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Euchre League leaders post wins
Front-running Legion downed JR Wilson 37-33 and runner-up Sacred Heart defeated Vets Club 40-30 in Medina Euchre League competition Monday.
Legion is now 272-218 on the season while Sacred Heart is 257-233, JR Wilson 244-246 and Vets Club 207-283.
League action will continue on November 23 with Legion at JR Wilson and Sacred Heart at Vets Club.
Eagles prep for opener under new coach
Photo by Mike Wertman – New Kendall boys varsity basketball Coach Matt Zimmer, left, meets here with the Eagles four varsity returnees including Brandon Miller, Jacob Ramsdell, Colton Breslawski and Nick Manners.
With new Coach Matt Zimmer at the helm the Kendall boys varsity basketball team is prepping for the December 1 non league home opener against Barker.
Zimmer, who coached the Eagles JV team for the last seven years, takes over the varsity helm from Justin Laureano.
“We have a great culture of winning that we want to continue,” said Zimmer.
The Eagles have won back-to-back Genesee Region League Division 1 titles and went 12-3 in the league and 15-6 overall last fall.
The Eagles lineup is anchored by the veteran quartet of seniors Jacob Ramsdell, Colton Breslawski, Nick Manners and junior Brandon Miller.
“We have a good experienced nucleus,” said Zimmer. “They have all worked hard in the off season and there has been a very positive energy at practice.”
The Eagles roster also includes senior Brandon Lewis, juniors Collin Lewis, James Longrod, Ben Frasch, Jonathan Miller, Keaton Freitag and freshman Nathan Warters.
The Eagles will open the G-R season at Lyndonville on December 4.
Kendall’s Schedule:
Dec. 1 – Barker, 7 p.m.
Dec. 4 – at Lyndonville, 7 p.m.
Dec. 8 – Notre Dame, 7 p.m.
Dec. 12 – World of Inquiry, 1:30 p.m.
Dec. 18 – Elba, 7 p.m.
Dec. 22 – at Wheatland-Chili, 7 p.m.
Dec. 29 – vs. Midlakes at Gananda Tournament, 4:30 p.m.
Dec. 30 – at Gananda Tournament, TBA
Jan 4 – at Elba, 7 p.m.
Jan. 6 – Alexander, 7 p.m.
Jan. 12 – at Byron-Bergen, 7 p.m.
Jan 14 – at Holley, 7 p.m.
Jan. 16 – Northstar, 2:30 p.m.
Jan. 20 – Pembroke ,7 p.m.
Jan, 22 – at Attica, 7 p.m.
Jan. 27 – Oakfield-Alabama, 7 p.m.
Jan. 30 – at Notre Dame, 7 p.m.
Feb. 2 – Lyndonville, 7 p.m.
Feb. 9 – Wheatland-Chili, 7 p.m.
Feb. 11 – at North Rose-Wolcott, 7 p.m.
Albion harrier competes in All-WNY Cross-Country Invitational
Contributed Photo – Meredith Patterson
Albion High senior Meredith Patterson earned a medal while competing in the 34th annual Checkers Athletic Club All Western New York Cross-Country Invitational on Sunday at Knox Farm State Park in East Aurora.
Patterson was also named Section VI Runner of the Week for small schools in Week No. 10 of the recently completed high school season. This honor gave her the right to compete in the All WNY Invitational.
It was a milestone season for long-time Roy-Hart volleyball coach
Holahan completes 40th season at Lady Rams helm
Contributed Photo
Roy-Hart volleyball Coach Bill Holahan, center, is congratulated by Athletic Director John Grzymala, left, and High School Principal Gary Bell after completing his 40th season as the Lady Rams varsity coach.
The recently completed high school volleyball season was a milestone one for long-time Roy-Hart Coach Bill Holahan who marked his 40th season at the Lady Rams helm.
"It has been an honor to coach at Roy-Hart especially with all the support that I have had over the years. I still am in contact with a number of my former players who still play with us over the summer," said Holohan who has guided and watched the growth and development of the Roy-Hart program since its humble beginnings in the mid 1970’s.
Those formative years was a time when the team practiced in the Gasport Elementary gym wth the JV and varsity teams sharing one court, when volleyball shared the winter sports season with basketball and when Roy-Hart girls had one uniform that was passed through all the sports during the school year.
"Volleyball was the second season for years when there were four sports seasons for the girls," said Holahan in noting that volleyball played from mid October to mid December with basketball playing in January and February for the first dozen years of the program’s existence.
The sport of volleyball, and the Lady Rams program, has come along way since then. Volleyball became a full season fall sport in 1986 and over the past four decades Holahan’s Lady Rams have scored over 300 league wins, captured 8 Niagara-Orleans titles and 3 section VI championships (1983, 1987, 1996).
"It’s been fun to see girls sports grow so much and gain equality with the boys programs," said Holahan. "Girls have just as many opportunities to gain scholarships as males if they are willing to put in the work."
And Holahan’s program has realized a number of college volleyball scholarship recipients including Bridget Shanahan who is now a senior at the University of Wyoming, Heidi Hildebrandt, Erin Holahan, Grace Swick and Eliza Schwab.
Contributed Photo
Coach Bill Holahan joins in the celebration with his players after the Lady Rams captured their first Niagara-Orleans League title in 1983 by ironically defeating both Medina and Wilson in a regular season ending tri-match.
In earning N-O titles in 1983, 1991, 1992, 1994, 1996, 1997, 2008 and 2009, Holahan’s Lady Rams very often faced nearby rival Medina in key matches that helped determine the league champions.
The 1983 season was Roy-Hart’s first undefeated season as the Lady Rams claimed both league and sectional titles. The Lady Rams most successful season though was 1996 when the Lady Rams not only went 14-0 in the league but went on to capture the Section VI Class B2 championship and the overall Section VI Class B title with a win over N-O rival Albion.
"Medina was out biggest rival for many years coached by Scott Grimm," said Holahan whose Lady Rams and Grimm’s Mustangs took turns capturing the N-O title every year but one for a very competitive 15 year period from 1983-1997.
"We went back and forth quit a bit," said Grimm. "It was always great competition. Bill’s Roy-Hart teams were always well prepared, well coached and very competitive."
"Gerri Julius of Wilson was another long time coach that we had many great matches against," added Holahan. "In recent years Albion and Roy-Hart have battled against one another with veteran Coach Ann Capacci at the Purple Eagles helm,"
Holahan, who cites the strong support he has received from the Roy-Hart Athletic Directors over the years as well as the yeoman work of his JV Coaches including Phil Ciarico (7 years), Bobbie Becker (15 years) and Doug Meyer (12 years and counting), has also been very active in volleyball at the Section VI level. He has served as the N-O League’s representative on the Western New York Volleyball Committee for the last 25 years.
"I have been in the Roy-Hart School District for six years and Bill has been a great role model for not only me but for thousands of Roy-Hart student-athletes," said Rams Athletic Director John Grzymala.
Albion duo repeats as first team N-O All-League girls soccer honorees
Contributed Photos
Albion is represented on the first team of the Niagara-Orleans All-League soccer squad by repeat honorees Emily Blanchard, left, and Mariah Elsenheimer.
Albion senior Mariah Elsenhimer and junior Emily Blanchard have both been named to the first team of the Niagara-Orleans All-League soccer squad for the second year in a row.
Elsenheimer, who switched from the front line to defense part way through the season to help shore up that unit, had 15 goals and 5 assists. A four-year varsity player she finished her career with a total of 70 goals and 29 assists.
Blanchard, a midfielder, led the Purple Eagles in scoring with 23 goals and 15 assists. A three year varsity player, she now has a career total of 48 goals and 33 assists.
Champion Wilson (13-1) led the way on the first team with four selections including junior forward Kayla Neumann, junior midfielder Emily Patterson, senior defender Zipporah Barrett and sophomore goalie Emily Kelly.
Patterson, who had 6 goals and 22 assists, and Barrett, who had 4 goals and 6 assists, are both repeat honorees. Neumann, who was a second team selection last year, had 26 goals and 11 assists.
Runner-up Newfane (12-2) has placed a trio of players including senior forward Kaylee Heschke, sophomore midfielder Emily Fotlz and junior defender Makena Carpenter.
Heschke, who is a repeat selection, had 18 goals and 18 assists and Foltz 12 goals and 7 assists.
Rounding out the first team are Roy-Hart senior forward Emma Lidke along with the Akron senior duo of midfielder Ashley Mietz and defender Morgan Wagner. Lindke, a second team selection last year, had 30 goals and 13 assists. Mietz, who is a repeat selection, had 4 goals and 6 assists.
Photo by Cheryl Wertman
Roy-Hart’s first team honoree Emma Lindke.
Medina is represented on the second team by sophomore forward Destiny Satkowski, who had 20 goals and 5 assists, and senior goalie Emma Gardner who had 158 saves and a 1.838 goals against average.
Albion is represented on the second team by junior defender Vivian Rivers and Roy-Hart by the trio of junior midfielder Ava Bligh, senior defender Rachael Rausch and sophomore defender Kayla Brown.
The second team also had a number of other high goal scorers including Newfane junior Kayleigh Daniels with 19, Akron junior Leah Czechowski 18 and Wilson junior Jen Darlak with 14.
The Honorable Mention list also featured three high scorers including Roy-Hart’s Amber Villella with 27 goals and 15 assists, Wilson’s Racel Senek with 16 goals and 11 assists and Wilson’s Lauren Couturier with 10 goals and 8 assists.
Barker’s Lindsey Williams received the league’s Sportsmanship Award.
N-O All-League Soccer Squad
First Team
Forward – Emma Lindke (Roy-Hart, Sr.), Kaylee Heschke (Newfane, Sr.), Kayla Neumann (Wilson, Jr.)
Midfield – Emily Blanchard (Albion, Jr.), Emily Foltz (Newfane, So.), Ashley Mietz (Akron, Sr.), Emily Patterson (Wilson, Jr.)
Defender – Zipporah Barrett (Wilson, Sr.), Makena Carpenter (Newfane, Jr.), Mariah Elsenheimer (Albion, Sr.), Morgan Wagner (Akron, Sr.)
Goalie – Emily Kelly (Wilson, So.)
Second Team
Forward – Leah Czechowski (Akron, Jr.), Kayleigh Daniels (Newfane, So.), Destiny Satkowski (Medina, So.)
Midfield – Katie Apholz (Akron, Sr.), Ava Bligh (Roy-Hart, Jr.), Jen Darlak (Wilson, Jr.), Allison Duhow (Newfane, Sr.)
Defender – Kayla Brown (Roy-Hart, So.), Rachael Rausch (Roy-Hart, Sr.), Vivian Rivers (Albion, Jr.), Kaelan Swogier (Newfane, Jr.)
Goalie – Emma Gardner (Medina, Sr.)
Honorable Mention
Akron – Emily Winney, Bailie Murty, Allie Norton
Albion – Ellen Narburgh, Ally Page, Isabella Prest
Barker – Lindsey Williams, Sara Gendrue, Mallory Gross
CSAT – Heather Sisson, Jenelle Gurbacki
Medina – Hannah Adams, Martha Gardner, Ashlee Howell
Newfane – Adelyn Burns, Halie Hambruch, Ashley Clark
Roy-Hart – Amber Villella, Kaleigh Kuzma, Madison Fry
Wilson – Lauren Couturier, Leah Herman, Rachel Senek.
Wilson nipped in state title contest
A late two goal scoring burst proved to be the difference as Wilson dropped a narrow 2-0 decision to undefeated (23-0) Schalmont of Section II in the state Class B girls soccer championship game this afternoon at SUNY Cortland.
Wilson goalie Emily Kelly, who earned the tourney’s Outstanding Goalie Award, stopped a steady barrage of Schalmont shots over the first 70 minutes to keep the contest scoreless. She was credited with making 17 saves after making 22 stops in the semis on Saturday.
Zipporah Barrett, who also helped to anchor the Wilson defense, was named the Lakewomen’s game MVP.
Schalmont finally broke the 0-0 deadlock when Davia Rossi scored with only 9:30 remaining.
Schalmont then put a lock on its second state title in five years when Alexis Horwell scored on a free kick with only 4:16 to go.
Niagara-Orleans League champion Wilson had advanced to the championship game by winning back-to-back thrillers decided on penalty kicks, first 4-3 over Livonia in the Far West Regional and then 4-2 over Center Moriches in the state semis on Saturday.
Medina/Lyndonville quartet earns N-O All-League soccer honors
Photo by Mike Wertman – Medina/Lyndonville’s first team Niagara-Orleans All-League soccer squad honorees include, from left, Kristian Snyder, Tyler Ames, Colm Cooper and Brian Anderson.
A quartet of Medina/Lyndonville players heads the first team of the annual Niagara-Orleans All-League boy soccer squad.
The Mustangs are represented by senior forward Brian Anderson, senior midfielder Colm Cooper, junior defender Kristian Snyder and senior goalie Tyler Ames.
Anderson, who had 9 goals and 5 assists, Cooper 3 goals and 3 assists and Snyder 5 goals and 5 assists are all repeat honorees.
Contributed Photos – Champion Newfane’s first team honorees include Clayton Cleveley, Trevor Moreland and Chad Gilson.
Champion Newfane has placed the trio of senior forward Chad Gilson and sophomore midfielders Trevor Moreland and Clayton Cleveley. Gilson and Moreland are both repeat selections.
Gilson had 23 goals, Moreland 16 goals and 21 assists and Cleveley 6 goals and 8 assists.
Wilson is represented by sophomore forward Cesar Carlin, a repeat honoree who had 19 goals this season, and junior defender Josh LiPuma who had 2 goals and 7 assists.
Akron also had a pair of first team honorees in senior midfielder Bryan Whitbeck, a repeat honoree who had 17 goals and 5 assists, and senior defender Erik Kreher.
Contributed Photos – Erik Kreher and Byran Whitbeck represent Akron on the first team and Donato Rosato is Albion’s honoree.
Rounding out the first team is Albion junior defender Donato Rosario. A three year varsity player, Rosario anchored the Purple Eagles defense from his sweeper position.
Medina/Lyndonville is represented on the second team by senior midfielder Greg Husung who had 6 goals and 6 assists.
N-O All-League Soccer Squad
First Team
Forward – Chad Gilson (Newfane, Sr.), Cesar Carlin (Wilson, So.), Brian Anderson (Medina/Lyndonville, Sr.)
Midfield – Trevor Moreland (Newfane, So.), Bryan Whitbeck (Akron, Sr.), Colm Cooper (Medina/Lyndonville, Sr.), Clayton Cleveley (Newfane, So.)
Defense – Donato Rosario (Albion, Jr.), Kristian Snyder (Medina/Lyndonville, Jr.), Josh LiPuma, (Wilson, Jr.), Erik Kreher (Akron, Sr.)
Goalie – Tyler Ames (Medina/Lyndonville Sr.)
Second Team
Forward – Tristan Olszweski (Akron, Sr.), Josh Weigel (Akron, Sr.), Julian Maue (CSAT, Sr.)
Midfield – Reilly O’Lay (Wilson, Sr.), Mateo May (Newfane, So.), Tyler Jones (Akron, So.), Greg Husung (Medina/Lyndonville, Sr.)
Defender – Alex Lydell (Akron, Sr.), Nick Schultz (Newfane, Sr.), Jonah Trank (Wilson, Sr.), Andrew Villella (Roy-Hart, Sr.)
Goalie – Stephen Lyman (Wilson, Sr.)
Honorable Mention
Akron – Cody Blasko, Marcus Kenline, Ethan Martin
Albion – Nick Reed, Dylan Bader, Brad Sanford
CSAT – Juan Verdejo, Carlos Quinones, Dan Erkert
Medina – Vassilios Bitsas, Josh Klotzbach, Justin Morgan
Newfane – Max Weber, Matt Vogt, Jeremy Ribbeck
Roy-Hart – Zach Srock, Alonzo Sager, Jamason Johnson
Wilson – Cody Secor, Tyler VanBuren, Brayden Skobjak
Perez helps power NCCC to sweep
Contrbuted Photo – Alba Perez
Medina High graduate Alba Perez had a huge game both from the field and on the boards to lead the Niagara County Community College women’s basketball team to an 80-69 victory over host Edison Community College this afternoon.
Perez, a sophomore, poured in a game high 21 points and also grabbed off a game high 25 rebounds to spark NCCC which improves to 6-1.
Perez also had a double-double effort with 13 points and 12 rebounds on Friday to help pace NCCC to an 83-64 victory over host Clark State Community College.
Taliyah Hopkins had 16 points and Alliyah Gillespie 14 for NCCC.
Wilson wins state semi in shootout
Niagara-Orleans League champion Wilson bested Center Moriches of Section XI 4-2 in a penalty kick shootout this afternoon in the state Class B girls soccer semifinals at Cortland High School.
Lauren Couturier, Leah Herman, Zipporah Barrett and Aidan McGill took turns scoring the penalty kick shootout goals for Wilson which now faces Schalmont of Section II for the state Class B championship Sunday afternoon at SUNY Cortland.
Emily Kelly had a big afternoon in goal to anchor the Wilson defense.
After the teams battled to a 0-0 tie at the end of regulation time, Center Moriches took a 1-0 lead with a goal in the first 10 minute overtime period.
However, Wilson battled back to knot the contest on a goal by Emily Patterson in the second 10 minute overtime.
Neither team could then score in two five minute sudden death overtime periods setting the stage for the deciding penalty kick shootout.
Wilson advanced to the state semifinals by first defeating Tonawanda 2-1 for the Section VI championship and then by outlasting Section V champ Livonia 4-3 in another penalty kick shootout in the Far West Regional.
N-O honors field hockey All-Stars
Contributed Photos – Champion Akron is represented on the first team of the Niagara-Orleans All League field hockey squad by this trio of Sarah Schultz, Cierra Janis and Abigail Stone.
A trio of players from champion Akron heads the first team of the annual Niagara-Orleans All-League field hockey squad.
Akron, which captured the N-O title with an 11-1 record, is represented by senior center forward Sarah Schultz, junior sweeper Cierra Janis and sophomore center halfback Abigail Stone. Janis and Stone are both repeat selections while Schultz was a second team honoree last year.
Schultz led the N-O in goals with 17 and was second in assists with 8 while Stone led the league in assists with 11 and netted 7 goals.
Barker’s first team honorees are Erika Moeller, left, and Caitlyn Mason.
Runner-up Barker is represented by the senior duo of goalie Caitlyn Mason and defender/midfielder Ericka Moeller. Mason is a repeat honoree.
Mason registered 6 shutouts in league play and shared in several other shutouts. She also had 2 goals and 3 assists while playing midfield. Moeller had 3 goals and 4 assists.
Kenmore’s Cara Clopp is shown here with Wilson honorees Rachael Cobo and Erin Boyle.
Wilson, which finished in third place also has two first team honorees in forward Rachael Cobo and defender Erin Boyle, both seniors.
Cobo, who had 8 goals and 5 assists, is a repeat selection while Boyle, who netted 4 goals, earned second team honors last fall.
Rounding out the first team are Roy-Hart junior sweeper/defender Rielly Albee, Medina senior forward Stella Russo, Newfane junior goalie Mia Ludwig and Kenmore senior goalie Cara Clopp.
Albee, who had 4 goals and 5 assists this season, and Russo are both repeat selections.
Completing the first team honorees are, from left, Roy-Hart’s Rielly Albee, Newfane’s Mia Ludwig and Medina’s Stella Russo.
Akron is represented on the second team by junior left wing Heather Cummings, senior right wing Emily Buckley and senior left midfielder Rachel Heim. Cummings was the league’s second leading goal scorer with 16.
Barker has placed the senior midfield/defender duo of Kelsie Engert and Madison Greenwald on the second team while Wilson is represented by midfielders Courtney Wheeler, a senior, and Olivia Mitchell, a sophomore.
Completing the second team are Roy-Hart junior center forward Angelina Ciarfella along with senior defenders Michaela Cardone from Medina, Lydia Gaughran from Newfane and Grace Simmons from Kenmore. Ciarfella had 7 goals and 3 assists.
N-O All-League Field Hockey Squad
First Team
Akron – Abigail Stone (So.), Cierra Janis (Jr.), Sarah Schultz (Sr.)
Barker – Caitlyn Mason (Sr.), Erika Moeller (Sr.)
Wilson – Rachael Cobo (Sr.), Erin Boyle (Sr.)
Roy-Hart – Rielly Albee (Jr.)
Newfane – Mia Ludwig (Jr.)
Kenmore – Cara Clopp (Sr.)
Medina – Stella Russo (Sr.)
Second Team
Akron – Heather Cummings (Jr.), Emily Buckley (Sr.), Rachel Heim (Sr.)
Barker – Kelsie Engert (Sr.), Madison Greenwald (Sr.)
Wilson – Courtney Wheeler (Sr.), Olivia Mitchell (So.)
Roy-Hart – Angelina Ciarfella (Jr.)
Newfane – Lydia Gaughran (Sr.)
Kenmore – Grace Simmons (Sr.)
Medina – Michaela Cardone (Sr.)
Honorable Mention
Akron – Olivia Diebel (Fr.), Sydney Leeds (Jr.), Kayleah Aldrich (Jr.), Amanda Jeziorowski (So.), Madison Krzykowski (Jr.)
Barker – Lydia Dewart (Jr.), Emma Duffy (Sr.), Erin Greenwald (Sr.), Natalie Menz (So.), Rebecca Stoloski (Sr.)
Wilson – Johanna Turvey (Jr.), Taylor Cyphert (Sr.), Taylor High (Sr.), Sara Kress (Sr.), Maddie Mocarski (So.), Alex Seeley (Jr.)
Roy-Hart – Delaney Draper (So.), Pari Shepard (Jr.), Victoria Thompson (Jr.), Shannon Dent (Jr.)
Newfane – Katie Kneeland (Sr.), Brenna Sheehan (Sr.)
Medina – Hannah Lonnen (Sr.), Guinevere Schalck (Fr.)
Kenmore – Spencer Vogt (Sr.)
