Purple Eagles to open Thursday

Photo by Mike Wertman – Seniors Justice Nauden, left, and Mandi Covis will help lead Albion into the upcoming Niagara-Orleans League season.

Led by a quartet of returning regulars, Albion will begin tuning up for the Niagara-Orleans League campaign by hosting Batavia at 7 p.m. Thursday in a non league contest.

Seniors Justice Nauden, Mandi Covis, Sarah Metzler and sophomore Chanyce Powell lead the way for Albion which finished in second place in the final N-O standings last year at 11-3.

Nauden, who earned first team N-O All-League honors, scored 214 points (11.2 average) and had 99 rebounds, 74 assists and 66 steals.

Powell, a second team All-League honoree, scored 229 points (12.0 ave) and had 169 rebounds 51 steals, 45 assists and 17 blocks.

Metzler, who had 127 points and 76 rebounds, and Covis were both honorable mention All-League selections.

The only starter not back is junior Kelsee Soule, a second team All-League honoree, who is not playing this season.

The Purple Eagles lineup also includes seniors Jessica Raglan, Jayne Bannister and Savannah Allen, junior Olivia Prest and sophomores Zoe Starkweather and Leah Townsend.

“We have four kids with a lot of experience which is key,” said Coach Lucian Price. “We have an interesting blend of kids so how everyone jells together will be big.”

The Purple Eagles will open the N-O season at home on December 19 against defending champion Wilson.

Albion’s Schedule

Dec. 4 – Batavia, 7 p.m.
Dec. 9 at Brockport, 6:30 p.m.
Dec. 19 – Wilson, 7 p.m.
Dec, 26 and 27 – at Wheatland-Chili Tournament
Jan. 6 – Roy-Hart, 7 p.m.
Jan. 9 – at Newfane, 6:30 p.m.
Jan. 13 – Barker, 7 p.m.
Jan. 16 – Medina, 7 p.m.
Jan. 20 – at CSAT, 6 p.m.
Jan. 23 – at Akron, 6:30 p.m.
Jan. 27 – at Wilson, 6 p.m.
Jan. 30 – Bishop Kearney, 7 p.m.
Feb. 3 – at Roy-Hart, 6 p.m.
Feb. 10 – at Barrker, 6 p.m.
Feb. 13 – at Medina, 6:30 p.m.
Feb. 17 – CSAT, 7 p.m.
Feb. 19 – Akron, 7 p.m.