Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Looking to help lead Holley into the upcoming season are, in front, Miles Lammes and Tony Farruggia. In back are Cody Tannis, Jake Norman and Matt Skehan.

Hit hard by graduation with the loss of nine seniors, Holley looks to be facing a bit of a rebuilding job heading into the upcoming Genesee Region League baseball season.

Led by the lone returning starter, senior Matt Skehan (pitcher/shortstop), the Hawks are also looking to juniors Cody Tanis (second base/third base), Jake Norman (catcher), Tony Farruggia (outfield), sophomore Jayden Gibaud (pitcher/infield) and eighth grader Miles Lammes (pitcher/shortstop).

“We graduated everyone but one starter so we’re very young,” said Coach Dan Burke. “The kids are working hard and they’re very willing to learn. It will be interesting to see this group develop. By the end of these season it should be a very good group.”

Holley’s graduation losses include Patrick Bower (catcher/pitcher), Sammy Lammes (shortstop/pitcher/catcher), Ryan Andrews (third base/pitcher) and Brandon Dillenbeck (second base)

The Hawks are slated to open the season by competiting in a tournament at Medina on March 30.

Schedule
(Games at 4:30 p.m. unless noted)
March: 30 – at Medina Tournament, 9 a.m.
April: 5 – at Barker, 9 – Byron-Bergen, 12 – at Pembroke, 15 – at Oakfield-Alabama, 22 – Notre Dame, 23 – at Kendall, 25 – at Northstar, 26 – Elba, 29 – at Lyndonville, 30 – Attica.
May: 3 – at Byron-Bergen, 7 – Alexander, 13 – at Attica, 15 – Barker, 17 – vs. Alexander at Cooperstown, 1:30 p.m.

Contributed Photo – Albion coaches and players celebrate after recently locking up the Niagara-Orleans League title.

The Albion boys varsity swim team recently completed a record breaking season.

The Purple Eagles finished the regular season as undefeated (10-0) Niagara-Orleans League champions, winning the title for the second year in a row.

Albion then had a tremendous showing at their post-season competitions.

The Purple Eagles won 6 out of 11 events at the All-League Championships.

Then, at the Class C sectional meet, they became the first swim team in school history to win a sectional team title, finishing as co-champions with Frewsburg.

Coached by Carlos Burroughs and Jay Kovaleski, the Purple Eagles team was captained by Matt Kovaleski and Harrison Brown. The team members also included Jayden Allport, DeClan McCue, Dallas Ecker, Jacob Foote, Zac Olles, Presley Smith, Jeff Brown, Bryce Wilson, Ben Hickman, Josh Manning, Zach Kilner, Jacob Coolbaugh, Isaac Neidert, Sam Sanchez, Josh DePoty, Ryan Krenning, Dyllan Beach, Cameron Ecker, Devin Olles, Chase Froman, Omar Peterson, Andrew Slack, Sam Williams, Kyle VanAmeron, Zane Schreier and Thomas Furmanski.

“Congratulations to everyone on a great season!” said Burroughs who is retiring as the Purple Eagles coach.

Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Veteran members of the Medina softball team include, in front, Ashlee Howell, Morgan Allis, Cora Payne and Brandi Guild. In back are Brooklyn Brown, Abi Neuman, Camri King and Lacey Kenward.

After finishing in the runner-up spot last spring at 10-2, the Medina softball squad boasts a large veteran nucleus with which to make another strong run at the Niagara-Orleans League title.

That returning contingent includes seniors Cora Payne (pitcher), Ashlee Howell (catcher) and Brandi Guild (first base) along with juniors Lacey Kenward (pitcher), Camri King (outfield), Morgan Allis (third base), Abi Neuman (outfield) and sophomore Brooklyn Brown (first base).

Howell and King earned second team N-O All-League honors while Payne, Guild and Kenward all received Honorable Mention.

“We have a lot of returning veterans so we’re hoping to pick up where we left off last year,” said Coach Amber Cleaveland. “Our pitching is solid and overall I think we’re pretty solid. I’m really optimistic and looking forward to the season.

The Mustangs main losses to graduation were shortstop Alisha Scroger and first baseman Ryenn Oliver who both earned first team All-League honors.

Medina, which went 14-5 overall last spring,  is scheduled to begin N-O competition at home on April 10 against Albion.

Schedule
March: 29 – Iroquois, 4:30 p.m.
April: 1 – Pembroke, 4:30 p.m.; 3 – Cleve Hill, 4:30 p.m.; 8 – at Depew, 5 p.m.; 10 – Albion, 4:45 p.m.; 12 – at Newfane, 4:45 p.m.; 15 – Roy-Hart, 4:45 p.m.; 17 – at Akron, 4:45 p.m.; 29 – at Barker, 4:45 p.m.
May: 1 – Wilson, 4:45 p.m.; 6 – at Albion, 4:45 p.m.;  8 – Newfane, 4:45 p.m.; 10 – Roy-Hart, 4:45 p.m.; 13 – Akron, 4:45 p.m.; 15 – Barker, 4:45 p.m.; 17 – at Wilson, 4:45 p.m.

The Region 3 champion Niagara County Community College women’s basketball team had a tough trip at the national championship tournament in Arkansas going 0-2.

NCCC, which brought a 31-0 record into the tournament, first dropped a narrow 74-73 decision to Sinclair Community College from Ohio on Wednesday. The Thunderwolves were then eliminated via a 74-59 loss to Moraine Valley from Illinois this afternoon.

Newfane graduate Paige Emborski scored 15 in the first game and 8 in the second. Albion grad Caitlynn Snook also saw action in the second contest.

The NCCC men’s team is still in the hunt for fifth place honors at the national championships.

The Thunderwolves are currently 1-1 in the tourney having defeated Wake Tech from North Carolina 73-61 in the opening round on Tuesday and then dropped an 80-65 decision to Kirkwood from Illinois on Wednesday. Barker grad Nate Luckman scored 3 in the tourney opener.

Contributed Photos – The varsity award winners from the Lyndonville Winter Awards Night included, in front, Alyssa Winder, Rebecca Woodward, Gracie Johnson and Kaylee Nesbitt. In back are Nathan Hydock, Nathan Poler, Zach Johnson, Nathan Dillenbeck, Rodney Davis, Mario Fidanza, Chase Stinson.

Varsity and JV student/athletes were honored this week as Lyndonville held its Winter Sports Awards Night.

For boys varsity basketball, Zach Johnson received the Most Valuable Player Award, Nathan Dillenbeck the Most Improved Player Award, Nathan Hydock the Rookie Award and Nathan Poler the Coaches Award. Johnson and Dillenbeck were also recognized for earning Genesee Region League All-Star honors.

For girls varsity basketball, Alecia Hinkson received the Most Valuable Player Award, Kaylee Nesbitt the Most Improved Player Award, Anna Lewis the Outstanding Defensive Player Award, Gracie Johnson the Coaches Award and Prezil Silversmith the Tough As Nails Award.

For girls varsity cheerleading, Becca Woodward received the Most Valuable Player Award, Mia Dennard the Most Improved Player Award and Alyssa Winder the Coaches Award.

For varsity wrestling, Chase Stinson received the Most Outstanding Wrestler Award, Rodney Davis the Most Improved Wrestler Award and Mario Fidanza the Coaches Award. Stinson, Fidanza and Davis were also all recognized for earning G-R All-Star honors.

For girls JV basketball, Lorelei Dillenbeck received the Most Valuable Player Award, Alexis Hughes the Coaches Award and Karlee Rounds the Most Improved Player Award.

For boys JV basketball, Noah Poler received the Most Valuable Player Award, Anthony Moule the Coaches Award and Haydin Woodward the Most Improved Player Award.

The JV award winners included, from left, Lorelei Dillenbeck, Karlee Rounds, Alexis Hughes, Noah Poler, Anthony Moule and Haydin Woodward.

Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Albion’s large returning softball group includes, in front, Lexi Wolck, Brylie Hapeman and Alexis Bentley. In back are Kendall Derisley, Aly Knaak, Paige Derisley, Sierra Newton and Ella Knaak. Missing from the photo are Emani Poole, Kenzi Hapeman, Leah Pritchard and Ryan Olles.

Last spring an underclassmen dominated Albion softball squad took its lumps going 4-8 in the league while gaining invaluable experience.

Now, with most of that still youthful but more experienced team back, the Purple Eagles are taking aim at an improved Niagara-Orleans League season.

The Purple Eagles large veteran contingent includes seniors Lexi Wolck (shortstop), Alexis Bentley (outfield), Brylie Hapeman (outfield) and Sierra Newton (who is currently recovering from an injury); juniors Ella Knaak (first base/pitcher), Paige Derisley (second base) and Kendall Derisley (outfield); sophomore Emani Poole (catcher); freshmen Kenzi Hapeman (utility), Aly Knaak (infield), Leah Pritchard (pitcher/first base) and eighth grader Ryan Olles (infield).

Brylie Hapeman and Newton both earned second team All-League honors and Wolck Honorable Mention last year

“We’e young again but we have some good experience and some great senior leadership,” said Coach Cathy Schmitt.

Albion’s graduation losses included first team N-O All-League third baseman Natalie DiCureia, pitcher Erin Doty and catcher Janae Doty.

The Purple Eagles are scheduled to open the N-O season at home against Barker on April 8.

Schedule
(all games at 4:45 unless noted)
March: 25 – at Kenmore West
April: 2 – Brockport; 3 – at Batavia, 4:30 p.m.; 6 – Aquinas, 12 p.m.; 8 – Barker, 10 – at Medina, 12 – Akron, 15 – at Wilson, 22 – at Lyndonville, 11 a/m/, 23 – Lockport, 11 a.m., 29 – Roy-Hart.
May: 1 – at Newfane, 3 – at Barker, 6 – Medina, 8 – at Akron, 10 – Wilson, 14 – Newfane, 15 – at Roy-Hart, 17 and 18 – Tournament at Lake Placid High.

Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Lyndonville’s large veteran group includes, in front, Tanner Burt-Hodgins, Nathan Dillenbeck, Rolland Balcerzak and Devin Rounds. In back are Kane Flynn, Zach Johnson, Noah Heinsler and Oskar Heinsler.

Looking to rebound from a rare sub .500 (6-10) season, Lyndonville returns a large veteran group as the Tigers prep for the upcoming Genesee Region League baseball season.

Senior pitcher/first baseman/outfielder Zach Johnson, who earned G-R All-Star honors last fall, heads that veteran contingent which also includes seniors Kane Flynn (utility), Noah Heinsler (first base/outfield), Tanner Burt-Hodgins (first base) and Chase Woodward (second base); juniors Oskar Heinsler (third base/pitcher), Devin Rounds (outfield) and Nathan Neace (outfield) along with sophomores Nathan Dillenbeck (shortstop/pitcher) and Rolland Balcerzak (catcher/pitcher).

“We’re still young but we’ve got some good experience and that experience is a plus,” said Coach Shane Price. “Pitching should be our strong point led by Zach and I really hope he has a stellar season.”

Lyndonville is scheduled to open the G-R season at home against Notre Dame on April 9. The Tigers went 5-7 in G-R action last spring.

Schedule
April: 1 – at Finney, 4:45 p.m.; 2 – Barker, 4:30 p.m.; 9 – Notre Dame, 4:30 p.m.; 11 – at Oakfield-Alabama, 4:30 p.m.; 12 – at Kendall, 4:30 p.m.; 15 – Alexander, 4:30 p.m.; 16 – Elba, 4:30 p.m.; 23 – Pembroke, 4:30 p.m.; 25 – at Attica, 4:30 p.m.; 26 – at Byron-Bergen, 4:30 p.m.; 29 – Holley, 4:30 p.m.
May: 3 – at Notre Dame, 4:30 p.m.; 6 – Oakfield-Alabama, 4:30 p.m.; 7 – Kendall, 4:30 p.m.; 10 – at Elba, 4:30 p.m.; 13 – Finney, 4:30 p.m.; 14 – Albion, 4:30 p.m.; 16 – at Lima Christian, 5 p.m.

Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Anchoring the Roy-Hart will be this group of veterans including, in front, Noah Hardy and Walker Samanka. In back are Gavyn Boyle, Charlie Brigham and Charlie Bruning.

Returning a good nucleus from last spring’s school record setting team, the Roy-Hart baseball squad is looking to extend its Niagara-Orleans League title run and again go deep into the postseason playoffs.

Last spring, the Rams claimed a third straight N-O title and went on to capture the school’s first Section VI and Far West Regional titles before bowing in the state semifinals going 19-3 overall.

Anchoring the Rams lineup is the returning starting group of seniors Charlie Brigham (second base/pitcher), Walker Samanka (pitcher/third base/first base) and Charlie Bruning (pitcher/first base) along with junior Mike Huntington (outfield), sophomore Noah Hardy (catcher/infield) and freshman Gavyn Boyle (outfield/pitcher).

Bruning and Boyle both earned second team N-O All-League honors last spring while Brigham and Samanka received Honorable Mention.

“We have the same goal and there is no difference in our approach this season,” said Coach Mike Tarnowski. “We’ve got a good group back. We’re just going to take it one game at a time.”

The Rams graduation losses include first team N-O honorees Al Xapsos (shortstop/pitcher) and Jacob Bruning (pitcher/outfield) and second team honoree Ben Schwab (first base/pitcher).

Roy-Hart is slated to begin its N-O title defense at Akron on April 8.

Schedule
April: 1 – Oakfield-Alabama, 4:30 p.m.; 3 – at Lew-Port, 4:30 p.m.; 4 – Tonawanda, 4:30 p.m.; 5 – West Seneca West, 5 p.m.; 8 – at Akron, 4:45 p.m.; 10 – at Newfane, 4:45 p.m.; 15 – Medina, 4:45 p.m.; 17 – Wilson, 4:45 p.m.; 26 – at JFK, 12 p.m.; 29 – Albion, 4:45 p.m.
May: 1 – at Barker, 4:45 p.m.; 3 – Akron, 4:45 p.m.; 6 – Newfane, 4:45 p.m.; 10 – at Medina, 4:45 p.m.; 13 – at Wilson, 4:45 p.m.; 15 – at Albion, 4:45 p.m.; 16 – Cleve Hill, 4:45 p.m.; 17 – Barker, 4:45 p.m.; 20 – Starpoint, 4:45 p.m.