Not surprisingly, a photo of Tommy Campion graces the cover of the Jamestown Red Raiders' nicely produced 2012-13 basketball program.
He is, after all, the team's only senior and he is one of the top players in Western New York.
If, however, the Red Raiders want to have a deep playoff run - that means well into March - they'll need significant contributions from throughout their lineup.
Article Photos
Above, Branden Kellam of Jamestown puts up a shot during action in the United Way Tournament at the McElrath Gymnasium on Friday night. Below, Stephen Carlson, left, is congratulated by Quinn Lee Yaw after making a basket and getting fouled for a three-point play. See additional photos at cu.post-journal.com.
P-J photos by Scott Kindberg
Friday night it was sophomore Branden Kellam's turn to shine.
The 6-foot-5 post player's aggressiveness on the low block helped Jamestown build a 17-6 first-quarter lead on its way to a 71-50 victory over Bennett in the opening round of the United Way Tournament at McElrath Gymnasium.
The win vaults Jamestown (5-0) into the championship game at 7:30 tonight against Bishop Timon, which knocked off Fredonia, 56-38, in the other first-round game.
''I'd give us a C,'' Red Raiders' coach Ben Drake said. ''We were just inconsistent. ... You always want them to play really hard. That's one thing I'm a little disappointed in. We're going to have to play better (tonight).''
Kellam did nothing to disappoint his coach in the early going last night. In the decisive first quarter, he scored eight of his 12 points and grabbed most of his 13 rebounds as he dominated play in the paint.
''I thought Branden got off to a good start tonight and provided some energy and some baskets for us,'' Drake said. ''You know, it's something we need more of from those guys, especially at the beginning of games to take the load off Tommy.''
Campion finished with a game-high 24 points - he shot 9-of-18 from the floor - to go along with five assists and four steals and sophomore Zack Panebianco added 10 points, three steals and three assists. But it was Kellam's aggressiveness that was especially noticeable in the early going.
''(His aggressiveness) has gotten a little bit better, but it's still something that we all continue to pull out of him,'' Drake said. ''He's still a young kid, but he has all the tools. Once he plays with a little bit more fire and gets that killer instinct, he will be very, very good.''
Campion already is.
After a quiet first quarter - he had just one field goal - he scored the first 12 points of the second period, helping Jamestown keep its lead in double figures (37-24) by halftime.
''I thought he did a nice tonight of letting the game come to him,'' Drake said. '' ... Obviously teams are going to key on him and the points aren't going to come as easy. He's got to have some patience and I think tonight he did do that.''
Drake was also pleased with the performance of juniors Tre Frank and Jake Sisson, who provided solid minutes off the bench.
''Tre has provided a nice spark off the bench for us, particularly on the defensive end,'' Drake said. ''He's one of the few guys who can really get underneath people (defensively). He has good lateral quickness and that's nice to have.''
Jamestown returns to action tonight against Bishop Timon (3-4).
''Timon is good,'' Drake said. ''They've played a tough schedule.''
NOTES: Campion's 24 points give him 806 for his career, putting him into 14th place on the school's all-time list. He passed Jaysean Paige (783) and Jay Newton (787) last night. ... Aurelio Ayala led Bennett with 19 points, including four 3-pointers. ... Jamestown's junior varsity posted a 48-45 victory over Fredonia to raise its record to 3-0. Derek Foe led the way with 22 points and Zacc Kinsey chipped in 11 for the Red Raiders.
BISHOP TIMON 56, FREDONIA 38
The Fredonia Hillbillies played Bishop Timon even for the final three quarters in the first game of the United Way Tournament.
The problem for the Hillbillies was the first quarter counted, too.
Fredonia found itself trailing 21-1 after seven minutes, didn't connect on its first field goal until 28 seconds remained and never could dig itself out of that deep early hole en route to a 56-38 loss.
The Hillbillies will now meet Bennett, which lost to Jamestown, 71-50, in the other first-round game, for consolation honors at 6 tonight at McElrath Gymnasium. Meanwhile, the Red Raiders will tangle with Bishop Timon for the tournament title. Tip-off is 7:30 p.m.
Fredonia never gave itself much of a chance last night. Thanks to the Hillbillies' turnovers and shooting woes, Bennett led, 9-0, before Jon Fletcher hit one of two free throws with four minutes remaining in the first quarter. A 12-0 Tigers' run pushed their lead to 21-1 before Cam Voss collected the Hillbillies' first field goal with 28 seconds left in the period.
Although Fredonia outscored Bennett 35-33 the rest of the way, the deficit was too much.
Sean Murphy led Timon with 14 points and Demone Harris added 11.
Dylan Meyer had 12 points and Piper had 10 for the Hillbillies.
FREDONIA (38)
Jabot 0 0 0, Thompson 0 0 0, Fletcher 0 1 1, Johnston 2 0 5, Cunningham 1 0 2, Bunge 1 0 2, Meyer 4 1 12, Piper 4 0 10, Ray 0 2 2, Lilly 1 0 2, Voss 1 0 2, Williams 0 0 0, Totals 14 4 38.
BISHOP TIMON (56)
Collins 1 1 4, Donohue 1 0 2, Welch 3 2 8, Fulton 3 2 8, Vaccaro 1 0 2, Polakiewicz 0 0 0, Hairston 2 0 5, Harris 4 1 11, Camp 0 0 0, Ernest 1 0 2, Murphy 5 2 14, Totals 24 6 56.
3-point goals-Johnston, Meyer 3, Piper 2, Collins, Hairston.
Fredonia3 15 11 9 - 38
Bishop Timon 23 16 10 7 - 56
- - -
BENNETT (50)
Ayala 7 1 19, Thompson 2 1 7, Prude 0 0 0, Bolden 1 0 2, Balden 0 2 2, Adams 0 0 0, Bowden 2 0 4, Williams 2 0 6, Harris 1 0 2, Wilson 2 2 6, Totals 18 6 50.
JAMESTOWN (71)
Campion 9 4 24, Frank 2 1 5, Johnson 0 1 1, Colwell 0 0 0, Park 1 0 2, Sisson 2 0 5, Panebianco 4 0 10, Hoaglund 0 0 0, Carlson 1 1 3, Kellam 4 4 12, McBride 1 0 2, Lee Yaw 3 1 7, Totals 27 12 71.
3-point goals-Ayala 4, Thompson 2, Williams 2, Campion 2, Sisson.
Bennett6 18 12 14 - 50
Jamestown17 20 15 19 - 71