Falcons take two from Rams

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Roy-Hart’s Nelson Andrade (5) drives as Justin Heschke (15) sets a pick on Niagara-Wheatfield’s Nathan Nielsen (15) during the Rams loss to the host Falcons this evening.

Staying close all the way but never able to grab the lead, Roy-Hart dropped a narrow 56-50 decision to host Niagara-Wheatfield this evening in a non league boys basketball game.

In the opener of the varsity doubleheader, the Roy-Hart girls were unable to overcome a disastrous, turnover filled first quarter and bowed 64-24 to N-W.

Nathan Nielsen scored 8 of his 23 points and Ty Parmentier 6 of his 12 in the final period to help the N-W boys squad lock up the narrow in over Roy-Hart.

Andy Xapsos poured in 15 of his game high 27 points, including 11 of 13 from the free throw line, in the final stanza to help keep Roy-Hart in contention but the Rams could get no closer than five down the stretch.

N-W held slender leads of 16-12 after one period and 25-20 at the half.

The Falcons upped the advantage to nine, 32-23, early in the third quarter after threes by Nielsen and Brandon Funderburk.

However, Roy-Hart answered right back with a pair of jumpers by Nelson Andrade. Another bucket by Chris Anderson kept the Rams within seven 36-29, at the three-quarter mark.

A layup by Xapsos, followed by a pair of free throws by Ben Maynard, pulled Roy-Hart within five, 42-37, with 4:30 remaining in the final stanza.

Neilsen countered with a quick six point burst, on a layup off a steal, two free throws and a jumper, to give the Falcons their biggest lead of 11 at 48-37 with 3:10 remaining.

However, Roy-Hart came battling back one last time as seven free throws and a layup by Xapsos along with a layup by Anderson cut the deficit back to five, 53-48 with 12 seconds remaining. That was as close as the Rams could get though as two free throws by Parmentier put a lock on the Falcons win.

Andrade finished with 8 points, Anderson 7, Justin Heschke 4 and Maynard and Sam white 2 each for Roy-Hart which next hosts CSAT Tuesday in a Niagara-Orleans League game.

Roy-Hart’s Kendra Hill (3) puts up a shot over Niagara-Wheatfield’s Allyson Czaja (30).

Girls Basketball

N-W 64, Roy-Hart 24
Stymied by Niagara-Wheatfield’s full court pressing defense at the outset, Roy-Hart committed a dozen turnovers in the decisive opening quarter which ended with the Lady Rams trailing 16-3.

Roy-Hart in fact went 4:20 into the second quarter before scoring its first field goal on a bucket by Kendra Hill.

N-W outscored R-H 20-2 in the second period to race away to a commanding 31 point, 36-5 halftime advantage. Allyson Czaja scored 9 of her game high 21 points and Alyssa Ward 7 of her 13 in the stanza for the Lady Falcons.

N-W maintained a whopping 37 point, 52-15, lead at the three-quarter mark.

Emma Lindke scored 10, Rielly Albee 8 and Hill 6 for Roy-Hart which next visits CSAT Tuesday in a N-O contest.

Wilson 39, Hutch-Tech 20
Serina Jaeger and Kayla Neumann each scored 12 points and Rachel Senek 7 to lead Wilson to a 39-20 non league victory over Hutch-Tech.