Photo by Mike Wertman – Anchoring the lineup for the Albion girls swim team are, in front, Mykailah Roberts, Rylee Pearles and Karli Henchen. In the middle row are Haylie Allis, Sierra Kast, Allison Graham and Abby Lilly. In the back row are Michaela Pantano, Laiken Ricker, Rylie Lear and Makayla Obstarczyk.

Looking to rebound from last year’s 0-10 Niagara-Orleans League season, the Albion girls swim team returns a good veteran group.

Sophomore Michaela Pantano, who won the 100 Butterfly at the All-League meet, heads the Albion squad which also includes seniors Makayla Obstarczyk, Rylie Lear, Julie Ives, Hanna Butcher, Mykailah Roberts and Allison Graham; junior Naomi Mathes; sophomores Abby Lilly, Loren Beam, Karli Henchen, Laiken Ricker and Haylie Allis along with freshmen Sierra Kast, Rylee Pearles, Avery Gaines and Amelia Sanchez.

“They are working every day to be better and be competitive,” said Coach Carlos Burroughs.

The Purple Eagles will tune up or the December 12 N-O opener at Barker by hosting Oakfield-Alabama on Friday and visiting Alexander on December 8 for non league meets.

Schedule
December: 1 – Oakfield-Alabama, 5 p.m.; 8 – at Alexander, 5:30 p.m.; 12 – at Barker, 4:30 p.m.; 14 – at Medina, 4 p.m.; 19 – at Newfane, 4:30 p.m.; 22 – Akron, 4:30 p.m.
January: 3 – at Roy-Hart, 4:30 p.m.; 5 – Barker, 4:30 p.m.; 9 – Medina, 4:30 p.m.; 11 – Newfane, 4:30 p.m.; 17 – at Akron, 4:30 p.m.; 19 – Roy-Hart, 4:30 p.m.; 26- Girls All-League meet at Newfane, 5:30 p.m.
February: 2 – N-O vs. G-R Girls Crossover meet at Gates Chili, 6 p.m.

The Tri County Midget hockey team rallied for two third period goals to earn a 2-2 tie with Monroe County today.

Trailing 2-0, Tri County got on the scoreboard midway through the third period when Patrick Ricker scored off an assist from Tucker Trask.

Josh Gimeli then scored the equalizer for Tri County on a tip-in.

Nate Wildtick in goal anchored the defense for Tri County.

Monroe County had scored once in each of the first two periods.

Now at 0-4-1, Tri County next faces Monroe County next Sunday.

The high school winter sports season gets underway this week highlighted by the Roy-Hart Girls Basketball Tournament and the Holley-Kendall Team Wrestling Tournament.

The Roy-Hart tournament begins on Friday with Oakfield-Alabama facing Holland at 6 p.m. followed by Tonawanda vs. the host Lady Rams at 7:30 p.m. The consolation and championship games will be at 2 and 3:30 p.m. Saturday.

The Holley-Kendall tourney begins at 10 a.m. Saturday at Holley with the finals at 4 p.m.  The tourney field will include Campbell-Savona, Greece, Eastridge and North Rose-Wolcott along with the host Holley ‘A’ and ‘B’ teams.

The week’s girls schedule will also feature Kendall hosting rival Holley at 7 p.m. Thursday.

The Niagara-Orleans League boys basketball season will tip off on Friday as Barker hosts Akron at 6:30 p.m. The Raiders will tune-up for the N-O opener by hosting Alexander in a non league contest at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday.

The week’s boys basketball action will also have Albion hosting LeRoy on Thursday and visiting Lyndonville on Friday, both at 7 p.m.

Schedule
Tuesday
Boys Basketball: Alexander at Barker, 6:30 p.m.; CCA at Roy-Hart, 7 p.m.
Swimming: Pembroke at Barker, 4:30 p.m.

Wednesday
Boys Basketball: Pavilion at Kendall, Holley at Lima Christian, 7 p.m.
Girls Basketball: Barker at Lyndonville ,7 p.m.
Wrestling: Medina at CSAT, Alexander at Albion, Fredonia at Roy-Hart/Barker, 6 p.m.

Thursday
Boys Basketball: LeRoy at Albion, 7 p.m.
Girls Basketball: Holley at Kendall, 7 p.m.

Friday
Boys Basketball: Akron at Barker, 6:30 p.m.; Albion at Lyndonville, Holley at Attica, 7 p.m.
Girls Basketball: Elba at Albion, 7 p.m.; Roy-Hart Tournament (Oakfield-Alabama vs. Holland, 6 p.m.; Tonawanda vs. Roy-Hart, 7:30 p.m.)
Swimming: Byron-Bergen at Medina, Oakfield-Alabama at Albion, Alexander at Barker, 4:30 p.m.

Saturday
Girls Basketball: Medina at Williamsville North, 1 p.m.; Holley at Lyndonville, 2:30 p.m.; Roy-Hart Tournament, 2 and 3:30 p.m.
Wrestling: Holley-Kendall Team Tournament at Holley, 10 a.m.

Photo by Mike Wertman – Some of the veteran members of the Medina swim teams include, in front Ashton Laird, Hannah Heil and Brooklynn Brown. In back are Dan Heil, Jack Hill, August Pietrafeso, Hunter Heil, Chris Goyette and Ray Paull.

Looking to rebound from last year’s sub. 500 Niagara-Orleans League records, the Medina boys and girls swim teams are prepping for Friday’s non league home opener against Byron-Bergen.

The small 12 member Medina boys squad, which went 4-6 a year ago in N-O action, includes seniors Dan Heil, Jack Hill and Mason Pecoraro; juniors Dawson Brown and Ray Paull; sophomores Chris Goyette and Hunter Heil; freshman August Pietrafeso and Jaden Pencille along with eighth graders Isaac Pace, Xander Payne and Cole Seefeldt.

Sophomore Hannah Heil, who won the 50 Freestyle and place third in the 100 Free and senior Alyssa Beyer, who took third in the 50 Free at last year’s N-O All-League meet, head the large 26 member girls squad.

The team also includes seniors Shelby Green, Brigid Keller, Madison Kenward and Megan Showler; juniors Marguerite Brakenbury, Margaret Griffin and Ashton Laird; sophomores Olivia Carter, Grace Cook, Margaret Klotzbach, Rebecca Lunden and Tessa Pecoraro along with freshmen Arella Biesinger, Brooklyn Brown, Grace Cogovan, Corinne Hill, Hannah Kenward, Carina Kingsbury, Emma Leonard, Emma Roush, Emma Schwarzott, Madison Stewart, Sydney Watts and Amanda Woodruff.

Schedule
December: 1 – Byron-Bergen, 4:30 p.m.; 8 – at Wheatland-Chili, 5:30 p.m.; 12 – Newfane, 4:30 p.m.; 14 – Albion, 4 p.m.; 16 – at Webster; 19 – Roy-Hart, 4:30 p.m.; 21 – at Barker, 4:30 p.m.
January: 3 – at Akron, 4:30 p.m.; 5 – at Newfane, 4:30 p.m.; 9 – at Albion, 4:30 p.m.; 11 – at Roy-Hart, 4:30 p.m.; 17 – Barker, 4:30 p.m.; 19 – Akron, 4:30 p.m.; 24 – Boys All-League meet at Akron, 5:30 p.m.; 26 – Girls All-League meet at Newfane, 5:30 p.m.
February: 2 – Girls N-O vs. G-R Crossover meet at Gates-Chili, 6 p.m.

Photo by Mike Wertman – Veteran members of the Medina wrestling squad includes Jake Bensley, Joel Gates, Travis Wiseman and Colby Petrie.

Bolstered by a larger 25 member plus squad, the Medina High wrestling team is prepping for the Niagara-Orleans League opening match at Akron on December 6.

Sophomores Colby Petrie, who took first place at 113 lb. and Travis Wiseman who took second at 99 lb. last year at the Niagara-Orleans All-League Tournament, head the Medina squad which also includes seniors Kyson Bellan, Jake Bensley, Alden Cayea, Cody Crane, Joel Gates, Connor Miller, Spencer Rotoli and Jeremiah Wiseman; juniors Judah Barnum, Da’Ron Bellan, Christian Silversmith, Elijah Sones and Travis Stornelli; sophomores Riley Black, Drew Boardway, Eric Levan and Richard Sewar; freshmen Brandon Boyce, Aidan Cayea, Jason Cecchini, Miles Hartway, Robert Morehouse and Mitchell Silversmith along with eighth graders Rashawn Bloom and Arian Cayea.

“The Mustang wrestling team returns a group with some experience and some enthusiastic young members,” said Coach Eric Gross.  “We will have to keep working on the process of building technique and mat awareness skills.  We will also need to spread some individuals out to try to fill out the line-up for dual meets to be competitive.  I just look forward to working with athletes who come every day and embrace the process of getting better, learning the oldest greatest sport.”

Schedule
November: 29 – at CSAT, 6 p.m.
December: 2 – at Byron-Bergen; 6 – at Akron, 6 p.m.; 9 – at Batavia Torunament; 13 – Wilson, 6 p.m.; 16 – at N.T. Tournament; 20-  Roy-Hart/Barker, 6 p.m
January: 3 – at Albion, 6 p.m.; 5 and 6 at NCCC Tournament; 10 – Newfane, 6 p.m.; 13 – At N-O All-League Tournament; 23 – at North Tonawanda; 27 – Gary Gross Memorial Tournament.
February: 3 – at Cheektowaga.

Photo by Mike Wertman – Madigan Lang, Jenna Heiser and Patrick Sheelar are serving as captains for the Roy-Hart swim teams this season.

Despite small numbers the Roy-Hart boys swim team is prepping to defend the Niagara-Orleans League title which the Channel Cats have won the last 11 years in a row.

Senior co-captains Patrick Sheelar and Madigan Lang head the veteran group for the Channel Cats which also includes junior Cameron VanBuren and sophomores Michael Miller and William Rickard. Lang placed second in the 500 Freestyle at last year’s All-League meet.

The Channel cats graduation losses included Tanner Rees (1st in 200 Free, 2nd in 100 Breaststroke), Elliot Spitzer (1st 100 Backstroke) and Nate Mikol (2nd in 50 Free and 100 Free).

The Roy-Hart girls squad, which tied for second place at 7-3 last year, has a large squad of some 25 swimmers led by juniors Jenna Heiser, Holly DiMayo, Alex Fox, Madison Ohol, Emilia Peracciny and Madison Pratt; sophomores Jordryn Bobzein, Shayna Bulmer, Kayla Hagen, Sandy Sparks and eighth graders Amanda Hill and Molly Russell.

Hagen won the 100 Free and placed second in the 100 Back at the All-League meet while DeMayo was third in the Breaststroke and Ohol third in the 200 Free. Hagen and Heiser, who is the team captain, were also members of the winning 200 Medley Relay team.

Under new Coach Dottie Barr, the Channel Cats will begin tuning up for the N-O season by hosting HAC on December 1 and visiting Pembroke on December 8.  Roy-Hart will open the league campaign at Akron on December 12.

Schedule
December: 1 – HAC, 4:30 p.m.; 8 – at Pembroke, 5:30 p.m.; 12 – at Akron, 4:30 p.m.; 14 – Barker, 4:30 p.m.; 19 – at Medina, 4:30 p.m.; 21 – at Newfane, 4:30 p.m.
January: 3 – Albion, 4:30 p.m.;  5 – Akron, 4:30 p.m.; 9 – at Barker, 4:30 p.m.; 11 – Medina, 4:30 p.m.; 17 – Newfane, 4:30 p.m.; 19 – at Albion, 4:30 p.m.; 24 – Boys All-League at Akron, 5:30 p.m.; 26 – Girls All-League at Newfane, 5:30 p.m.
February: 2 – N-O vs. G-R Girls Crossover at Gates-Chili, 6 p.m.

Photo by Mike Wertman – Anchoring the lineup for the Albion varsity wrestling team this season will be this group of veterans. In front are Chester Boring, Tim Wells, Preston Flugel, Hunter Albright and Cody Wilson. In back are Myles Brewer, Ugene Harrison, Chase Carleton, Donamic Farley, Ben Restivo and Jessy Cruz.

With nearly a dozen veterans anchoring the lineup, Albion is prepping for the key Niagara-Orleans League season opening wrestling match at four-time defending champion Newfane on December 6.

Seniors Preston Flugel, who earned a Section VI Class B title, and Tim Wells, who captured an N-O League championship, head Albion’s large veteran contingent which also includes seniors Chester Boring and Hunter Albright; juniors Donamic Farley, Ben Restivo, Jessy Cruz, Ugene Harrison and Myles Brewer along with sophomores Cody Wilson and Chase Carleton.

Flugel went on to place third at the Section VI championships while Restivo placed third and Farley fourth at the Class B tourney.

“We’re a young, hard working team looking forward to the season,” said Coach Pat Uveino. “We have many dedicated returners and a great group of newcomers. All the coaches are excited for the season. It is our hope to stay healthy, improve each day and achieve our goals for the season.”

The Purple Eagles losses from last year include N-O and Class B champion Blake Aina who graduated, and Cade Aina who has transferred.

Albion, which went 3-2 in N-O action last season, will tuneup for the league campaign by hosting Alexander on November 29 and visiting Byron-Bergen on December 2.

Schedule
November: 29 – Alexander, 6 p.m.
December: 2 – at Byron-Bergen, 9 a.m.; 6 – at Newfane, 6 p.m.; 9 – at Depew Tournament, 9 a.m.; 13 – at Roy-Hart/Barker at Barker, 6 p.m.; 20 – Akron, 6 p.m.; 22 – at Lyndonville, 4:30 p.m.; 28 – at Holley Tournament, 9 a.m.
January: 3 – Medina, 6 p.m.; 6 – at Victor Tournament, 9 a.m.; 10 – Wilson, 6 p.m.; 13 – All-League Tournament, 8:30 a.m.; 27 – at Medina Tournament, 9 a.m.

Photo by Mike Wertman – Seniors Kylie Miller and Haley Brown will help lead Barker into the upcoming basketball season.

Underclassmen dominate the roster as Barker preps for the upcoming Niagara-Orleans League girls basketball season.

Two three year varsity players, seniors Kylie Miller and Haley Brown, head the Barker lineup which also returns varsity experience in junior Gabby Baker and sophomores Serena Harris and Kylie Annable.

The Lady Raiders squad also includes senior Joslynn Bull along with sophomores Haleigh Mason, Dakota Leising, Bailey Sutch, Rachel Hurtgam, Rachel Parfinski and freshman Sydnie Luckman.

“We’re going to be young,” said Coach Jon Dewart. “We’ve got a real promising young group though and we’re looking to mature as the season goes on.”

The Lady Raiders graduation losses included Lydia Dewart, Abby Harris and Emily Annable.

Barker is slated to open the season with a non league game at Lyndonville on November 29.  The Lady Raiders will open Niagara-Orleans League competition at Akron on December 19.

Schedule
November: 29 – at Lyndonville, 7 p.m.
December: 5 – at Holley, 7 p.m.; 12 – at Kendall, 7 p.m.; 14 – Lyndonville, 6:30 p.m.; 19 – at Akron, 6:30 p.m.; 27 ad 28 at Pembroke Tournament
January: 3 – Kendall, 6:30 p.m.; 5 – Wilson, 6:30 p.m.; 9 – at Newfane, 6:30 p.m.; 11 – Albion, 6:30 p.m.; 16 – at Medina, 6:30 p.m.; 19 – Roy-Hart, 6:30 p.m.; 23 – Holley, 6:30 p.m.; 30 – Akron, 6:30 p.m.
February: 2 – at Wilson, 6 p.m.; 6 – Newfane, 6:30 p.m.; 9 – at Albion, 7 p.m.; 13 – Medina, 6:30 p.m.; 15 – at Roy-Hart, 6:30 p.m.

Photo by Mike Wertman – Defending champion Medina returns a good nucleus of seven veterans. In front are Mason Lewis, Jalin Cooper and Brendan Luthart. In back are Alex Allis, Trenton Jones, Izaiah Rhim and Jorge Phillips.

Seven returnees provide a good nucleus as two-time defending champion Medina prepares to defend its Niagara-Orleans League basketball championship.

Senior Jalin Cooper, a first team N-O All-League honoree, and junior Izaiah Rhim, a second team All-League selection, head that veteran contingent which also includes seniors Mason Lewis, Alex Allis, Brendan Luthart, Jorge Phillips and Trenton Jones.

Cooper, a two-time first team All-League honoree, scored a school record tying 458 points (20.8 average) and grabbed off 207 rebounds last season while Rhim had 197 points, 167 rebounds and 107 assists.

The Mustangs roster also includes juniors Daemon Shatara, Tanner Waldriff, Tavian Rhim and Tim Roy along with sophomore Nate Sherman and freshmen Brian Fry and Tyler Chinn.

“I’m excited about the season, said Coach Tom Forrestel. “We’ve got a good group back and I expect we’ll be competitive in all of our league games.”

The Mustangs graduation losses included Tyler Howard and Tyrells Atkins while two other players have transferred, Johnny Salone and Vincent Montague. Salone earned first team N-O all-League honors last season.

Medina, which went 12-0 in the league and 17-5 overall last season, will open the season at home on December 6 with a non league game against Burgard. The Mustangs N-O opener is at home against Albion on December 14.

Schedule
December: 6 – Burgard, 6:30 p.m.; 9 – vs. Nichols at Niagara Falls, 12 p.m.; 11 – Tapestry, 6:30 p.m.; 14 – Albion, 6:30 p.m.; 16 – vs. St. Francis at St. Mary’s Lancaster 3 p.m.; 29 – vs. St. Paul at Villa Maria, 6:30 p.m.
January: 4 – at Roy-Hart ,  7 p.m.; 6 – Orchard Park, 12:30 p.m.; 9 – Wilson, 6:30 p.m.; 12 – at Newfane, 6:30 p.m.; 16 – at Barker, 7 p.m.; 19 – at Akron, 6:30 p.m.; 25 – at Albion, 7 p.m.; 29 – at CSAT, 6 p.m.
February: 2 – Roy-Hart, 6:30 p.m.; 6 – at Wilson, 6 p.m.; 9 – Newfane, 6:30 p.m.; 10 – vs. Franklinville, at Williamsville South TBA; 13 – Barker, 6:30 p.m.; 14 – Akron, 6:30 p.m.

Photo Contributed – Scott Heiligenthaler

Longtime local basketball official Scott Heiligenthaler was honored by the Niagara-Orleans League at the recent annual Fall Coaches Banquet.

Heiligenthaler, who is a Medina High graduate, was presented with the N-O League’s Distinguished Service Award.

Heiligenthaler has officiated basketball games in the N-O League for over 30 years.

“Scott is battling cancer so receiving this award really meant a lot to him. Officiating and the game of basketball have really been such a big part of his life,” said Barker Athletic Director Dave Carson. “Scott has always been willing to ref our N-O League games, varsity or JV, or scrimmages any time we needed him. He has really given so much of his time to serve as a referee and the league was very happy to recognize him for all he has done for the N-O. He has really gone above and beyond and that is what this Distinguished Service Award is about.”