Mustangs tame Tigers to clinch at least a share of a third straight N-O championship

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Medina’s Alex Allis drives against Akron defenders Carter Jensen and Derek Holtz during the Mustangs title clinching win over the visiting Tigers this evening.

Clinching at least a share of a third straight title, Medina romped to a 68-38 victory over visiting Akron this evening to close out the Niagara-Orleans League boys basketball season.

Medina finishes the N-O campaign at 10-2 and with at least a co-championship. Newfane, which is now at 9-2, can earn a share of the title with a win at rival Wilson on Thursday.

Medina’s Brian Fry puts up a shot against Akron defender Branden Orr.

Jalin Cooper scored 19, Brendan Luthart 12, Mason Lewis 11 and Brian Fry 10 to lead Medina’s balanced attack as Alex Allis and Izaiah Rhim both added 7 and Tyler Chinn 2.

Weylon Abrams scored 8, Brandon Orr 7, Derek Holtz 6 and Jake Siska 5 to pace Akron which finishes the N-O season at 2-10.

Medina jumped out to a 19-15 first period lead as Allis hit two threes and Lewis one. Cooper also netted 6 and Luthart 4 in the period. Holtz, Orr and Nelson Logan all hit threes to keep Akron close.

Medina upped the lead to 10, 27-17 early in the second period by opening with an 8-2 run on two layups by Rhim and one each by Fry and Cooper.

The Mustangs outpointed the Tigers 19-6 in the period to extend the advantage to 17, 38-21, at the half. Cooper had a total of 7 and Rhim and Luthart 4 each in the stanza.

Keeping the momentum, three baskets by Fry early in the third period upped the lead to 20, 46-26. The Mustangs maintained an 18 point, 51-33, advantage at the three-quarter mark.

Medina will close out the regular season with a non league game at Orchard Park on Saturday.

Medina’s Trenton Jones battles for a rebound with Akron’s Mason Schultz.