Mustangs nip Tigers in sea-saw contest

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 10 January 2020 at 8:54 pm

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Medina’s Christian Drisdom puts up a shot over Akron defender David Kalinowski during the Mustangs narrow home court win over the Tigers this evening.

In a tight sea-saw battle Medina edged past visiting Akron 54-52 this evening to snap a three game Niagara-Orleans League losing streak.

Two clutch free throws by Tyler Chinn with just 3.7 seconds to go snapped a 52-52 deadlock providing the margin of victory for the Mustangs in the contest which saw 10 lead changes and 9 ties.

Chinn finished with 16 as Nate Sherman added 10, Jarin Rhim, Brian Fry and Christian Drisdom 7 each, Joe Cecchini 5 and Dontae Rhim 2.

Adam Mietz shared game high honors for Akron with 16 as Mitchell Holtz added 11, Gage Willis 9, Jake Mazza 6 and Dylan Heberling and David Kalinowski 5 each.

Willis hit three early threes to help Akron grab a 14-10 lead at the end of the first quarter.

The Tigers extended their lead to eight, 25-17, late in the second period after two threes by Mietz and one by Holtz.

However, the Mustangs answered with a 9-0 run to close the period and grab a slender 26-25 lead at the half. A layup by Fry capped off that spurt which also included baskets by Sherman, Chinn and Jarin Rhim on a layup off a turnover.

Akron regained a narrow 43-41 lead at the end of a real sea-saw third period which saw no less than 7 lead changes and 4 ties.

Mazza had 6 and Holtz and Mietz 5 each to lead Akron during that stretch while Chinn and Drisdom had 5 each and Fry a three for Medina.

Medina quickly pulled even again at 43-43 on a layup by Sherman to open the final period setting the stage for a tight, down to the wire finish.

A three by Holtz helped Akron regain at 47-43 lead but Medina pulled back into a 47-47 tie midway through the period after a pair of free throws by Sherman and a rebound bucket by Jarin Rhim.

The Tigers regained the lead for what proved to be the last time at 52-47 with 2:15 remaining after a jumper and a three both by Mietz.

However, the last seven points and the win belonged to the Mustangs.

A layup by Sherman started that late rally.

The Mustangs then pulled back even at 52-52 on a three by Chinn with 43 seconds to go.

Neither team could find the range again in the final hectic seconds until Chinn made the two pressure free throws with only 3.7 seconds remaining to give the Mustangs the exciting win.

(Click here to see Medina’s Tyler Chinn hit the first of 2 foul shots to break the tie and be the winning points.)

Medina and Akron are now both 2-3 in the league.

Newfane 72, Barker 37
Building up a 41-19 halftime advantage, Newfane went on to defeat Barker 72-37 to move into a tie for the N-O lead at 5-0 with Albion. The Panthers will next visit the Purple Eagles in a key clash for first place on Tuesday.

Garrett Srock scored 22 and Michael Carmer 12 to lead Newfane.

Evan Taylor scored 13 and Cole Ecker 9 for Barker.

Wilson 47, Roy-Hart 44

Three late free throws by Alex Martinez helped Wilson (2-2) lock up a narrow 47-44 win at Roy-Hart (1-4).

Luke Bradley scored 13 and Ben Lyman 10 to lead Wilson which led 24-0 at the half.

Rhett Goodwin had 12 and Tom Ragonese 10 for Roy-Hart.