Contributed Photo – The Albion High gym was packed Sunday as the Purple Eagles Wrestling Academy held its second annual Novice Tournament.

The Purple Eagles Wrestling Academy held its 2nd annual novice tournament yesterday. The tournament welcomed around 220 wrestlers to Albion High School. The Albion youth wrestlers finished as follows:

1st Place
Asher Dix, Jayce Rivera, Jagger Bourne, Jai’heem Drisdom, Jaxon Francis, Landon Stalker, Owen Whiting,

2nd Place
Carter Hall, Connor Murphy, Steele Sanders, Jaxson Stefaniak, Jordan Button, Storm Sanders, Lexington Pridgen, Major Dixon, Roman Pridgen

3rd Place
Chase Armer, Gaven Jackson, James Mahoney, Levi Purnell, Maelanni Rivera, Sam Conde, Zayden Leflore

4th Place
Josh Parkot, Melissa Mengs, Max Rivera, Mayson Vosburgh, Thomas Colmenero, Wayne Kent, Xavier Weiss

5th Place
Alex McAdoo, Apollo Chuddy, Artaevion Lewis, Atlas Chuddy, Blake Dawley, Caleb Martin, Isaiah Hewitt, Noah Button, Parker Dawley

“The Purple Eagles Wrestling Academy will be hosting a double-elimination tournament on February 1st to help prepare the youth wrestlers for their post-season,” added Purple Eagles Academy Director Mike Sanders.

The top two teams in the standings will collide Tuesday as front-running Wilson hosts runner-up Akron at 6 p.m. in a key Niagara-Orleans League boys basketball game.

Wilson is 5-0 (12-0 overall) and Akron 4-1 (10-1 overall) heading into this big matchup which will complete the first half of the N-O season..

Both teams are led by a trio of scorers.

Wilson is paced by Aidan Neumann (277 points, 25.2 average), Ryan Hough (123 pts., 12.3 ave.) and Shamus George (125 pts., 11.4 ave.) George also has 97 rebounds, Hough 80 and Neumann 61.

Akron is led by Derren Brooks (220 pts., 20.0 ave.), Blake Gerstung (181 pts., 16.5 ave.) and Ben Gerstung (174 pts., 15.8 ave.) Brooks has also grabbed off 146 rebounds.

Interestingly, this same matchup of teams will also highlight Tuesday’s N-O girls schedule as defending champion Wilson visits Akron at 6:30 p.m.

Wilson is 5-0 and Akron 4-1.

The upcoming week’s wrestling competition will be highlighted by Medina’s annual Gary Gross Memorial Tournament on Saturday.

Weekly Schedule
Tuesday
Boys Basketball – Akron at Wilson, 6 p.m.; Newfane at Medina, Barker at Roy-Hart, 6:30 p.m.; Lyndonville at Kendall, Notre Dame at Holley, 7 p.m.
Girls Basketball – Roy-Hart at Barker, Wilson at Akron, 6:30 p.m.; Holley at HAC, 5 p.m.
Swimming – Roy-Hart/Barker at Medina, Albion at Akron, 5 p.m.

Wednesday
Girls Basketball – Medina at Newfane, 5 p.n.; Kendall at Lyndonville, Holley at Notre Dame, 7 p.m.
Wrestling – Albion at Holley-Kendall, Akron at Lyndonville, Lake Shore vs. Roy-Hart/Barker at Barker, 6 p.m.

Thursday
Boys Basketball – Alexander at Lyndonville, Oakfield-Alabama at Holley, Attica at Kendall, 7 p.m.
Swimming – Medina at Albion, Newfane at Akron, 5 p.m.
Wrestling – Holley-Kendall at Perry, 6 p.m.

Friday
Boys Basketball – Newfane at Wilson, 6 p.m.; Barker at Medina, Akron at Albion, 6:30 p.m.
Girls Basketball – Medina at Barker, 5 p.m.; Albion at Akron, JFK at Roy-Hart, Wilson at Newfane, 6:30 p.m.; Holley at Oakfield-Alabama, 7 p.m.

Saturday
Boys Basketball – Spencerport at Albion, 1:30 p.m.
Girls Basketball – Notre Dame at Kendall, 11:30 a.m.; Albion at Lyndonville, 12:30 p.m.
Wrestling – Medina’s Gary Gross Memorial Tournament, 9 a.m.; Albion and Holley-Kendall at Livonia Tournament

N-O Standings
Boys Basketball – Wilson 5-0, Akron 4-1, Medina 3-2, Newfane 3-2, Albion 2-4, Barker 1-4, Roy-Hart 0-5
Girls Basketball – Wilson 5-0, Akron 4-1, Albion 4-2, Roy-Hart 3-2, Medina 1-4, Newfane 1-4, Barker 0-5
Boys Swimming – Newfane 6-0, Akron 3-2, Medina 3-2, Albion 2-4, Roy-Hart/Barker 0-6
Girls Swimming – Newfane 5-0-1, Akron 4-0-1, Roy-Hart/Barker 3-3, Medina 1-4, Albion 0-6

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Albion’s Jaxon Lynch, who earned the Most Outstanding Wrestler award, works toward a major decision win over Newfane’s Jake Morello in his 150 lb. title bout at today’s annual Niagara-Orleans League Tournament this afternoon at Albion.

All six teams had at least one champion crowned at the annual Niagara-Orleans All-League wrestling tournament held this afternoon at Albion.

Newfane led the parade to the podium with five champions including Jonah Morello (103), Rian Czaja (126), Colin Doxey (175), Tristian Smith (190) and Weston Henning (215).

Host Albion had a trio of winners including Justin Mengs (110), Stryker Sanders (118) and Jaxon Lynch (150) who earned the tourney’s Most Outstanding Wrestler award.

Roy-Hart/Barker had a pair of winners in Luke Fay (138) and RJ Townsend (285) as did Akron in Alexander Parisi (144) and Joey Burg (165).

Medina’s Luke Duffina won at 132 and Wilson’s Victor Cusatis at 157.

Sanders, Duffina, Fay and Czaja are all repeat champions.

Roy-Hart/Barker’s RJ Townsend in route to scoring an overtime win over Akron’s James Crooks in the 285 lb. title bout.

In Newfane’s championship bouts Jonah Morello scored a 16-0 technical fall win over Max Liuzzi (Roy-Hart/Barker), Czaja had a 10-3 decision win over Drake Schomske (Albion), Doxey pinned Lincoln Murray (Roy-Hart/Barker) in 2:40, Smith pinned Cristofaro Interisano (Wilson) in 5:08 and Henning pinned Liam Silsby (Roy-Hart/Barker) in 2:35.

For Albion in the finals, Mengs pinned Roman Zarbo (Wilson) in 2:24; Sanders pinned Tyler Zimmerman (Akron) in 1:28 and Lynch scored a 14-6 major decision victory over Jake Morello (Newfane).

Mengs advanced to the finals with a technical fall win in the semifinals; Sanders had pins of 42 seconds in the quarterfinals and 3:18 in the semis and Lynch registered pins of 3:15 in the quarterfinals and 5:57 in the semis.

Roy-Hart/Barker’s title wins saw Fay post a 17-0 technical fall win over Alex Brandl (Akron) and Townsend edge James Crooks (Akron) 4-1 in overtime.

For Medina, Duffina scored a 21-6 technical fall win over Ryley Mahoney (Newfane) in the finals. He advanced with a pair of lightning quick pins of 12 seconds in the quarterfinals and 38 seconds in the semis.

In Akron’s title matches Parisi posted a 16-0 technical fall win over Parker Roberts (Albion) and Burg had a 21-5 technical fall victory over Mason Coulter (Wilson).

For Wilson, Cusatis decisioned his Lakemen teammate David Gurski 14-8.

Newfane, which captured the regular season title with a 5-0 record, also captured the tournament team championship with 208 points. Albion finished second with 166 points followed by Akron 161.5, Roy-Hart/Barker 153.5, Wilson 104.5 and Medina 59.5.

Medina’s Luke Duffina works toward earning a technical fall win over Newfane’s Ryley Mahoney in his 132 lb. title bout.

Albion’s Stryker Sanders in route to scoring a first period pin in his 118 lb. title bout over Akron’s Tyler Zimmerman.

Roy-Hart/Barker’s Luke Fay works toward scoring a title round technical fall victory over Akron’s Alex Brandl in the 138 lb. final.

Albion’s Justin Mengs in route to scoring a second period pin over Wilson’s Roman Zarbo in his 110 lb. title bout.

Snapping a season long 10 game losing streak, Barker downed Cleveland Hill 55-32 in a non league girls basketball game this afternoon.

Elise Monaco scored 23, Charlotte Haag 13 and Hailey Dodge and Cheyanne Rouse 7 each to lead the way for Barker. Rouse also grabbed off 11 rebounds and Monaco 10.

Leading 22-15 at the half, Barker used a big 25-7 third period scoring edge to open up a 47-21 advantage and put a lock on the win.

Alexander 50, Lyndonville 34
Long range shooting was the name of the game as Alexander made nine three’s in a 50-34 Genesee Region League win his afternoon over Lyndonville which had seven threes.

Paige Morton took game high scoring honors for Alexander with 21 including three threes.

Isabella Groves scored 19, including five threes, and Braelynn Dillenbeck 8, including two threes. to lead Lyndonville.

Elba 74, Holley 20
Hanna Ostrom had 9 points and 5 rebounds and Mia Thom 6 points and 5 rebounds for Holley in a 74-20 G-R loss to Elba.

Akron swept to a doubleheader victory over Roy-Hart/Barker in a Niagara-Orleans League make-up swim meet this evening.

Akron won the boys’ meet 63-59 and the girls’ competition 101-64.

Logan Meyers won the 100 Butterfly and Aron Gehl the 100 Breaststroke for the Akron.

Roy-Hart/Barker had a pair of individual event double winners in Noah Corraine (200 Free and 100 Free) and Hendrick Trombley (200 Individual Medley and 100 Backstroke).

The Akron girls had a trio of individual event double winners including Aurora VanDusen (200 Free and 500 Free), Charlotte Carlson (IM and Butterfly) and Brooke Milhollen (100 Free and Backstroke).

Madelina Pavlock won the 50 Free for Roy-Hart/Barker.

Newfane sweeps Albion

Newfane also swept to a doubleheader victory over Albion in the other N-O make-up meet.

Newfane won the boy’s meet 50-38 and the girls’ 70-21.

Noah Kneeland doubled in the Butterfly and Breaststroke for the Newfane boys which also had Robert Hathaway take the IM and Dylan Lamont the 500.

Justin Kania doubled for the Albion boys in the 200 Free and 50 Free as Logan Kast took the 100 Free and Nathan Wehling the Backstroke.

Sara Klinger doubled in the 50 Free and Breaststroke for the Newfane girls as Emma Haseley took the 200 Free, Eden Hillman the 100 Free, Riley Klopfer the 500 and Eloana Reis the Backstroke.

Keira Sidari won both the IM and Butterfly for Albion.

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Medina’s Alexa Demmer puts up a shot against Akron defender Olivia Novak during the Mustangs home court loss to the Lady Tigers.

Improving to 4-1, Akron edged host Medina 47-44 in a Niagara-Orleans League girls basketball game this evening.

Abby Gerstung scored 15, Clara Bogdan 10 and Cara Swader 7 to lead Akron.

Caliyah St. Louis took game high scoring honors for Medina with 20 as Alexa Demmer added 12 and Samantha Heschke 8.

Breaking away from a 9-9 deadlock at the end of the first quarter, Medina grabbed a 21-17 half-time lead as St. Louis and Demmer both scored 5 in the second period.

The Mustangs maintained a slender 29-27 lead at the end of the third period as Demmer had a three and a two and St. Louis a basket in the quarter.

However, Akron rallied down the stretch to outpoint Medina 20-15 in the decisive final period and claim the win. Swader scored 5, Bogdan, Olivia Novak and Kylie Mangione 4 each and Gerstung 3 to lead that uprising.

Roy-Hart 50, Newfane 42
Adella Dukes scored 24, Courtney Aquilina 9 and Millie Owens 7 to lead Roy-Hart past Newfane 50-42.

Ah-Leena Golden scored 15 and Julia Noonan 10 for Newfane.

Wilson 54, Albion 17
Defending champion Wilson improved to 5-0 by downing visiting Albion 54-17 as Lucy Madan scored 15 and Rowan Simpson 10.

Aailyah Jones scored 12 to lead Albion.

N-O Standings: Wilson 5-0, Akron 4-1, Albion 4-2, Roy-Hart 3-2, Medina 1-4, Newfane 1-4, Barker 0-5.

Kendall 58, School of the Arts 39
Kendall defeated School of the Arts 58-39 in a non league game as Izzy D’Agostino scored 16, Mia Price 12, Stella Kwiatek 10 and Teagan Shaw 9.

Medina’s Caliyah St. Louis drives on Akron defender Abby Gerstung.

Undefeated front-running Wilson downed visiting Albion 69-53 this evening to maintain sole possession of the Niagara-Orleans League boys basketball lead at 5-0.

Akron took over sole possession of second place by rolling past visiting Medina 79-49. The Tigers improve to 4-1 while the Mustangs slip to 3-2.

In the other N-O contest Newfane defeated Roy-Hart 47-26 to improve to 3-2.

Wilson 69, Albion 53
Aidan Neumann scored a game high 26, Shamus George 20 and Ryan Hough 15 to lead Wilson past Albion.

Elijah Doxey scored 22 and Nate Gibson 18 to pace Albion which slips to 2-4.

Leading by a narrow 34-32 margin at the half, Wilson took charge in the third period by outscoring Albion 23-7. Neumann tallied 8, George 6, Brock Lepsch 5 and Hough 4 to lead that surge.

Neuman then scored 10 in the final period to help the Lakemen close out the win.

Akron 79, Medina 49
Ben Gerstung scored 22, Derren Brooks 20, Brodie Hill 15 and Blake Gerstung and Ace Abrams 8 each to spark the Akron attack.

Christian Moss scored 18, Jerrell Nealy 14 and Preston Woodworth 12 to lead Medina.

Moving on top to stay, Akron grabbed a 16-6 lead at the end of the opening quarter. Ben Gerstung scored 6 and Brooks 5 to lead that early surge.

The Tigers went on to lead by margins of 14 (35-21) at the half and by 24 (52-28) at the end of the third period. Blake Gerstung scored 8, including a pair of threes, in the second quarter while Brooks had 9 in the third period.

Newfane 47, Roy-Hart 26
Isaac Zachery, Mac Capen and Kasey Wheat each scored 11 points and Camlo Flowers 8 to lead Newfane past Roy-Hart.

Matt Aquilina led Roy-Hart with 19.

N-O Standings: Wilson 5-0, Akron 4-1, Medina 3-2, Newfane 3-2, Albion 2-4, Barker 1-4, Roy-Hart 0-5.

Holley 59, Lyndonville 46
Holley downed host Lyndonville 59-46 in a Genesee Region League game as Josh Silpoch scored 24, Avante Walker 15 and Cam Mosier 8.

Atticus Mank scored 14, Lane Woodworth 10 and Colton Smith and Quincy McClinsey 7 each for Lyndonville.

Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Albion’s Tyler Cody, shown here making a slam dunk, and his Purple Eagle teammates will host league leading Wilson in a key Niagara-Orleans League game at 6:30 p.m. Friday.

Albion and Medina both face key Niagara-Orleans League boys basketball games on Friday evening.

Albion, which has slipped to 2-3, will host undefeated (4-0) league leading Wilson at 6:30 p.m.

Wilson is sparked offensively by the trio of Aidan Neumann, who is averaging 25.2 points per game, Ryan Hough (12.3 ave.) and Shamus George (11.4 ave.) George has also grabbed off 97 rebounds, Hough 80 and Neumann 61.

Albion has been sparked by Elijah Doxey (19.6 ave.), Tyler Cody (14.0 ave.) and Wesley Olles (11.4 ave.)

Medina will visit Akron at 6:30 p.m. in a clash of 3-1 teams which are tied for second place in the N-O standings.

Offensively Akron is led by the threesome of Derren Brooks who is averaging 20 per contest, Blake Gerstung (17.3 ave.) and Ben Gerstung (15.2 ave.) Brooks has also pulled down 136 rebounds.

The Mustangs offense has been led by Jerrell Nealy (18.8 ave.) and Preston Woodworth (16.6 ave.) Nealy has also grabbed 93 rebounds, Christian Moss 64 and Woodworth 51.

Friday’s other N-O contest will have Newfane at Roy-Hart at 6:30 p.m.

N-O Standings: Wilson 4-0, Akron 3-1, Medina 3-1, Newfane 2-2, Albion 2-3, Barker 1-4, Roy-Hart 0-4

Albion girls also face key test
The Albion girls will also face a key N-O contest on Friday as the 4-1 Purple Eagles visit undefeated (4-0) defending champion Wilson at 6 p.m.

The other league contests will have Akron at Medina at 5 p.m. and Roy-Hart at Newfane at 6:30 p.m.

N-O Standings: Wilson 4-0, Albion 4-1, Akron 3-1, Roy-hart 2-2, Medina 1-3, Newfane 1-3, Barker 0-5

Today’s contests are snowed out
The snowy weather, which caused schools to be closed, has wiped out tonight’s light schedule of high school contests.

The four cancelled contests include the Newfane vs. Albion and Akron at Roy-Hart/Barker swim meets, the Lyndonville vs. Wilson wrestling match and the Lyndonville vs. Holley girls basketball game.

Contributed Photo – Holley-Kendall wrestlers and coaches celebrate capturing the Genesee Region League title this evening with a win over Alexander-Pembroke.

Holley-Kendall captured the Genesee Region League wrestling championship by edging Alexander-Pembroke on the 9th criteria at Kendall this evening.

The match finished deadlocked at 40-40 but Holley-Kendall claimed the victory and the league title on the 9th criteria which is described as “the team having the greater number (total match points) of first points scored shall be declared the winner.”

Jeremy Lutes (103), John Blosenhauer (110), Jack Brueilly (138), Brenden Eichas (144). Aiden McGrain (215) and Immanuel Cornell (285) all registered pins for Holley-Kendall and Matteo Caterisano (175) had a major decision win.

The G-R title is the first for Holley-Kendall since 2018.

Byron-Bergen 44, Lyndonville 35.
Byron-Bergen bested Lyndonville 44-35 in the other G-R match..

Justin Holmes, Dom Hargrave, Jake Gidley, Shannon Withey and Greyson Romano all registered pins for Lyndonville as Bryson Hazel had a technical fall win.