HAWKS TAKE DOWN LADY JACKS IN PUBLIC VS. PRIVATE MATCHUP

Dec 23, 20242 min read

A rare matchup between public and private school powers saw the Cardinal O’Hara down the North Tonawanda Lady Jacks 83-76 at the Public vs. Private Showcase on Saturday at St. Mary’s of Lancaster.

The showdown, featuring one school that has made back-to-back runs to the Final Four of the Catholic State Tournament and another that reached the Section VI Class AA semifinal a year ago, was a tense one right from the get-go. A slim one-point lead by O’Hara at the half meant the contest was anyone’s game.

That’s when the Lady Hawks got down to business, according to coach Nick O’Neil.

“The first half we were struggling – we got a lot of fouls and made a lot of bad plays,” O’Neil said. “But we were up by one at the half, so even though we were playing badly we were like, ‘If we come out and play how we normally play, we should be okay.’”

Senior guard Kyla Hayes also took it upon herself to fire up the troops.

“As one of the leaders on this team I just felt like I had to take over the game a little bit,” Hayes said. “I didn't perform my best in the first half, so I just knew it was time to try and fix the pace and get our offense going.

“I pretty much told us to just keep our composure. Don't let the game get away from us, keep pressuring them on defense and just sticking to our game plan.”

The Lady Hawks did that and a whole lot more. Their full-court press and in-your-face aggressiveness forced the Lady Jacks into turnovers in the second half, which in turn allowed them to increase their lead.

“I’ve got to thank (assistant coach) Marcus Harris,” O’Neil said. “He’s been working with our defense for a while now, and he wanted to come out and pressure them. I was a little hesitant, but he was right. That's why you’ve got good coaches that coach with you, so when you don't see things, they see it.

Hayes also played her part. After recording just nine points in the first half, the senior – who committed to St. John’s recently – erupted for 25 in the second and finished the game with 34.

“I've always been a team player and I've been working on my outside game a lot, but sometimes that wasn't my role on the team,” Hayes said. “Having better shooters on the team last year allowed me to get in the paint a little more where I was more comfortable.

But over the summer, I worked on my outside game more. That's where they kind of want me to play next year in college, so just trying to work on that for next year and to help us win now.”

“She’s the best player in Western New York,” O’Neil said. “I’m never going to shy away from that. I’ll put her up against anybody, and to not just be the best player on a team, but to lead a team.”