Mustangs prepping for N-O title defense

Photo by Mike Wertman – Defending champion Medina returns a good nucleus of seven veterans. In front are Mason Lewis, Jalin Cooper and Brendan Luthart. In back are Alex Allis, Trenton Jones, Izaiah Rhim and Jorge Phillips.

Seven returnees provide a good nucleus as two-time defending champion Medina prepares to defend its Niagara-Orleans League basketball championship.

Senior Jalin Cooper, a first team N-O All-League honoree, and junior Izaiah Rhim, a second team All-League selection, head that veteran contingent which also includes seniors Mason Lewis, Alex Allis, Brendan Luthart, Jorge Phillips and Trenton Jones.

Cooper, a two-time first team All-League honoree, scored a school record tying 458 points (20.8 average) and grabbed off 207 rebounds last season while Rhim had 197 points, 167 rebounds and 107 assists.

The Mustangs roster also includes juniors Daemon Shatara, Tanner Waldriff, Tavian Rhim and Tim Roy along with sophomore Nate Sherman and freshmen Brian Fry and Tyler Chinn.

“I’m excited about the season, said Coach Tom Forrestel. “We’ve got a good group back and I expect we’ll be competitive in all of our league games.”

The Mustangs graduation losses included Tyler Howard and Tyrells Atkins while two other players have transferred, Johnny Salone and Vincent Montague. Salone earned first team N-O all-League honors last season.

Medina, which went 12-0 in the league and 17-5 overall last season, will open the season at home on December 6 with a non league game against Burgard. The Mustangs N-O opener is at home against Albion on December 14.

Schedule
December: 6 – Burgard, 6:30 p.m.; 9 – vs. Nichols at Niagara Falls, 12 p.m.; 11 – Tapestry, 6:30 p.m.; 14 – Albion, 6:30 p.m.; 16 – vs. St. Francis at St. Mary’s Lancaster 3 p.m.; 29 – vs. St. Paul at Villa Maria, 6:30 p.m.
January: 4 – at Roy-Hart ,  7 p.m.; 6 – Orchard Park, 12:30 p.m.; 9 – Wilson, 6:30 p.m.; 12 – at Newfane, 6:30 p.m.; 16 – at Barker, 7 p.m.; 19 – at Akron, 6:30 p.m.; 25 – at Albion, 7 p.m.; 29 – at CSAT, 6 p.m.
February: 2 – Roy-Hart, 6:30 p.m.; 6 – at Wilson, 6 p.m.; 9 – Newfane, 6:30 p.m.; 10 – vs. Franklinville, at Williamsville South TBA; 13 – Barker, 6:30 p.m.; 14 – Akron, 6:30 p.m.