Photo by Mike Wertman – Anchoring the lineup for Albion this season is this group of Purple Eagle veterans. In front are Evan Pappalardo and Kory Reynolds. In back are Tyler Rotoli, Tommy Mattison, Manwell Taylor and Brady Meakin.

Two Canadian foes will provide the opposition as the Albion boys varsity basketball team will open the season by participating in the Can-Am Shootout at Niagara Catholic High School in Niagara Falls over the Thanksgiving weekend.

The Purple Eagles will face Ridley College Prep of St. Catharines, Ontario at 6:30 p.m. this Friday and then take on St. Paul’s High School of Niagara Falls, Ontario at 5 p.m. on Saturday.

“We’re looking to play the best competition we can to help get us ready for the league and the sectionals,” said Coach Brennan Meakin.

The Can-Am Shootout field will also include St. Michael’s High School from Ontario, CSAT and host Niagara Catholic.

Looking to keep the momentum from last year’s Section VI Class B1 championship campaign, the Purple Eagles squad is led by a contingent of six returnees.

That veteran group includes seniors Evan Pappalardo, Brady Meakin, Manwell Taylor and Tyler Rotoli along with juniors Tommy Mattison and Kory Reynolds.

“Winning that sectional title has certainly raised our expectations,” said Meakin whose Purple Eagles did lose six regulars from that title squad to graduation including Austin Loyd, Manny Thompson, Gary Moore, Alex Bison, Des Blackmon and Clayton Stanton.

“We certainly lost quite a bit but we’ve got a good group returning,” said Meakin. “We’re working to jell together as a team. We’re long and we can run so we’re looking to hit the boards and run the floor.”

Albion, which went 8-6 in Niagara-Orleans League action and 13-10 overall last season, will open N-O competition at home against Wilson on December 15.

Albion’s Schedule:
Nov. 27 – vs. Ridley College Prep at Niagara Catholic, 6:30 p.m.
Nov. 28 – vs. St. Paul’s High School at Niagara Catholic, 5 p.m.
Dec. 9 – at St. Francis, 6:30 p.m.
Dec. 15 – Wilson, 7 p.m.
Dec. 18 – Roy-Hart, 7 p.m.
Dec. 23 – at Newfane, 6L30 p.m.
Dec. 28 and 30 at GCC Tournament
Jan. 5 – Barker, 7 p.m.
Jan. 8 – Medina, 7 p.m.
Jan. 12 – at CSAT, 6 p.m.
Jan. 15 – at Akron, 6:30 p.m.
Jan. 19 – at Wilson, 6 p.m.
Jan. 22 – at Roy-Hart, 6 p.m.
Jan. 25 – LeRoy, 7 p.m.
Jan. 28 – Newfnae, 7 p.m.
Feb. 2 – at Barker, 6 p.m.
Feb. 4 – at Medina, 6:30 p.m.
Feb. 9 – CSAT, 7 p.m.
Feb. 12 – Akron, 6 p.m.

Photo by Mike Wertman – Captains Emily DiMayo, Alexandrea Hill, Mason Sparks and Tanner Rees will lead the Roy-Hart swim teams into the up coming Niagara-Orleans League season.

With the lineup returning almost intact the Roy-Hart boys swim squad is taking aim at capturing a 10th straight Niagara-Orleans League championship this coming season.

The Channel Cats which have gone 90-0 over the past nine N-O championship seasons, are lead by a large contingent of veterans including senior Mason Sparks, who was 3rd in both the 200 and 500 Freestyle events at last year’s All-League meet, along with juniors Tanner Rees (1st in 100 Breaststroke, 2nd in 200 Individual Medley), Nathan Mikoll (2nd in 50 Free, 3rd in 100 Free), Matt Maines (4th in 100 Free and 100 Backstroke), Tanner Bulmer (5th in 200 Free), Tim Maines (5th in Individual Medley and 100 Butterfly), Jarrett Thompson (5th in Breaststoke), Elliott Spitzer, Jack Daly, Jake Stern and Dilon Gominiak.

“We only lost a couple so we still have our core group,” said Coach Bruce Mathews. “So we feel pretty good.”

The Roy-Hart girls squad, which tied for second place in the final N-O standings last year at 7-3, is led by a quartet of All-League meet place finishers including junior Alexandrea Hill (1st in Butterfly, 2nd in Individual Medley), junior Emily DiMayo (3rd in Individual Medley, 4th in Breaststroke), freshman Emilia Peracciny (5th in Butterfly) and eighth grader Kayla Hagan (3rd in Backstroke).

The Channel Cats youthful squad also includes freshman Holly DiMayo and eighth graders Sandy Sparks and Madison Ohol.

“We took a big hit from graduation on the girls side but we’ve got a lot of very good younger girls which speaks well for our future,” said Mathews.

The Channel Cats will tune-up for the December 10 N-O opener at Albion by competing in four non league meets against Genesee Region League opponents beginning on November 30 at home against Oakfield-Alabama.

Roy-Hart’s Schedule
Nov. 30 – Oakfield-Alabama, 4:30 p.m.
Dec. 2 – at Attica, 5:30 p.m.
Dec. 4 – Alexander, 4:30 p.m.
Dec. 8 – at Notre Dame, 4:30 p.m.
Dec. 10 – at Albion, 4 p.m.
Dec. 15 – Newfane, 4:30 p.m.
Dec. 18 – at Medina, 4:30 p.m.
Jan. 5 – Barker, 4:30 p.m.
Jan. 7 – at Akron, 4:30 p.m.
Jan. 12 – Albion, 4:30 p.m.
Jan. 14 – at Newfane, 4:30 p.m.
Jan. 20 – Medina, 4:30 p.m.
Jan. 22 – at Barker, 4:30 p.m.
Jan. 26 – Akron, 4:30 p.m.
Jan. 29 – Boys All-League meet at Newfane, 5:30 p.m.
Feb. 2 – Girl All-League meet at Akron, 5:30 p.m.
Feb. 5 – Girls N-O vs. G-R meet at Gates-Chili, 6 p.m.

Photo by Mike Wertman – This group of veterans will lead Holley into the upcoming Genesee Region League wrestling season. In front are Ross Pinson, Austin Vromann and Camron Thorn. In back are Chris Yockel, Pat Purtell, Nick Shenck and Zach Day.

Looking to rebound from last year’s sub. 500 (1-4) Genesee Region League wrestling campaign, Holley is led by a good group of veteran matmen.

Holley’s veteran contingent includes seniors Nick Shenck, who went 35-11 last year, Pat Puretll (25-15), Austin Vromann (25-13), Ross Pinson, Camron Thorn, Chris Yockel and junior Zach Day (29-16).

The Hawks are also looking to senior Robert Towsley, juniors Josh Marzalkowski and Braxton Leary-Hart, sophomore Brandon Gardner and freshman Nate Schoonmaker, Erik Balys and Kory Puente.

“They did more off season wrestling than we’ve had in a long time so hopefully that experience will propel us into a good solid season,” said Coach John Grillo. “We have a solid team with a lot of returnees. The attitude s very good and we have good cohesiveness.”

The Hawks will open the season by hosting the Holley Tournament on December 5 with the G-R opener at home on December 8 against Kendall.

Holley’s Schedule:
Dec. 5 – Holley Tournament
Dec. 8 – Kendall, 6 p.m.
Dec. 12 and 13 at Springville Duals
Dec. 15 – Alexander, 6 .m.
Dec. 17 – at Brighton
Dec. 19 – at South Seneca Duals
Dec. 28 – Holley Duals
Jan. 5 – at Attica, 6 p.m.
Jan. 9 – at Cal-Mum Duals
Jan. 12 – Byron-Bergen, 6 p.m.
Jan. 14 – at McQuaid, 6 p.m.
Jan. 20 – at Lyndonville, 6 p.m.
Jan. 23 – at Eastridge Duals
Jan. 28 – at Churchville-Chili, 6 p.m.
Jan. 30 – at Avoca Tournament

Photo by Mike Wertman – Barker’s contingent of veteran swimmers includes, in front, Ian Goodlander, Andrew Jenks and Collin Webb. In back are Alaina Israel, Sara Gendrue, Christiana Carestia, Emma Jenks and Natalie Menz.

Looking to keep the momentum from last year’s second place finishes, the Barker boys and girls swim teams both return a solid nucleus with which to compete in the Niagara-Orleans League this coming season.

Both Barker teams went 7-3 in N-O competition last year.

Sophomore Collin Webb, who won the 50 Freestyle and placed second in the 100 Free at last year’s All-League meet, heads the veteran group for the Barker boys squad. That group also includes senior Ian Goodlander (3rd in 100 Breaststroke, 5th in 50 Free), junior Collin Stevener (4th in 100 Butterfly, 5th in 100 Backstroke), sophomore Andrew Jenks (3rd in 200 Individual Medley, 5th in 50 Free) and sophomore Adam Wagner (6th in 200 Free).

Leading the way for the Barker girls squad are senior Emma Jenks (4th in 100 Free, 6th in 50 Free), junior Christiana Carestia (6th in 500 Free), sophomore Sara Gendrue (2nd in Breaststroke, 6th in Individual Medley), sophomore Natalie Menz (2nd 50 Free, 6th 100 Free) and freshman Chloe Goodlander (3rd in Butterfly, 5th in Backstroke) along with senior Alaina Israel, and juniors Abby Bachman and Tiarah Culverwell.

“We’re still young but we’re hoping to continue our success and we’re looking to build on that,” said Coach Mike Gendrue.

The Raiders will tune-up for the December 10 N-O opener at Akron by competing in four non league meets against Genesee Region League foes beginning on November 30 at home against Pembroke.

Barker’s Schedule:
Nov. 30 – Pembroke, 4:30 p.m.
Dec. 2 – at Wheatland-Chili, 5:30 p.m.
Dec. 4 – Byron-Bergen, 4:30 p.m.
Dec. 8 – at Attica, 5:30 p.m.
Dec. 10 – at Akron, 4:30 p.m.
Dec. 15 – Albion, 4:30 p.m.
Dec. 18 – Newfane, 4:30 p.m.
Jan. 5 – at Roy-Hart, 4:30 p.m.
Jan. 7 – Medina, 4:30 p.m.
Jan. 12 – Akron, 4:30 p.m.
Jan. 14 – at Albion, 4:30 p.m.
Jan. 20 – at Newfane, 4:30 p.m.
Jan. 22 – Roy-Hart, 4:30 p.m.
Jan. 26 – at Medina, 4:30 p.m.
Jan. 29 – Boys N-O All-League meet at Newfane, 5:30 p.m.
Feb. 2 – Girls N-O All-League meet at Akron, 5:30 p.m.
Feb. 5 – Girls N-O vs. G-R meet at Gates-Chili, 6 p.m.

Photo Contributed by Bruce Landis

The Medina Junior Varsity volleyball team recently completed a very successful season going 11-1 in Niagara-Orleans League competition and 14-3 overall. The Mustangs shared the best record in the N-O with Akron. Team members included, in front from left, Di’vere Brown, Evie Schultz, Brandi Guild, Faith Henning and Alexis Jones. In the second row are Ryenn Oliver, Leah Sheelar, Morgan Allis, Jalisa Velez and Joyce Stamp. In the back row are Coach Chris Horgan, Tiffany Poynter, Elle Gross, Shelby Green, Kharise Johnson, Camri King and Breanna Islam. “As the season unfolded, the team made fine  progress-individually and collectively- in all phases of the game,” said Horgan.

Photo by Cheryl Wertman

Medina High graduate Alba Perez drives to the basket for Niagara County Community College against Grace Earle of Penn St. DuBois during the Thunderwolves 68-49 home court victory this afternoon.

Perez, who has earned Region III Player of the Week honors twice during the first three weeks of the season, grabbed off a game high 12 rebounds. She also had 7 points, 4 assists, 1 block and 1 assist.

NCCC, which improved to 8-1, was lead offensively by Tailyah Hopkins with 13 points and Alliyah Gillespie with 12. NCCC, which used an 18-2 scoring burst in the first quarter to take the lead for good, went on to hold leads of 36-28 at the half and 53-39 after three quarters.

Photo by Mike Wertman – Leading the way for the Barker/Roy-Hart wrestling team will be this group of veteran grapplers. In front are Kirk Fay, Collin Anderson, Sam Dauphin and Elias Eaton. In back are Brent Bachman, Dan Wheeler, Cameron Swick, Ryan Ulrich and Joe Nolan.

Bolstered by a large contingent of nine returning regulars, the Barker/Roy-Hart wrestling squad is prepping for the December 2 non league home opener against Fredonia at Middleport.

Senior Collin Anderson, who placed first at the Niagara-Orleans All-League Tournament at 285 lbs. last year, heads a quintet of N-O place finishers which leads that group. Those place finishers also include seniors Ryan Ultrich and Joe Nolan and junior Brent Bachman who placed second at 138, 160 and 120 respectively, and senior Sam Dauphin, who was third at 285.

That veteran group also includes seniors Kirk Fay, Elias Eaton, Dan Wheeler and Cameron Swick.

“We’ve got a good returning group,” said Coach Keith Jones whose squad went 2-3 in N-O dual match competition last year.

Barker/Roy-Hart will open N-O competition on December 10 against Akron at Barker.

Barker/Roy-Hart’s Schedule:
Dec. 1 – Fredonia, 6 p.m. at Roy-Hart
Dec. 10 – Akron, 6 p.m. at Barker
Dec. 12 – at Orchard Park Tournament
Dec. 16 – at Wilson, 6 p.m.
Dec. 21 – at Lyndonville, 6 p.m.
Dec. 30 – at Akron Tournament
Jan. 6 – Albion, 6 p.m. at Roy-Hart
Jan. 8 and 9 – at Officials Tournament at NCCC
Jan. 13 – at Newfane, 6 p.m.
Jan. 15 and 16 – at Lockport Tournament
Jan. 20 – at Medina, 6 p.m.
Jan. 30 – at All-League Tounament at Wilson

Contributed Photo – Honored by the Niagara-Orleans League with Foundation Awards Thursday were three long tme former coaches including, from left, Bob Ord, Steve O’Dea and Jack Kiebala.

Three former long-time coaches, Jack Kiebala and Steve O’Dea of Medina and Bob Ord of Albion, were presented with the Niagara-Orleans League’s Foundation Award at the league’s annual coaches banquet on Thursday evening.

O’Dea organized the Medina boys soccer program and coached the Mustangs varsity squad for the first 22 years of its existence (1981-2002). His Mustangs captured the N-O championship in 1992 going 9-1.

He also was involved with the Medina boys track team for some 30 years (1972-2003) serving first as an assistant coach and then as the head coach. The Mustangs captured the N-O title six times during that stretch (1973, 1975, 1986, 1992, 1993, 1995).

Kiebala was instrumental in getting the Medina girls track program off and rolling coaching the Mustangs for some 23 years (1980-2002). The Mustangs captured nine N-O titles during that period winning in 1982 and then taking eight in a row from 1984-1991.

He also guided the Medina cross-country teams for over a decade from 1990-2003.

Ord coached at Albion for some 25 years from 1970-1995 primarily leading the Purple Eagles cross-country and boys track teams.

He guided the cross-country program from 1975-1995. His boys Purple Eagles squad in fact won N-O championships in three different decades claiming the title in 1978, 1982, 1993 and 1994.

He guided the boys track squad for virtually all of his coaching years at Albion. His Purple Eagles claimed the N-O title six times winning in 1983, then four in a row from 1988-1991, and again in 1994.

The cross-country title in 1978 and the track title in 1983 were Albion’s first N-O championships in those sports.

Photo by Mike Wertman – Raven White, left, and Chanyce Powell and their Albion teammates are prepping for the Purple Eagles December 2 non league home opener against Cleve Hill.

Youth and inexperience dominate the lineup for the Albion girls basketball squad which is prepping to open the season at home on December 2 with a non league game against Cleve Hill.

Junior Chanyce Powell is the lone returning starter and Raven White the only senior on the Purple Eagles youthful roster. Powell earned first team Niagara-Orleans All-League honors last year as she averaged 15 points and 10 rebounds.

Albion’s graduation losses included the starting quartet of first team N-O All-League honoree Justice Nauden along with Amanda Covis, Sarah Metzler and Savannah Allen.

The Purple Eagles underclassmen dominated roster also includes juniors Emily Blanchard, Nikki Eldred, Celeste Hoffman and Cierra Chudy along with sophomores Caitlynn Snook, Natalie DiCureia, Janae Doty, Elizabeth Baker and freshmen Cierra Newton.

“We’ve got a lot of young kids but were pretty athletic and we have good numbers,” said Coach Lucian Price. “We have strength in numbers. We have good depth.”

Albion, which went 9-5 in N-O competition and 12-10 overall last season, will open the N-O campaign at Wilson on December 15.

Albion’s Schedule:
Dec. 2 – Cleve Hill, 7 p.m.
Dec. 4 – Notre Dame, 7 p.m.
Dec. 7 – at Red Jacket, 6:30 p.m.
Dec. 10 – at Batavia, 7 p.m.
Dec. 15 – at Wilson, 6 p.m.
Dec. 18 – at Roy-Hart, 6 p.m.
Dec. 23 – Newfane ,7 p.m.
Dec. 29 and 30 – at Wheatland-Chili Tournament
Jan. 5 – at Barker, 6:30 p.m.
Jan. 7 – at Medina, 6:30 p.m.
Jan. 11 – CSAT, 7 p.m.
Jan. 14 – Akron, 7 p.m.
Jan. 19 – Wilson, 6 p.m.
Jan. 22 – Roy-Hart, 7 p.m.
Jan. 29 – at Newfane, 6:30 p.m.
Feb. 2 – Barker, 7 p.m.
Feb. 5 – Medina, 7 p.m.
Feb. 9 – at CSAT, 6 p.m.
Feb. 12 – at Akron, 5:30 p.m.

Photo by Mike Wertman – Getting set to lead Medina into the up coming basketball season is this contingent of veterans. In front are Dylan Lewis, Jalin Cooper and Tyler Ames. In back are Justin Morgan, Jared Zinkievich and Brad McPherson.

Having finished in the runner-up spot the last two years, Medina returns a good nucleus of six veterans with which to make another run at top Niagara-Orleans League boys basketball honors this season.

Senior Justin Morgan, who earned second team N-O All-League honors, along with senior Dylan Lewis and sophomore Jalin Cooper, who were both Honorable Mention selections, head the Mustangs veteran group which also includes seniors Tyler Ames, Jared Zinkievich and Brad McPherson.

The Mustangs roster also features plenty of youth including freshmen Johnny Salone, Ronnie Koonce, Izaiah Rhim and sophomore Mason Lewis as junior Tyler Howard and senior David McRae round out the roster. Rhim is currently sidelined with an injury.

“We’ve got a good mix of good experience, good scoring and good youth. They compliment each other nicely” said Coach Tom Forrestel. “This should be one of the better defensive teams we’ve had and we’re hoping to key everything offensively off our defense.”

Medina, which went 10-4 in N-O competition and 11-10 overall last year, will open the season at home on December 4 with a non league contest against Rochester Career Mentoring Charter School. The Mustangs league opener will be at home on December 15 against Newfane.

Medina’s Schedule:
Dec. 4 – Rochester Career Mentoring, 6:30 p.m.
Dec. 8 – at Nichols, 6:30 p.m.
Dec. 11 – Burgard, 6:30 p.m.
Dec. 15 – Newfane, 6:30 p.m.
Dec. 17 – Tapestry, 6:30 p.m.
Dec. 18 – at Barker, 6:30 p.m.
Dec. 22 – at Roy-Hart, 6 p.m.
Dec. 28 – at Orchard Park, 1:30 p.m.
Dec. 30 – Lew-Port, 2:30 p.m.
Jan. 5 – Wilson, 6:30 p.m.
Jan. 8 – at Albion, 7 p.m.
Jan. 12 – Akron, 6:30 p.m.
Jan. 15 – CSAT, 6:30 p.m.
Jan. 19 – at Newfane, 6:30 p.m.
Jan. 22 – Barker, 6:30 p.m.
Jan. 28 – Roy-Hart, 6:30 p.m.
Feb. 2 – at Wilson, 6 p.m.
Feb. 4 – Albion, 6:30 p.m.
Feb, 9 – at Akron, 6:30 p.m.
Feb. 11 – at CSAT, 6:30 p.m.