Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Medina’s veteran wrestlers include, in front, Riley Black and Robert Morehouse. In back are Bobby Geiger, Colby Petrie and Miles Hartway.

Thin on experience is the problem facing both the Medina and Roy-Hart/Barker wrestling squads heading into the Niagara-Orleans League wrestling season which has its earliest opener ever on Wednesday.

Medina will visit defending champion Newfane and Roy-Hart/Barker will host Wilson at Roy-Hart in the 6 p.m. league openers.

In fact, four of the league’s five dual meets will be held before Christmas and the All-League tournament is scheduled for January 12 because of the addition of section and state level team championship tournaments.

Junior Colby Petrie, who won the 120 lb. title at last year’s N-O All-League meet, and freshman Rashawn Bloom, who placed, second at 99, head Medina’s experienced group which also includes juniors Riley Black and Travis Wiseman along with sophomores Miles Hartway, Robert Morehouse, Brandon Boyce and Thomas Vasquez.

Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Veteran members of the Roy-Hart/Barker wrestling squad include Andrew Schafer, Brett Ricker, Trent Choate and Karson Grover.

“It’s a very inexperienced group,” said Coach Eric Gross. “We have a few quality varsity wrestlers but overall we’re very inexperienced. And the short, really compacted league season, really makes it hard when you are trying to progress a young team like ours.”

Graduation losses for the Mustangs, which went 2-3 in N-O dual matches last year, include N-O champion Elijah Sones along with second place finisher Joe Gates and third place finishers Jake Bensley and DaRon Bellan.

Roy-Hart, which not only is thin on experience but also on numbers as the Rams squad numbers only some 16 wrestlers.

Seniors Andrew Schafer and Karson Grover along with freshmen Brett Ricker and Trent Choate head the Roy-Hart/Barker lineup.

“Our numbers are better this year than last year and we’re looking to do better that we did a year ago,” said Coach Matt McCauley.

Roy-Hart/Barker went 0-5 in N-O dual matches last year.

Medina’s Schedule
November: 28 – at Newfane, 6 p.m.
December: 1 – at Byron-Bergen Tournament; 5 – Akron, 6 p.m.; 8 – at Lyndonville Tournament; 12 – Albion, 6 p.m.; 19 – at Wilson, 6 p.m.; 29 – at Akron Tournament
January: 4 and 5 – at NCCC Tournament; 9 – at Roy-Hart/Barker, 6 p.m.; 12 – at N-O All-League Tournament; 26 – Gary Gross Memorial Tournament.

Roy-Hart’s N-O meets
November: 28 – Wilson, 6 p.m.
December: 5 – at Newfane, 6 p.m.; 12 – Akron, 6 p.m.; 19 – at Albion, 5 p.m,
January: 9 – Medina ,6 p.m.; 12 – at All-League meet.

The Roy-Hart/ Barker/Medina/ Akron Club Hockey team tied defending New York State large school champion St. Joseph’s 2-2 Saturday evening in a game that included a five minute, four on four overtime.

RMB held a one goal advantage at the end of the first period, getting the score from Michael Kuchey (R-H) with assists from Dylan Krzykowski (Ak.) and Jason Kuchey (R-H).

St. Joe’s evened the game early in the second and took the lead, 2-1, going into the final period.

Krzykowski scored unassisted with 2:12 left in the game, but RMB received two penalties at that point and had to play nearly the rest of the way with a two man disadvantage.

Getting great play from their defenders, particularly Tom Paisley (R-H) and Jason Kuchey, RBM was able to hang on and the game went into overtime.

Neither team could score in the extra period.  Once again, RMB got excellent goaltending, this time from Andrew Warner (Tonawanda).

RBM is off until December 9 when they travel to Depew to play Lancaster at 4 p.m..

Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Anchoring the lineup for the Roy-Hart girls varsity basketball team this season will be this group of veterans. In front are Emily Metz and Meghan Washington. In back are Ashley Hill, RayLynn Chraston, Lexie Lovewell and Maddie Fry.

Led by a good group of six senior returnees, Roy-Hart is looking to rebound from last year’s 2-10 Niagara-Orleans League girls basketball season.

That veteran contingent includes Lexie Lovewell, Maddie Fry, Emily Metz, Ashley Hill, Meghan Washington and RayLynn Chraston.

The Lady Rams are also looking to sophomores Mallory Steiner, Rileigh McCabe and Shelby Wolf.

“We’ve got a good mix of experience and fresh legs so we’re looking for a good season,” said Coach Grace Swick.

Roy-Hart’s graduation losses included Ellie Todd, Delaney Draper, Sophia LaPort, Skyler Christopher and Maddy Glena.

The Lady Rams will open the season by hosting their annual tournament on November 30 and December 1. The Lady Rams will face Holland in the first round. The N-O opener will then be December 14 against Albion.

Schedule
November: 30 – vs. Holland at Roy-Hart Tournament, 7:30 p.m.
December: 1 – Roy-Hart Tournament; 14 – Albion, 7 p.m.; 18 – Depew, 6:30 p.m.; 21 – at Newfane, 6:30 p.m.; 27 vs. Tonawanda at Tonawanda, 7 p.m.; 28 – at Tonawanda Tournament
January: 3 – at Wilson, 6 p.m.; 8 – Medina, 7 p.m.; 11 – at Akron, 6:30 p.m.; 15 – Wilson, 7 p.m.; 18 – at Barker, 7 p.m.; 24 – at Albion, 7 p.m.; 29 – Newfane, 7 p.m.
February: 1 – Buffalo Arts, 6:30 p.m.; 2 vs. Starpoint at NCCC, 5 p.m.; 5 – at Medina, 6:30 p.m.; 8 – Akron, 7 p.m.; 14 – Barker, 7 p.m.

The Tri County Midget team romped to a 9-2 victory over Batavia Saturday in an Empire Amateur Hockey Conference game.

Improving to 4-0 in the conference and 5-0 overall, Tri County jumped out to a 4-0 first period lead on goals by James Hapeman, John Pilon, Josh Gimeli and Jake Esposito.

A second period goal by Patrick Ricker kept Tri County in command by a 5-1 margin.

Tri County then closed out the win with four third period goals scored by Hapeman, Pilon, Aaron Shefflin and David Archibald.

Tri County next visits Batavia on December 1.

Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Lyndonville’s veteran contingent includes, in front, Russell Stephens, Kane Flynn and Nathan Dillenbeck. In back are Nathan Hydock, Zach Johnson, Matt Hess and Nathan Poler.

For any basketball team returning three starters is great, returning a starting five is outstanding but returning the top seven is something special. And that is the very special position the Lyndonville boys varsity squad is looking to take advantage of this season as the Tigers look to improve on last year’s 7-15 overall record.

“It’s a coaches dream,” said Tigers Coach Lee Dillenbeck whose returning top seven includes the starting five of seniors Zach Johnson, Matt Hess, Nathan Poler and Kane Flynn and sophomore Nathan Dillenbeck along with juniors Russell Stephens and Nathan Hydock who were brought up late in the season from the JV team and saw considerable action.

Last year, Poler scored 287 points (13.1 average) and had 167 rebounds and 53 assists; Johnson 255 points (11.6 ave.), 180 rebounds and 101 assists and Hess 221 points (10.0 ave.) and 201 rebounds.

“It’s exciting to have all the same guys back. The key is putting it all together,” said Coach Dillenbeck. “We have good game experience so It should be an exciting year. I’m excited and they’re excited.”

The Tigers have a pair of non league games to open the season before beginning Genesee Region League competition at Kendall on December 7.

Schedule
November: 30 – Rochester Academy Charter, 5:30 p.m.
December: 5 – at Albion, 7 p.m.; 7 – at Kendall, 7 p.m.; 11 – Notre Dame, 7 p.m.; 17 – at Wheatland-Chili, 7 p.m.; 19 – Elba, 7 p.m.; 28 – vs. RAC at Holley Tournament, 5:30 p.m.; 29 – at Holley Tournament
January: 4 – Pembroke, 7 p.m.; 8 – Holley, 7 p.m.; 10 – at Alexander, 7 p.m.; 16 – Byron-Bergen, 7 p.m.; 18 – Oakfield-Alabama, 7 p.m.; 22 – Akron, 7 p.m.; 24 – at Attica, 7 p.m.; 30 – Wheatland-Chil, 7 p.m.
February: 1 – at Elba, 7 p.m.; 7 – at Notre Dame, 7 p.m.; 11 – Kendall, 7 p.m.; 13 – Finney, 7 p.m.

Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Barker’s large contingent of returnees includes, in front, Rachel Hurtgam, Haleigh Mason and Bailey Sutch. In back are Sydnie Luckman, Gabby Baker, Kylie Annable, Rachel Parfinski and Serena Harris.

Bolstered by the return of a large group of eight returnees, and with new Coach Dave Luckman, at the helm, the Barker girls are looking to improve upon last year’s 2-10 Niagara-Orleans League record.

The Lady Raiders veteran contingent includes senior Gabby Baker, juniors Bailey Sutch, Serena Harris, Haleigh Mason, Kylie Annable, Rachel Parfinski, Rachel Hurtgam and sophomore Sydnie Luckman.

Barker’s key losses to graduation were Haley Brown, Sarah Mason and Kylie Miller.

“The experience we have is certainly a plus heading into the season,” said Coach Luckman. “They’re looking pretty good and I’m pleased so far.”

The Lady Raiders will open the season by competing in the Kendall Tournament on November 28 and December 1 facing Lyndonville in the opener before beginning N-O competition at Medina on December 14.

Schedule
November: 28 – vs. Lyndonville at Kendall Tournament, 5:30 p.m.
December: 1 – at Kendall Tournament; 4 – at Lyndonville, 7 p.m.; 12 – Kendall, 6:30 p.m.; 14 – at Medina, 6:30 p.m.; 20 – Akron, 6:30 p.m.; 27 and 28 – at Pembroke Tournament.
January: 4 – at Wilson, 6 p.m.; 7 – at Kendall, 7 p.m.; 10 – Akron, 6:30 p.m.; 15 – at Newfane, 6:30 p.m.; 18 – Roy-Hart, 6:30 p.m.; 22 – at Holley, 7 p.m.; 24 – Medina, 6:30 p.m.; 29 – at Akron, 6:30 p.m.
February: 1 – Wilson, 6:30 p.m.; 8 – at Albion, 7 p.m.; 12 – Newfane, 6:30 p.m.; 14 – at Roy-Hart, 6:30 p.m.

The Roy- Hart/Barker/ Medina/Akron Club Hockey team earned their first victory of the season, beating St. Mary’s of Lancaster 4-1 at Harbor Center this afternoon.

Now 1-2, RBM got on the board first on a goal by Dylan Krzykowski (Akron) at the 11:33 point of the first period with the assist going to Michael Kuchey (R-H).

The lead went to 2-1 later in the period when Kuchey scored unassisted.  St. Mary’s pulled within one before the end of the period.

In the second period, Dominic Peracciny (R-H) scored at the 6:16 mark, assisted by Rhett Wagner (Medina).

Kuchey closed the scoring in the third period on an assist from his brother, Jason, and Nick Wood (AK)

Tyler Lehan (Grand Island) was outstanding in goal for RBM stopping 26 shots.

RBM is back in action tomorrow evening at 9 p.m. with a game at the Buffalo North Arena against the New York State Large School Champion, St. Joe’s Maroon.

Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Leading Holley into the upcoming season will be these veterans including Olivia Radford, Julia Smith, Madison Marsh and Abrianna Kruger. Missing from the photo is Sarah Klatt.

With a good nucleus of five returnees and new Coach Sal DeLuca at the helm, the Holley girls basketball squad is looking to rebound from last year’s winless campaign.

Seniors Sarah Klatt, Julia Smith and Abrianna Kruger, along with juniors Madison Marsh and Olivia Radford, anchor the lineup for the Lady Hawks which also includes sophomore Halee Passarell and juniors Megan Harrington and Jade Hoffarth.

“We’ve got some good athletes and we’re looking forward to the season,”  said DeLuca. “We’re going to be very guard oriented but they are all good athletes and I think we’ll surprise some people.”

The Lady Hawks will open the season against rival Kendall on November 28 in the opening round of the Kendall Tournament.

Schedule
November: 28 – vs. Kendall at Kendall Tournament, 7 p.m.
December: 1 – at Kendall Tournament; 6 – Alexander, 7 p.m.; 12 – at Oakfield-Alabama, 7 p.m.; 14 – Attica, 7 p.m.; 18 – at Byron-Bergen, 7 p.m.; 20 – Pembroke, 7 p.m.
January: 3 – Elba, 7 p.m.; 7 – at Barker, 6:30 p.m.; 9 – at Lyndonville, 7 p.m.; 11 – at Kendall, 7 p.m.; 15 – at Notre Dame, 7 p.m.; 22 – Barker, 7 p.m.; 25 – Wheatland-Chili, 7 p.m.; 29 – at Pembroke, 7 p.m.; 31 – Byron-Bergen, 7 p.m.
February: 6 – at Attica, 7 p.m.; 8 – at Oakfield-Alabama; 12 – at Alexander, 7 p.m.