Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Albion’s Tyler Cody, shown here making a slam dunk, and his Purple Eagle teammates will host league leading Wilson in a key Niagara-Orleans League game at 6:30 p.m. Friday.

Albion and Medina both face key Niagara-Orleans League boys basketball games on Friday evening.

Albion, which has slipped to 2-3, will host undefeated (4-0) league leading Wilson at 6:30 p.m.

Wilson is sparked offensively by the trio of Aidan Neumann, who is averaging 25.2 points per game, Ryan Hough (12.3 ave.) and Shamus George (11.4 ave.) George has also grabbed off 97 rebounds, Hough 80 and Neumann 61.

Albion has been sparked by Elijah Doxey (19.6 ave.), Tyler Cody (14.0 ave.) and Wesley Olles (11.4 ave.)

Medina will visit Akron at 6:30 p.m. in a clash of 3-1 teams which are tied for second place in the N-O standings.

Offensively Akron is led by the threesome of Derren Brooks who is averaging 20 per contest, Blake Gerstung (17.3 ave.) and Ben Gerstung (15.2 ave.) Brooks has also pulled down 136 rebounds.

The Mustangs offense has been led by Jerrell Nealy (18.8 ave.) and Preston Woodworth (16.6 ave.) Nealy has also grabbed 93 rebounds, Christian Moss 64 and Woodworth 51.

Friday’s other N-O contest will have Newfane at Roy-Hart at 6:30 p.m.

N-O Standings: Wilson 4-0, Akron 3-1, Medina 3-1, Newfane 2-2, Albion 2-3, Barker 1-4, Roy-Hart 0-4

Albion girls also face key test
The Albion girls will also face a key N-O contest on Friday as the 4-1 Purple Eagles visit undefeated (4-0) defending champion Wilson at 6 p.m.

The other league contests will have Akron at Medina at 5 p.m. and Roy-Hart at Newfane at 6:30 p.m.

N-O Standings: Wilson 4-0, Albion 4-1, Akron 3-1, Roy-hart 2-2, Medina 1-3, Newfane 1-3, Barker 0-5

Today’s contests are snowed out
The snowy weather, which caused schools to be closed, has wiped out tonight’s light schedule of high school contests.

The four cancelled contests include the Newfane vs. Albion and Akron at Roy-Hart/Barker swim meets, the Lyndonville vs. Wilson wrestling match and the Lyndonville vs. Holley girls basketball game.

Contributed Photo – Holley-Kendall wrestlers and coaches celebrate capturing the Genesee Region League title this evening with a win over Alexander-Pembroke.

Holley-Kendall captured the Genesee Region League wrestling championship by edging Alexander-Pembroke on the 9th criteria at Kendall this evening.

The match finished deadlocked at 40-40 but Holley-Kendall claimed the victory and the league title on the 9th criteria which is described as “the team having the greater number (total match points) of first points scored shall be declared the winner.”

Jeremy Lutes (103), John Blosenhauer (110), Jack Brueilly (138), Brenden Eichas (144). Aiden McGrain (215) and Immanuel Cornell (285) all registered pins for Holley-Kendall and Matteo Caterisano (175) had a major decision win.

The G-R title is the first for Holley-Kendall since 2018.

Byron-Bergen 44, Lyndonville 35.
Byron-Bergen bested Lyndonville 44-35 in the other G-R match..

Justin Holmes, Dom Hargrave, Jake Gidley, Shannon Withey and Greyson Romano all registered pins for Lyndonville as Bryson Hazel had a technical fall win.

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Kendall’s Noah Morehouse puts up a shot against Holley defender Josh Silpoch during the Eagles win over the host Hawks this evening.

Building up a commanding 20 point half-time advantage, Kendall went on to defeat rival Holley 63-28 this evening in a Genesee Region League boys basketball game at Holley.

CJ D’Agostino and Vinnie D’Agostino each scored 12 and Noah Morehouse 9 to lead the way for Kendall in the opening half as the Eagles jumped out to a 38-18 lead. CJ D’Agostino, Sammy Conte, Vinnie D’Agostino and Morehouse all hit threes during that stretch.

The Eagles led 51-23 at the end of the third quarter.

CJ D’Agostino finished with a game high 19, Morehouse 13, Vinnie D’Agostino 12, Sammy Conte 7, Ryan Gaesser 5, Jonny Conte 4 and Caleb Opalecky 3.

Avante Walker led Holley with 11 as Tarek Garrett, Cam Mosier and Josh Silpoch each added 4, Logan Gillespie 3 and Cooper Wolf and Logan Stoick 1 each.

Elba 81, Lyndonville 47
Elba bested Lyndonville 81-47 in another G-R contest.

Lyric Raduns scored 16, Lane Woodworth 10 and Colton Smith and Quincey McClinsey 8 each to lead Lyndonville.

Holley’s Cam Mosier tries for a layup against Kendall defender Caleb Opalecky.

Kendall’s Caleb Opalecky drives to the basket as Avante Walker and Tarek Garrett defend for Holley.

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Albion’s Jaxon Lynch works toward a technical fall win over Medina’s Roaman Maksimchak during the Purple Eagles victory over the visiting Mustangs this evening.

Albion closed out the dual match portion of the Niagara-Orleans League wrestling season on a high note by downing visiting rival Medina 65-13 this evening.

Six pins highlighted the evening for the Purple Eagles including by Drake Schomske (126) in 2:35. Corbin Piccirilli (138) in 2:24. Alakai Colmenero (144) in 5:44. Antonio Ortiz (190) in 5:41, Jackson Snook (285) in :25 seconds and Elizabeth Colmenero (103) in 1:21.

Albion also got a technical fall victory by Jaxon Lynch (150) as well as four forfeit wins.

Luke Duffina (132) had the lone pin for Medina in :21 seconds. The Mustangs also got a major decision victory by Tyler Raduns (165) and a decision win by Cole Herman (215).

Albion finishes the regular season at 2-3 and Medina at 0-5.

The Purple Eagles will next host the N-O All League tournament on Saturday beginning at 10 a.m.

Medina’s Cole Herman in route to scoring a decision win over Albion’s Chase Preedom.

Albion’s Jackson Snook works toward a pin over Medina’s Nate Surdel.

Albion split with Roy-Hart/Barker in a Niagara-Orleans League swim meet this evening.

Albion scored a narrow 61-60 victory in the boys’ meet while Roy-Hart/Barker took the girls’ competition 83-67.

Justin Kania was a double winner for the Albion boys in the 200 Free and 50 Free.

Hendrick Trombley doubled in the 200 Individual Medley and 100 Backstroke for Roy-Hart/Barker as Oscar Dergel won the 100 Free, Noah Corraine the 500 Free and Jackson Braun the 100 Breaststroke.

The Roy-Hart/Barker girls had a trio of individual event double winners as Madelina Pavlock took the 200 Free and 100 Breaststroke, Jillian Ossont the 50 Free and 500 Free and Mirabelle Strong the 100 Butterfly and 100 Backstroke.

Albion’s Keira Sidari doubled in the IM and 100 Free.

Newfane sweeps Medina
Newfane scored a doubleheader victory over visiting Medina winning the boys’ meet 90-76 and the girls’ 103-53.

Noah Kneeland doubled in the IM and Breaststroke and Dylan Lamont in the Butterfly and Backstroke to lead the Newfane boys as Giovanni Wright took the 100 Free and Eli Kneeland the 500 Free.

Bradley Goyette won the 200 Free and Bryson Ford the 50 Free for Medina.

Emma Haseley doubled in the IM and Butterfly and Eden Hillman in the 50 Free and 100 Free for the Newfane girls as Riley Klopfer took the 200 Free, Addison Reis the Backstroke and Kimberly Schmitt the Breaststroke.

Madeline Mark won the 500 Free for Medina.

N-O Boys Standings: Newfane 5-0, Medina 3-2, Akron 2-2, Albion 2-3, Roy-Hart/Barker 0-5
N-O Girls Standings: Newfane 4-0-1, Akron 3-0-1, Roy-Hart/Barker 3-2, Medina 1-4, Albion 0-5

Kendall downed rival Holley 35-26 in a Genesee Region League girls basketball game this evening.

Izzy D’Agostino scored 12, Mia Price 9, Teagan Shaw 8 and Sophia Picardo 6 for Kendall which improves to 4-1 in G-R action and 7-2 overall.

Brynn Thomas led Holley with 11 as Jayna Burris and Hanna Ostrom both had 5, Alexis VanAmeron 3 and Kyla Burne 2.

Elba 50, Lyndonville 29
Lydia Ross scored 12 and Brea Smith and Ava Buczek 9 each to lead Elba to a 50-29 G-R win over Lyndonville.

Isabella Groves had 11 and Braelynn Dillenbeck 8 for Lyndonville.

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Medina’s Christian Moss goes in for a layup ahead of Albion defender Elijah Doxey during the Mustangs overtime win over the visiting Purple Eagles this evening.

It was a down to the wire thriller as Medina nipped visiting rival Albion 71-69 in overtime in a key Niagara-Orleans League boys basketball game this evening.

And the Mustangs won it in dramatic fashion on a layup by Preston Woodworth with only 1.5 seconds remaning to snap a 69-69 tie.

A free throw by Albion’s Tyler Cody had sent the contest into overtime deadlocked at 58-58.

There were then two ties and eight lead changes in the wild, sea-saw four minute overtime period.

Albion’s last lead came at 69-67 on a layup off a steal by Elijah Doxey who scored 9 in the overtime period.

Medina retied the game at 69-69 on a layup by Kolton Fletcher with 30 seconds remaining setting the stage for Woodworth’s last second game winning layup.

Jerrell Nealy led the Mustangs with 21 as Fletcher had 12, Woodworth 11, Carlos Doval 10, Christian Moss 9 and Avion Johnson and Hadrian Batista with 4 each.

Albion’s Elijah Doxey goes to the basket between the Medina duo of Preston Woodworth, left, and Christian Moss.

Doxey finished with a game high 27 for the Purple Eagles a Cody added 14, Nate Gibson 13, Wesley Olles 10 and Adam Burgio 5.

Medina jumped out to an 11-1 lead at the outset but Albion answered with an 11-3 run to close the period cutting the deficit to two at 14-12. Nealy and Moss both had 4 and Woodworth and Fletcher 3 each for Medina in the period while Cody had 5 and Gibson a three for Albion.

The Mustangs maintained a narrow five point, 33-28, lead at the half as six players contributed baskets in the second quarter. Doxey scored 7 and Burgio and Gibson both hit threes during that stretch for the Purple Eagles.

Medina upped the lead a bit to 8, 42-34, to open the third period as Nealy had a two and a three and Moss a pair of baskets.

However, Albion answered right back with a 13-2 scoring burst to close the period and rally back into a 47-45 lead. Cody had 6, including a slam dunk, and Olles a three to lead that Purple Eagles rally.

That set the stage for a back and forth fourth quarter and a wild sea-saw overtime period which finished with the Mustangs claiming a thrilling two point victory on Woodworth’s last second layup.

Medina is now 3-1 and Albion 2-3 in N-O action. The Mustangs next visit Akron (3-1) and Albion hosts front-running Wilson (4-0) at 6:30 p.m. Friday.

Akron 64, Roy-Hart 36
Akron downed Roy-Hart 64-36 as Ben Gerstung scored 19 and Derren Brooks, Blake Gerstung and Brodie Hill each netted 12.

Matt Aquilina scored 11 and Vinny Fazzio 9 for Roy-Hart which slips to 0-4.

Newfane 64, Barker 59
Newfane evened its N-O record at 2-2 with a 64-59 win over Barker as Mac Capen scored 22, Camlo Flowers 14 and Kasey Wheat 12.

Donovan Hefferon scored 17 and Carter DerSarkissian 13 for Barker.

N-O Standings: Wilson 4-0, Akron 3-1, Medina 3-1, Newfane 2-2, Albion 2-3, Barker 1-4, Roy-Hart 0-4.

Medina’s Avion Johnson goes up for a rebound against the Albion trio of Nate Gibson (10), Tyler Cody (4) and Wesley Olles (1).

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Albion’s Leah Pawlak, who had the game winning three, puts up a shot here ahead of Medina defender Caliyah St. Louis. The host Purple Eagles scored a narrow 55-53 win.

Staying in the thick of the league title chase, Albion nipped visiting rival Medina 55-53 in a key Niagara-Orleans girls basketball game this evening.

Trailing 53-52, Albion rallied to claim the slender victory in dramatic fashion on a clutch three by Leah Pawlak with 26 seconds remaining.

Albion improves to 4-1 heading into Friday’s key contest at undefeated (4-0) defending champion Wilson.

Melia Prince scored 15, Pawlak 13 and Jocelyn Friedl 12 to lead Albion’s balanced attack as Aailyah Jones added 9, Brianna Lewis 4 and Semaj Miller 2.

Caliyah St. Louis took game high honors for Medina with 20 as Alexa Demmer added 15, Sam Heschke 10, Emberlyn Oakes 4 and Autumn Cornelius and Harmoni Wilson 2 each.

Albion jumped out to a 14-8 lead at the outset as Pawlak scored 6 and Friedl 4.

Medina though answered with an 18-1 run to close the period and rally into an 11 point, 26-15 advantage. St. Louis had 7 and Heschke 6 to lead that rally.

The Mustangs maintained a six point, 33-27, lead at the half but the Purple Eagles came battling back in the third quarter with 15-6 scoring edge to regain a 42-39 lead. Friedl scored 6 as Prince and Pawlak both tallied 4 to lead that comeback.

That set the stage for a decisive sea-saw fourth quarter.

Medina pulled back into a 44-44 tie on a three by St. Louis but Albion answered with a 6-0 run including two baskets by Jones and one by Prince to go back up 50-44 with 3:30 remaining.

The Mustangs in turn answered back with a 9-0 run to regain the lead for what proved to be the last time at 53-50. Demmer had two baskets and a three and Wilson a basket to key that rally.

The last rally and the win though belonged to the Purple Eagles.

Two pressure free throws by Prince pulled Albion to within one at 53-52 and Pawlak followed up with the dramatic game winning three.

Medina is now 1-3 in N-O action heading into Friday’s home game against Akron at 5 p.m.

Akron 52, Roy-Hart 39
Clara Bogdan scored 14, Abby Gerstung 12 and Olivia Novak 10 to lead Akron past Roy-Hart 52-39.

Adella Dukes scored a game high 22 and Millie Owens added 9 for Roy-Hart.

Newfane 54, Barker 33
Newfane earned its first N-O win by downing Barker 54-33.

Emma Johnston led Newfane with 22 points and 17 rebounds. Elise Monaco led Barker with 14 points.

N-O Standings: Wilson 4-0, Albion 4-1, Akron 3-1, Roy-Hart 2-2, Medina 1-3, Newfane 1-3, Barker 0-5.

Medina’s Alexa Demmer puts up a shot against Albion defender Aaliyah Jones.

Albion’s Melia Prince grabs a rebound from the Medina duo of Roswyn Oakes and Tatianna Maxon (21).

Putting together a big fourth quarter scoring surge, CG Finney rallied to defeat Kendall 55-49 in a non league boys basketball game this evening at Kendall.

Trailing 39-35 at the end of the third period, Finney rallied to outpoint Kendall 20-10 in the decisive final period to claim the win and improve to 9-1.

Braelen Broome scored 7, including a three, to lead the way in the fourth quarter for the Falcons which also got threes from Judaea Danesi and David Maijas down the stretch.

Vinnie D’Agostino scored 19 on the evening and Ryan Gaesser 10 to lead the way for Kendall as Jonny Conte added 8, Sammy Conte 6, Jonas Rhodes 5 and CJ D’Agostino 1.

Kendall held leads of 15-11 at the end of the first quarter, 31-19 at the half and 39-35 at the three-quarter mark.

Vinnie D’Agostino scored 7 and Jonny Conte 6 on two threes in the opening quarter. Gaesser then tallied 8, including two threes, and Vinnie D’Agostino 6 in the second period.

However, the Eagles managed a total of only 18 in the second half as the Falcons rallied to tally 36.

Now at 6-3, Kendall next visits rival Holley at 7 p.m. Wednesday in a Genesee Region League game.

Contributed Photo – Sarah Cassidy rolls a 300 game making history at Oak Orchard Lanes.

By Mike Pettinella

Sarah Cassidy said her legs were shaking during the 10th frame of her first game earlier this week in the Tuesday Ladies Merchants League at Oak Orchard Bowl in Albion.

With nine straight strikes showing on the overhead scoring monitor, Cassidy stepped onto the approach on lane 9, needing three more strikes to record the first 300 game by a woman in the 65-year history of her hometown bowling center.

The 44-year-old right-hander overcame her jitters by placing the final three balls in the 1-3 pocket and carrying all 10 pins each time for the perfect game.

Cassidy bowls for the Pretty Sweet Bakery team along with Judy Ward, Pam Jenks and her daughter, Emily Cassidy – who, along with other league members, greeted her with hugs and high-fives as she returned to the settee area.

“It is pretty exciting,” said Cassidy, who admitted that nervousness began to set in after she posted her seventh consecutive strike. “People started noticing. Thankfully, Sue Boring was bowling next to us and she was able to calm me down.”

The 300 game eclipsed Cassidy’s previous high game of 284 and raised her average to 177. Her other games were 182 and 147 for a 629 series.

Last season, Cassidy, who is employed as a billing specialist for a law firm, had a 189 average.

“Things have been coming together lately,” she said. “I just missed a 700 series (recently).”

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Medina’s Christian Moss, left, and Barker/Roy-Hart’s Vinny Fazzio have earned All State football honors.

Two local players, Medina senior running back/defensive end Christian Moss and Barker/Roy-Hart senior linebacker/running back Vinny Fazzio have been named to the second team of the Class C All State football squad.

Moss rushed for 1,138 yards and 16 touchdowns and caught 13 passes for 185 yards and 2 touchdowns. On defense he had 50 tackles, 1 sack and 1 fumble recovery.

Fazzio led the Barker/Roy-Hart defense with 72 tackles, including 51 solo, 8 fumble recoveries and 1 interception. On offense he rushed for 384 yards and 7 touchdowns and caught 13 passes for 256 yards and 5 touchdowns.

The Class C squad also had Akron seniors Blake Gerstung and Colin Miller earn Honorable Mention.

The All State Class D squad includes a total of 13 Newfane and Wilson players.

Earning first team offensive unit honors are Newfane senior quarterback Mac Capen and Wilson senior wide receiver Ryan Hough.

The first team defensive unit includes Wilson senior linebacker Brock Lepsch and Newfane senior defensive linemen Colin Doxey.

Earning second team offensive unit honors are Newfane senior end Isiah Gerstung and Wilson senior running back Michael Ruble.

The second team defensive unit includes senior lineman Koa Leapai and Wilson junior lineman Nasir Spencer.

Five players also earned Honorable Mention including Newfane defensive lineman Tristian Smith, junior linebacker Jake Morelli and defensive back Camro Flowers along with the Wilson duo of senior defensive back Josiah Lawrence and junior place kicker Connor Woodworth.

Contributed Photos – Holley-Kendall wrestlers had, from left, Jeremy Lutes and Don Heirigs place second and Jayden Rivera third at the Pavilion Tournament Saturday.

Holley-Kendall had five top four place finishers at the Pavilion Wrestling Tournament on Saturday.

Jeremy Lutes (103) and Don Heirigs (126) both placed second, Jayden Rivera (110) third and Joey Prevenza (126) and Immanuel Cornell (285) both finished fourth.

Holley-Kendall, which finished sixth out of 16 teams, next faces Alexander-Pembroke in a Genesee Region League match at Kendall at 6 p.m. Wednesday.

Contributed Photos – Some of the Purple Eagles Academy wrestlers who earned top tourney honors this weekend included, from left, Romen Allport, Colton Moreland, Liam McElwain, Lucas Ruggles and Mathias Ellis III.

The Purple Eagles Wrestling Academy had wrestlers attend three different tournaments this weekend.

“While their place finishes are remarkable, what is even better is that they have athletes that represent different communities in the area: Albion, Medina, Lyndonville, and Holley. They also had athletes from Cal-Mum and Brockport representing the program this weekend,” said Academy organizer Mike Sanders.

Here are the results:

Pal-Mac Youth Tournament (Saturday)
Colton Moreland (1st), Romen Allport (1st), Liam McElwain (1st), and Lucas Ruggles (1st).

Lew-Port Youth Tournament (today)
Liam McElwain (1st), Dom Pangrazio (1st), Luke Joy (1st), Harrison Joy (1st), Matthew Colmenero (2nd), Harrison Froman (2nd), Grayson Buffin (3rd).

Youth Eastern States (today)
Mathias Ellis III (1st Place)

The Roy-Hart/Barker/Medina Knights Club Hockey team could not hold their lead against St. Joseph’s this morning in a home game losing 6-5.

Ryan Felicetti (Wilson) opened the scoring for RBM halfway through the first period from Max Pilon (Medina).

One minute later. St. Joe’s tied the score on a powerplay.

However, RBM earned a two goal lead by the end of the period on goals by Felicetti unassisted and John Peracciny (R-H) with assists from Felicetti and Sean Mettler (R-H).

The Knights increased their lead to 4-1 in the second on a goal by Tyler Rohring (Newfane) from Nate Downey (RH) and Cameron Bryer (Wilson).

St. Joe’s went on a five goal surge carrying a 6-4 lead until the last minute of the game when Peracciny scored his second goal, again from Felicetti and Mettler.

RBM was outshot in the game 37-20.

The next outing for RBM is at undefeated Olean on Saturday, January 17 at 7 p.m.

Going 5-1 on the day, Roy-Hart/Brker finished second at the Lew-Port Duals Wrestling Tournament Saturday.

Roy-Hart/Barker defeated Wilson, Lew-Port, Lafayette, CSAT and St. Mary’s. Their only loss was to Sweet Home.

RJ Townsend went undefeated and was named to the All Tournament team for Roy-Hart/Barker as Max Liuzzi and Luke Fay both went 5-1.