Purple Eagles post win over Lakemen

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 23 February 2021 at 8:44 pm

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Albion’s Chris Shabazz blocks a shot by Wilson’s Mike Miller as Bailey Blanchard moves in to support. The action took place during the host Purple Eagles win over the Lakemen this evening.

Ignited by a big scoring burst to close the first quarter, Albion went on to defeat visiting Wilson 59-38 this evening in a Niagara-Orleans League boys basketball game.

Trailing 4-0 at the outset, Albion put together a 17-3 scoring surge to close the opening period and take the lead for good.

Bailey Blanchard erupted for 13 points on a three, two layups, two jumpers and a pair of free throws to spearhead that uprising which rallied the Purple Eagles into a 17-7 lead.

Wilson’s Ben Lyman hits one of his seven threes as Bailey Blanchard defends for Albion.

Keeping the momentum, Albion opened the second period with s 10-3 run ignited by a three by Tony Freeman and capped off by a pair of baskets by Tyler Gibson to extend the advantage to 17 at 27-10.

The Purple Eagles maintained a 14 point, 27-13, lead at the half but the Lakemen came battling back to slice the deficit to just one at 29-28 midway through the third period after a 15-0 run on a barrage of five threes by Ben Lyman.

Albion though weathered the storm and answered back with a 13-2 run to close the period and regain a 12 point, 42-30, advantage. Two threes by Christian Doty and one by Blanchard highlighted that uprising.

Wilson could get no closer than nine, 45-36, down the stretch as Albion closed out the win with a 14-2 run which included back-to-back layups by Chris Shabazz, a three by Doty and a three-point play by Blanchard.

Blanchard finished with 21 and Doty 12 to lead Albion as Shabazz added 8, Freeman 7, Gibson 6, Jahmeek Riley 3 and Elijah Lloyd 2.

Lyman shared game high honors for Wilson with 21 on seven threes as Mike Miller added 8, Jared Jaques 5 and Evan Mahar and Justin Messing 2 each.

Albion is now 1-2 and Wilson 1-3 in N-O action.

The Purple Eagles next visit Barker and the Lakemen host rival Newfane on Thursday.