Lyndonville downs Kendall in G-R opener

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Lyndonville’s Zach Johnson knocks the ball away from Kendall’s Mickey Gardner during the Tigers win over the host Eagles this evening.

Moving on top to stay with a big second quarter scoring surge, Lyndonville went on to defeat host Kendall 67-54 this evening in the Tigers Genesee Region League season opener.

Zach Johnson and Nate Dillenbeck each scored 18 and Nathan Poler 16 to lead Lyndonville’s balanced attack as Matt Hess added 8 and Nathan Hydock 7.

Nate Warters scored 18 and John Rath 15 to pace Kendall as Mickey Gardner chipped in with 9, Derek Edick 6 and Mason Kuhn, Hunter Menze and Brian Shaw 2 each.

Warters, who was hampered by foul trouble beginning in the second period, erupted for 13 points in the opening stanza, including three threes, to spark Kendall out to a 22-19 lead.

Kendall’s John Rath works against Lyndonville defender Matt Hess for a layup.

However, Lyndonville answered back with a huge 22-5 second period scoring burst to rally into the lead for good by a 41-27 margin at the half.

Poler scored 6, Dillenbeck and Johnson 5, each including a three, Hydock 4 and Hess 2 for the Tigers during that key stretch.

Kendall did cut the deficit to seven, 41-34, at the outset of the third period  after a jumper by Kuhn, two free throws by Rath and a three-point play by Gardner.

Lyndonville though again answered right back, this time with a 14-7 run, to close the period and regain a 14 point, 55-41, lead at the three-quarter mark.

Dillenbeck led that surge with 8, including a three point play and a three, as Johnson added a rebound bucket and a layup.

Kendall again rallied back to within 7, 60-53, late in the fourth quarter after a three by Rath and a bucket and two free throws by Warters.

However, the Eagles could get no closer.

Lyndonville closed out the win by outpointing Kendall 7-1 from the free throw line in the final two minutes including four by Poler and two by Dillenbeck.

Lyndonville is now 3-0 overall and Kendall 0-3.

Lyndonville’s Nathan Hydock puts up a shot as Dale Steffen defends for Kendall.