Purple Eagles romp past Lady Tigers

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 20 January 2018 at 3:21 pm

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Albion’s Caitlynn Snook puts up a shot over Akron defenders Jessee Jonathan and Ellie Leeds. The action took place during the Purple Eagles win over the visiting Lady Tigers this afternoon.

Ignited by a big first quarter scoring surge, Albion went on to defeat visiting Akron 63-33 this afternoon in a Niagara-Orleans League girls basketball make-up game.

Moving on top to stay, Albion jumped out to an 11-2 lead at the outset as Janae Doty hit back-to-back threes and Caitlynn Snook followed up with a three-point play.

Albion’s Lexi Wolck drives by Akron’s Olivia Diebel.

Keeping the momentum, the Purple Eagles boosted the lead to 24-9 at the end of the quarter as Natalie DiCureia hit a three and Brylie Hapeman, Lexi Wolck, Natalie Lathrop and Snook all chipped in with baskets.

Getting three threes from Neely Abrams in the second quarter Akron did cut the deficit to nine, 35-26, at the half but the Lady Tigers would get no closer.

Getting great results from a tight, aggressive man-to-man defense, Albion shut Akron out in the third quarter and ended the period with a commanding 19 point, 45-26, advantage. Doty hit another three in the period as Snook, Hapeman and Sarah Gregori all added buckets.

The Purple Eagles then closed out the 30 point victory with an 18-7 fourth period scoring edge which included baskets from seven different players.

Doty finished with 15 and Snook 14 to lead Albion’s parade of point getters as DiCureia added 7, Hapeman and Gregori 6, Wolck 5, Lathrop 4 and Kirsten Struble, Cassidy Wolcott and Tess Pettit 2 each.

Abrams led Akron with 15 as Helena Hill and Skyler Jonathan both had 6, Derion Jonathan 4 and Jessee Jonathan 2.

The Purple Eagles win also gives undefeated Newfane (7-0) a two game lead over runners-up Albion and Akron which are both 4-2 in N-O action.

Albion’s Janae Doty looks to hit one of her five threes as Neely Abrams comes in to defend for Akron.