Published: July 21, 2008 10:52 pm            

EMPIRE STATE GAMES: Trio of locals to suit up for scholastic hoops team

For the past three winters, Aaron Davis has been a part of six blowout losses at the hands of Western New York boys basketball power Niagara Falls.

This week, the North Tonawanda junior is teaming up with a pair of Wolverines — senior Kelvin Agee and junior Davon Marshall — in a quest for gold at the 30th annual Empire States Games in Binghamton.

“I really like working with Davon and Agee,” Davis said. “We play well together. I actually think all three of us might be out there together a little bit.”

All three players are on the same GC Ballers AAU team and have known each other for a few years, which makes the cohesiveness much easier to attain.

“We know each other’s games pretty well, so it’s been easy to pick things up when we play together,” said Agee, the only one of the three slated to start. Davis was in the starting five until he turned his ankle during a recent workout, while Marshall will back-up his high school teammate at guard.

They might be familiar with one another on the floor, but all three players have different individual goals heading into the Games. Agee wants to show off his all-around game — including his work at point guard — Marshall hopes to showcase his talents against competition that is taller, stronger and older than him and Davis hopes to display his toughness as he bangs with the big men in the post.

That said, they’re somewhat in the dark when it comes to the quality of competition at the Games.

“I have no expectations,” Davis said. “I’m interested to see what the competition is. Our first game is against New York City, so that should test us.”

Marshall added, “I heard it’s been pretty good competition in the past — like playoffs in high school — but it’s different every year.”

Regardless of competition, the goal is simple.

“We’re going down there with the purpose of winning it all,” Agee said. “We want to show the rest of the state that winning is what we’re all about at Niagara Falls. We’re going for that gold medal.”

Contact reporter Nate Beutel at 282-2311, ext. 2262.

        

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