Photo by Mike Wertman – Leading the Barker boys and girls swim teams into the upcoming season will be this group of veterans. In front are Katrina Clare, Natalie Bruning, Chloe Goodlander, Natalie Menz and Sara Gendrue. In back are Collin Webb, Andrew Jenks, Dominic Clementi, Joe Baronich and Adam Wagner.

Looking to move into title contention after last year’s 6-4 Niagara-Orleans League record, the Barker boys swim team is anchored by the strong returning nucleus of seniors Collin Webb, Andrew Jenks, Adam Wagner, Joe Baronich and junior Dominic Clementi.

Webb captured both the 50 and 100 Freestyle titles at last year’s All-League meet. Jenks won the 100 Butterfly as Wagner added a third place in the 200 Free.  The trio were also all members of the winning 200 Free and 400 Free Relay teams.

The Barker girls team, which went 4-6 in N-O competition last season, is led by seniors Sara Gendrue, Natalie Menz, junior Chloe Goodlander and sophomores Katrina Clare and Natalie Bruning.

Gendrue took first place honors in both the 200 Individual Medley and 100 Breaststroke at the All-League meet.

“With a State qualifier (Collin Webb) for the guys and GR/NO champion (Sara Gendrue) for the women returning I am looking for repeat performances,” said Coach Mike Gendrue.  “With a strong supporting cast and with the development of the younger swimmers, we should be competitive.”

Barker begins tuning up for the N-O season by hosting Pembroke on November 28. The league opener is slated for December 12 at home against Albion.

Schedule
November: 28 – Pembroke, 4:30 p.m.
December: 1 – Alexander, 4:30 p.m.; 8 – at Attica, 5:30 p.m.; 12 – Albion, 4:30 p.m.; 14 – at Roy-Hart, 4:30 p.m.; 19 – at Akron, 4:30 p.m.; 21 – Medina, 4:30 p.m.
January: 3 – Newfane, 4:30 p.m.; 5 – at Albion, 4:30 p.m.; 9 – Roy-Hart, 4:30 p.m.; 11 – Akron, 4:30 p.m.; 17 – at Medina, 4:30 p.m.; 19 – at Newfane, 4:30 p.m.; 24 – Boys All-League at Akron, 5:30 p.m.; 26 – Girls All-League at Newfane, 5:30 p.m.
Febuary: 2 – Girls N-O vs. G-R Crossover meet at Gates-Chili, 6 p.m.

Photo by Cheryl Wertman – This past season proved to be the seventh and last for the Roy-Hart/Barker football team as it was announced Thursday that the merger is being terminated. Here Roy-Hart/Barker running back Malik Smith picks up yardage during this past season’s game against Albion.

Seven years ago a decreasing number of players at both schools caused Roy-Hart and Barker to merge for football.

The merged team enjoyed great success at the outset capturing the Genesee Region League title in Section V in 2011. Not welcomed back by the G-R or Section V , the team played as an associate member in the Section VI Class B division in 2012 and since has been a regular member in the Class B competition.

However, over the last couple of years the number of players from Barker has decreased to the point where a combined total of only about a dozen competed on the varsity and JV teams this past season.

That decrease has led Roy-Hart to the decision to terminate the merger which must be renewed annually and approved by both school boards and Section VI.

The termination of the merger was announced Thursday by Dr. Roger Klatt who serves as superintendent of both districts.

“We just weren’t getting the kids from Barker,”  said Roy-Hart Athletic Director John Grzymala who notes that this past fall’s varsity and JV teams were composed of 45 Roy-Hart players and just 13 Barker players. That was down from the 42 Roy-Hart to 22 Barker ratio the year before.

Grzymala noted that by going alone Roy-Hart will drop into the Section VI Class C Division next fall where the opponents will include Akron, Wilson, JFK and Cleve Hill.

“I think we can sustain it. It will take some work but I think overall we can sustain it,” said Grzymala who noted that this past season the Roy-Hart/Barker team  had the lowest enrollment of the 18 Section VI Class B squads.

“Right now we are looking at our options,”  said Barker Athletic Director Dave Carson. “We have put a signup sheet out to see what students would be interested in playing football but on our own we probably really don’t have the ability to sustain our own football program. Our goal is to explore all options to give our students the opportunity to play if they want to.”

Barker had served as the lead school for the merger’s first six years for, as it was then called, the Barker/Roy-Hart football team.  However, this past year as Barker’s participation numbers dropped Roy-Hart took over as the lead school for what was the Roy-Hart/Barker football team this past fall.

Currently Roy-Hart and Barker are also merged for wrestling but with only one Barker wrestler on this season’s varsity team the future of that merged team is also uncertain.

Photo by Mike Wertman – Veteran members of the Holley basketball squad include, in front, Matt Skehan, Andrew Moseman and Matt Wilson. In back are Ryan Andrews, Nate Towne, Patrick Bower and Dalton Major.

Boasting a good returning nucleus and looking to bounce back from last year’s winless campaign, Holley is prepping for the upcoming boys basketball season under new Coach Wil Prince.

The Hawks lineup includes seniors Andrew Moseman, Patrick Bower, Matt DeSimone, Ryan Andrews, Mike Passarell, Nick Schutz, Brandon Dillenbeck, Nate Towne, Jake Lang and Dalton Major along with juniors John Mounts, Matt Wilson, Matt Skehan and Brayden Ferrante.

“We’ve got great athletes we’re just going back to the basics stressing hard work, defense, team work and playing together,” said Prince who has taken over the varsity helm after coaching the Hawks JV squad last season.

Holley is slated to open the season at home on December 1 with a Genesee Region League game against Attica.

Schedule
December: 1 – Attica, 7 p.m.; 6 – Barker, 7 p.m.; 8 – at Alexander, 7 p.m.; 11 – Rochester Prep, 4:30 p.m.; 13 – at Oakfield-Alabama, 7 p.m.; 19 – at Byron-Bergen, 7 p.m.; 29 – vs. Kendall in Holley Tournament, 7 p.m.m; 30 – Holley Tournament
January: 4 – Elba, 7 p.m.; 10 – at Lyndonville, 7 p.m.; 17 – at Notre Dame, 7 p.m.; 20 – Rochester Prep, 5:30 p.m.; 26 – Wheatland-Chili, 7 p.m.; 30 – at Barker, 7 p.m.
February: 1 – Byron-Bergen, 7 p.m.; 5 – Pembroke, 7 p.m.; 7  – at Attica, 7 p.m.; 9 – Oakfield-Alabama, 7 p.m.; 14 – Alexander, 7 p.m.

Photo by Mike Wertman – Anchoring the lineup for the Holley-Kendall wrestling quad this season is this contingent of veterans. In front are Dave Farruggia, Brandon Gardner, Jayden Pieniaszek, Tristyn Moyer, Jeremy Browe and Tom Buzard. In back are Hunter McLean, Nate Silversmith, Dawson Custer, Dylan Spellan and Erik Balys.

With over a dozen veterans of sectional competition anchoring the lineup, the Holley-Kendall wrestlers are prepping for their second season as a merged team.

“I enjoy the merger,” said Coach John Grillo. “It provides the opportunity for more kids to participate in the great sport of wrestling.”

That large veteran contingent includes seniors Brandon Gardner, Jeremy Browe and Dylan Spellan; juniors Hunter McClean and Erik Balys; sophomores Jayden Pieniaszek, Tristyn Moyer, Tom Buzard and Dawson Custer and freshman Dave Farruggia. The Hawks also have experience in junior transfer Cade Aina.

Pieniaszek went 39-5 last season and placed third in the Section V Class BB tournament, Moyer 38-7 (5th in Class BB), Balys 30-14 (2nd in Class BB), Spellan 30-12, Browe 29-9 (2nd in Class BB) Silversmith 23-14, Gardner 23-17, Custer 21-16 and Farruggia 19-12.

“”We have a lot of talent,” said Grillo. “The challenge is to be able to spread them out to fill all the weight classes as some of them are bunched up together in the same weight class.”

Holley-Kendall is slated to open the season on December 2 by hosting their Team Varsity Tournament.

Schedule
December: 2 – Holley-Kendall Varsity Tournament, 10 a.m.; 5 – Brighton, 6 p.m. at Kendall; 9 – at Springville Duals, 9 a.m.; 14 – Alexander, 4:30 p.m.; 16 – at South Seneca Duals, 9 a.m.; 19 – Livonia, 6 p.m.; 22 – Wilson, 6 p.m. at Kendall; 28 – Holley-Kendall Varsity Duals, 10 a.m.
January: 6 – at Caledonia-Mumford Duals, 9 a.m.; 10 – Byron-Bergen, 6 p.m.; 13 – at Eastridge Duals, 9 a.m.; 17 – at Lyndonville, 6 p.m.; 19 – Gates-Chili, 6 p.m.; 24 – at Churchville-Chili, 6 p.m.; 27 – at Medina Tournament, 9 a.m.; 30 – Tri-Meet, 5:30 p.m.
February: 2 and 3 – at Section V Class BB Tournament; 9-10 at Section 5 Super Sectional Tournament at SUNY Brockport.

Contributed Photo – Medina/Lyndonville’s B-3 Division football All-Star honorees include, in front, Brendan Luthart, Blaire Prest, William Braswell, Cody Crane and Ian Joseph. In back are Justice Hughes, Mason Lewis, Jalin Cooper, Izaiah Rhim and Brian Fry.

A total of 10 Medina/Lyndonville players have earned spots on the B-3 Division All-Star football squad.

The Mustangs are represented on the first team by the senior quartet of wide receiver Jalin Cooper, defensive backs Mason Lewis and Brendan Luthart and offensive lineman Ian Joseph.

Cooper had a total of 843 all purpose yards including 263 receiving with 4 touchdowns. Lewis had 23 receptions for 305 yards and 3 touchdowns and Luthart 14 catches for 152 yards and 3 TDs. On defense, Lewis had 72 tackles and 3 interceptions and Joseph 51 tackles.

Medina/Lyndonville’s second team honorees include quarterback Izaiah Rhim, linebacker Justice Hughes, wide receiver Brian Fry and running back William Braswell. All are juniors except Fry who is a freshman.

Rhim had 997 yards passing and 13 touchdowns and also 9 TDs rushing. Braswell had 661 yards rushing and 6 touchdowns and Fry 16 receptions for 221 yards and 2 touchdowns. On defense, Hughes made 43 tackles and Fry 36.

Senior linebacker Cody Crane and junior defensive lineman Blaire Prest have received Honorable Mention.

Photo by Mike Wertman – Roy-Hart returns a veteran laden girls basketball squad this season. In front are Jayden Townsend, Ashley Hill, Lexi Lovewell, Maddie Fry and Meghan Washington. In back are Maddy Glena, Sophia LaPort, Skyler Christopher and Delaney Draper. Missing from the photo is Ellie Todd.

Looking to rebound from last year’s 2-10 Niagara-Orleans League record, Roy-Hart returns a veteran laden girls basketball  squad this season.

Roy-Hart’s large veteran contingent includes seniors Ellie Todd, Skyler Christopher, Sophia LaPort, Delaney Draper and Maddy Glena along with juniors Lexi Lovewell, Maddie Fry, Meghan Washington and Ashley Hill.

The Lady Rams lineup also includes juniors Jayden Townsend, Emily Metz and RayLynn Chraston.

“We have a real good experienced group back,” said Coach Grace Swick. “Hopefully that familiarity will help us to a good season.”

The Lady Rams will open the season by hosting their own tournament on December 1 and 2 facing Tonawanda in the first round.

Schedule:
December: 1 – vs. Tonawanda in the R-H Tournament, 7:30 p.m.; 2 – R-H Tournament; 8 – CSAT 6:30 p.m.; 15 – Newfane, 6:30 p.m.; 19 – at Alden, 6:30 p.m.;  21 – at Wilson, 6 p.m.; 27 and 28 – at Tonawanda Tournament
January: 5 – at Medina, 6:30 p.m.; 9 – at Albion, 7 p.m.; 11 – Akron, 6:30 p.m.; 16 – Starpoint, 6:30 p.m.; 19 – at Barker, 6:30 p.m.; 26 – at Newfane, 6:30 p.m.; 30 – Wilson, 6:30- p.m.
February: 1 – Medina, 6:30 p.m.; 6 – Albion, 6:30 p.m.; 9 – at Akron, 6:30 p.m.; 15 – Barker, 6:30 p.m.

Photo by Mike Wertman – Leading Lyndonville into the upcoming basketball season is this veteran trio of Matt Hess, Zach Johnson and Nathan Poler

A trio of returning regulars anchors the Lyndonville lineup as the Tigers prep for the upcoming basketball season.

That veteran threesome includes Zach Johnson, Matt Hess and Nathan Poler, all juniors.

The Tigers lineup also includes seniors Richard Forder, Luke Isaacson and Brody Brown along with juniors Kane Flynn, Nohl Breeze, Ethan Breeze, Tanner Burt-Hodgins, Nick Keppner, Bryce Seddon and sophomore Nathan Hydock.

“We’re in kind of a rebuilding phase” said Tigers Coach Lee Dillenbeck whose graduation losses include the starting trio of Eric Neace, Corey Hydock and Jacob Hoffee.

“We’ve got a good group of young talent and we’re looking to be competitive,” said Dillenbeck. “We’re working to improve our shooting and our teamwork.”

The Tigers, which went 5-8 in the league and 10-12 overall last year, are slated to host Albion in the non league opener on December 1 and begin Genesee Region League competition at home against Kendall on December 8.

Schedule
December: 1 – Albion, 7 p.m.; 5 – at Akron,6:30 p.m.; 8 – Kendall, 7 p.m.; 13 – at Notre Dame, 7 p.m.; 15 – Barker, 7 p.m.m; 19 – at Elba, 7 p.m.; 21 – Wheatland-Chili, 7 p.m.; 28 – Rochester Prep, 6:30 p.m.
January: 4 – at Pembroke, 7 p.m.; 10 – Holley, 7 p.m,.; 12 – Alexander, 7 p.m.; 17 – at Byron-Bergen, 7 p.m.; 19 – at Oakfield-Alabama, 7 p.m.; 23 – Akron, 7 p.m.;25 – Attica, 7 p.m.; 30 – at Wheatland-Chili, 7 p.m.
February: 1 – Elba, 7 p.m.; 7 – RAC, 6 p.m..; 9 – Notre Dame, 7 p.m.; 14 – at Kendall, 7 p.m.

Photo by Mike Wertman – Medina High senior Brendan Luthart here signs a national letter of intent to accept a Division 1 lacrosse scholarship from St. Bonaventure University. He is joined by Athletic Director Eric Valley, left, and his father and Mustangs varsity lacrosse Coach Gordy Luthart.

Medina High senior Brendan Luthart signed a national letter of intent this afternoon to accept an academic and athletic scholarship to play Division 1 lacrosse at St. Bonaventure University.

A first team All-League and All-Section VI, second team All-Western New York and fifth team All-State honoree this past spring, Luthart has career totals of 108 goals and 65 assists which ranks sixth on the Mustangs all-time list.

Luthart, who is planning on majoring in Sports Management, has also played travel lacrosse with the Buffalo Crush, FCA Northeast and Performax Prep.

St. Bonaventure is coached by Randy Mearns who spent the previous 19 years at Canisius College. He is also the coach of Team Canada.

Luthart becomes the second Medina player to receive a Division 1 lacrosse scholarship in as many years as Jake Cotter is playing at Canisius.

“It is a great accomplishment to send two players back to back to Division 1 schools,” said Mustangs coach and Brendan’s father Gordy Luthart. “I am extremely proud of Brendan and all of the hard work that he has put in.

Jumping out to a 2-0 first period lead, City Honors/Cardinal O’Hara went on to defeat the Roy-Hart/Barker/Medina team 5-3 Tuesday evening in a Western New York High School Club Hockey League game at the Riverside Rink in Buffalo.

Roy-Hart/Barker/Medina did cut the deficit to 2-1 at the 13 minute mark of the second period on a goal by Jason Kuchey (Roy-Hart) but City Honors/O’Hara answered right back with a quick burst of two goals in a span of just two minutes to regain control at 4-1.

Roy-Hart/Barker/Medina pulled to within 4-2  on a power play goal by Mark Krzykowski, (Akron) off an assist from Matt Saj,(Medina) but could get no closer as City Honors/O’Hara added another tally to go up 5-2 at the end of the period.

Saj scored Roy-Hart/Barker/Medina’s final goal in the third period.

Now at 1-1, Roy-Hart/Barker/Medina next faces Orchard Park ‘A’ on Sunday at the Harbor Center in Buffalo at 6:30 p.m..

Photo by Mike Wertman – This senior quintet of Cassidy Wolcott, Caitlynn Snook, Elisabeth Baker, Natalie DiCureia and Janae Doty will help lead Albion into the upcoming basketball season.

Filling the holes left by graduation losses and recovering from some key off season injuries are two big keys as the Albion girls basketball team gets set for the upcoming season.

Anchoring the lineup for the Purple Eagles will be the veteran contingent of seniors Natalie DiCureia, Caitlynn Snook, Elisabeth Baker, Janae Doty and Cassidy Wolcott along with juniors Sierra Newton and Brylie Hapeman. However, Newton and Hapemen are both currently recovering from off season injuries.

The gradation losses include multi year first team Niagara-Orleans All-League selection Chanyce Powell (187 points, 93 rebounds) and second team All-League honoree Emily Blachard (109 points, 77 rebounds).

“We’ve got some big holes to fill but we’ve got a lot of ability and we’re really athletic,” said Coach Lucian Price. “Hopefully we will get healthy soon.”

The Purple Eagles roster also includes juniors Sarah Gregori, Tess Pettit, Lexi Wolck, Kirsten Struble, Natalie Lathrop and Isabella Gibbs.

“We have some seniors who are three year varsity players who will have to take over now and our young kids will have to get up to speed,” said Price.

Albion, which went 7-5 in the league and 12-9 overall last year will open the season at home on December 1 with a non league game against Elba. The Purple Eagles N-O opener is slated for December 15 at home against Medina.

Schedule
December: 1 – Elba, 7 p.m.; 5 – Notre Dame, 7 p.m.; 12 – Buffalo Academy of Science, 7 p.m.; 15 – Medina, 7 p.m.; 22 – at Newfane, 6:30 p.m.
January: 3 – at Oakfield-Alabama, 7 p.m.; 5 – Akron, 7 p.m.; 9 – Roy-Hart, 7 p.m.; 11 – at Barker, 6:30 p.m.; 16 – Wilson, 7 p.m.; 19 – at Hilton, 7 p.m.; 26 – at Medina, 6:30 p.m.; 27 – at Batavia, 3:30 p.m.; 30 – Newfane, 7 p.m.
Febriary: 1 – at Akron, 6:30 p.m.; 6 – at Roy-Hart, 6:30 p.m.; 9 – Barker, 7 p.m.; 13 – at Wilson, 6 p.m.;  16 and 17 – at Lockport Tournament