It’s been his modus operandi since he first donned a Jamestown basketball uniform a couple seasons ago.

But Saturday afternoon Maple helped propel the Red Raiders to a Section VI Class AA championship — with his offense.

The senior point guard poured in 20 points, including 11 in the first quarter, as top-seeded Jamestown (19-3) rolled past No. 3 Niagara Falls (17-6) 59-34.

“I’m going to be completely honest,” Maple said with a smile upon emerging from the locker room in the bowels of the Buffalo State Sports Arena. “My mom (hadn’t been able to get) to the games, but I saw her today and that really turned me up.”

Jamestown’s Jaylen Butera shoots a jump shot over John Strong of Niagara Falls. P-J photo by Tim Frank

The rest of the Jamestown team followed his lead into this Saturday’s Far West Regional against Section V champion Aquinas, back at Buffalo State.

“It’s always special to win a sectional championship,” said Red Raiders coach Ben Drake, who has guided the program to seven titles since 1999 and its first since 2015. “It’s not easy. We’ve been close a couple times since then, for sure, but I’m just really proud of these guys for finishing the job.”

In addition to Maple’s breakout game, senior Jaylen Butera was a huge force in the paint, scoring 15 points, grabbing six rebounds, collecting four steals and blocking two shots; and junior Trey Drake added 12 points, five rebounds and five assists.

That only tells part of the story, though, as Jamestown’s defense was once again the true difference maker.

A full-court, pressing team for virtually the entire regular season, they have turned to a half-court set that semifinal opponent Lancaster couldn’t solve last Wednesday and neither could the Wolverines on Saturday.

Jamestown’s Trey Drake dribbles past a Niagara Falls defender. P-J photo by Tim Frank

How dominant was it?

Well, Niagara Falls, which had knocked off No. 6 Frontier and No. 2 Orchard Park to reach the title game, shot 12 of 52 from the floor, 7 of 14 from the foul line, turned the ball over 17 times and was outrebounded 38-26.

“Man, we’ve been really good in it,” Drake said of his half-court defense. “Our guards have done a nice job, we’ve been communicating well, we’ve been blocking shots and we’ve been boxing out. That is a recipe for success when you’re able to do those things.”

Drake couldn’t have asked for a better performance from his crew — starters or reserves — who led 15-6 after the first quarter 27-14 at halftime and 46-26 heading into the final eight minutes.

“It’s all about teamwork and hustle, and that’s what we did today,” Butera said.

The victory denied Niagara Falls an opportunity to defend its title. It was bidding for its 15th sectional crown since 2001.

Instead, the championship plaque is headed to Jamestown.

“This team definitely has been so balanced,” Drake said. “Every game it’s been somebody different.”

This time it was Maple’s turn.

Asked what he was going to do to celebrate, he said he was going to go out to dinner.

With who?

His mother, of course.

NOTES: The Red Raiders shot 25 of 62 from the floor and 6 of 10 from the foul line, and turned the ball over 13 times. … Rod Brown led the Wolverines with 10 points. … Jamestown’s other sectional titles under Drake came in 1999, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2015. … Most recently, Niagara Falls claimed titles in 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2021. … Aquinas, the Red Raiders’ Far West Regional opponent from Section V, advanced by virtue of a 77-43 victory over Rush-Henrietta on Saturday. The Jamestown-Aquinas game will tip off at 3:30 p.m. this Saturday at the Buffalo State Sports Arena.

NIAGARA FALLS (34)

Brown 3 2 10, Estell 2 2 7, Ralands 2 0 4, Nix 0 1 1, McKenzie 2 0 4, Wade 2 2 6, Smith 1 0 2. Totals 12 7 34.

JAMESTOWN (59)

Farmer 2 1 5, Paige 0 0 0, Brumagin 1 0 2, Freeney 2 0 4, Drake 5 0 12, Harley 0 0 0, Torres 0 0 0, Butera 7 1 15, Maple 8 3 20, Garland 0 1 1, Viele 0 0 0, Colletti 0 0 0. Totals 25 6 59.

3-point goals–Brown 2, Estell, Drake 2, Maple.

Niagara Falls 6 8 12 8 — 34

Jamestown 15 12 19 11 — 59