Mustangs use big late scoring surge to post key N-O victory over rival Purple Eagles

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 9 March 2021 at 8:49 pm

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Medina’s Tyler Chinn goes in for a layup against Albion defender Bailey Blanchard during the Mustangs key win over the host Purple Eagles this evening.

A big scoring burst starting late in the third quarter sparked Medina to a 61-51 victory over rival Albion in a key Niagara-Orleans League boys basketball game this evening at Albion.

Improving to 8-1, Medina moves a half game ahead of 7-1 Newfane, which had the bye, in the N-O title race. The Mustangs will next host the Panthers on Thursday in a a key late season battle for first place.

Trailing 35-33, Medina moved on top to stay by closing the third period with a 9-0 run on two threes by Tyler Chinn and one by Brian Fry for a 42-35 lead.

Keeping the momentum, the Mustangs then exploded for a 19-5 run over the first six minutes of the final period to roar away to a commanding 21 point, 61-40, advantage.

Albion’s Christian Doty drives against Medina defender Joe Cecchini.

Chinn had nine points on four layups, two coming off steals, and a free throw to lead that decisive uprising which also included three baskets from close range by Joe Cecchini and a pair of buckets by Jarin Rhim.

Chinn finished with a game high 31 points to lead the Medina attack as Cecchini had 14, Christian Drisdom 6, Dontae Rhim 4 and Jarin Rhim and Fry 3 each.

Bailey Blanchard had 18 and Damion Lattimer 14 to pace Albion as Chris Shabazz, Tony Freeman and Elijah Lloyd each had 4, Zach Coleccechi 3 and Tyler Gibson 2.

The contest was a see-saw battle for the first two and a half quarters with a total of 8 ties and 8 lead changes during that stretch.

Medina grabbed a narrow 15-12 lead at the end of the opening period which saw Chinn score 9.

However, Albion turned the tables in the second period using a 13-7 scoring edge to take a 25-22 lead at the half.  A late 6-0 run on a rebound basket by Lloyd followed by a pair of layups by Blanchard gave the Purple Eagles that lead.

Medina battled back with an 11-6 run to open the third period to rally into a 33-31 lead. Chinn had a three and a layup during that spurt which also included layups by Drisdom, Dontae Rhim and Jarin Rhim.

Albion answered back with a layup and a rebound basket by Lattimer to quickly regain a 35-33 advantage but the lead proved to be the last for the Purple Eagles.

The Mustangs answered that challenge by outscoring the Purple Eagles 28-5 over the next eight minutes to rally into a 21 point advantage with less than two minutes to go.

Albion, which is now 4-4 next visits Wilson on Thursday.

Medina’s Christian Drisdom goes in for a layup as Jahmeek Riley defends for Albion.

Roy-Hart 65, Barker 55

Aiden Petrie scored 17, Tom Ragonese 16, Rhett Goodwin 13 and Gavyn Boyle 10 to lead a balanced attack for Roy-Hart in a 65-55 win over Barker.

Nathan Meza Ray scored a game high 19 for Barker as Devonte Hill and Nicholas Guevara 8 and Joey Brandt 7.

Roy-Hart led 29-19 at the half.

Akron 45, Wilson 42

Josh Mazza scored 15 and Adam Mietz and David Kalinowski both chipped in with 11 to lead third place Akron (5-3) to a narrow 45-42 win over Wilson (2-7).

N-O Standings: Medina 8-1, Newfane 7-1, Akron 5-3, Albion 4-4, Roy-Hart 3-6, Wilson 2-7, Barker 1-8.