Purple Eagles blitz Bulldogs in B1 opener

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Albion’s Liam Ward goes in for a layup against Alden defender Lucas Bush during the host Purple Eagles sectional win over the Bulldogs this evening.

A huge first quarter scoring barrage propelled No. 11 seed Albion to a 68-40 victory over visiting No. 14 Alden this evening in the opening round of the Section VI Class B1 boys basketball playoffs.

Fast breaking at every opportunity, Albion roared out to a commanding 27-1 first period advantage as Liam Ward scored 12, including a pair of threes, Bryce Pritchard 8, Michael DiCureia 5 and Deyonci Farley 4.

The Purple Eagles upped the advantage to 33, 41-8, at the half as Ward, Pritchard and Farley each had a pair of baskets in the second period.

Albion enjoyed a 25 point, 54-29, lead at the three-quarter mark.

Ward finished with 14 and Pritchard and Farley 12 each to lead a parade of 11 Albion point getters. Bailey Blanchard added 8, Dominic Burton and Michael DiCureia 5, Xavier Cornick and Chris Shabazz 3 and Dylan Fox, Vincent Zona and Jonathan DePuy 2 each.

Lucas Jurek led Alden with 12.

Albion has little time to celebrate the win however as the Purple Eagles now visit No. 6 seed Niagara-Orleans League foe Newfane at 7 p.m. Wednesday. The Panthers took both N-O meetings for the Purple Eagles this season.

Section V Class C1

No. 4 Avon defeated No. 13 Holley 94-53 in the opening round of the Section V Class C1 playoffs.

Albion’s Chris Shabazz puts up a shot as Alden’s Jacob Baker tries for the block.