Mustangs seek two wins to retain N-O title

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 11 February 2018 at 8:57 am

Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Medina’s Trenton Jones and his Mustang teammates will be taking aim at earning a pair of home court victories this coming week to claim at least a share of a third straight Niagara-Orleans League title.

The formula is a simple one for the Medina High boys basketball team, score two home court wins this coming week and the Mustangs claim at least a share of a third straight Niagara-Orleans League championship.

Medina moved back into a share of the N-O lead by scoring a key 66-57 victory over visiting Newfane on Friday.  That win leaves the Mustangs and Panthers deadlocked for first place at 8-2 with just two games remaining on the league season..

The Mustangs finish the N-O campaign by hosting Barker (0-10) on Tuesday and Akron (2-8) on Wednesday while the Panthers visit Akron on Tuesday and rival Wilson (7-3) on Thursday. Wilson, which is just a game back and still mathematically in the title chase, also visits Albion (6-5) on Tuesday.

If successful it would be the first time Medina has won three straight N-O championships since the Mustangs claimed the title during the 1984-85, 1985-86 and 1986-87 seasons.

Medina senior Jalin Cooper is also looking for a couple of big games as he is currently just 27 points from becoming the Mustangs career scoring leader.  Cooper, who has scored 339 points to date this season (19.9 average) has 1,254 career points which is second only to Levi Pace’s record total of 1,280.

The streaking Roy-Hart boys squad, which has won 4 of its last 5 games after a dismal 1-5 start to the league season, will look to finish at the .500 mark with a win at Barker on Thursday.

In local Genesee Region League action, Lyndonville will host Kendall in a girls game on Tuesday. The Tigers will then visit the Eagles on Wednesday in a boys contest.

Weekly Schedule
Monday
Boys Basketball: Alexander at Lyndonville, Kendall at Pavilion, 7 p.m.
Girls Basketball: Alexander at Holley, 7 p.m.

Tuesday
Boys Basketball: Barker at Medina, Newfane at Akron, 6:30 p.m.; Wilson at Albion, 7 p.m.
Girls Basketball: Medina at Barker, Albion at Wilson, Akron at Newfane, 6:30 p.m.; Kendall at Lyndonville, 7 p.m.

Wednesday
Boys Basketball: Akron at Medina ,6:30 p.m.; Alexander at Holley, Lyndonville at Kendall, 7 p.m.
Girls Basketball: Medina at Akron, 6:30 p.m.

Thursday
Boys Basketball: Newfane at Wilson, 6 p.m.; Roy-Hart at Barker, 7 p.m.
Girls Basketball: Barker at Roy-Hart, Wilson at Newfane, 6:30 p.m.

Friday
Girls Basketball: Albion at Lockport, 7:30 p.m.

Saturday
Boys Basketball: Medina at Orchard Park, 12:30 p.m.

N-O Standings:
Boys Basketball: Medina 8-2, Newfane 8-2, Wilson 7-3, Albion 6-5, Roy-Hart 5-6, Akron 2-8, Barker 0-10
Girls Basketball: Newfane 11-0, Albion 8-3, Wilson 7-4, Akron 6-4, Barker 2-8, Medina 2-8, Roy-Hart 1-10