Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Looking to lead Kendall into the upcoming basketball season is this quintet of veterans including Kaitlyn Gregory, Katie Pearson, Lizzie Sutphen, Brittney Marks and Jenna Regan.

Anchored by a good nucleus of five returnees, Kendall is looking to rebound from last year’s 3-11 Genesee Region League girls basketball season (6-14 overall).

The returning starting trio of junior Lizzie Sutphen, senior Jenna Regan and junior Katie Pearson head that veteran group which also includes junior Brittney Marks and senior Kaitlyn Gregory.

Regan averaged 5 points and 8 rebounds last year, Sutphen 5 points, 4 assists and 3 steals and Marks 4 points, 3 assists and 3 steals.

“With a competitive schedule, three returning key starters and two players with three years of varsity experience, including three of our leading scorers back, the Eagles could improve on last year’s record and have a great season,” said Coach Jeff Parizek. “Expectations are high.”

The Lady Eagles roster also includes seniors Harley Faro and Abigail Collins, juniors Autumn Woodward and Sienna Friedman along with freshmen Alezya Bown and Elizabeth Snyder.

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

Schedule
November: 28 – vs. Holley in Kendall Tournament, 7 p.m.
December: 1 – Kendall Tournament; 4 – Alexander, 7 p.m.; 12 – at Barker, 6:30 p.m.; 14 – Elba, 7 p.m.; 18 – at Wheatland-Chili, 7 p.m.; 20 – Notre Dame, 7 .m.
January: 3- Oakfield-Alabama, 7 p.m.; 7 – Barker, 7 p.m.; 9 – at Byron-Bergen, 7 p.m.; 11 – Holley, 7 p.m.; 14 – Rochester Prep, 6 p.m.; 15 – Pembroke, 7 p.m.; 17 – at Attica, 7 p.m.; 29 – at Notre Dame, 7 p.m.; 31 – Wheatland-Chili, 7 p.m.
February: 4 – Rochester Prep, 6 p.m.; 6 – at Elba, 7 p.m.; 9 – Rochester Academy Charter, 12 p.m.; 12 – at Lyndonville, 7 p.m.

Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Nate Luckman

Barker High graduate Nate Luckman led a parade of six double figure scorers in the Niagara Community College men’s basketball team’s 104-84 victory over Finger Lakes Community College Tuesday evening.

Luckman, a freshman with the Thunderwolves, scored a team leading 15 points in the victory.

The point total was a season high for Luckman.

The Thunderwolves also had Dytanya Mixson with 13, Fode Camara 12 and Hunter Anderson, Nigel Scantlebury and Sincere Ramsahal each with 10.

NCCC improves to 7-1 with the win.

Contributed Photo – Champion Albion is represented on the first team of the B2 Division All-Star football squad by these seven players. In front are Brilliance Johnson, Ugene Harrison and Ben Restivo. In back are Bryce Pritchard, Matt Kovaleski, Alex Rustay and Nate Moore.

Champion Albion has placed seven players and Medina/Lyndonville/Barker five on the first team of the B2 Division All-Star football squad.

Albion is represented by quarterback Bryce Pritchard, running backs Ugene Harrison and Brilliance Johnson, wide receivers Nate Moore and Matt Kovaleski, defensive lineman Ben Restivo and kicker Alex Rustay. All are seniors except Johnson who is a junior.

Medina/Lyndonville/Barker has placed quarterback Izaiah Rhim, offensive lineman Blaire Prest, linebacker Chaise Prest, defensive back Brian Fry and kicker Matt Hess. All are seniors except Fry who is a sophomore.

Contributed Photo – Medina/Lyndonville/Barker’s first team B2 Division honorees include, in front, Blaire Prest and Chase Prest. In back are Izaiah Rhim, Brian Fry and Matt Hess.

Rhim was named the division’s Offensive MVP while Kovaleski was the Defensive Co-MVP.

Pritchard passed for 1,185 yards and 10 touchdowns and also rushed for 254 yards and 7 TDs.

Harrison had 540 yards rushing, 6 touchdowns and on defense 51 tackles.

Johnson had 660 yards rushing and scored 7 touchdowns.

Moore caught 17 passes for 537 yards and scored a total of 9 touchdowns. On defense he had 4 interceptions and 39 tackles.

Kovaleski caught 26 passes for 400 yards and scored 2 touchdowns. Defensively, he had 3 interceptions and made 22 tackles.

Restivo made a team leading 77 tackles and had 5 sacks and 1 fumble recovery.

Rustay made 34 of 43 extra point kick attempts and made 2 field goals.

Rhim had 1,044 yards passing and 11 touchdowns and also rushed for 535 yards and 10 TDs.

Fry made 72 tackles and had 2 interceptions. On offense he scored a total of 7 touchdowns with 41 receptions for 600 yards.

Chaise Prest made 69 tackles and had 1 fumble recovery while Blaire Prest made 47 tackles and had 2 sacks.

Hess made good on 15 of 17 extra point kick attempts.

The Purple Eagles had four second team honorees including offensive lineman Jonathan DePuy, defensive linemen Brennan Hughes and Cody Wilson and linebacker Donamic Farley. All are seniors except Wilson who is a junior.

The Mustangs had three seniors earn second team honors including running back William Braswell, offensive lineman Tim Roy and defensive back Rickie Pitts.

Both teams had a trio of Honorable Mention selections. The Purple Eagles placed seniors Kirk Ellison and Jesse Cruz and junior Deyonci Farley while the Mustangs had juniors Bobby Geiger and Lincoln Pace and sophomore Tyler Chinn.

Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Holley’s returning varsity players include John Mounts, Braden Ferranti, David Wilson and Matt Skehan.

Having graduated nine seniors, Holley faces a bit of a rebuilding task heading into the upcoming boys basketball season.

The senior quartet of John Mounts, Matt Skehan, David Wilson and Braden Ferranti provide the only varsity experience for the Hawks whose graduation losses included the teams main scorers Patrick Bower, Andrew Mossmen and Ryan Andrews

“It’s going to be tough. We graduated a lot of kids and most of our scoring,” said Coach Wil Prince who is also looking to the junior trio of Kohl Morgan, Carson Major and Cody Tanis.

Holley, which went 4-17 a year ago, will visit Barker in the non league opener on November 30 and then host Alexander on December 7 to get the Genesee Region League season underway.

Schedule
November: 30 – at Barker, 6:30 p.m.
December: 7 – Alexander, 7 p.m.; 11 – Oakfield-Alabama, 7 p.m.; 13 – at Attica, 7 p.m.; 17 – Lima Christian, 5:30 p.m.; 19 – Byron-Bergen, 7 p.m.; 28 – vs. Kendall in Holley Tournament, 7 p.m.; 29 – Holley Tournament.
January: 4 – at Elba, 7 p.m.; 8 – at Lyndonville, 7 p.m.; 10 – Kendall, 7 p.m.; 14 – at Pembroke, 7 p.m.; 16 – Notre Dame, 7 p.m.; 21 – Rochester Prep, 6:30 p.m.; 24 – at Wheatland-Chili, 7 p.m.; 28 – Pembroke ,7 p.m.
February: 1 – at Byron-Bergen, 7 p.m.; 5 – Attica, 7 p.m.; 7 – at Oakfield-Alabama, 7 p.m.; 13 – at Alexander, 7 p.m.

Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Leading Medina into the upcoming basketball season will be this veteran quintet of Nate Sherman, Brian Fry, Izaiah Rhim, Vincent Montague and Tyler Chinn.

Low numbers are a concern as three time defending champion Medina preps to defend its Niagara-Orleans League basketball title.

Senior Izaiah Rhim, who earned first team N-O All-League honors last year, heads Medina’s small group of five varsity veterans which also includes senior Vincent Montague, junior Nate Sherman and sophomores Brian Fry and Tyler Chinn. Rhim scored 237 points (10.8 average) and grabbed off 219 rebounds.

The squad’s only other upperclassman is senior William Braswell.

“We’ve got good experience and a solid nucleus but in terms of numbers this is the smallest team I’ve had in my 19 years coaching,” said Coach Tom Forestel.

A number of call ups from the JV ranks look to add some depth to the squad. Those players may include sophomores Christian Drisdom, Donte Rhim, Jarin Rhim, Emmanuel Taylor and freshmen Joe Cecchini.

The Mustangs key losses to graduation include first team N-O All-League honoree Jalin Cooper, Mason Lewis, Alex Allis and Brendan Luthart.

Medina, which shared the N-O title with Newfane last year at 10-2, has four non league games scheduled before opening the N-O season at Barker on December 14.

Schedule
November: 30 – Buffalo Science, 6:30 p.m.
December: 3 – at Kenmore East, 6:30 p.m.; 7 – vs. Grand Island at Niagara Falls Classic at Niagara Falls High SChool, 6:30 p.m.; 10 – at Tapestry, 6:30 p.m.; 14 – at Barker, 7 p.m.; 17 – Elba, 6:30 p.m.; 18 – CCA, 6:30 p.m.; 20 – Albion, 6:30 p.m.
January: 3 – at Newfane, 6:30 p.m.; 8 – Roy-Hart, 6:30 p.m.; 15 – at Akron, 6:30 p.m.; 18 – Wilson, 6:30 p.m.; 22 – CSAT, 6:30 p.m.; 25 – Barker, 6:30 p.m.; 29 – at Albion, 7 p.m..
February: 1- Newfane, 6:30 p.m.; 5 – at Roy-Hart, 7 p.m.; 7 – at Buffalo Science, 7 p.m.; 12 – Akron, 6:30 p.m.; 14 – at Wilson, 6 p.m.

Jumping out to a commanding 38-13 half-time advantage, Burgard went on to defeat visiting Barker 72-20 in the non league boys basketball season opener for both teams this evening.

Josh Weakland scored 6 points and Nick Brandt 5 for Barker which was plagued by a rash of turnovers.

Barker next visits Alexander on November 27 in another non league contest.

Women’s College Basketball
NCCC 97, Finger Lakes CC 51
Staying perfect at 8-0, the Niagara County Community College women’s basketball team defeated visiting Finger Lakes Community College 97-51 this evening.

Kenetria Redfern (Cheektowaga) had 24 points and 13 rebounds and Paige Emborsky (Newfane) 23 points and 4 rebounds to lead the way for the Thunderwolves as Ellie Todd (Roy-Hart) chipped in with 4 points and 2 rebounds and Caitlynn Snook (Albion) 2 points and 4 rebounds.

Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Albion Coach Dave Kozar meets here with the Purple Eagles veteran contingent. In front are Xavier Cornick, Vincent Zona and Bryce Pritchard. In back are Deyonci Farley, Kevin Hillman, Coach Kozar, Liam Ward and Dylan Fox.

Boasting a good nucleus of seven returnees, Albion is looking to improve upon last year’s 6-6 Niagara-Orleans League and 8-14 overall basketball record.

The Purple Eagles returnees include seniors Bryce Pritchard and Vincent Zona along with juniors Liam Ward, Kevin Hillman, Deyonci Farley, Dylan Fox and Xavier Cornick.

Farley, who earned second team N-O All-League honors, led the Purple Eagles in scoring with 265 points (12.0 average) and 243 rebounds.

Ward had 264 points (12.0 ave.) and 86 rebounds and Pritchard 232 points (10.5 ave.) and 131 rebounds. Both players earned N-O All-League Honorable mention.

The Purple Eagles are also looking to senior Jonathan DePuy along with juniors Michael DiCureia and Brilliance Johnson.

“We’ve got very nice experience back,” said Coach Dave Kozar. “The N-O League is very competitive but  we’re looking to be competitive.”

The Purple Eagles have three non league games scheduled before opening the N-O season at home against Roy-Hart on December 13.

Schedule
November: 29 – at Tonawanda, 6:30 p.m..
December: 5 – Lyndonville, 7 p.m.; 11 – Spencerport, 7 p.m.; 13 – Roy-Hart, 7 p.m.; 19 – at Burgard, 6 p.m.; 20 – at Medina, 6:30 p.m.
January: 3 – Akron, 7 p.m.; 5 – at LeRoy, 12:30 p.m.; 8 – at Wilson, 6 p.m.; 11 – Barker, 7 p.m.; 14 – Elba, 7 p.m.; 18 – at Newfane, 6:45 p.m.; 25 – at Roy-Hart, 7 p.m.; 29 – Medina, 6:30 p.m.
February: 1 – at Akron, 6:30 p.m.; 5 – Wilson, 7 p.m.; 8 – at Barker, 7 p.m.; 11 – at MST Seneca, 7 p.m.; 14 – Newfane, 7 p.m.; 16 – Buffalo Science, 12:30 p.m.

Contributed Photo – Roy-Hart’s college field hockey signees include, from left, Danielle Kozma, Alexis Lovewell and RayLynn Chraston.

Three Roy-Hart seniors signed letters of intent this week to continue their field hockey careers at the collegiate level.

Alexis Lovewell and RayLynn Chraston will both be playing field hockey at Division 2 Mercyhurst and Danielle Kozma at Division 3 Morrisville College.

Kozma, a two year varsity player for the Lady Rams as a forward, will be studying Dairy Production and Management. She is a member of FFA and 4H.

Lovewell, a four year varsity starter and a first team Niagara-Orleans All-League honoree this fall, will be studying Cyber-Security. She also plays basketball and softball for the Lady Rams and is Student Council president and a member of the National Honor Society.

Chraston, a three year varsity starter who has led the Lady Rams defensively was a second team N-O All-League selection this fall. She will be studying Psychology.

Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Anchoring the Medina lineup this season is this veteran quartet of Camri King, Kharise Johnson, Sarah Cochrane and Maddie Williams.

A quartet of veterans will anchor the lineup for the Medina girls basketball team heading into the upcoming season.

That foursome includes seniors Maddie Williams, Kharise Johnson and Sarah Cochrane along with junior Camri King.

King scored 248 points (11.2 average) and grabbed off 190 rebounds while Williams had 190 points (8.6 ave.) and added 174 rebounds and 67 steals last season.

The Mustangs are also looking to senior Jarilys Flores-Medina, juniors Tyesha Robinson and Nadia Osby along with sophomores Sarah Sones, Gracie Hughes and Anya Bloom.

“I like what I’m seeing so far and I’m really pleased with the progress I’ve seen over the last couple of weeks,” said Coach Larry Lash. “A big key for us will be how quickly our young players adjust to the speed of the varsity game but we’re going to keep getting better.”

The Mustangs key losses from last year’s team were scoring and rebounding leader Je’ne Brown and Divere Brown who have moved.

Medina, which went 4-8 in the league and 8-15 overall last year, will tuneup with three non league games before opening the Niagara-Orleans League campaign against Wilson on Decemher 11.

Schedule
November: 30 – at Tapestry, 6:30 p.m.
December: 4 – Elba, 6:30 p.m.; 6 -Nardin, 6:30 p.m.; 11 – Wilson, 6:30 p.m.; 14 – Barker, 6:30 p.m.; 18 – at Niagara-Wheatfield, 6:30 p.m.; 20 – at Albion, 7 p.m.; 31 – Tonawanda, 12:30 p.m.
January: 4 – Newfane, 6:30 p.m.; 8 – at Roy-Hart, 6:30 p.m.; 10 – North Tonawanda, 6:30 p.m.; 15 – Akron, 6:30 p.m.; 18 – at Wilson, 6:30 p.m.; 22 – at CSAT, 6:30 p.m.; 24 – at Barker, 7 p.m.; 29 – Albion, 6:30 p.m.
February: 1 – at Newfane, 6:30 p.m.; 5 – Roy-Hart ,6:30 p.m.; 7 – at Lew-Port, 7 p.m.; 12 – at Akron, 6:30 p.m.