Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Roy-Hart’s Andy Xapsos drives to the basket against Medina defender Daryl Haynes during an early season meeting between the the Mustangs and Rams. The two front-running teams will meet again Thursday at Medina in a key Niagara-Orleans League showdown.

The top two teams in the Niagara-Orleans League boys basketball title race will clash Thursday as Medina hosts Roy-Hart in the feature contest of the upcoming week’s area high school sports schedule.

Currently at 8-0, Medina holds a one game lead in the loss column over 8-1 Roy-Hart in the N-O title chase.

The Mustangs handed the Rams their only league loss to date by a 50-34 margin earlier in the season at Middleport.

Andy Xapsos, who is averaging an area best 22.4 points per game, leads the Roy-Hart offense while Jalin Cooper, who is averaging 14.9, paces Medina.

Medina is seeking its first N-O title in seven years since the Mustangs shared the crown with Akron at 13-1 during the 2008-09 campaign.

It’s been exactly 20 years since Roy-Hart last claimed the N-O title during the 1995-96 season when the Rams shared the championship with Wilson at 12-2.

The Lyndonville boys basketball squad will be seeking a seventh straight Genesee Region League victory when the Tigers host Wheatland-Chili on Wednesday.

Currently at 8-2 in the league and 11-4 overall, the Tigers are in the thick of the race for the G-R Division II title.

In girls basketball, undefeated (9-0) Wilson will try to clinch a seventh straight N-O title when the Lakewomen host rival Newfane (8-1) on Tuesday. Wilson handed Newfane its only league loss by a 71-55 margin at Newfane two weeks ago.

The week will also feature the annual N-O All-League wrestling tournament on Saturday at Wilson and the N-O boys individual swim championships on Friday at Newfane.

The Week’s Schedule:

Monday
Boys Basketball – LeRoy at Albion, 7 p.m.
Girls Basketball – Hutch-Tech at Medina, 7 p.m.

Tuesday
Boys Basketball – CSAT at Barker, 6 p.m.
Girls Basketball – Newfane at Wilson, 6 p.m.; Barker at Lew-Port, 6:30 p.m.
Swimming – Newfane at Albion, Barker at Medina, Akron at Roy-Hart, 4:30 p.m.

Wednesday
Boys Basketball – Kendall at Oakfield-Alabama, Wheatland-Chili at Lyndonville, 7 p.m.
Wrestling – Attica at Albion, 6 p.m.

Thursday
Boys Basketball – Akron at Wilson, 6 p.m.; Roy-Hart at Medina, 6:30 p.m.; Newfane at Albion, 7 p.m.
Girls Basketball – Barker at CSAT, Medina at Roy-Hart, 6 p.m.; Wilson at Akron, 6:30 p.m.; Kendall at Lyndonville, 7 p.m.
Wrestling – Holley at Churchville-Chili, 6 p.m.

Friday
Boys Basketball – Barker at Lyndonville, Holley at Pembroke, 7 p.m.
Girls Basketball – Albion at Newfane, 6:30 p.m.; Holley at Alexander, 7 p.m.
Swimming – N-O Boys All-League meet at Newfane, 5:30 p.m.

Saturday
Boys Basketball – Akron at Medina, 3 p.m.; Holley at Attica, Kendall at Notre Dame, 7 p.m.
Wrestling – N-O All-League Tournament at Wilson, 9 a.m.

N-O Standings

Boys Basketball – Medina 8-0, Roy-Hart 8-1, Wilson 5-4, Albion 4-4, Newfane 4-5, Barker 3-6, CSAT 2-6, Akron 0-8.
Girls Basketball – Wilson 9-0, Newfane 8-1, Albion 5-4, CSAT 5-4, Medina 4-5, Barker 3-6, Akron 1-8, Roy-Hart 1-8.
Boys Swimming – Roy-Hart 9-0, Albion 5-4, Medina 5-4, Newfane 5-4, Barker 3-6, Akron 0-9.
Girls Swimming – Newfane 9-0, Akron 7-2, Barker 5-4, Medina 3-6, Roy-Hart 3-6, Albion 0-9.
Wrestling – Newfane 5-0, Barker/Roy-Hart 4-1, Albion 3-2, Akron 2-3, Medina 1-4, Wilson 0-5.

Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Roy-Hart’s Ellie Todd and her Lady Rams teammates defeated visiting Niagara Catholic this afternoon in a non league game.

A big second quarter scoring burst keyed Roy-Hart to a 53-48 victory over visiting Niagara Catholic this afternoon in a non league girls basketball game.

Trailing 16-11, Roy-Hart rallied to outpoint Niagara Catholic 23-6 in the decisive second period.

Emma Lindke and Ellie Todd both scored 8 points and Ava Bligh 5 to lead that uprising as the Lady Rams rallied into a 34-22 half-time advantage.

Roy-Hart maintained a 42-35 lead at the three-quarter mark.

Niagara Catholic did rally back to within one at 49-48 late in the game but Roy-Hart turned back the challenge. Lindke hit a key basket to make it a three point lead and Todd followed up with two clutch free throws to lock up the win for the Lady Rams.

Todd finished with a total of 16 points, Lindke 13, Bligh 10, Skyler Christopher 8, Delaney Draper 4 and Maddy Glena 2.

Marina Campbell took game high honors for Niagara Catholic with 20.

Going 4-1, Holley placed second at the Eastridge Duals wrestling tournament today.

Holley opened the tournament by defeating Wilson Magnet 75-0, Brockport 48-39 and East 75-12.

The Hawks then defeated Eastridge 48-31 in the semifinals but lost a narrow 44-39 decision to Canandaigua in the title match.

Nick Shenck, Patrick Purtell and Zach Day all went 5-0 and Ross Pinson 4-0 on the day for Holley as Erik Balys, Braxton-Leary Hart , Cameron Thorn and Austen Vroman were 4-1 and Nate Schoonmaker, Chris Yockel and Dalton Moyer 3-2.

Contributed Photo – Dustin Hinkley

Grabbing a 26-17 half-time advantage, Wheatland-Chili went on to defeat visiting Lyndonville 52-34 this evening in a Genesee Region League girls basketball game.

Makenzie Muck scored 13 for Lyndonville as Aubrey Lewis and Jasmine Plummer both netted 6.

Tiger matmen at Perry Tourney

Lyndonville placed sixth out of 18 teams at the Perry Wrestling Tournament today.

Jeff Gress Jr. and Dustin Hinkley both earned individual weight class titles going 5-0 on the day. Hinkley earned Most Outstanding Wrestler honors.

Chase Stinson also placed third for the Tigers going 4-1 while Alex Doran and Reese Ledford both took fourth going 3-2.

Newfane claims tourney title

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Medina’s Elijah Sones works toward a decision win over Albion’s Sam Slick during the Mustangs win over the Purple Eagles today during the Gary Gross Memorial Tournament.

Medina bested visiting rival Albion 45-36 to highlight the action of today’s second annual Gary Gross Memorial Wrestling Tournament.

The tournament is named in memory of Medina Coach Eric Gross’ dad who was a long time, very avid supporter of the Mustangs wrestling proegram.

Pins by Joe Velez (126), in 2:32, and Hunter Freeman (138), in 1:11, along with decision win by Elijah Sones (170), led the way for Medina which also benefitted from four forfeit wins.

Velez, Ian Joseph (182) and Colby Petrie (106) all went 5-0 on the day for the Mustangs.

Medina’s Joe Velez in route to scoring a win over Albion’s Jordan Wolcott.

Albion was sparked by a quartet of pins, two of the sub minute variety. Tim Drake (195) registered a pin in only 21 seconds and Israel Florentino (160) in just 58 seconds to lead that Purple Eagles foursome as Ricky Monroe (132) notched a fall in 1:27 and Preston Flugel (120) in 5:08.

Monroe, Florentino, Flugel and Blake Aina all went 5-0 and Drake 4-1 on the day for the Purple Eagles.

Albion’s Israel Florentino works towed a win over Medina’s Tim Roy.

Newfane captured the tournament championship by going 5-0. The Panthers defeated Churchville-Chili 40-37, Lockport 45-34, Medina 44-36, Albion 48-29 and Wilson 59-17.

Medina finished in a three-way tie for the runner-up spot at 3-2 with Lockport and Churchville Chili. The Mustangs also defeated Wilson 52-27 and Churchville-Chili 47-36 but lost to Lockport 42-36.

Albion went 1-4 as the Purple Eagles win came over Wilson 51-6.

Albion’s Preston Flugel in route to posting a win over Medina’s Bobby Geiger.

Contributed Photo – Medina’s Lavonn Guy (13) inbounds the ball during today’s youth basketball game at Lyndonville.

The Medina youth basketball team defeated host Lyndonville 49-30 today to go to 4-0.

Ricky Lilly scored 11 and Jarin Rhim 10 to lead Medina as Emmanual Taylor added 8, Alex Benz 4 and Aman Soule 4.

Roman Heinsler scored 12 and Noah Poler 8 for Lyndonville.

Medina next hosts Barker at 11 a.m. on January 30.

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Roy-Hart’s Chris Anderson blocks a shot attempt by Albion’s Tyler Rotoli during the host Rams win over the Purple Eagles this evening.

Staying within a game of the top spot, Roy-Hart posted a 48-38 victory over visiting Albion this evening in a key Niagara-Orleans League boys basketball game.

Improving to 8-1 with the victory, Roy-Hart stays within a game of front-running Medina (8-0) which downed Barker 67-33. The Rams will next visit the Mustangs in a key showdown contest on January 28.

Justin Heschke, left, of Roy-Hart grabs a rebound aginst Albion’s Kory Reynolds.

Roy-Hart jumped out to a 15-3 first period lead as Justin Heschke scored 11 points.

Albion, in fact, was blanked in the period until Manuel Taylor hit a three in the final second.

The Rams went on to hold leads of 20-9 at the half and 27-15 after three quarters.

Albion’s Kory Reynolds puts up a shot over Roy-Hart’s Justin Heschke.

Andy Xapsos took game high scoring honors for Roy-Hart with 17 as Heschke added 15, Chris Anderson 11, Ben Maynard 3 and Jacob Bruning 2.

Tommy Mattson scored 16 to lead Albion as Kory Reynolds added 8, Taylor 7 and Chase Hall 5.

The loss drops Albion to 4-4.

Albion’s Evan Pappalardo drives by Roy-Hart defender Austin Dodge.

Newfane 63, Akron 31
Newfane (4-5) rolled out to a 35-10 half-time advantage and went on to down Akron (0-8) 63-31.

Kyle DeVoogel scored 22, including six threes, to lead parade of 12 scorers for the Panthers.

Wilson 59, CSAT 46
Alex Fox scored 17, Jonah Miller 15 and Ryan Bradley 12 to lead the way for Wilson (5-4) in a 59-46 victory over CSAT (2-6).

Bradley also grabbed off 10 rebounds for the Lakemen which led 36-20 at the half.

N-O Standings

Medina 8-0, Roy-Hart 8-1, Wilson 5-4, Albion 4-4, Newfane 4-5, Barker 3-6, CSAT 2-6, Akron 0-8.

Attica 64, Kendall 37
Breaking away from a 6-6 first quarter deadlock, Attica used a bi 25-7 second period scoring surge to key a 64-37 Genesee Region League victory over visiting Kendall.

Owen Thompson scored 17. Nick Perry 15 and Colden George 14 to lead the way for Attica.

Brandon Miller and John Rath both scored 12 for Kendall. Miller also had 9 rebounds and 6 blocks and Jacob Ramsdell 16 blocks.

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Medina’s Daniel Heil works toward a win in the 100 Backstroke during this afternoon’s victory over visiting Albion.

Medina scored a sweep over visiting Albion this afternoon in a Niagara-Orleans League swim meet as the Seahorses took the boys competition 89-80 and the girls 116-48.

Daniel Heil doubled in the 200 Individual Medley and 100 Backstroke for the Medina boys squad which also had Chase Pecoraro win the 100 Freestyle and Kristian Snyder the 100 Breaststroke.

Heil also teamed up with Snyder, Mason Pecoraro and Damien Norrish to win the 200 Medley Relay and with Norrish, Chase Pecoraro and Powell Stephens to take the 400 Free Relay.

Harrison Brown doubled in the 200 Free and 500 Free while Tyler Kast took the 100 Butterfly and Carlitos Sanchez the 50 Free for Albion. Sanchez, Kast and Brown also combined with Bailey Maier to take the 200 Free Relay.

Medina and Albion are now both 5-4 on the season.

Albion’s Elizabeth Furmanski heads to a win in the 100 Freestyle.

Emma Gardner was a double winner in the 50 Free and 100 Butterfly for the Medina girls squad as Alyssa Beyer took the 200 Free, Olivia Carter the 100 Back and Haylee Cogovan the 100 Breaststroke.

Medina also swept the three relays as Carter, Cogovan, Brooklyn Brown and Andrea Toussaint combined to take the 200 Medley while Beyer, Toussaint, Gardner and Hannah Heil teamed up to take both the 200 Free and 400 Free.

Elizabeth Furmanski doubled in the 200 Individual Medley and 100 Free and Sarah Graham took the 500 Free for Albion.

Medina is now 3-6 and Albion 0-9.

Roy-Hart, Barker split

The defending champion Roy-Hart boys squad stayed perfect at 9-0 by downing Barker (3-6) 109-61 as Tanner Rees doubled in the Individual Medley and Butterfly.

The Barker girls downed Roy-Hart 104-66 to improve to 5-4 as Christiana Carestia doubled in the 200 Free and 500 Free and Sarah Gendrue in the Individual Medley and 100 Breaststroke. Natalie Menz also won the 50 Free and Emma Jenks the 100 Free.

Newfane girls retain title

The undefeated (9-0) Newfane girls squad locked up out right possession of a seventh straight N-O championship by downing runner-up (7-2) Akron 98-72.

Allie DeBiase doubled in the Individual Medley and 100 Breaststroke, Lydia Gaughran in the Butterfly and 200 Free and Meghan Mietlicki in the 50 Free and 100 Free to lead the way for Newfane.

The Newfane boys (5-4) completed the sweep by downing Akron (0-9) 105-58 as Thomas Schultz doubled in the 200 Free and 500 Free, Zach Lundy in the 50 Free and 100 Back and Andrew Hamelink in the 200 Free and 500 Free.

N-O Standings

Boys: Roy-Hart 9-0, Albion 5-4, Medina 5-4, Newfane 5-4, Barker 3-6, Akron 0-9.

Girls: Newfane 9-0, Akron 7-2, Barker 5-4, Medina 3-6, Roy-hart 3-6, Albion 0-9.

Albion downed visiting Roy-Hart 55-44 this evening to improve to 5-4 in Niagara-Orleans League girls basketball competition.

Chanyce Powell had 21 points and 19 rebounds and Emily Blanchard 13 points to lead the way for Albion. Sierra Chudy added 8 points, Sierra Newton 7, Raven White 4 and Natalie DiCureia 2 for the Purple Eagles.

Delany Draper scored 13 and Emma Lindke 11 for Roy-Hart which slips to 1-8. Maddy Glena added 8, Reilly Albee and Maddie Fry 4, Ava Bligh 3 and Skyler Christopher 1 for the Lady Rams.

Albion jumped out to a first quarter 16-9 lead as Blanchard hit two thees at the outset and Powell added 6 points.

The Purple Eagles went on to lead by margins of 32-14 at the half and 42-30 at the three-quarter mark.

Wilson 41, CSAT 28
Kayla Neumann had 14 points, 10 rebounds and 6 steals and Rachel Senek 11 points, 6 rebounds and 3 steals to lead undefeated (9-0) defending champion Wilson to a 41-28 victory over CSAT (5-4).

Wilson led 21-12 at the half.

Newfane 51, Akron 34
Katie Kneeland scored 15, Paige Emborsky 10 and Emily Foltz 8 to set the pace for Newfane which bested Akron (1-8) 51-34 to improve to 8-1.

The Lady Panthers led 24-15 at the half.

N-O Standings

Wilson 9-0, Newfane 8-1, Albion 5-4, CSAT 5-4, Medina 4-5, Barker 3-6, Roy-Hart 1-8, Akron 1-8.

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Medina’s Tyler Ames puts up a rebound shot between Barker defenders Shawn Callaghan (14) and Kyle Secore (10) during the Mustangs win over the visiting Raiders this evening.

Jumping to to a big early lead, Medina went on to defeat visiting Barker 67-33 this evening to stay perfect at 8-0 in Niagara-Orleans League competition.

Justin Morgan scored 18 and Darly Haynes 10 to lead the offense for Medina as Johnny Salone added 9, Jalin Cooper and Tyler Ames 8 each, Tyler Howard 6, Jared Zinkievich 5 and Ronnie Koonce 3.

Nate Luckman led Barker with 10 as Eddie Wasnock, Jake Arnold and Michael Snell each netted 6, Devon Mangan 3 and Shawn Callaghan 2.

Medina’s Tyler Howard tries to drive around Barker defender Kyle Secore.

Medina raced out to a 19-6 first period lead as Morgan had three threes and Cooper a three and a two.

The Mustangs boosted the lead to 32, 44-12, at the half as Haynes had four baskets, Morgan two threes and Ames a pair of buckets during a big 25-6 second period scoring surge.

Medina maintained a 37 point, 57-20 lead at the three-quarter mark.

Barker is now 3-6 in N-O action.

The Mustangs next host runner-up Roy-Hart (8-1), a 48-38 victor over Albion, in a key showdown contest on January 28.

Barker’s Shawn Callaghan puts up a shot as Justin Morgan defends for Medina.

Eddie Wasnock puts up a shot for Barker as Medina’s Jalin Cooper tries for a block.