Mustangs top Tigers to gain share of N-O lead

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 27 January 2022 at 8:32 pm

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Medina’s Cayden Lilleby drives to the basket against Akron defenders Donny Kreher (3) and Jack Fowler (13) during the Mustangs win over the visiting Tigers this evening.

Moving into a share of first place, defending champion Medina downed visiting Akron 45-35 in a Niagara-Orleans League make-up game this evening.

The victory pulls Medina into a tie for the N-O lead with Roy-Hart at 4-1 as Akron slips to 3-2.

Anthony Bowman scored 13 and Cayden Lilleby 11 to lead the way for Medina in the low scoring contest as Jarin Rhim and Joe Cecchini both had 8 and Amari Soule 5.

Brale Abrams and Andrew Romesser each scored 8 to pace Akron.

Both teams had trouble finding the range, especially through the first three quarters, as Medina held narrow leads of 12-8 after one period, 22-18 at the half and 26-24 after three quarters.

The teams traded scored through the first five minutes of the final period before Medina put together a key 7-0 run on a three and two free throws by Rhim and two free throws by Lilleby to open up a 10 point, 42-32, lead with just 1:35 remaining. Three free throws over the final 1:06 by Bowman then put a lock on the win.

In all the Mustangs outpointed the Tigers 19-11 in the decisive final period as Lilleby scored 7, Rhim and Bowman 5 and Cecchini 2.

The Mustangs will now conclude a busy stretch of three league games in four days by hosting Barker at 6:30 p.m. Friday.

N-O Standings – Medina 4-1, Roy-Hart 4-1, Akron 3-2, Newfane 3-3, Wilson 3-3, Barker 1-4, Albion 0-4