wing to put Clarence in front, 51-48, with 1:09 remaining.

A free throw by Marcus Rojas and a steal and a pair of free throws by James Rojas with 25.7 seconds tied the game, 51-all.

That set the stage for the Red Devils to try and win it, but Reinhardt was denied on his attempt in the closing seconds and Jake Ireland couldn’t score on the rebound, sending the game into overtime.

“I thought we showed some mental toughness when we were down three with a minute left,” Drake said. ” … I thought we made them earn their points the last minute of regulation and the four minutes of overtime.”

James Rojas certainly earned his.

“It’s hard to say that he’s had any better games than this because of what was on the line,” Drake said. “We obviously needed every one of those points.”

Next on the schedule is a date with Niagara Falls, which beat the Red Raiders in the sectional title game last year.

“This is what you want in March is going to Buffalo State and playing against Niagara Falls and have a chance,” Drake said. “We’re looking forward to it.”

Added James Rojas, who moved past Carlos Rivera and into fifth place on the school’s all-time scoring list with 1,168 points: “I’m looking forward to it. I want my revenge on them.”

NOTES: James Rojas shot 13 of 30 from the field and converted 16 of 19 free throw attempts. … With five more points, he’ll move past David Anderson (1,172 points) and into fourth place on the school’s career scoring list.

CLARENCE (57)

Szadak 0 0 0, Reinhardt 7 0 17, Olivieri 3 8 15, Putney 6 0 15, Ireland 1 0 2, Trapp 4 0 8, Totals 21 8 57.

JAMESTOWN (63)

JRojas 13 16 42, Hill 2 0 5, Holdridge 2 0 4, Larson 0 0 0, MRojas 5 2 12, ERojas 0 0 0, Malarkey 0 0 0, Totals 22 18 63.

3-point goals–Reinhardt 3, Olivieri, Putney 3, Hill.

Clarence 8 20 14 9 6 — 57

Jamestown 11 14 18 8 12 — 63

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