Purple Eagles eye bounce back season

Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Leading Albion into the upcoming basketball season will be this group of veterans including, from left, Kevin Hillman, Xavier Cornick, Deyonci Farley, Liam Ward and Michael DiCureia.

Looking to rebound from last year’s sub .500 (5-7) Niagara-Orleans League record, the Albion boys basketball team returns a good nucleus of five veterans.

Senior Deyonci Farley, who earned N-O Player of the Year honors last season, heads Albion’s veteran contingent which also includes seniors Liam Ward, Kevin Hillman, Xavier Cornick and Michael DCureia.

Farley led the Purple Eagles in both scoring with 385 points (18.3 average) and rebounds with 200.

Juniors Chris Shabazz and Bailey Blanchard also return after seeing some varsity action late last season.

Rounding out the squad are juniors Zach Coleccechi, Elijah Lloyd, Christian Doty, Anthony Freeman, Kyle Woolston and Damion Lattimer.

“The N-O is a very competitive league and we expect to compete in every game,” said Coach Dave Kozar. “”Offensively we should be fine we just have to play as a team. Team chemistry is a key.”

The Purple Eagles gradation losses included Bryce Pritchard, Vincent Zona, Dylan Fox and Jonathan DePuy.

Albion will open the season with  non league game at Spencerport on December 3 and begin N-O competition on December 10 at Akron.

Schedule
December: 3 – at Spencerport, 7 p.m.; 5 – Emerson, 7 p.m.; 6 – at Lyndonville, 7 p.m.; 10 -at Akron, 6:30 p.m.; 12 – at Roy-Hart, 7 p.m.; 17 – Medina, 7 p.m.
January: 3 – Wilson, 7 p.m.; 7 – at Barker, 7 p.m.; 11 – at Elba, 1:30 p.m.; 14 – Newfane, 7 p.m.; 16 – Roy-Hart, 7 p.m.; 24 – at Medina, 6:30 p.m.; 28 – Akron, 7 p.m.; 31 – at Wilson, 6 p.m.
February: 4 – LeRoy, 7 p.m.; 6 – Barker, 7 p.m.; 7 – at I Prep, 7 p.m.; 10 – at Alden, 7 p.m.; 13 – at Newfane, 6:30 p.m.; 15 – Kendall, 11:30 a.m.