Medina cagers face two final road tests in quest for N-O title
Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Medina’s Brad McPherson and his Mustang teammates will take to the road twice this coming week in their quest to lock up the Niagara-Orleans League title.
Two road tests this upcoming week present the final hurdles as the Medina boys basketball squad seeks to claim its first Niagara-Orleans League championship in seven years.
Currently at 11-1, the Mustangs hold a one game lead over 10-2 Roy-Hart in the two team title chase.
Medina which last claimed the N-O crown during the 2008-09 season, can clinch at least a tie for the title with a win at Akron (0-12) on Tuesday. If successful, the Mustangs could then claim the crown out right with a win at CSAT (5-7) on Thursday.
CSAT gave Medina a good contest in their earlier season meeting as the Mustangs ended up trimming the Eagles 69-60.
Sophomore Jalin Cooper is averaging a double-double to lead Medina with 290 points (16.l average) and 195 rebounds (10.8 ave.). Seniors Justin Morgan and Tyler Ames along with junior Daryl Haynes are each averaging 9 points per outing for the Mustangs.
Roy-Hart will close out the N-O season with a pair of home games against third place Wilson (7-5) on Tuesday and Barker (5-7) on Thursday.
The Rams nipped Wilson 59-57 and downed Barker 69-55 in their earlier season meetings.
Senior guard Andy Xapsos, who is closing in on the 1,000 point career scoring mark, leads the Rams this season with 399 points (22.ave.).
The week’s N-O Schedule
Tuesday
Boys Basketball – Wilson at Roy-Hart, 6 p.m.; Medina at Akron, Barker at Newfane, 6:30 p.m.; CSAT at Albion, 7 p.m.
Girls Basketball – Roy-Hart at Wilson 6 p.m.; Albion at CSAT, Akron at Medina, Newfane at Barker, 6:30 p.m.
Thursday
Boys Basketball – Barker at Roy-Hart, 6 p.m.; Medina at CSAT, Wilson at Newfane, 6:30 p.m.
Girls Basketball – CSAT at Medina, Roy-Hart at Barker, 6:30 p.m.
Friday
Boys Basketball – Akron at Albion, 6 p.m.
Girls Basketball – Albion at Akron, 5:30 p.m.
N-O Standings
Boys Basketball – Medina 11-1, Roy-Hart 10-2, Wilson 7-5, Albion 5-7, Barker 5-7, CSAT 5-7, Newfane 5-7, Akron 0-12
Girls Basketball – Wilson 13-0, Newfane 10-3, CSAT 7-5, Albion 6-6, Medina 6-6, Barker 3-9, Akron 2-10, Roy-Hart 2-10.
