Monday night he showed he can be pretty good on the hardwood, too.

Known primarily for his defense and rebounding, the senior guard scored a team-high 15 points to lead Salamanca to a 56-44 victory over Falconer in a Chautauqua-Cattaraugus Athletic Association Division 1 basketball game.

“It’s hard to describe how unbelievable a leader he is, really, in anything he does,” Warriors head coach Adam Bennett said. “His game for us has always been about hustle, rebounding and defending, but he can score it, too, and it’s good to see him convert today. He hit some big shots for us. I like to say we go as he goes.”

The win, which improved the Warriors’ record to 8-1 overall and 5-0 in the league, also confirmed that their defense can be tough to deal with as well.

Surrounded by Falconer defenders, Salamanca’s Maddox Isaac fights to put up a shot during Monday’s CCAA Division 1 boys basketball game. P-J photo by Scott Kindberg

Using as many as six different defenses, Salamanca, which is ranked 11th in the state Class B poll and is now riding a five-game winning streak, limited the Golden Falcons to five field goals during the middle two quarters, built its lead to double figures by late in the third period and then hit enough free throws in the closing minute of the fourth to leave the Falconer High School gym with the victory.

“This group prides itself on being multiple defensively,” Bennett said. “We have to pressure the ball and we have to be aggressive. I thought we did all those things very well tonight. Give Falconer credit. They’ve got length, they’re physical, they’re aggressive. That’s a tough team, especially on their home court. We talk about our identity being defending and rebounding. That’s what carried us to the win tonight.”

Golden Falcons coach Jordan Goold agreed.

“(Salamanca) is always prepared,” he said. “They’re incredibly disciplined, incredibly fundamental and they always try and stay one step ahead. If they are one step ahead, you lose.

“They just play pressure defense. … If they’re not in your face, they’re trapping you and reading the next pass. They’re relentless. All they need is 50 points to win. If they score 50 points, they will probably beat you.”

Falconer’s Roger Markham is closely guard by Salamanca’s Avery Brown during Monday’s CCAA Division 1 contest. P-J photo by Scott Kindberg

Roger Markham led the Golden Falcons (6-5, 2-4) with 17 points and Nathan Bailey contributed 11.

“Our goal is to go 9-0 (the rest of the regular season,” Goold said. “I’m still very confident in our group, but Salamanca is the challenge. That’s the one that kind of sets the bar. We believe we can win every game the rest of the year. … We’ve got to be disciplined, more prepared and we’ve got to play together better. All those little things that elevate the team, like Salamanca.”

Bennett said his goal for the next month or so is “to be better every day.”

“I love the way they play together and the way they communicate with one another, and that starts in practice,” he said. “Whatever happens in terms of results, we just want to continue to work hard, be better and play our best basketball in March.”

NOTES: Joining Holleran in double figures for Salamanca were Avery Brown with 12 points and Maddox Isaac with 10. Jacob Herrick chipped in 9. … Zach Markham had 8 points for the Golden Falcons, who were listed as honorable mention in the most recent state Class B poll.

SALAMANCA (56)

Herrick 3 2 9, Bradley 3 0 6, Isaac 4 2 10, Crouse 1 2 4, Brown 4 4 12, Holleran 7 0 15, Totals 22 10 56.

FALCONER (44)

Delaney 1 0 2, RMarkham 6 4 17, Parmentier 3 0 6, Bailey 4 1 11, Maher 0 0 0, Wood 0 0 0, ZMarkham 4 0 8 Totals 18 5 44.

3-point goals — Herrick, Holleran, RMarkham, Bailey 2.

Salamanca 15 12 7 22 — 56

Falconer 12 8 5 19 — 44