Raiders romp past Rams

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 11 February 2014 at 12:00 am

Mustangs rally to nip Lakemen, Panthers edge Purple Eagles

Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Barker’s Mitch Luckman looks to pass over Roy-Hart’s Cody Breedlove during the Raiders win over the host Rams this evening.

Having already put a lock on the league championship, Barker used a huge 34 point first quarter scoring explosion to key a 83-46 romp over host Roy-Hart this evening keeping the Raiders perfect at 13-0 in Niagara-Orleans action and 17-0 overall.

In other N-O action, Medina rallied late to nip host Wilson 41-40 and Newfane likewise used a late rally to edge visiting Albion 67-62.

Mitch Luckman took game high scoring honors with 22 and Jacob Haight added 20 to spark the fast break attack for Barker.

Tristan Payne added 7 for the Raiders as Bryce Moeller, Hayden Gooding and Thomas Callaghan each had 6.

Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Roy-Hart’s Andy Xapsos drives around Barker defender Christopher Sweeney.

Alex Stoddard had 14, DaRon Woods 11 and Andy Xapsos 7 for Roy-Hart which slips to 7-6 in N-O action.

Barker took control at the outset grabbing a quick 18-6 lead in the first four minutes as Luckman had four layups, two off turnovers, and Haight hit a pair of threes.

Luckman had a total of 12 and Haight 10 in the decisive opening stanza which ended with the red hot Raiders enjoying a 34-15 lead.

The Raiders maintained commanding leads of 24, 45-21, at the half and 32, 67-35, at the three-quarter mark.

In addition to the honoring of Roy-Hart Coach Mark Rydza, who is retiring after 25 years at the Rams helm, the pre game ceremonies also featured a Roy-Hart salute to the N-O champion Raider cagers and to Haight, who has earned All-Western New York football honors and is the Raiders all-time career scoring leader. In addition, the pre game introductions saw the Barker players each present Rydza, who is also the Rams long-time golf coach and an avid links enthusiast, with presents of golf balls.

Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Roy-Hart’s Alex Stoddard puts up a shot over Sweeney.

Medina 41, Wilson 40
Putting together a late rally, Medina edged past host Wilson 41-40 to improve to 9-4 in N-O competition.

Trailing after each of the first three quarters, Medina rallied with a 14-7 scoring edge down the stretch to claim the victory.

Jason Hellwig scored Medina’s final five points on a free throw and two clutch jumpers.

Hellwig finished with 13, 11 of which came in the second half, as Cedric Griffith added 8, Ben McPherson, Dyland Lewis and Adam Hoot 6 and David Garrow 2.

Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Barker’s Thomas Callaghan shoots over Roy-Hart’s Marc Roman.

Hoot also came up with the key defensive play of the night as he deflected a last ditch Wilson shot attempt to preserve the win.

Kyle Bradley took game high scoring honors for Wilson with 22. He tallied 11 in the opening period to spark the Lakemen out to a 19-6 lead.

Wilson, which slips to 4-9, went on to hold leads of 22-17 at the half and 33-27 after three-quarters.

The Mustangs played without two players, scoring leader Munjie Brown and Josh Cuadrado, who were injured in a car accident earlier in the day. Both players are reported to be alright.

Newfane 67, Albion 62
Trailing by 10, 53-43, after three quarters, Newfane rallied to outscore Albion 24-9 in the decisive fourth period to claim the 67-62 victory.

A three by Sean Costello with 1:13 remaining rallied Newfane into a two point lead and a bucket by Josh Kneeland with 20 seconds to go helped to seal the Panthers victory.

Costello had 7 in the final period as Chad Gilson netted 6 and Kneeland and Sam Watkins 5 each.

Gilson finished with 19, Watkins 17 and Kneeland and Costello 14 apiece.

Ryan Fannin took game high honors for Albion with 20 and Clayton Stanton and Austin Loyd both added 12 and Des Blackmon 8.

Albion led 14-9 after one quarter and 36-29 at the half.

Newfane improves to 5-8 and Albion lips to 6-7.

Lima Christian 63, Lyndonville 40
Lima Christian posted a 63-40 victory over Lyndonville in a non league regular season ending contest.

Ty Hrovat scored 8 for Lyndonville which finishes the regular season at 0-18.