Albion holds off Lake Shore in ClassB1 opener

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 22 February 2022 at 10:07 pm

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Albion’s Jahmeek Riley looks to pass as Nick Sawynsky defends for Lake Shore during this evening’s sectional opener won by the host Purple Eagles.

No. 12 Albion turned back a fourth quarter comeback bid by visiting No. 13 Lake Shore to claim a narrow 53-50 win this evening in the opening round of the Section VI Class B1 boys basketball playoffs.

Up 11-8 after one quarter, Albion used a big 21-6 second period scoring edge to extend the advantage to 18, 32-14, at the half. Jahmeek Riley scored 7, Javon Jones 6 and Caleb Fox 4 to lead that Purple Eagles uprising.

However, Lake Shore came battling back to cut the deficit to 11, 38-27, after three quarters.

Keeping the momentum, Lake Shore then opened the fourth period with an 11-5 run to pull to within 5, 43-38, with just over three minutes to go.

Albion though withstood the rally as two clutch free throws each by Tyler Gibson, Shakarion Drisdom and Riley along with big layups off steals by Gibson and Drisdom over the final two and half minutes helped lock up the win.

Lake Shore could get no closer than the final three point margin on a three at the buzzer.

Riley finished with 16 and Fox 12 to lead the way for Albion. Drisdom added 8, Jones 6, Ozzie Matos 5, Gibson 4 and Jay Ashby 2.

The Purple Eagles have little time to savor the win as they next visit No. 5 Depew at 7 p.m. Wednesday.

In a Class B2 opener No. 12 Akron downed visiting No. 13 Maritime 59-41.

Class C
Cassadaga Valley 78, Barker 76 OT
No. 15 Cassadaga Valley outlasted host No. 10 Barker 78-76 in overtime in a Section VI Class C opener which saw a total of 20 threes.

Barker forced the overtime by rallying from a 13 point deficit in the fourth quarter to knot the contest at 68-68 at the end of regulation time. Brad Cantrell scored 13 to lead that Raiders rally.

Cantrell finished with 23, Luey Castro 21 and Nathan Meza Ray 20.

Cassadaga Valley will make the long trip north again Wednesday by visiting No. 7 Wilson.

Albion’s Caleb Fox puts up a shot against Lake Shore defender Noah Mruk.