BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) -- Miles away from their natural habitat, the Akron Tigers prowled the Bengals' lair at Buffalo State Sports Arena.
Section VI's winningest team continued the best season in school history with a 56-28 victory against Niagara-Orleans rival Wilson on Tuesday night in the Class B overall championship game. After claiming the program's third sectional title, Akron (23-1) now advances to the Far West Regional playoffs for the first time ever.
"Historic for us, for sure," coach Justin Gerstung said. "I'm just so proud of these guys. They play together. They love each other. No one cares about their minutes really too much. Whatever the right plays is, we seem to do that a lot."
With their uniforms matching Buff State's orange and black color scheme, Akron revived an old team mantra "Tiger Territory" now emblazoned on shirts worn in their youth program by winning their four sectional playoff games by an average of 20 points.
"Growing up I've heard about Buff State and the atmosphere it brings all throughout my childhood," said junior guard Ben Gerstung, the coach's son. "You see all the people hanging up on the walls at school. I've played with all of this guys since I was in third grade. Now we're playing here for the record. It's a different type of motivation."
Syras Jonathan led the way scoring 13, and the Tigers got a dozen points apiece from big man Derren Brooks, Ben Gerstung and his cousin Blake. Akron solved Wilson's 1-3-1 zone to break the game open with a 24-5 third quarter, and held Wilson start Aidan Neumann to 15 points, seven below his average.
Winning their 17th game by double figures, the Tigers boast a 23-point scoring margin in their 23 victories.
"I'm just happy to see it all come together and work out for us," Ben Gerstung said. "This is the best group in terms of talent, athleticism and chemistry that we've had in a long time. Not to be too cocky, but I knew what we could do. I expected us to go far."
Justin Gerstung sensed championship potential before the season, and challenged his team in non-league scheduling. But they still exceeded his high expectations.
"I knew we were going to be pretty special," he said. "But I didn't know we would be this special."
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Jonah Bronstein joined the WIVB squad in 2022 as a digital sports reporter. The Buffalonian has covered the Bills, Sabres, Bandits, Bisons, colleges, high schools and other notable sporting events in Western New York since 2005, for publications including The Associated Press, The Buffalo News, and Niagara Gazette. Read more of his work here.
