OBSERVER Photo by Anthony Dolce Silver Creek’s Samuel Braidich eyes the floor during Monday’s Section VI Class C1 Semifinal boys basketball game, against Tapestry Charter at JCC.

JAMESTOWN — It was a sloppy first half for both teams in the Section VI Class C1 Semifinal between the Silver Creek Black Knights and the Tapestry Thunderhawks.

With the Thunderhawks (16-6, 2-Seed) only up 9-4 on Silver Creek (12-10, 3-seed) after the first quarter and 26-15 at the half, it felt like it could still be anyone’s game.

That changed in the second half.

The Thunderhawks stormed by the Black Knights, 73-44, at Jamestown Community College, on Monday night.

While the Thunderhawks pulled away in the second half, the first half really was a different story. Silver Creek, quite simply, couldn’t hit a shot.

“In the first half, we couldn’t make a bucket,” said Silver Creek coach Ralph Jackson. “We had so many shots we couldn’t make even at the free throw line, it was like there was a lid on the rim.”

And that lid never came off. Despite the Black Knights playing good defense on the athletic Tapestry team, they really couldn’t find nylon. Seemingly every three rimmed out, and even some easy layups were missed.

“If you had told me we’d have held them to around 25 at half time, I would’ve been happy,” Jackson said. “It’s just unfortunate we only scored 15. I was worried about us coming out slow but it was both teams. That can happen when you get here.”

As the deficit grew larger and larger, Tapestry was able to get easier looks through Silver Creek’s pressure, as they had to sell out harder to get back into the game.

One other factor Silver Creek was facing, was 6’7″ Tapestry sophomore center Massai Graham. Graham had already made his impact felt in Chautauqua County this year against the Dunkirk Marauders and Monday night was no difference.

Silver Creek was able to keep Graham in check for the first half, and even managed to get Graham in foul trouble, but the 58th ranked prospect for his graduating class in the nation would only stay down so long.

Graham had several emphatic rejections and was on the receiving end of a couple alley-oops, partly because of Silver Creek’s press. Against the Black Knights full court pressure, Tapestry began throwing full court lob passes to open up some easy looks.

Graham ended the game with 18 points, half of which came in the second quarter.

The loss Monday night ended the career of six Silver Creek seniors — Jamison, Spencer Harford, Jeremy Wilcox, Andre Rosario, Nate Parker, and Darren Jimenez. Jackson noted how great this class of seniors is, and is wishful he got more time with them.

“They’re a great group of kids, coming into it my first year here with six seniors, I felt like they welcomed me,” Jackson said.

Tapestry was led by Graham’s 18 points, while Tariq Eubanks had 17 points. Silver Creek was led by Jeremy Wilcox, who had 11 points, while Jamison and Spencer Harford each had 10.

Tapestry’s victory sets up a No. 1 vs. No. 2 showdown with Middle Early College, for the Section VI Class C1 Championship, Friday night at Jamestown Community College.