New coach, veteran duo lead Medina girls

Photo by Mike Wertman – New Medina girls varsity basketball Coach Larry Lash meets here with the Mustangs two returning starters Maddie Williams, left, and Je’ne Brown.

Two returning starters anchor the lineup for the Medina girls varsity basketball team which is prepping for the season under new Coach Larry Lash.

A very familiar face around Niagara-Orleans League basketball circles for many years, Lash, who previously coached boys basketball at Wilson and Newfane and girls basketball at Wilson where he led the Lakewomen to four straight league titles, takes over the helm from Ken Haak who stepped down after 11 seasons for family considerations.

“It’s exciting,” said Lash. “It is a golden opportunity.”

The Mustangs are led by the returning starting junior duo of Je’ne Brown and Maddie Williams.

Brown, a first team N-O All-League selection, scored a team record 427 points, grabbed off 252 rebounds and had 58 blocks last year. Williams, a second team All-League honoree, had 257 points, 119 rebounds, 88 steals and 70 assists.

“Those are two pretty good players to have back,” said Lash.

The Mustangs also return senior Shamarie Howard, juniors Kharise Johnson and Bri MacFarland and sophomore Camri King along with seniors Faith Henning and Hannah Sones and junior Sarah Cochrane. Sophomore Divera Brown is also vying for playing time.

“I’m kind of in a new coach, new team mode right now but things are going well,” said Lash. “I’m really pleased with their effort. They are picking things up well. They really want to learn.”

The Mustangs graduation losses include the starting trio of Emily Kams, Molley Gross and Maddie Winters along with sixth man Kayla Cuadra.

Medina ,which went 8-4 in the league and 17-6 overall last year advancing to the Class B-2 sectional finals, will visit Williamsville North in the non league season opener on December 2. The Mustangs N-O opener will be at Albion on December 15.

Mustangs Schedule
December: 2 – at Williamsville North, 1 p.m.; 5 – Health Sciences, 6:30 p.m.; 7 – Nardin, 6:30 p.m.; 15 – at Albion, 7 p.m.; 20 – at Mt. St. Mary’s, 6:30 p.m.; 22 – at Elba, 6:30 p.m.; 27 – Oakfield-Alabama, 7 p.m.

January: 5 – Roy-Hart, 6:30 p.m.; 9 – at Wilson, 6 p.m.; 11 – Newfane, 6:30 p.m.; 16 – Barker, 6:30 p.m.; 19 – Akron, 6:30 p.m.; 23 – Tapestry, 6 p.m.; 26 – Albion, 6:30 p.m.; 30 – at Grand Island, 7 p.m.

February: 1 – at Roy-Hart, 6:30 p.m.; 6 – Wilson, 6:30 p.m.; 9 – at Newfane, 6:30 p.m.; 13 – at Barker, 6:30 p.m.; 14 – at Akron, 6:30 p.m.