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CSAT girls down Medina; Kendall wins
Building up a 25-10 half-time advantage, CSAT went on to defeat visiting Medina 44-28 this evening in a non league girls basketball game.
Sarah Sones scored 8, Julie Porter 5 and Lily Carpenter 4 for Medina which next hosts Albion at 6:30 p.m. Thursday in a Niagara-Orleans League contest.
Kendall 38, Young Women’s College Prep 7
Kendall downed visiting Young Women’s College Prep 38-7 Saturday in a non league game.
Elizabeth Snyder had 10 points and 11 rebounds to lead the way for Kendall as Autumn Woodward added 8 points, Julie Coble and Britteny Marks 6, Julia Szczepanski 5 and Katie Pearson 3. Coble also had 11 rebounds and 3 steals.
Improving to 5-6, Kendall next hosts Attica at 7 p.m. Friday in a Genesee Region League game.
Late surge rallies Medina past Ken East
Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Medina’s Jarin Rhim puts up a shot over Kenmore East defender William Markott during the Mustangs win over the visiting Bulldogs this evening.
Putting together a big late surge, Medina rallied to down visiting Kenmore East 64-58 in a non league basketball game this evening.
Trailing by eight, 58-50, with just over two minutes to go, the Mustangs came battling back to outscore the Bulldogs 14-0 down the stretch and claim the win.
Back-to-back layups by Christian Drisdom ignited that decisive uprising.
Jarin Rhim followed up with a rebound basket before Tyler Chinn pulled Medina even at 58-58 with a layup off a steal with 1:30 to go.
The Mustangs finally regained the lead for good at 60-58 on a jumper by Nate Sherman with 35 seconds remaining.
A rebound bucket by Sherman an a pair of free throws by Jarin Rhim then capped off the dramatic rally.
Jarin Rhim finished with 16 and Brian Fry 11 to lead the Mustangs scoring parade as Joe Cecchini added 9, Chinn 8, Sherman and Drisdom 6 and Dontae Rhim and Matt Henning 4 each.
Amari Gordon scored 15 and Marcus Diaz 12 to pace Ken East.
Medina grabbed a slender 15-14 lead at the end of the first period as Cecchini had 7 and Jarin Rhim 4 in the early gong.
The lead then changed hands five times in the sea-saw second period which ended with Ken East holding a narrow 27-26 lead. Gordon, who had 6 in the opening period, added 7 in the stanza to lead the Bulldogs.
Medina though rallied back into an eight point, 43-35, lead by outscoring Ken East 17-8 over the first six minutes of the third period.
Fry had two threes and a layup off a turnover to spark that uprising which also included a three by Jarin Rhim.
Ken East though answered back with a 9-0 run to close the period on two threes by Diaz and one by Nick Kurucz to regain a 44-42 lead at the three-quarter mark.
A three by Jarin Rhim and a layup by Drisdom regained a 48-46 lead for Medina early in the final period but Ken East answered with a 12-2 to regain the lead for what proved to be the last time at 58-50.
Kurucz had a three and a two, William Markott a pair of baskets and Dominic Ferguson a three-point play during that Bulldogs uprising.
The last rally and the victory though belonged to the Mustangs as Chinn, Sherman and Drisdom each chipped in with 4 points and Jarin Rhim 2.
Now at 6-9 overall, Medina next hosts rival Albion at 6:30 p.m. Friday in a Niagara-Orleans League game.
Urbanik pitches in Desert Classic
Contributed Photo – Ed Urbanik of Lyndonville pitched in the Men’s Senior Baseball League (MSBL) Desert Classic in Palm Springs, California for Team Victory this past weekend. He picked up two wins on the mound beating the 3n2 Rangers in the opening game 4-2 . He later came in relief in the semi finals to pick up a win against the Sacramento Royals 8-4. He also started the finals pitching 5 innings in a no decision. Team Victory lost to 3n2 in the finals 7-4.
Section VI delays implementation of return to league based alignment for football
The Section VI Executive Committee met this morning to review the appeal filed by the Buffalo Public Schools (“BPS”) late Friday, January 17 relating to the January 3 decision by Section VI to return to league-based play for high school football beginning with the upcoming 2020-21 season, Section VI Executive Director Timm Slade stated this afternoon.
“Although the decision to return to league-based play resulted from a process that began in October 2019, Friday’s appeal marks the first instance where BPS has presented concerns to Section VI regarding this matter,” said Slade
“In its appeal, BPS identified a need for “clear guidance, feedback and input from critical stakeholders.” Because scheduling efforts are already underway for the 2020-21 football season, the Section VI Executive Committee voted this morning to suspend any implementation of league-based play in order to allow for further communication, input and guidance with regard to this matter, while alleviating any disruption and uncertainty with regard to the upcoming football season” Slade added.
“As a result, Section VI high school football will continue under its federation-based alignment for the 2020-21 football season,” said Salde
“League-based play is the norm for the overwhelming majority of sports teams within Section VI, and more than 10 of the BPS’s other interscholastic sports teams continue to participate in league-based play within Section VI as they have for many years. There have been long-standing issues raised by Section VI members about the negative impacts of the federation-based alignment for high school football, such as excessive travel time and costs, lack of consistent league rivalries and scheduling difficulties,” added Slade
Section VI President Adam Stoltman provided a further explanation of this morning’s Executive Committee decision:
“The decision to return high school football to league-based play was carefully considered and followed a transparent process through which all Section VI members were provided opportunities for input. Returning high school football to league-based play would reduce travel time and costs for the 63 football teams in Section VI, and would also enhance league rivalries, increase the significance of games for playoff eligibility, foster increased attendance and facilitate long-term scheduling,” said Stoltman.
“Nonetheless, the Section values the perspectives and concerns that have been presented by the Buffalo Public Schools as a continuing Section VI member. The Executive Committee believes that this morning’s action to delay any implementation of the return to league-based play will provide an opportunity to engage in on-going meaningful dialogue with the BPS, as well as the Section’s other members, and to ultimately ensure that a return to league-based play addresses the concerns of the BPS while enhancing the opportunities and experiences of the student-athletes who participate in high school football within the Section,” added Stoltman.
The proposed change would have seen the return of football as a league sport for the Niagara-Orleans League and Lewiston-Porter, which currently is a member of the Niagara Frontier League, had already petitioned to join the N-O for football only.
Today’s vote by the Section VI Executive Committee puts off any change back to a league alignment for football for at least a year.
Mustangs to host key basketball and wrestling contests this week
Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Medina’s Joe Cecchini, left, and his Mustang teammates will host rival Albion Friday in a key Niagara-Orleans League basketball game. Medina’s Noah Skinner, at right, and his Mustang teammates will host the annual Gary Gross Memorial Wrestling Tournament on Saturday.
Looking to avenge an early season loss, Medina will host front-running rival Albion in a key Niagara-Orleans League boys basketball game on Friday.
Albion, which rallied to trim Medina 70-66 in the earlier meeting at Albion, sits atop the N-O standings at 7-0. The Purple Eagles hold a game and a half lead over Newfane (5-1). Currently at 3-4, defending champion Medina needs a win to regain the .500 mark in N-O action.
On Saturday, Medina will host the annual Gary Gross Memorial Wrestling Tournament.
The tournament, which is named in honor of Medina Coach Eric Gross’ father who was a long time supporter of the Mustangs wrestling program, will be the largest to date with some 17 teams expected to compete.
In girls basketball action, Lyndonville will host Holley on Wednesday and Medina will host Albion on Thursday.
Weekly Schedule
Tuesday
Boys Basketball: Kenmore East at Medina, Lyndonville at Akron, 6:30 p.m.; Barker at Byron-Bergen, Holley at Notre Dame, 7 p.m.
Girls Basketball: Medina at CSAT, Roy-Hart at Buffalo Arts, 6:30 p.m.
Wednesday
Girls Basketball: Holley at Lyndonville, 7 p.m.
Wrestling: Holley-Kendall at Roy-Hart/Barker, 6 p.m
Thursday
Boys Basketball: Lyndonville at Oakfield-Alabama, Kendall at Attica, 7 p.m.
Girls Basketball: Akron at Barker, 6 p.m.; Roy-Hart at Newfane, Albion at Medina, 6:30 p.m.
Swimming: Newfane at Albion, Akron at Barker, Medina at Roy-Hart, 4:30 p.m.
Wrestling: Wilson at Lyndonville, 6 p.m.
Friday
Boys Basketball: Albion at Medina, Barker at Akron, 6:30 p.m.; Newfane at Roy-Hart, 7 p.m.
Girls Basketball: Oakfield-Alabama at Lyndonville, Attica at Kendall, Barker at Holley, 7 p.m.
Wrestling: Alexander at Holley-Kendall, Lyndonville at Akron, 6 p.m.
Saturday
Wrestling: Medina’s Gary Gross Memorial Tournament, 9 a.m.
Swimming: Albion at Akron, Medina at Barker, Newfane at Roy-Hart, 10 a.m.
N-O Standings
Boys Basketball: Albion 7-0, Newfane 5-1, Akron 3-3, Wilson 3-3, Medina 3-4, Roy-Hart 2-5, Barker 0-7
Girls Basketball: Wilson 7-0, Newfane 5-1, Albion 5-2, Roy-Hart 3-4, Akron 2-5, Barker 2-5, Medina 0-7
Boys Swimming: Roy-Hart 8-0, Albion 5-2-1, Medina 5-2-1, Newfane 3-5, Barker 2-6, Akron 0-8
Girls Swimming: Roy-Hart 8-0, Akron 6-2, Newfane 5-3, Medina 3-5, Albion 2-6, Barker 0-8
G-R Standings
Boys Basketball
Division 1: Byron-Bergen 6-1, Oakfield-Albama 6-2, Attica 3-4, Pembroke 3-4, Alexander 2-5, Holley 1-7
Division 2: Elba 6-1, Lyndonville 5-2, Notre Dame 4-2, Wheatland-Chili 1-4, Kendall 1-6
Girls Basketball
Division 1: Byron-Bergen 6-1, Pembroke 6-1, Oakfield-Alabama 5-3, Alexander 3-4, Attica 1-6, Holley 0-8
Division 2: Elba 6-1, Wheatland-Chili 5-2, Notre Dame 4-3, Lyndonville 2-5, Kendall 1-5
Powell is a double winner for Brockport
Contributed Photo – Chanyce Powell
Albion High graduate and SUNY Brockport junior Chanyce Powell scored a pair of victories for the Golden Eagles indoor track team at the Ithaca College Quad Meet on Saturday.
Powell won the long jump with a leap of 5.2 meters and the triple jump with an effort of 11.18 meters.
Powell is majoring in Exercise Physiology.
The Golden Eagles track squad also includes two Medina High graduates, the brother and sister duo of Daniel and Holly Heil. Both are distance runners.
Daniel, a sophomore, is majoring in Accounting and Holly, a senior, is majoring in Psychology.
N-O mat kings crowned
Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Champions were crowned in 15 weight classes at the annual Niagara-Orleans All-League Tournament held on Saturday at Albion. Newfane, which took top team honors to lock up a seventh straight N-O title, led the way with seven individual champions. In front are Gavin Ciarfella (Roy-Hart/Barker), Andy Lucinski (Newfane), Adam Huntington (Newfane), Josh Cummings (Akron) and Amilcar Morales (Albion). In the middle row are Josh Everett (Newfane), Nik Voelker (Newfane), Ryan Nugent (Newfane) and Miles Hartway (Medina). In the back row are Ryan Yaeger (Akron), Simon Lingle (Newfane), Riley Black (Medina), Bryce Kelly (Albion) and Jaden Heers (Newfane). Missing from the photo is Noah Skinner (Medina). Ciarfella earned the tournament’s Most Outstanding Wrestler award.
Hawks score three wins at Cal-Mum Duals
The Holley-Kendall wrestling team scored a trio of victories at the Caledonia-Mumford Duals today.
Holley-Kendall defeated Byron-Bergen 39-30, Wilson Magnet 65-6 and Lyons 66-0 but lost to Avon-Geneseo 56-30 and Cal-Mum 42-37.
Avon-Geneseo claimed the tourney title with a 5-0 record.
Holley-Kendall, Byron-Bergen and Cal-Mum shared the runner-up spot at 3-2 followed by Lyons at 1-4 and Wilson Magnet at 0-5.
Boys Basketball
The Kendall at Wheatland-Chili Genesee Region League boys basketball game was postponed due to the weather.
R-H/Barker/Medina post 6-3 hockey win
The Roy-Hart/Barker/Medina Club Hockey team traveled to Cheektowaga Friday evening and came away with a 6-3 victory over St. Mary’s of Lancaster to improve to 11-4 in the league.
In the opening period, Andrew Downey (R-H) got the locals on the board off a pass from Nick Wood (Akron). However, St. Mary’s was able to score twice before the end of the period to take the lead.
RBM responded with four goals in the second period. Matthew Miller (Akron), Colin Dodge (R-H), Wood and Jason Kuchey (R-H) all scored with assists going to Mitchell Johnson (Barker) and Kuchey.
In the final period, Johnson got RBM’s final tally on a pass from Dodge.
RBM is scheduled to travel to Olean for an 11:30 a.m. game Sunday morning. The weather may decide if that occurs.
Newfane dominates N-O All-League tourney; Medina has three champions, Albion two
Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Medina’s Riley Black works toward a win in the 195 lb. championship bout over Albion’s Cameron Bell at the annual Niagara-Orleans All-League tournament this afternoon at Albion.
Led by a large contingent of seven individual weight class champions, Newfane took top honors at the annual Niagara-Orleans All-League wrestling Tournament this afternoon at Albion to lock up a seventh straight league title.
Newfane, which went 5-0 during the dual match portion of the N-O season, garnered a total of 277 points to win the tournament. Albion finished in the runner-up spot with 172 followed by Roy-Hart/Barker 123.5, Medina 121, Akron 114 and Wilson 79.5
The Panthers individual champions included Andy Lucinski (106), Adam Huntington (113), Josh Everett (132), Nik Voelker (138), Ryan Nugent (145), Simon Lingle (182) and Jaden Heers (285).
Lucinski, Huntington, Nugent and Voelker are all repeat champions.
In their title bouts, Lucinski pinned RaShawn Bloom (Medina) in 1:36, Huntington decisioned Brett Ricker (Roy-Hart/Barker) 7-5, Everett pinned Allan Schultz (Wilson) in :51, Voelker scored a 16-0 technical fall win over Alex Hafner (Albion), Nugent pinned Colby Hancock (Roy-Hart/Barker) in 2:26 Lingle pinned Will Freeman (Albion) in 1:41 and Heers decisioned Cody Wilson (Albion) 3-2.
Roy-Hart’s Gavin Ciarfella, who earned the tourney’s Most Outstanding Wrestler Award, works toward a title match win over Newfane’s Aiden Gillings.
Medina had three champions including Miles Hartway (152), Noah Skinner (160) and Riley Black (195).
Hartway, who advanced to the finals with two pins and a decision win, nipped Cam Guy of Wilson 8-7 in his title bout.
Skinner, who had a pin and decision win to reach the finals, pinned Zach Hill of Roy-Hart/Barker in 3:35 in the championship bout.
Black, who had major decision win and a pin to reach the title bout, pinned Cameron Bell of Albion in 1:55 to win the championship.
Host Albion had a pair of champions in Amilcar Morales (126) and Bryce Kelly (220) who are both repeat winners.
Morales registered two pins to advance to the finals where he scored a 12-2 major decision win over Tim Hackney of Newfane.
Kelly pinned Charles LaRose of Newfane in 1:51 to claim the championship.
Akron also had a pair of champions in Josh Cummings (120) and Ryan Yaeger (170).
In the title bouts, Cummings decisioned Miguel Salas of Newfane 11-10 and Yaeger decisioned Dayne Aina of Albion 11-6.
Rounding out the champions was Gavin Ciarfella of Roy-Hart/Barker who earned the tournament’s Most Outstanding Wrestler honor.
Ciarfella scored a pin in the quarterfinals and a technical fall victory in the semifinals before outlasting Aiden Gillings of Newfane 13-11 in overtime in the 99 lb. championship bout.
Third place honorees (by weight class) were as follows: 99 – Dominic Callara (Medina), 106- Jacob Stephenson (Wilson), 113 – Travis Fry (Akron), 120 – Luke Atlas (Wilson), 126 – Nick Critelli (Akron), 132 – Ellwood Hafner (Albion), 138, Trent Choate (Roy-Hart/Barker), 145 – Christian Humbert (Akron), 152 – James Lojeck (Akron), 160 – Kyle Oship (Newfane), 170 – Christian Corter (Newfane), 182 – Aiden Smith (Akron), 195 – Andrew Hill (Roy-Hart/Barker), 220 – Ryan Greiner (Akron) and 285 – Mitchell Silversmith (Medina).
(Click here to see video of Barker/Roy-Hart’s Gavin Ciarfella win in OT over Newfane’s Aiden Gillings and earned Most Outstanding Wrestler of the tournament.)
(Click here to see video of Albion’s Amilicar Morales score a major decision over Newfane’s Tim Hackney.)
(Click here to see video of Medina’s Miles Hartway hang on for the 8-7 decision over Wilson’s Cam Guy.)
Albion’s Amilcar Morales earned his second straight N-O title with this 12-2 win over Newfane’s Tim Hackney.
Medina’s Miles Hartway in route to a narrow 8-7 title win over Cam Guy of Wilson.
Medina’s Noah Skinner in route to posting a title bout pin over Zach Hill of Roy-Hart/Barker.
Albion’s Bryce Kelly in route to a title winning pin over Charles LaRose of Newfane.
