Barker cagers to host Medina in key N-O contest
Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Front-running Barker plays host to runner-up Medina Tuesday in a key Niagara-Orleans League basketball game. Here Medina’s Jason Hellwig drive agains Barker’s Christopher Sweeney during the earlier season game between the two teams at Medina which was won by the Raiders.
Looking to end a 35 year plus title drought, league leading Barker hosts runner-up Medina at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday in a key Niagara-Orleans League boys basketball game.
Barker, which has roared out to a perfect 10-0 league, 14-0 overall record, can clinch at least a tie for the N-O title with a win over surging Medina, which is 8-2 in league action and 11-3 overall.
The championship would be the first for Barker since 1978 when the Raiders captured the Genesee Region League title. The Raiders have not claimed an N-O title since the 1940’s.
Medina, which needs a win to stay in the title chase by cutting the Barker lead to one game, brings a six game winning streak into the showdown contest. In fact, the Mustangs last loss was a 68-47 drubbing by Barker at Medina.
Barker is sparked by a quartet of returning starters led by senior Jacob Haight who is the Raiders career scoring leader with over 1,200 points. Haight is averaging 17.5 points, 9.8 rebounds, 4.3 steals and 4.3 assists per game.
The Raiders also have senior guard Mitch Luckman averaging 15.4 points, junior guard Christopher Sweeney 10.7 points and 6-5 senior center Bryce Moeller 9.2 points, 7.3 rebounds and 3.8 blocks.
Medina is led by 6-5 senior Munjie Brown who is averaging a double-double of 15.4 point and 10.9 rebounds as well as 3.5 steals per outing.
The Mustangs also have three-point shooter Dylan Lewis averaging 12.8 points, Jason Hellwig 7.9, Ben McPherson 7.1 and Kevin Arnold 6.9.
N-O Standings
Boys Basketball
Barker 10-0, Medina 8-2, Roy-Hart 6-4, Albion 5-6, CSAT 4-6, Wilson 4-6, Newfane 3-8, Akron 1-9
Girls Basketball
Wilson 10-0, Newfane 9-2, Albion 8-3, CSAT 5-6, Akron 4-6, Barker 4-7, Roy-Hart 2-9, Medina 1-10
Boys Swimming
Roy-Hart 9-0, Barker 8-2, Medina 5-5, Newfane 5-5, Albion 2-8, Akron 0-9
Girls Swimming
Newfane 10-0, Roy-Hart 7-2, Barker 4-5-1, Medina 4-5-1, Akron 3-6, Albion 0-10
Wrestling
Newfane 5-0, Akron 4-1, Albion 2-3, Barker/Roy-Hart 2-3, Medina 2-3, Wilson 0-5
Week’s Schedule
Today
Boys Basketball
Wheatland-Chili at Holley, Kendall at Elba, 7 p.m.
Girls Basketball
Lyndonville at Attica, 7 p.m.
Tuesday
Boys Basketball
Medina at Barker, Wilson at CSAT, Akron at Newfane, 6:30 p.m.; Roy-Hart at Albion, 7 p.m.
Girls Basketball
CSAT at Wilson, 6:30 p.m.; Oakfield-Alabama at Lyndonville, Byron-Bergen at Kendall, Holley at Alexander, 7 p.m.
Swimming
Boys N-O Individual Championships at Newfane, 6 p.m.
Wednesday
Boys Basketball
Lyndonville at Oakfield-Alabama, Kendall at Byron-Bergen, Alexander at Holley, 7 p.m.
Girls Basketball
Albion at Roy-Hart, Barker at Medina, Newfane at Akron, 6:30 p.m.
Swimming
Roy-Hart at Akron, 4:30 p.m.
Thursday
Boys Basketball
Medina at CSAT, Wilson at Barker, 6:30 p.m.
Girls Basketball
Wilson at Akron, 6:30 p.m.; Lyndonville at Notre Dame, Holley at Kendall, 7 p.m.
Friday
Boys Basketball
Roy-Hart at Akron, 6:30 p.m.; Notre Dame at Lyndonville, Kendall at Holley, 7 p.m.
Girls Basketball
Global Concepts at Medina, 5 p.m. varsity only
