Sacred Heart extended its Medina Euchre League lead with a 48-22 win over Vets Club Monday.

The Hearts now hold a 24 point lead over Legion which edged JR Wilson 36-34.

Sacred Heart is now 315-245 on the season, Legion 291-269, JR Wilson 274-286 and Vets Club 240-320.

League competition continues on November 26 with JR Wilson at Sacred Heart and Legion at Vets Club.

Contributed Photos – Darion Jonathan, Akron, and Aspen Moore, Roy-Hart.

Two Niagara-Orleans League players, Roy-Hart’s Aspen Moore and Akron’s Darion Jonathan, have been named to the first team of the All Western New York volleyball small schools squad.

Moore, a senior outside hitter and two-time first team N-O All-League honoree, had 430 kills, including a school record 37 vs. Akron, 133 digs and 34 aces this season. She was also named N-O Player of the Year.

Jonathan, a three-time first team N-O All-League selection, had 263 spiking kills, 52 service aces and 236 digs.

In addition, two other members of Akron’s N-O championship team, senior outside hitter Helena Hill and sophomore setter Jessee Jonathan, have been named to the All-WNY second team. Both were first team N-O All-League honorees.

Hill 195 kills, 46 aces, 18 blocks and 218 digs and Jonathan 425 assists, 156 digs, 34 aces and 18 kills.

Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Getting set to lead Albion into the upcoming season are these Purple Eagle veterans. In front are Natalie Lathrop, Brylie Hapeman and Sarah Gregori. In back are Lexi Wolck, Kirsten Struble, Tess Pettit and Sierra Newton.

Having lost four of five starters to graduation, the Albion girls varsity basketball team is facing  bit of a rebuilding task this season led by a good nucleus of seven veterans who all saw considerable action last year.

That veteran senior contingent includes Sierra Newton, Brylie Hapeman, Sarah Gregori, Kirsten Struble, Lexi Wolck, Natalie Lathrop and Tess Pettit.

“We’ll need to do the little things and most importantly we’ll need contributions from everyone,” said Coach Lucian Price. “They’re working hard and I’m really pleased with the effort out there.”

The Purple Eagles losses from last year’s team which went 8-4 in the Niagara-Orleans League and 10-12 overall, includes Caitlynn Snook, Janae Doty, Elisabeth Baker and Natalie DiCureia. Snook was a first team All-League honoree while Doty, Baker and DiCureia all received Honorable Mention.

Albion has six non league games scheduled before opening the N-O campaign at Roy-Hart on December 14.

Schedule
November: 27 – Alden, 7 p.m.; 30 – at Elba, 7 p.m.
December: 4 – at Notre Dame, 7 p.m.; 7 – Buffalo Arts, 7 p.m.; 10 – at Oakfield-Alabama, 7 p.m.; 12 – Lyndonville, 7 p.m.; 14 – at Roy-Hart, 6:30 p.m.; 18 – LeRoy, 7 p.m.; 20 – Medina, 7 p.m.
January: 4 – at Akron, 6:30 p.m.; 8 – Wilson, 7 p.m.; 10 – at Barker, 7 p.m.; 15 – Olmsted, 7 p.m.; 18 – Newfane, 7 p.m.; 24 – Roy-Hart, 7 p.m.; 29 – at Medina, 6:30 p.m.
February: 1 – Akron, 7 pm.; 5 – at Wilson, 6 p.m.; 8 – Barker, 7 p.m.; 14 – at Newfane, 6:30 p.m.

Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Kendall’s veteran laden team includes, in front, Nate Warters, John Rath, Mickey Gardner and Hunter Menze. In back are Mason Kuhn, Tyler Wright-Dunkle, Dale Steffen and Derek Edick.

A year ago with no seniors on the team Kendall’s underclassmen boys varsity basketball squad struggled through a 3-19 building season.

Now, with all eight of the players from that team back and with a valuable year of experience under their belts, the Eagles are looking for a big rebound season.

The senior quartet of Nate Warters, John Rath, Mickey Gardner and Hunter Menze head the Eagles squad which also includes juniors Dale Steffen, Mason Kuhn and Tyler Wright-Dunkle and sophomore Derek Edick.

Warters led the Eagles in scoring last season with 372 points (16.9 average) and also had 107 rebounds while Rath had 240 points (10.9 ave.), 112 rebounds and 108 assists), Menze 200 points (9.1 ave.) and 141 rebounds and Gardner 140 points (6.7 ave.) and 134 rebounds.

“We definitely hit the ground running with all that experience back,” said Coach Matt Zimmer. “With the veteran leadership and experience we have we’re definitely optimistic. We certainly have to put the work in but the kids are excited and we’re hoping to be a big presence in the league.”

The Eagles will host Pavilion in the non league opener on November 27 and then begin Genesee Region League competition at Notre Dame on December 5.

Schedule
November: 27 – Pavilion, 7 p.m.
December: 5 – at Notre Dame, 7 p.m.; 7 – Lyndonville, 7 p.m.; 11 – at Barker, 6:30 p.m.; 13 – at Elba, 7 p.m.; 19 – Wheatland-Chili, 7 .m.; 28 – vs. Holley at Holley Tournament, 7 p.m.; 29 – at Holley Tournament
January: 4 – at Oakfield-Alabama, 7 p.m.; 8 – Byron-Bergen, 7 p.m.; 10 – at Holley, 7 p.m.; 12 – Rochester Academy Charter, 6 p.m.; 16 – at Pembroke, 7 p.m.; 24 – at Alexander, 7 p.m.; 28 – Attica, 7 p.m.; 30 – Notre Dame, 7 p.m.
February: 1 – at Wheatland-Chili, 7 p.m.; 5 – Elba, 7 p.m.; 8 – at Pavilion, 7:30 p.m.; 11 – at Lyndonville, 7 p.m.

Staying perfect at 7-0, the Niagara County Community College women’s basketball team romped to a 114-23 victory over host Allegany College of Maryland this afternoon.

Six players scored in double figures for the Thunderwolves as Shilah Parker (Cardinal O’Hara) had 23, Paige Embosky (Newfane) 21, Kenetria Redfern (Cheektowaga) 19, Aubrey Halloran (Albany) 16 and Cori Dickson (O’Hara) 13.

Caitlynn Snook (Albion) chipped in with 6 points and 7 rebounds and Ellie Todd (Roy-Hart) 5 points.

NCCC next hosts Finger Lakes Community College at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday.

Building up as much as a 6-2 lead, the Tri County Midget Hockey team downed Perinton in an Empire Amateur Hockey Conference game today.

Tri County jumped out to an early 2-0 lead on goals by Chase Froman and Jake Esposito but Perinton rallied into a 2-2 tie by the end of the opening period.

However, Tri-County regained the lead for good at 4-2 in the second period on goals by Patrick Ricker, a shorthanded tally, and Max Hapeman.

The advantage increased to 6-2 in the third period on goals by Ricker and James Hapeman.

Perinton did rally with a quick three goal scoring burst but could not net the equalizer.

Now at 3-0 in the league and 4-0 overall, Tri County next faces Batavia on Saturday.

Photo by Mike Wertman – New Lyndonville girls varsity basketball Coach Kate Draper meets here with the Lady Tigers veteran players. In front are Danielle Weldon, Grace Hayes and Paige McDonald. In back are Savannah Poler, Ella Lewis, Anna Lewis, Alecia Hinkson and Coach Draper.

With new coach and Lyndonville grad Kate Draper at the helm, the Lady Tigers are prepping for a busy opening week right after the Thanksgiving holiday.

The Lady Tigers will compete in the Kendall Tournament on November 28 and December 1 and also host Rochester Academy Charter in between in a non league contest on November 30. Lyndonville will face Barker in the tourney opener.

Lyndonville, which went 6-16 last season, returns a large contingent of seven veterans including seniors Alecia Hinkson, Anna Lewis, Paige McDonald and Grace Hayes along with juniors Danielle Weldon and Savannah Poler and freshman Ella Lewis.

Ella Lewis led the Lady Tigers in scoring last season with 226 points (11.3 average) and also had 89 steals, 46 rebounds and 26 assists. Anna Lewis added 116 points, 84 rebounds, 78 steals and 61 assists.

“I’m excited,” said Draper. “We’ve got a good group back and we’re looking to compete and to improve on last year.”

The Lady Tigers lineup also includes juniors Riley Schmitt and Jenahlee Riemer along with sophomore Kaylee Nesbitt and freshman Gracie Johnson.

Lyndonville’s only loss to graduation was Miranda Lembcke.

Schedule:
November: 28 – vs. Barker at Kendall Tournament, 5:30 p.m.; 30 – RAC, 7 p.m.
December: 1 – at Kendall Tournament, 4 – Barker, 7 p.m.; 10 – at Akron, 6:30 p.m.; 12 – at Albion, 7 p.m.; 18 – at Elba, 7 p.m.; 20 – Wheatland-Chili, 7 p.m.; 28 – at Notre Dame, 5 p.m.
January: 3 – at Pembroke, 7 p.m.; 9 – Holley, 7 p.m.; 11 – Alexander, 7 p.m.; 15 – at Byron-Bergen, 7 p.m.; 17 – at Oakfield-Alabama, 7 p.m.; 25 – Attica, 7 p.m.; 29 – at Wheatland-Chili, 7 p.m.; 31 – Elba, 7 p.m.
February: 6 – Finney, 7 p.m.; 8 – Notre Dame, 7 p.m.; 12 – Kendall, 7 p.m.

Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Leading Barker into the upcoming season are these Raider returnees including, in front, Dan Ober and Nick Brandt and in back are Preston Harris, Cole Hanssen and Andrew Callaghan.

The area high school basketball season will get off to an early start as Barker visits Burgard in a non league boys game at 6 p.m. Tuesday.

The Raiders are led by the veteran senior quintet of Preston Harris, Andrew Callaghan, Cole Hanssen, Nick Brandt and Dan Ober. Brandt earned Niagara-Orleans All-League Honorable Mention last season.

“We’re hoping to do a little better than last year,” said Coach Michael Brooks whose Raiders are looking to rebound from an 0-12 N-O season. “We want to make it as hard as possible for the other team to score by playing tough defense and contesting every shot. And offensively we’re looking to play inside out.”

Barker’s graduation losses included Malik Smith, Evan Ecker and Austin Sullivan.

The Raiders have three more non league games scheduled before owning the N-O campaign at Akron on December 7.

Schedule
November: 20 – at Burgard, 6 p.m.; 27 – at Alexander, 7 p.m.; 30 – Holley, 6:30 p.m.
December: 4 – at Elba, 6:30 p.m.; 7 – at Akron, 6:30 p.m.; 11 – Kendall, 6:30 p.m.; 14 – Medina, 7 p.m.; 18 – Notre Dame, 6:30 p.m.
January: 3 – Wilson, 7 p.m.; 9 – Byron-Bergen, 6:30 p.m.; 11 – at Albion, 7 p.m.; 15 – Newfane, 7 p.m.; 18 – at Roy-Hart, 7 p.m.; 23 – at Oakfield-Alabama, 7 p.m.; 25 – at Medina, 6:30 p.m.; 29 – Akron, 7 p.m.
February: 1 – at Wilson, 6 p.m.; 8 – Albion, 7 p.m.; 12 – at Newfane, 6:45 p.m.; 14 – Roy-Hart, 7 p.m.

For the second time in four nights, the Roy- Hart/Barker/ Medina Club Hockey team lost to Orchard Park, 9-1 on Saturday.

The first period saw Orchard Park take a 3-0 lead on a hat trick by Kyle Flynn.  Four of OP’s first five goals were on the power play.

RBM got a goal very early in the second period as Michael Kuchey (Roy-Hart) scored at the 15:52 mark to make the score 3-1.  Dylan Krzykowski  (Akron) got the assist.

Orchard Park then went on a six goal run over the next eight minutes.  There was no scoring in the final period.

RBM’s games next week are against St. Mary’s of Lancaster on Friday at Harbor Center (2 p.m.) and Saturday at the North Buffalo Arena against last season’s Large School Club Section VI Champion, St. Joe’s, beginning at 9 p.m..

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Albion’s Caitlynn Snook tries to go through a crowd in route to the basket during Niagara County Community College’s win over visiting Howard CC this afternoon.

A trio of former Niagara-Orleans League players helped the undefeated (6-0) Niagara County Community College women’s basketball team romp to a 122-48 victory over visiting Howard Community College from Maryland this afternoon.

Newfane’s Paige Emborsky had 20 points, 6 assists and 2 steals; Albion’s Caitlynn Snook 13 points, 6 rebounds and 1 steal and Roy-Hart’s Ellie Todd 4 points, 2 rebonds and 1 steal.

Newfane’s Paige Emborsky works around Howard defender Mia McCormick.

Kenetria Redfern (Cheektowaga ) led NCCC with 33 points and 8 rebounds. Shilah Parker (Cheektowaga) added 27 points and 10 rebounds and Molly Mahony (Lancaster) 11 points and 11 rebounds.

Trailing 7-2 at the outset, NCCC took charge by putting together a huge turnover aided 29-4 run to race out to a commanding 31-11 lead.

The T-Wolves led 34-16 at the end of the opening period as Parker had 13 and Redfern 11.

NCCC stretched its advantage to 61-26 at the half and 88-42 at the three-quarter mark. Redfern had 12 and Emborsky 7 in the second period. Emborsky, who hit four threes, also tallied 8 in the third.

Sabreen Muslim had 13 points and 10 rebounds to lead Howard.

NCCC next travels to Maryland Suday to face Allegany Community College.

Roy-Hart’s Ellie Todd drives by Howard’s Sabreen Muslim while going to the hoop.