Medina wins Cal-Mum hoops tourney

Contributed Photo – Members of the Cal-Mum Tournament winning Medina team included, in front from left, Ronnie Koonce, Mason Lewis, Brendan Luthart and Alex Allis. In back are Trenton Jones, Jalin Cooper, Coach Adam Hellwig, Daemon Shatar and Johnny Salone.

Medina posted a 4-0 record over the weekend to capture the championship of the 9th and 10th grade Cal-Mum basketball tournament.

The team included four players from the Niagara-Orleans league champion Mustangs varsity squad; Jalin Cooper, Ronnie Koonce, Mason Lewis, and Johnny Salone. The rest of the squad was made up of junior varsity players Alex Allis, Trenton Jones, Brendan Luthart, and Daemon Shatara.

The first game against Batavia proved to be the toughest.

Medina led the entire first half, until a long three at the buzzer put Batavia ahead 37-36 going into the half. Batavia then scored 9 unanswered to open the second half to take a 46-36 lead.

The Mustangs were able to battle back and close the game on a 20-8 run, the last points coming on a layup by Cooper to knot the game at 56 with 10 seconds left and force overtime.

In the extra period, Medina out scored Batavia 8-0 to win the game 64-56.

Cooper finished with 20 points, while Lewis added 17, Salone 10, Koonce 8, Luthart 6, and Allis 3.

In the second game, Medina defeated Perry 68-57. Cooper again led the scoring with 21 points, while Lewis contributed 15, Salone 10, Allis 8, Koonce 8, and Luthart 7.

The semifinal game matched Medina up against Mt. Morris. The Mustangs were able to build a 30-14 lead at half, only to see Mt. Morris get back in the game with hot shooting in the second half and eventually cut the lead to one, 53-52.

However, two free throws by Lewis and one by Cooper sealed the victory for the Mustangs 56-52.

Lewis led the scoring with 19, while Cooper added 14, Luthart 9, Koonce 6, Salone 4, Allis 3, and Jones 1.

In the championship game, Medina rolled to a 74-32 victory over Honeoye. Cooper capped off a big tournament with 29 points while Salone netted 15, Lewis 10, Jones 7, Shatara 4, Allis 3, Koonce 3, and Luthart 3.