Medina trims Akron to regain share of N-O lead as Newfane tops Roy-Hart

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 1 February 2022 at 8:54 pm

Playing short handed, Medina used the combination of a narrow 47-45 victory at Akron with Newfane’s 54-48 win at Roy-Hart to regain a share of the Niagara-Orleans League lead.

Playing with just six players due to a combination of illness and suspensions, Medina improves to 5-2 and pulls into a tie for the N-O lead with Roy-Hart.

Joe Cecchini and Jarin Rhim each scored 15, Justin Pitts 8, Cayden Lilleby 4, Kaedon Cleveland 3 and Jared Odita 2 for the Mustangs.

Bradle Abrams tallied 12, Andrew Romesser 10 and Trace Hill 7 to pace Akron.

Medina grabbed a narrow 11-10 lead at the end of the first quarter as Rhim had a three and a layup and Cecchini a three.

The Mustangs maintained a 22-17 half-time advantage as Cecchini had a three and a jumper and Cleveland a three in the second period.

Akron did rally into a 26-22 lead at the outset of the third period on two threes by Abrams and one by Romesser.

However, the Mustangs answered right back with a key 14-2 run to close the period and regain the lead for good by a 36-28 margin at the three-quarter mark. Pitts hit two threes and Cecchini and Rhim both had one to lead that rally.

Medina upped the lead to 14, 42-28, at the outset of the final period after back-to-back threes by Rhim and Cecchini. In all the Mustangs hit 10 threes on the evening.

The Tigers answered with a 12-2 run including two threes by Abrams and one by Romesser to cut the deficit to four at 44-40.

A layup by Odita and a free throw by Rhim put Medina back up by seven, 47-40, with just over a minute to go and Akron could get no closer than the final two point margin.

Newfane 54, Roy-Hart 48
Landon Braman scored 14 and Nate Snow 10 to spark Newfane (5-3) to the 54-38 win at Roy-Hart (5-2) moving the Panthers into the thick of the N-O title race.

Aiden Petrie and Jamel Johnson Jr. each scored 17 and Vinny Buscarino 10 for Roy-Hart.

Barker 54, Wilson 47
Aidan Voss scored 15, Aidan Mescall 10 and Brad Cantrell and Nathan Meza Ray 9 each to lead Barker (3-4) past Wilson (3-5) 54-47.

Matt Fox scored 17 and Paul Smith 11 for Wilson which trailed 27-15 at the half.

N-O Standings: Medina 5-2, Roy-Hart 5-2, Newfane 5-3, Barker 3-4, Akron 3-3, Wilson 3-5, Albion 0-5.