Lakemen post key win over Mustangs

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Medina’s Nate Sherman puts up a shot between Wilson defenders Ian Evans and Steve Frerichs during the Mustangs loss to the visiting Lakemen this evening.

Defending champion Medina fell out a share of first place as the Mustangs dropped a 55-48 decision to visiting Wilson this evening in a key Niagara-Orleans League boys basketball game.

Wilson improves to 3-0 in N-O competition while Medina slips to 2-1.

Nate Fox scored a game high 19 points, Jake Miller 11 and Mac Musall 10 to lead the way for Wilson as Ian Evans added 6, Matt Daul 5 and Steve Frerichs 4.

Izaiah Rhim scored 18 and Jalin Cooper 14 for Medina as Nate Sherman chipped in with 6, Brendan Lurhart 5, Alex Allis 3 and Trenton Joens 2.

Wilson jumped out to a 9-3 at the outset after back-to-back threes by Fox and the Lakemen went on to hold a 17-11 lead at the end of the opening period.

Medina came battling back in the second period to cut the deficit to one at 29-28 after a layup by Jones. Rhim erupted for 10 points on five layups to spearhead the Mustangs rally.

Wilson though regained a narrow 30-29 lead at the half after a bucket by Fox.

The Lakemen upped the lead to eight, 41-33, midway through the third period after a pair of baskets by Fox and a three by Miller.

However, Medina again came rallying back closing the period with a 7-0 run on a layup by Sherman, a rebound basket by Rhim and a three by Luthart to cut the deficit to one, 41-40.

The Mustangs then regained the lead for the last time at 42-41 on a layup by Sherman to open the decisive final period.

Wilson though answered right back with a 9-2 run on two threes by Miller and one by Fox to regain the lead for good at 50-44.

A pair of free throws and a jumper by Cooper did rally Medina back to within two, 50-48, but the Mustangs could not pull even.

Wilson answered with a big basket by Miller to go back up by four and then put a lock on the victory on two free throws each by Fox and Musall in the final 40 seconds.