If you've ever heard on of Oakfield-Alabama coach Gary Kurkowski's "pep talks", you know what you have to do.
As mild as Kurkowski is away from the basketball court, his passion often turns to a voice that can be heard all over Oakfield during a game. O-A guard Tim Smith didn't score a point in the first half, caused a few turnovers and wasn't himself.
So Kurkowski gave him a little "pep talk" at halftime.
The results were as expected, and even more, as Smith went off for all 23 of his points after the break, leading the Hornets to a convincing 67-46 win over visiting Canisteo-Greenwood in the opening round of the Section 5 Class C1 tournament.
The Hornets were in serious trouble in the first half as the Redskins were able to show off their athletic ability to take a 12-10 first quarter lead. O-A was missing easy shots and turning the ball over at a rate higher than any time this season.
The third seeded team had a real chance to be upset by the No. 14 seed.
Oakfield-Alabama played a little better in the second quarter, but still looked to be trying to figure out Canisteo-Greenwood.
O-A only had a 22-21 lead at intermission.
The words "not a good half" were heard often as the squad walked off the court and into the locker room at the break. Then the team came out with a different attitude in the second half.
Brad Riner and A.J. Kehlenbeck had each scored early, but the Hornets still only had a two point lead. That was when Smith woke up.
He grabbed a loose ball and scored. Then he hit a 3-pointer. Another basket just seconds later and O-A was starting to catch fire.
Riner scored five straight points and Smith hit a pair of 2-pointers in a row to give the Hornets a 45-31 lead after three periods of play. Smith's 11 points and Riner's eight had broken the Redskins.
Smith drained four 3-pointers in the first half of the fourth quarter to put the game out of reach and Riner converted all four of his free throws down the stretch and a close game turned into a blowout.
Riner wound up scoring 12 points with seven assists and Noah Seward was held to nine points, but grabbed 16 rebounds. Kehlenbeck kept the Hornets in the game early and finished the night with 13 points.
The Redskins (7-14) were led by Bryce Davis, who scored 12 points.
Oakfield-Alabama (18-3) moves on to host No. 6 Bloomfield (17-4) on Friday.
