Lady Bees down Albion in season opener

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Albion’s Kenzi Snook goes up for a shot during this evening’s home opener as Ava Goff defends for Byron-Bergen.

Local high school basketball action tipped off this evening as Byron-Bergen downed host Albion 56-37 in a non league girls contest.

Janessa Amesbury poured in a game high 27 points to lead the way for Byron-Bergen. Riley Shallenberger chipped in with 14, Olivia Senf 6, Megan Jarkiewicz 4, Simone Scharvogel 3 and Ava Goff 2 for the Lady Bees.

Aaliyah Jones led Albion with 10 as Julia Knight added 8, Paige Newton 7, Kenzi Snook 4, Leah Pawlak and Melia Prince 3 each and Cami London 2.

The contest was close through the first three quarters as Byron-Bergen led by 3 (12-9) after one quarter, by 7 (26-19) at the half and by 8 (35-27) after three quarters.

Threes by Jones and Pawlak helped keep Albion within one at 20-19 midway through the second period. However, Byron-Bergen closed with a 6-0 run to extend the lead to 7 at the half. Amesbury, who tallied 4 during that late run, had 9 in the period.

The teams then traded scores for most of the third period but the closest Albion could get was within 4 at 26-22 on a three by Jones to open the stanza.

The Lady Bees then pulled away in the final stanza outscoring the Purple Eagles 21-10 as Amesbury netted 13 during that stretch.

Albion will next face Kendall at 6:30 p.m. Thursday in the opening round of the Kendall Tournament. Medina will take on Holley in the first game at 5 p.m.

Alexander 71, Barker 18

In another non league season opener, Alexander downed visiting Barker 71-28.

Elise Monaco and Alina Riches both had 7 points and 3 rebounds for Barker. Arnie Sturtevant and Jordyn Kinne each had 4 rebounds and 3 steals.

Cami London puts up a shot for Albion as Melia Prince moves in to support.