Mustangs down rival Purple Eagles

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Medina’s Joe Cecchini blocks a shot attempt by Albion’s Tyler Gibson during the Mustangs win over the host Purple Eagles this evening.

Taking the first half of this week’s home and home series, Medina bested rival Albion 53-42 at Albion this evening to grab a half game lead in the Niagara-Orleans League title race.

Medina, which will host Albion in the rematch at 6:30 p.m. Friday, improves to 6-2 in N-O action and moves  a half game ahead of 5-2 Roy-Hart.

Jarin Rhim scored 14 and Joe Cecchini 13 to lead the way for Medina a Justin Pitts added 8, Kaedon Cleveland and Cayden Lilleby 7 each and Robert Arnold 4.

Caleb Fox had 11, Ozzie Matos and Tyler Gibson 7, Shakarion Drisdom and Jahmeek Riley 6, Aquil Gaffney 4 and Jay Ashby 1 for Albion which slips to 0-6.

Albion grabbed a 13-10 first period lead as Fox hit a pair of threes but Medina rebounded with a 16-10 second period scoring edge to take a 26-23 lead at the half. Rhim scored 7 and Cleveland and Pitts 4 each to lead that rally.

The Mustangs maintained a six point, 40-34, lead at the three quarter mark by closing with a 7-2 run including a three by Cleveland, a layup by Cecchini and a rebound bucket by Arnold.

Cecchini then had a jumper and two threes in the first three and a half minutes of the final period to keep Medina up by eight at 48-40.

Albion could get no closer than six after that as a rebound basket by Arnold followed by a layup off a steal by Pitts put a lock on the victory for Medina.

Medina’s Jarin Rhim grabs a rebound against Albion defender Ozzie Matos.

Albion’s Jahmeek Riley grabs a rebound from the Medina duo of Kaedon Cleveland (12) and Joe Cecchini (3).