Albion cagers advance to B1 semifinals

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 27 February 2015 at 12:00 am

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Albion’s Des Blackmon (21) puts up a shot as Joe Montgomery (33) defends for East Aurora during the host Purple Eagles sectional win over the visiting Blue Devils this evening.

Getting balanced scoring in every quarter, No. 4 seed Albion posted a 78-62 victory over visiting No. 5 East Aurora this evening in the quarterfinals of the Section VI Class B1 boys basketball playoffs.

The victory propels Albion into the semifinals for the first time in 11 years. The Purple Eagles, whose last semi appearance was in 2004, will face top seeded Burgard, a 65-53 victor over rival Burgard, in the semifinals at Buffalo State at 5:15 p.m. March 4.

Austin Loyd took game high scoring honors with 19, including 5 threes, Des Blackmon added 18 and Clayton Stanton 11 to lead the offense for Albion. Tommy Mattison and Alex Bison both chipped in with 9, Manny Thompson 6 and Gary Moore and Corey Reynolds 3 each for the Purple Eagles.

“We had real good balance in every quarter,” said Albion Coach Brennan Meakin. “We’ve got ton of guys who can score.”

Albion’s Alex Bison (23) drives by Josh Denz (13) of East Aurora.

Albion jumped out to a 17-12 first period lead as Loyd, Moore and Blackmon all hit threes.

The Purple Eagles then used a 23-13 second quarter scoring edge to boost the advantage to 15, 40-25, at the half. Loyd led that uprising with 8 as Blackmon had 5 and Thompson 4.

Albion maintained a 15 point, 58-43, advantage at the three-quarter mark. Stanton and Blackmon both netted 5 in the third.

The Purple Eagles capped off the victory with a 20 point fourth quarter including 5 each by Mattison, Loyd and Blackmon.

Albion’s Austin Loyd (2) shots over East Aurora’s Nick Montgomery (21).

Class B2

Wilson 58, Emerson 49
No. 2 seed Wilson bested visiting No. 7 Emerson 58-49 this evening in the Class B2 quarterfinals.

Kyle Bradley scored 22 and Evan Shank 16 to spark the Niagara-Orleans League champion Lakemen.

Class C1

Tapestry 81, Barker 39
Jumping out to leads of 22-8 after one quarter and 44-21 at the half, No. 2 seed Tapestry rolled to a 81-39 victory over visiting No. 7 Barker in a Section VI Class C1 quarterfinal.

Nate Lucklman scored 11, Thomas Callaghan 9 and Christopher Sweeney and Tristan Payne 6 each for Barker.