4th quarter surge sparks Mustangs past Rams

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Medina’s Preston Woodworth puts up a shot against Roy-Hart’s Dan Aquilina during the Mustangs win over the visiting Rams this evening.

A big scoring burst to open the final quarter helped Medina lockup a 64-55 win over Roy-Hart in the host Mustangs Niagara-Orleans League boys basketball season opener this evening.

Leading by five, 48-43, Medina opened the decisive final period with a 12-3 run. Christian Moss had a two and a three, Preston Woodworth a three and Jerrell Nealy a bucket to highlight that surge which vaulted by Mustangs out to a 14 point, 60-46, advantage with three minutes to go.

The Rams did rally to cut the deficit to eight at 60-52 after two baskets by Braden Ricker and one by Dan Aquilina but could get no closer.

The Mustangs closed out the win on two free throws by Jimmy Dieter and one each by Kolton Fletcher and Woodworth.

Woodworth finished with a game high 22 points, including six threes, and Nealy had 17 to lead Medina as Cole Callard added 9, Moss 5, Fletcher and Dieter 4, Gordon Young 2 and Jayzon Wills 1.

Dan Aquilina scored 15, Ricker 14 and Matt Aquilina 13 to pace Roy-Hart as Tysen McCaa chipped in with 5 and Erique Powell and Jackson West 4 each.

Roy-Hart jumped out to a 17-13 first quarter lead highlighted by a burst of three straight threes by Dan Aquilina. Nealy netted 7 to help keep Medina close.

The Mustangs rallied back into a six point, 28-22, lead by opening the second quarter with a 15-5 run capped off by back-to-back threes by Woodworth.

The Rams though answered with a 6-0 run on two baskets by Ricker and one by Dan Aquilina to pull back into a 28-28 tie at the half.

A total of 10 lead changes then highlighted the sea-saw third period which finished with Medina regaining the lead for good at 48-43.

Woodworth hit three threes and Nealy had two baskets to lead the Mustangs during that stretch as Matt Aquilina had 9 to keep the Rams close.

Keeping the momentum, the Mustangs opened the final period with a key 12-3 run to extend the advantage to 14 at 60-46 and the Rams could get no closer than 8 after that.

Medina’s Christian Moss looks to pass as Jackson West (24) and Matt Aquilina (0) defend for Roy-Hart.

Barker 76, Newfane 58
Anthony Taliaferro and Isaac Monaco both scored 25 points to lead Barker to a 76-58 win over Newfane as Owen Harris and Logan Murrell each chipped in with 10.

Isaac Zachary scored 18, Kasey Wheat 16 and Mac Capen 13 for Newfane.

Akron 51, Wilson 41
Ben Gerstung scored 23, Blake Gerstung 10 and Darren Brado 8 to lead Akron to a 51-41 win over Wilson.

N-O Standings
Akron 3-0, Medina 1-0, Albion 1-1, Barker 1-1, Wilson 1-1, Newfane 0-2, Roy-Hart 0-2

Matt Aquilina goes in for a layup past Medina defenders Jerrell Nealy (35) and Christian Moss.