Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Veteran members of the Medina basketball team include Sarah Sones, Anya Bloom, Julie Porter, Gracie Hughes and Nodia Osby.

With no returning starters, the Medina girls basketball team faces a bit of a rebuilding task heading into the up coming Niagara-Orleans League season.

“This is the first time in my career that I’ve started a season with no returning starters,” said Coach Larry Lash. “We have some athletes and we’re looking to get better every day.”

The Mustangs varsity returnees include seniors Julie Porter and Nodia Osby along with juniors Anya Bloom, Sarah Sones and Gracie Hughes.

Medina’s losses include Maddy Williams, Kharise Johnson, Sarah Cochrane, Mikayla Albone and Jarielys Flores-Medina to graduation and Camri King who transferred to Lockport.

The Mustangs, which went 8-4 in N-O competition and 12-10 overall last year, will open the season with a non league home game against Health Sciences on Monday. The N-O opener will be December 10 at Barker.

Schedule
November: 25 – Health Sciences, 6 p.m.
December: 3 – at Tonawanda, 7 p.m.; 6 – CCA, 6 p.m.; 10 -at Barker, 6 p.m.; 13 – Albion, 6:30 p.m.; 17 – at Nardin, 6:30 p.m.; 19 – at Newfane, 6:30 p.m..
January: 3 – Roy-Hart, 6:30 p.m.; 6 – at Pembroke ,7 p.m.; 8 – North Tonawanda, 6:30 p.m.; 10 – at Akron, 6:30 p.m.; 15 – at Wilson, 6 p.m.; 17 – Barker, 6:30 p.m.; 21 – at CSAT, 6:30 p.m.; 23 – at Albion, 7 p.m.; 28 – Newfane, 6:30 p.m.; 31 – at Roy-Hart, 7 pm.
February: 3 – Buffalo Academy of Science, 6 p.m.; 7 – Akron, 6:30 p.m.; 11 – Wilson, 6:30 p.m.

Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Leading Lyndonville into the upcoming basketball season is this group of Tiger veterans. In front are Russ Stephens, Nathan Hydock and Nate Dillenbeck. In back are Nathan Neace, Evan Horn, Devin Rounds, Jon Slingerland and Casey Winiecki.

Looking to keep the momentum from last year’s strong 18-4 campaign, the Lyndonville basketball squad is prepping for the season led by a large group of eight veterans.

Senior Nathan Hydock along with juniors Nate Dillenbeck, Russ Stephens and Casey Winiecki head that veteran contingent which also includes seniors Devin Rounds, Evan Horn, Jon Slingerland and Nathan Neace.

Dillenbeck, who earned Genesee Region League All-Star honors, scored 301 points (13.7 average) and also had 63 rebounds, 51 assists and 45 steals. Hydock scored 281 points (12.8 ave.) and pulled down as team high 199 rebounds.

“We had a good season last year and we’ve got a good returning group back so we’re looking to build off of that,” said Coach Lee Dillenbeck.

The Tigers graduation losses include G-R All-Star Zach Johnson, Nathan Poler, Matt Hess and Kane Flynn. Johnson scored 322 points (14.6 ave.) and had 169 assists and 152 rebounds while Poler scored 250 points (11.4 ave.) and had 165 rebounds.

The Tigers will host a pair of non league games (Dec. 3 vs. RAC and Dec. 6 vs. Albion) before beginning G-R League competition at division foe Notre Dame on Dec. 10. The early season schedule also includes another key division contest at Elba on Dec. 18.

Schedule
December: 3 – RAC, 7 p.m.; 6 – Albion, 6:30 p.m.; 10 – at Notre Dame, 7 p.m.; 13 – Newfane, 6:30 p.m.; 18 – at Elba, 7 p.m.; 20 – Wheatland-Chili, 6:30 p.m..
January: 3 – Barker, 1:30 p.m.; 7 – Kendall, 7 p.m.; 9 – at Holley, 7 p.m.; 15 – Alexander, 7 p.m.; 17 – at Byron-Bergen, 7 p.m.; 21 – at Akron, 6:30 p.m.; 23 – at Oakfield-Alabama, 7 p.m.; 29 – Attica, 7 p.m.; 31 – at Pembroke, 7 p.m.
February: 5 – at Kendall, 7 p.m.; 7 – at Wheatland-Chili, 7 p.m.; 11 – Elba, 7 p.m.; 17 – at Barker, 6 p.m.; 19 – Notre Dame, 7 p.m.

Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Getting set to lead Roy-Hart into the up coming basketball season is this veteran trio of Rileigh McCabe, Paige Smith and Shelby Wolf.

Looking to bounce back from last year’s 1-10 Niagara-Orleans League campaign, Roy-Hart is prepping for the up coming girls basketball season with an underclassmen dominated squad.

The veteran trio of senior Paige Smith along with juniors Rileigh McCabe and Shelby Wolf lead the way for the Lady Rams which are also looking to juniors Mya Quinn and Miah Glena along with sophomore Claire Halstead. Wolf earned second team N-O All-League honors.

“Ir’s a young group but have have some good experience and they have played a lot together on the JV team,” said Coach Grace Swick.

Roy-Hart’s graduation losses included Maddie Fry, Meghan Washington, Ashley Hill, Lexie Lovewell, Emily Metz and RayLynn Chraston.

The Lady Rams will get an early start to the season has they compete in the Alden Tournament on November 29 and 30. They will open the N-O campaign at Albion on December 10.

Schedule
November: 29 and 30 – at Alden Tournament
December: 4 – at Starpoint, 7 p.m.; 6 – Depew, 7 p.m.; 10 – at Albion, 7 p.m.; 13 – Newfane, 7 p.m.
January: 3 – at Medina, 6:30 p.m.; 7 – Akron, 7 p.m.; 9 – at Wilson, 6 p.m.; 14 – at Barker, 6 p.m.; 17 – Albion, 7 p.m.; 21 – at Buffalo Arts, 6:30 p.m.; 23 – at Newfane, 6:30 p.m.; 31 – Medina, 7 p.m.
February: 1 – vs. Holland at NCCC, 5:30 p.m.; 4 – at Akron, 6:30 p.m.; 7 – Wilson, 7 p.m.; 11 – Barker 7 p.m.; 19 – Alden, 7 p.m.

Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Leading Albion into the up coming wrestling season is this large contingent of veterans. In front are Bobby Dysard, Scott McMurray and Junior Morales. In the middle row are Malykiah Allen, Shane Hastings, Dayne Aina, Austin Aman, Ellwood Hafner, Cameron Bell and Jabari Johnson. In the back row are Chase Carleton, Will Freeman, Cole Spierdowis, Cody Wilson, Blake Stornelli, Alex Hafner and Bryce Kelly.

Looking to improve on last year’s third place finish Albion returns a large contingent of nearly 20 veterans with which to challenge for top Niagara-Orleans League wrestling honors this season.

That large veteran group includes senior Bryce Kelly and sophomore Junior Morales, who both captured titles at the N-O All-League Tournament last year, along with junior Will Freeman who placed second and seniors Cody Wilson and Chase Carleton, junior Cole Spierdowis and sophomore Ellwood Hafner who were all third place finishers.

Wilson went 31-8 last season while Morales and Ellwood Hafner both topped the 20 win mark.

The Purple Eagles, which went 3-2 in N-O dual meets last season, also return juniors Malykiah Allen, Shane Hastings and Cameron Bell along with sophomores Bobby Dysard, Scott McMurray, Dayne Aina, Austin Aman, Jabari Johnson, Blake Stornelli and Alex Hafner.

“We’re a young team but we’ve got a lot of kids and some pretty good experience so we have some high expectations,” said Coach Pat Uveino.

Albion will begin N-O competition at home against Wilson on December 4. The Purple Eagles will visit defending champion Newfane on January 8.

Schedule
November: 30 – at St. Mary’s, Lancaster, TBA
December: 4 – Wilson, 6 p.m.; 7 – at Byron-Bergen Tournament; 11 – at Akron, 6 p.m.; 12 – Alexander, 6 p.m.; 18 – Roy-Hart/Barker, 5 p.m.; 19 – at Byron-Bergen, 6 p.m.; 28 – at Akron Tournament.
January: 4 – at Alexander Tournament; 8 – at Newfane, 6 p.m.; 15 vs. Medina at Akron, 6 p.m.; 18 – N-O All-League; 25 – at Medina Tournament

Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Veteran members of the Lyndonville wrestling team include, in front, Connor Bell and Brennan Munn. In back are Maddox Stirk, Hunter Dix, Mario Fidanza and Rodney Davis. Missing from the photo is Dillon Burt-Hodgins.

Bolstered by a larger turnout, the Lyndonville wrestling squad is prepping for a busy start to the season which includes four tournaments in the month of December.

The veteran contingent of senior Mario Fidanza, juniors Dillon Burt-Hodgins, Brennan Munn and Rodney Davis along with sophomores Connor Bell, Maddox Stirk and Hunter Dix anchor the Tigers lineup.

Fidanza placed third at the Section V Supersectionals last year earning a berth in the state championship tournament. He posted a 27-3 record with 18 pins.

Davis and Bell both placed third at the Class B sectional tournament while Munn and Burt-Hodgins took fifth and Stirk sixth. Davis went 25-16 with 15 pins and Bell 21-17 with 12 pins.

“We’ve got a pretty good group back and our numbers are growing,” said Joey Suhr who is coaching the Tigers along with Jim Zeliff. “With the better numbers we should do better at the dual meets and we’re looking for a lot of place finishers at the Supersectionals. We have a lot of guys with some big goals.”

Lyndonville’s second annual Fred Large Memorial Tournament on December 14 will highlight the Tigers busy early season.

Schedule
December: 7 – at Byron-Bergen Tournament; 14 – Lyndonville Fred Large Memorial Tournament, 9 a.m.; 17 – at Byron-Bergen, 6 p.m.; 20 and 21 at NCCC Tournament; 27 and 28 at Akron Tournament.
January: 8 – at Alexander, 6 p.m.; 10 and 11 – at Lockport Tournament; 14 – Holley-Kendall, 6 p.m.; 16 – Pavilion/York, 6 p.m.; 17 – Roy-Hart/Barker, 6 p.m.; 23 – Wilson, 6 p.m.; 25 – At Medina Tournament; 28 – at Akron, 6 p.m.; 31 – at CSAT, 6 p.m.

The Roy-Hart/Barker/Medina Club Hockey team defeated Orchard Park 3-2 Wednesday evening to remain undefeated at 2-0 on the young season.

Seeing his first action of the season coming off an injury, Nick Wood (Akron) won the opening face-off and broke straight to the goal to score in the first 20 seconds unassisted.

However, a little over a minute later Orchard Park evened the score.  Five minutes later, RBM found itself behind 2-1 at the end of the first period.

In the second period, Ryan Mettler (Roy-Hart) evened the score with an assist by Mitchell Johnson (Barker). The period ended with the score tied.

In the final stanza, much like the last game, Jason Kuchey (Roy-Hart) broke away from the pack and scored the game winner unassisted.  He also had an opportunity for another goal in the last minute on a breakaway towards an empty net, but was taken down from behind.

OP had a power play near the end of the game but great defense led by Colin Dodge (Roy-Hart), Kuchey and Jacob Harris (Barker) preserved the win.

RBM is now off until the day after Thanksgiving when they will play an afternoon game against Wilson/Newfane at the Harbor Center in Buffalo at 1:30 p.m.

Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Leading the Roy-Hart swim teams into the up coming Niagara-Orleans League season will be this trio of captains including Jordyn Bobzein, Michael Miller and Kayla Hagan.

Anchored by a strong veteran nucleus, the two-time defending champion Roy-Hart girls swim team is taking aim at making it a Niagara-Orleans League title three-peat.

Roy-Hart posted a 10-0 record to claim the title outright last year after sharing the crown with Akron at 9-1 the year before.

Leading the way for the Channel Cats are seniors Kayla Hagan, who won both the 100 Freestyle and 100 Backstroke at the All-League meet, Madison Ohol, (second in the 200 Free and 500 Free), Jordyn Bobzein (third in the 200 Free and fourth in the 500 Free) and Kennedy Lang (fourth in the 50 Free) along with sophomore Mandy Hill (first in both the 200 Individual Medley and 500 Free).

Hagan and Hill were on both the winning 200 Medley and 400 Free Relay teams. Ohol was also a member of the 400 Free Relay quartet.

The Roy-Hart boys squad, which finished second at 8-2 last year, also returns a good veteran nucleus led by seniors Michael Miller (second in 100 Butterfly and third in 100 Backstroke), Ozzy Moore (fifth in 100 Free) and Will Rickard (first in 100 Free and third in 50 Free) along with junior Carter Green (first in 50 Free and second in 200 Free) and sophomore Chris Ulrich (fourth in 500 Free).

“We’ve got a good group back including 18 seniors so I’m looking for another successful year,” said Coach Dottie Barr.

The Channel Cats will open the N-O season at home against Barker on December 10.

Schedule
November: 26 at Wheatland-Chili, 5:30 p.m.
December: 3 – HAC, 5 p.m.; 10 – Barker, 4:30 p.m.; 12 – Albion, 4:30 p.m.; 17 – at Akron, 4:30 p.m.; 19 at Medina, 4:30 p.m.
January: 7 – at Newfane, 4:30 p.m.; 9 – at Barker, 4:30 p.m.; 14 – at Albion, 4:30 p.m.; 16 – Akron, 4:30 p.m.; 23 – Medina, 4:30 p.m.; 25 – Newfane, 10 a.m.; 29 – Boys All-League at Akron, 5:30 p.m.; 31 – Girls All-League at Newfane, 5:30 p.m.

Photo by Cheryl Wertman – This veteran quintet of, from left, Tyler Chinn, Joe Cecchini, Nate Sherman, Jarin Rhim and Brian Fry will lead Medina into the defense of its Niagara-Orleans League title this season.

Last year a small iron man group of seven players earned Medina its school record fourth straight Niagara-Orleans League boys basketball championship.

Now, the return of five of those seven players provides a strong nucleus for the Mustangs to defend their title.

The Mustangs veteran quintet includes senior Nate Sherman, juniors Brian Fry and Tyler Chinn and sophomores Joe Cecchini and Jarin Rhim.

Sherman, who scored 267 points (13.4 average) and grabbed off 155 rebounds (7.8 ave.), and Fry, who scored 193 points (9.7 ave.) and pulled down 104 rebounds (5.2 ave.), both earned second team N-O All-League honors.

“We have nice experience back with those five key players but we do have two huge holes to fill,” said Coach Tom Forrestel in noting the loss to graduation of guard/forward Izaiah Rhim and guard Vincent Montague. Rhim, who earned first team N-O All-League honors, had 228 points (11.4 ave.) and 189 rebounds (9.5 ave.)

“A big key for us is to identify our point guard. It’s really important to stabilize that,” added Forrestel. “Team defense is also a major focal point and all around team chemistry is essential.”

The Mustangs posted a 12-0 record last year to claim the N-O crown and finished with an overall mark of 17-4.

The Mustangs have four non league games scheduled, beginning with a December 2 home contest against Buffalo Academy of Science, before beginning defense of their N-O title at Barker on December 13.

Schedule
December: 2 – Buffalo Academy of Science, 6:30 p.m.; 6 – at CSAT, 6 p.m.; 9 – South Park, 6:30 p.m.; 11 – at CCA, 6:30 p.m.; 13 – at Barker, 6 p.m.; 17 – at Albion, 7 p.m.; 20 – Newfane, 6:30 p.m.; 27 and 28 – at Southtowns Tournament in East Aurora, vs. Holland on the 27th.
January: 3 – at Roy-Hart, 7 p.m.; 6 – Tapestry, 6:30 p.m.; 10 – Akron, 6:30 p.m.; 14 – at Wilson, 6 p.m.; 16 – Barker, 6:30 p.m.; 21 – Kenmore East, 6:30 p.m.; 24 – Albion, 6:30 p.m.; 28 – at Newfane, 7 p.m.; 31 – Roy-Hart, 6:30 p.m.
February: 11 – at Akron, 6:30 p.m.; 13 – Wilson, 6:30 p.m.

Contributed Photo – Captains Ryan Krenning, Chase Froman, Laiken Ricker, Michaela Pantano, Sam Sanchez and Thomas Furmanski will lead the Albion swim teams into the up coming season.

Boasting a good veteran nucleus, the two-time defending champion Albion boys swim team is prepping to make a run at claiming a third straight Niagara-Orleans League title.

Senior captains Ryan Krenning, Chase Froman, Sam Sanchez and Thomas Furmanski anchor the lineup for the Purple Eagles which went 10-0 in N-O meets last year.

Sanchez won the 100 Butterfly at last year’s N-O All-League meet while Krenning placed second in the 50 Free and fourth in the 100 Free, Froman third in the 500 Free and fifth in the 200 Free and  Furmanski second in the Backstroke.

Krenning, Sanchez and Furmanski were all members of the winning 200 Medley Relay team. Froman, Sanchez and Krenning were all on the winning 200 Free Relay team while Sanchez and Froman were also on the winning 400 Free Relay team.

“There is plenty of talent there so I think they can repeat,” said Coach Jay Kovaleski whose Purple Eagles also shared the Section VI Class C title last season. “We’ll see what energy they bring to each meet. That will be key.”

The Purple Eagle will begin defense of their title at home on December 10 against Medina.

The Albion girls squad is led by senior captains Michaela Pantano and Laiken Ricker.  Pantano placed second in the 100 Butterfly at the All-League meet.

Schedule
November: 26 – at Attica, 5:30 p.n.
December: 3 – Wheatland-Chili, 4:30 p.m.; 10 – Medina, 4:30 p.m.; 12 – at Roy-Hart, 4:30 p.m.; 17 – at Barker, 4:30 p.m.; 19 – at Newfane, 4:30 p.m.
January: 7 – Akron, 4:45 p.m.; 9 – at Medina, 4:30 p.m.; 14 – Roy-Hart, 4:30 p.m.; 16 – Barker, 4:30 p.m.; 23 – Newfane, 4:30 p.m.; 25 – at Akron, TBA; 29 – Boys All-League at Akron, 5:30 p.m.; 31 – Girls All-League at Newfane, 5:30 p.m.
February: 7 – Girls N-O vs. G-R meet at Gates-Chili, 6 p.m.