Mustangs edge past Raiders to hold N-O lead

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 17 January 2017 at 9:24 pm
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Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Medina’s Jalin Cooper blocks a shot attempt by Barker’s Eddie Wasnock during the Mustangs win over the visiting Raiders this evening.

Surviving a bit of a scare, Medina edged past visiting Barker 51-44 this evening to maintain sole possession of the Niagara-Orleans League lead at 5-0.

In other N-O action, runner-up Newfane (4-1) defeated Akron (0-5) 56-42 and Wilson improved to 3-2 by edging past visiting Albion (1-5) 64-61.

Jalin Cooper scored 18 and Alex Allis 12 to lead the offense for Medina as Vincent Montague added 7, Johnny Salone and Izaiah Rhim 4 and Mason Lewis and Tyrellis Atkins 3.

Nate Luckman poured in a game high 34 points, including six threes, to lead the way for Barker which slips to 3-2. Eddie Wasnock added 5, Malik Smith and Ryan Voss 2 and Shawn Callaghan 1 for the Raiders.

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Medina’s Mason Lewis puts up a layup as Barker’s Nate Luckman tries for the block.

Luckman scored all 8 of the Raiders points in the opening period which finished deadlocked at 8-8.

Medina looked to be about to break the game open by putting together a 15-2 run to start the second quarter, highlighted by three threes by Allis, to move out to a 23-10 lead.

However, Barker answered with a 6-0 run to close the period on a layup and two free throws by Luckman and a layup by Voss to cut the deficit to seven, 23-16, at the half and get right back in the game.

Keeping the momentum, the Raiders then opened the third period with a 10-2 run, including two threes by Luckman and one by Wasnock, to take the lead for the first and only time at 26-25.

Answering the challenge, the Mustangs countered with an 11-5 run to close the period and regain the lead for good, 36-31, at the thee-quarter mark. A dunk off a steal by Cooper highlighted that scoring burst which also included two layups by Montague and one each by Lewis and Rhim.

Barker did battle back to within one twice in the final period, the first time at 36-35 after a three and a free throw by Luckman, and then at 40-39 after a pair of foul shots by Luckman.

Atkins answered with a big three to give Medina a little breathing room at 43-39.

Barker did cut the deficit back to two, 43-41, after two more free throws by Luckman, but the Raiders could get no closer.

The Mustangs finally pulled away for good with a 6-0 run on a jumper by Cooper followed by one foul shot each by Montague, Cooper, Allis and Lewis to open up a 49-41 lead.

Luckman hit one more three with just six seconds remaining to make it 49-44 but Allis answered with a pair of foul shots for the Mustangs to close out the win.

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Barker’s Ryan Voss blocks a shot attempt by Medina’s Izaiah Rhim.

Newfane 56, Akron 42
Max Weber scored 15, Caleb Russell 12 and Kyle DeVoogel 11 to set the pace for Newfane which built up a 30-14 half-time advantage in route to posting a56-42 win over Akron.

Wilson 64, Albion 61
Jonah Miller scored 20, including six threes, Connor Seeley 18, including four threes, and Justin Daul 14 to spark Wilson to the narrow 64-61 win over Wilson.

Ugene Harrison scored 17, Chase Hall 16 and Kory Reynolds and Lamar Chambers 13 for Albion.

Seeley made a clutch three-point play with 40 seconds to go to give Wilson a five point, 63-58, lead.

Hall answered with a three for Albion to cut the deficit to 63-61 with 19 seconds to go but the Purple Eagles could get no closer.

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Barker’s Nate Luckman drives by Medina defenders Jalin Cooper and Tyrellis Atkins.