Mustangs top Rams to clinch tie for N-O title

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Medina’s Tyler Chinn goes in for a layup as Roy-Hart’s Jon Gillings and Rhett Goodwin defend during the Mustangs win over the visiting Rams this evening.

Exploding out to a 20 point first quarter lead, Medina survived a cold shooting second half to down visiting Roy-Hart 60-50 this evening to clinch at least a tie for the Niagara-Orleans League boys basketball championship.

Improving to 10-1, Medina maintains a one game lead over 9-2 Newfane which defeated Barker 73-62. Both teams have one game remaining on Thursday as Medina hosts Wilson and Newfane entertains Akron.

It marks the fifth time in the last six years that the Mustangs have claimed at least a share of the N-O crown.

Roy-Hart’s Aiden Petrie puts up a rebound shot as Brian Fry and Joe Cecchini defend for Medina.

Tyler Chinn scored 20 to lead the way for Medina as Brian Fry added 10, Joe Cecchini and Jarin Rhim 9 each and Christian Drisdom, Dontae Rhim and Hayden Woodroe 4 apiece.

Aiden Petrie scored a game high 22 for Roy-Hart as Rhett Goodwin had 12, Tom Ragonese 10, Gavyn Boyle 4 and Vincent Buscarino 2.

Cecchini hit three quick threes and Chinn had a three and a pair of fast break layups to help spark Medina out to a 27-7 first quarter lead. Fry chipped in with 5 points, Jarin Rhim 4 and Dontae Rhim 2 during that stretch.

Chinn, Drisdom and Woodroe then each had two baskets and Jarin Rhim a three in the second period to help the Mustangs maintain what looked to be a commanding 23 point, 45-22, half-time advantage.

However, Medina managed only six points in the third period, on a pair of threes by Chinn, but still maintained an 18 point, 51-33 advantage heading into the final stanza. Petrie scored 9 for Roy-Hart in the period.

Roy-Hart though refused to fold as the Rams outscored the Mustangs 15-5 over the first six and a half minutes of the final period to slice the deficit to just eight at 56-48.

Goodwin had a three and a pair of twos, Ragonese two baskets and Petrie and Boyle a basket each to lead that Rams rally.

However, the Mustangs turned back the challenge as three free throws by Fry and one by Chinn closed out the win and at least a share of the league title.

Medina’s Christian Drisdom tries for a layup as Aiden Petrie defends for Roy-Hart.

Newfane 73, Barker 62

Newfane had a similar outing as the Panthers jumped out to a 17 point, 42-25, half-time advantage and finished with an 11 point, 73-62, win over Barker.

Jeremy Foltz scored a game high 21 for Newfane as Zach Snow had 20 Sam Capen  10.

Devonte Hill and Brad Cantrell each scored 15 and Shane Gerhardt 11 for Barker.