Fast start sparks Lyndonville past Kendall

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 8 December 2017 at 9:50 pm

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Lyndonville’s Matt Hess puts a shot up over Kendall’s Mickey Gardner during the host Tigers win over the Eagles this evening.

A big first quarter scoring burst sparked Lyndonville to a 75-63 victory over visiting Kendall this evening in the season opening Genesee Region League boys basketball season opener for both teams.

Matt Hess poured in a game high 28 points to lead Lyndonville as Zach Johnson added 16, Nathan Poler 14, Nathan Dillenbeck 7, Brody Brown 6 and Ricky Forder 4.

Nate Waters scored 21 to pace Kendall as John Rath had 14, Hunter Menze 10, Mickey Gardner 9, Derek Edick 6 and Mason Kuhn 3.

Kendall’s John Rath puts up a shot as he is surrounded by the Lyndonville trio of Matt Hess, Nathan Dillenbeck and Brody Brown.

Kendall took a 2-0 lead at the outset on a basket by Warters but Lyndonvile answered back with a huge 21-3 run to move on top to stay.

Hess and Johnson both scored 6 and Poler 5 to spearhead that uprising for the Tigers which led by 14, 23-9, at the end of the period.

Kendall did rally back to within 8 twice late in the second period, first at 34-26 after a pair of free throws by Menze and again at 38-30 after a three by Edick, but Lyndonville took a 10 point, 40-30, lead into the lockerroom at the break on a layup at the buzzer by Poler. He had 7 in the period as Hess and Johnson both added 4.

The Tigers maintained an 11 point, 54-43, lead at the three-quarter mark as Hess tallied 8 in the third period on two rebound buckets and a pair of layups.

Lyndonville quickly upped the lead to 15, 60-45, early in the final period after a rebound bucket and a jumper by Hess and a layup by Johnson.

Kendall though rallied back to within 9, 64-55 with 4:30 still remaining after a layup and a 3 by Rath but the Eagles could get no closer.

The Tigers answered with s key 6-0 run on a jumper by Hess, a layup by Poler and a rebound basket by Johnson to regain a 15 point, 70-55, advantage with 2:20 remaining to lock up the win.

Lyndonville is now 1-2 and Kendall 1-1 on the young season.

Kendall next hosts Barker on Monday and Lyndonville visits Notre Dame on Wednesday.

Maryvale 71, Albion 50
Roaring out to a 47-21 half-time advantage, Maryvale went on to defeat visiting Albion 71-50 in a non league game.

Bryce Pritchard scored 12, Liam Ward 11 and Demetrius Gardner 8 for Albion.

Roy-Hart 45, East Aurora 37
Roy-Hart rallied in the second half to defeat East Aurora 45-37 this evening in the Cataract Classic at Niagara Falls High School.

Trailing 23-21 at the half, Roy-Hart used a 13-8 third period scoring edge to rally into a 34-31 advantage. The Rams then outpointed the Blue Devils 11-6 in the final period to lock up the win.

Jake Bruning led Roy-Hart with 18 as Noah Kindron added 9, Blake Halstead and Charlie Bruning 8 and Charlie Brigham 2.

Alexander 54, Holley 19

Alexander built up a 28-9 half-time advantage in route to downing visiting Holley 54-19 in a G-R contest.