Mustangs thump Panthers to hike N-O lead

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 11 March 2021 at 8:14 pm

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Medina’s Joe Cecchini puts up a shot against Newfane defender Michael Carmer during the Mustangs key home court victory over the Panthers this evening.

With first place on the line Medina avenged an earlier season 20 point (64-44) loss by rolling past visiting Newfane 62-46 this evening as the 9-1 Mustangs opened up a game and a half lead over the 7-2 Panthers in the Niagara-Orleans League title race.

“That was the first complete game we’ve played this year in terms of executing what we wanted to execute,” said Medina Coach Eric Hellwig.

Tyler Chinn scored 24 and Joe Cecchini a career high 21 to spearhead the attack for Medina as Brian Fry chipped in with 9, Jarin Rhim 4 and Christian Drisdom and Matt Henning 2 each.

Medina’s Matt Henning takes a shot as Zach Snow tries for a block for Newfane.

Zach Snow and Jeremy Foltz both had 11 and Michael Carmer 10 to pace Newfane.

Setting the tone at the outset Medina raced out to an 18 point, 21-3, first quarter lead.

Chinn had two threes and a layup off a steal and Fry a three and two layups to lead that uprising which also included threes by both Cecchini and Rhim.

“The kids played with a lot of energy tonight,” said Hellwig. “They did a great job harnessing that energy and the shots were dropping.”

Keeping the momentum the Mustangs quickly extended the lead to 22, 27-5, at the outset of the second quarter after layups by Cecchini, Drisdom and Fry.

And despite going the next five minutes without a point, Medina maintained a 20 point, 32-12, lead at the half after a three by Chinn and a layup by Henning in the last 30 seconds.

It remained a commanding 20 point, 49-29, Medina lead at the three-quarter mark as Cecchini had two threes and a jumper and Chinn a three and a pair of layups to spark the Mustangs in the third period.

Newfane could get no closer than 15 in the final stanza as two more threes and a jumper by Cecchini along with a three point play by Chinn helped the Mustangs close out the decisive win.

“Joe just had a great game, said Hellwig. “He was on fire.”

Medina now as two home games remaining on the N-O schedule against Roy-Hart next Tuesday and Wilson next Thursday.

“We just have to keep our focus and not let up,” said Hellwig.

Newfane has three games remaining against Wilson on Saturday, Barker next Tuesday and Akron next Thursday.