In a Monsignor Martin Athletic Association battle which featured No. 1 vs. No. 1, Canisius came out on top. 

Shane Cercone '23 of Buffalo finished with a game-high 26 points and eight rebounds as Canisius, the top-ranked team in The Buffalo News large school poll, jumped to a big first-quarter lead and stayed one step ahead of No. 1 small school Bishop Timon-St. Jude the rest of the way in a 61-51 victory at the Kennedy Field House. 

Declan Ryan '22 of Clarence Center had 15 points, nine rebounds and three assists while Luke Granto '23 of North Tonawanda added 11 points, five rebounds and four assists for the Crusaders, who are 5-3 overall and 2-0 in league play.

According to The Buffalo News: "Cercone also played a key role defensively in helping limit Timon leading scorer Jaiden Harrison, who came into the game averaging nearly 30 points per game. He finished with eight points on 3 for 12 shooting." Cercone also had three assists. 

Kevin Thompson led the Tigers (7-2) with 20 points while Jacob Humphrey scored 12 and Malachi Parker had 10.

It was the Crusaders' first game since returning from finishing fourth at the competitive St. Pius X Christmas Classic in Atlanta.

In Atlanta, Canisius coach Kyle Husband '96 became the second-winningest coach in Monsignor Martin Association history. 

The Crusaders continue battling the league's small-school programs this week at Cardinal O'Hara on Wednesday and home against St. Mary's on Friday. Canisius hosts St. Joe's on Wednesday, Jan. 12.

Canisius High School appreciates the coverage of high school sports by WIVB-TV Ch. 2 and The Buffalo News.

Highlights from WIVB-TV Ch. 2: