Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Roy-Hart/Barker veterans Ronan Klug and Joey Jopp. Missing is Luke Fay.

This will be a special opening week for the Roy-Hart/Barker wrestling team as the Rams will host the inaugural Dick Lang Memorial Tournament on Saturday.

The tourney, which begins at 9 a.m., is being held in memory of the long time coach who revitalized the Rams wrestling program.

The tournament field will include Tonawanda, CSAT, Alden, Lafayette, Lackawanna and Canisius in addition to the host Rams.

The Roy-Hart/Barker squad is led by the veteran trio of seniors Ronan Klug and Joey Jopp and junior Luke Fay. Klug and Fay both placed second and Jopp third at the Niagara-Orleans All-League Tournament last year.

Roy-Hart/Barker will begin N-O competition by hosting defending champion Newfane at 6 p.m. Wednesday.

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Albion’s Kenzi Snook goes up for a shot during this evening’s home opener as Ava Goff defends for Byron-Bergen.

Local high school basketball action tipped off this evening as Byron-Bergen downed host Albion 56-37 in a non league girls contest.

Janessa Amesbury poured in a game high 27 points to lead the way for Byron-Bergen. Riley Shallenberger chipped in with 14, Olivia Senf 6, Megan Jarkiewicz 4, Simone Scharvogel 3 and Ava Goff 2 for the Lady Bees.

Aaliyah Jones led Albion with 10 as Julia Knight added 8, Paige Newton 7, Kenzi Snook 4, Leah Pawlak and Melia Prince 3 each and Cami London 2.

The contest was close through the first three quarters as Byron-Bergen led by 3 (12-9) after one quarter, by 7 (26-19) at the half and by 8 (35-27) after three quarters.

Threes by Jones and Pawlak helped keep Albion within one at 20-19 midway through the second period. However, Byron-Bergen closed with a 6-0 run to extend the lead to 7 at the half. Amesbury, who tallied 4 during that late run, had 9 in the period.

The teams then traded scores for most of the third period but the closest Albion could get was within 4 at 26-22 on a three by Jones to open the stanza.

The Lady Bees then pulled away in the final stanza outscoring the Purple Eagles 21-10 as Amesbury netted 13 during that stretch.

Albion will next face Kendall at 6:30 p.m. Thursday in the opening round of the Kendall Tournament. Medina will take on Holley in the first game at 5 p.m.

Alexander 71, Barker 18

In another non league season opener, Alexander downed visiting Barker 71-28.

Elise Monaco and Alina Riches both had 7 points and 3 rebounds for Barker. Arnie Sturtevant and Jordyn Kinne each had 4 rebounds and 3 steals.

Cami London puts up a shot for Albion as Melia Prince moves in to support.

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Leading Medina into the up coming Niagara-Orleans League wrestling season is this group of veterans. In front are Austin Seefeldt, Ethan Carson and Brody Fry. In back are Luke Duffina, Brennan Allen, Reece Senske and Jake Duffina.

Medina will host rival Albion to open the Niagara-Orleans League wrestling season at 6 p.m. Wednesday.

The other N-O openers will have defending champion Newfane at Roy-Hart and Akron at Wilson.

A trio of defending N-O champions including seniors Reece Senske and Brody Fry and junior Luke Duffina head Medina’s veteran group which also includes seniors Austin Seefeldt and Ethan Carson, sophomore Brennan Allen and eighth grader Jake Duffina.

Albion is continuing a rebuilding task led by seniors Cencere Lowe, David Rosario, Dillon DiGiulio and Noah Marat along with sophomores Kaiser Allport, Jaxon Lynch and Jackson Snook.

The Mustangs went 4-1 and the Purple Eagles 0-5 in N-O matches last year.

Veterans set to lead the Albion wrestling squad include, in front, Dillon DiGiulio, Noah Marat and Jackson Snook. In back are David Rosario, Kaiser Allport, Jaxon Lynch and Cencere Lowe.

Weekly high school sports schedule

Monday
Girls Basketball – Byron-Bergen at Albion, 6:30 p.m.; Barker at Alexander, 7 p.m.

Tuesday
Boys Basketball – Alexander at Barker, 6:30 p.m.; LeRoy at Albion, Roy-Hart at North Tonawanda, 7 p.m.
Girls Basketball – Alden at Roy-Hart, 6:30 p.m.
Swimming – Roy-Hart/Barker at Byron-Bergen, Medina at Pembroke, 5:30 p.m.

Wednesday
Boys Basketball – Medina at Maryvale, 6:30 p.m.
Swimming – Albion at HAC, 5:30 p.m.
Wrestling – Albion at Medina, Newfane at Roy-Hart/Barker, Akron at Wilson, 6 p.m.

Thursday
Boys Basketball – LeRoy at Holley, 7 p.m.
Girls Basketball – Kendall Tournament (Holley vs. Medina, 5 p.m.; Albion vs. Kendall, 6:30 p.m.)

Friday
Boy Basketball – Medina at Dunkirk, Barker at Notre Dame, 7 pm.; Albion at Pal-Mac, 7:30 p.m.
Girls Basketball – Roy-Hart at JFK, 6:30 p.m.; Notre Dame at Lyndonville, 7 p.m.
Swimming – Notre Dame at Medina, Oakfield-Alabama at Albion, HAC at Roy-Hart/Barker, 5:30 p.m.
Wrestling – Holley/Kendall at Pavilion/York, 6 p.m.

Saturday
Boys Basketball – Roy-Hart at Cleveland Hill, 12:30 p.m.; Houghton at Lyndonville, 1 p.m.
Girls Basketball – Barker at Olmsted, 12 p.m.; Kendall Tournament
Wrestling – Albion, and Holley/Kendall at Byron-Bergen Tournament; Roy-Hart/Barker hosts Dick Lang Memorial Tournament.

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Anchoring the lineup for defending champion Roy-Hart/Barker will be this veteran group. In front are junior Jillian Ossont, senior Abigail Glyshaw, sophomore Jackson Brauen and junior Garrett Glyshaw. In back are sophomore Maria Trombley, junior Madelina Pavlock, senior Ava Achtyl and senior Sean Labiak. Roy-Hart/Barker won the Niagara-Orleans League girls’ championship last year and shared the boys’ title with Albion.

Niagara-Orleans swim teams will tune-up for the league season by competing in a pair of meets this coming week against Genesee Region League opponents.

Road meets on Tuesday will have Medina at Pembroke, Roy-Hart/Barker at Byron-Bergen, Akron at Oakfield-Alabama and Newfane at Attica, all at 5:30 p.m. Albion will visit HAC on Wednesday.

Home meets on Friday will have Oakfield-Alabama at Albion, Notre Dame at Medina, HAC at Roy-Hart/Barker, Wheatland-Chili at Akron and Byron-Bergen at Newfane at 5:30 p.m..

The N-O sesson will begin on December 12 with Newfane at Medina and Akron at Albion st 5 p.m. as Roy-Hart/Barker gets the bye. Roy-Hart/Barker will open the league season at Albion on Dec. 17.

Roy-Hart/Barker captured the N-O girls championship last year with a 7-0-1 record and also shared the boys’ title with Albion at 7-1.

The defending N-O co-champion Albion boys team is led by seniors Matthew Kania and Leo Bolton and sophomore Logan Kast.

Leading the Albion girls’ team will be the quarter of sophomore Anna Grillo, senior Willow Gaines, freshman Keira Sidari and sophomore Jillian LeBaron. Sidari was a double winner at last year’s All-League meet in the 200 Individual Medley and 100 Butterfly.

Medina’s teams will be led by this trio of captains, senior Juan Gonzalez, senior Sophia Goyette and junior Hunter Walczak.

The Roy-Hart/Barker/Medina Club Hockey team played before the home crowd for the first time this season on Saturday and defeated Lancaster 6-2.

Austin Woodward (Wilson) opened the scoring assisted by John Peracciny (Roy-Hart). Lancaster tied the score, but an unassisted goal by Jackson Hauser (Barker) led RBM out of the first with a 2-1 lead.

The only scoring in the second period was by Woodward with Wyatt Bryer (Wilson) getting the assist.

In the final period, Woodward completed his hat trick and Cameron Bryer (Wilson) assisted. The final two goals of the period for RBM were scored by Cameron Bryer and John Peracciny. Sean Mettler and Gavin Ickowski (both of R-H) were credited with assists.

Jordan Johnson (Medina) picked up the win in goal.

RBM’s next game is at home on Wednesday evening against Cheektowaga at 7 p.m.

Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Medina’s veteran quartet includes, from left, Jerrell Nealy, Cole Callard, Christian Moss and Preston Woodworth.

A quartet of returning starters anchors the lineup for Medina as the Mustangs look to rebound from last year’s 3-9 Niagara-Orleans League record.

The Mustangs veteran foursome includes senior Cole Callard, juniors Christian Moss and Jerrell Nealy and sophomore Preston Woodworth.

Coach Justin Morgan’s roster also includes senior Gordan Young, juniors Decklan Meiers, Briley Allen, Jimmy Dieter, Kolton Fletcher, Avion Johnson, Frankie Stephens and sophomore Jayzon Wills.

“We’re young so having those four starters back is big for us,” said Morgan.

The Mustangs have five non league games scheduled in preparation for the December 20 N-O home opener against Roy-Hart. Those contests include road games at Maryvale on Wednesday and at Dunkirk on Friday as well as home games against Lancaster on Dec. 9, Kenmore East on Dec. 12 and West Seneca East on Dec. 14.

Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Leading Holley this season will be this foursome of, from left, Josh Silpoch, Vinny Golisano, Destin Kuyal and Chris Mosier.

Looking to improve upon last year’s 2-13 Genesee Region League basketball record, Holley is led by a quartet of returning regulars.

That foursome includes seniors Destin Kuyal, Vinny Golisano, Chris Mosier and junior Josh Silpoch. Kuyal earned G-R All-Star Honorable Mention last year.

Coach Wyatt Wink’s Hawks squad also includes senior Mason Moyer, juniors Blake Coleman, Logan Gillespie, Logan Stoick and sophomore Avante Walker.

“We do have a good, solid group back,” said Wink whose Hawks will host LeRoy on Thursday and Perry on December 9 before beginning G-R competition at home against Alexander on Dec. 11.

The Hawks graduation losses included Lance Babcock, Ben Cox, Keon Haughton, Elijah Lang and Carter McGuire.

Snowy weather in the North Country has caused the postponement of the Lafargeville boys basketball tournament which Lyndonville was scheduled to particpate in today and Saturday.

The schools involved are looking to possibly reschedule the tournament for Friday and Saturday January 3 and 4.

Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Veterans William Kludt, left, and Jonas Rhodes will lead Kendall into the up coming season.

Facing a bit of a rebuilding task, Kendall will begin prepping for the Genesee Region League basketball season by visiting Newfane on Tuesday.

The Eagles are looking to fill the holes caused by the graduation of four starters including G-R Honorble Mention selections Louis Conte and Hunter Richards along with Jacek Kwiatkowski and Austin Werth.

Leading Kendall’s mostly underclassmen squad will be senior William Kludt and junior Jonas Rhodes. The Eagles are also looking to Jonny Conte, Vinnie D’Agostino, CJ Agostino, Noah Morehouse, Mike Hallowell, Josh Leicht, Sammy Conte and Caleb Opalecky.

The Eagles will begin G-R competition at Pembroke on Dec. 9.