Rams down Mustangs; Panthers edge past Purple Eagles to lock up N-O title

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 10 February 2023 at 9:08 pm

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Roy-Hart’s Jamel Johnson Jr. puts up a shot over Medina defenders Cayden Lilleby (2), Jerrell Nealy (35) and Justin Pitts (10) during the Rams win over the host Mustangs this evening.

Moving on top to stay with a key scoring burst to close the first half, Roy-Hart went on to down host Medina 67-52 in a Niagara-Orleans League game this evening.

Trailing 17-14, Roy-Hart closed the first half with a 12-2 run to regain the lead for good by 29-19 margin at the half. Two threes by Jackson Webber highlighted that uprising which also included two baskets by Dan Aquilina and one by Jamel Johnson Jr.

The Rams extended the lead to 17, 50-33, at the three-quarter mark as Aquilina tallied 9 and Johnson Jr. 6 in the third period.

Johnson finished with 18 and Aquilina 13 to lead a parade of 10 Roy-Hart point getters. Rem Albee added 9, Webber 6, Justin Terwilliger 5, Nate Beyer and Tyler Burrows 4, Kris Myers and Thomas Russo III 3 and Andrew Waters 2.

Aiden Pitts took game high honors with 24 for Medina as Cayden Lilleby had 11, Cole Callard 7, Jerrell Nealy and Jason Beyer 4 and Jack Cecchini 2.

Roy-Hart is now 7-4 and Medina 1-9 in N-O action.

Roy-Hart’s Rem Albee puts up a shot ahead of Medina’s Jack Cecchini.

Newfane 63, Albion 59
Undefeated front-running Newfane nipped runner-up Albion 63-59 this evening at Albion to lock up outright possession of the N-O championship.

Evan Myers scored 20, Ben Dickinson 19 and Nate Snow 15 to lead the way for Newfane which improves to 10-0 in N-O competition.

Aquil Gaffney tallied 17, Blake Preston 13 and Javon Jones 12 for Albion which is now 7-4.

The Panthers held leads of 17-10 after the first quarter, 22-25 at the half and 53-47 at the three-quarter mark.

The Purple Eagles did close to within two late at 61-59 after a layup by John Eibl but Myers answered with two clutch free throws to lock up the win for the Panthers. Myers had 8 in the final period while Snow netted 9 in the first and Dickinson 10 in the third.

Gaffney scored 11 and Preston 7 in the third period to keep Albion close.

The Purple Eagles next host Byron-Bergen in a non league game Monday.

Akron 62, Wilson 45
Drew Romesser scored 24 and Blake Gerstung 18 on six threes to lead Akron to a 62-45 win over visiting Wilson.

Matt Fox scored 14 and Charles Clemente 8 for Wilson which trailed 33-20 at the half.

Akron is now 5-5 and Wilson 3-7.