Rams keep rolling by downing Raiders; Panthers win to gain share of N-O title

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Roy-Hart’s Jake Bruning goes under Barker defender Nick Brandt for a layup try during the Rams win over the host Raiders this evening.

Rebounding from a dismal first half of the Niagara-Orleans League season, Roy-Hart capped off a strong second half surge by downing host Barker 62-46 this evening.

The victory completes a 5-1 second half run for Roy-Hart which finishes the N-O campaign at the .500 mark of 6-6 after going 1-5 to open the season.

Noah Kindron scored 18, Jake Bruning 15 and Charlie Bruning 10 to lead the way for Roy-Hart as Charlie Brigham added 8, Blake Halstead 7 and Quinten Koch and Jon Huntington 2 each.

Malik Smith led Barker with 11 as Nick Brandt, Zach Richbart and Austin Sullivan each chipped in with 8, Evan Ecker 4, Preston Harris 3 and Dan Ober and Cole Hanssen 2.

Barker’s Preston Harris puts up a shot as Roy-Hart’s Charlie Bruning tries for a block.

Roy-Hart jumped out to a 17-6 first period lead as Kindron scored 7 and Jake Bruning and Charlie Bruning 4 each.

The Rams quickly increased the advantage to 15, 21-6, at the outset of the second period after back-to-back layups by Kindron and Jake Bruning.

However, Barker came battling back putting together a 10-0 run to get right back in the game.  Ecker and Smith both had 4 points and Brandt 2 during that spurt which rallied the Raiders to within five at 21-16.

Two quick buckets by Smith pulled Barker to within three, 25-22, later in the period but Roy-Hart regained a little breathing room as a bucket by Charlie Bruning and a pair of free throws by Jake Bruning put the Rams up by eight, 30-22, at the half.

Getting 7 points from Richbart, including a three, along with 4 by Brandt and a 3 by Harris in the third period, Barker stayed within six, 43-37, at the three-quarter mark.

A basket off a steal by Smith rallied Barker to within four, 43-39, at the outset of the final period but the Raiders could get no closer.

Roy-Hart answered back with a key 10-3 run, including baskets by Brigham and Charlie Bruning, to regain an 11 point, 53-42, advantage midway through the period.

Barker could get no closer than eight after that as Roy-Hart closed with an 8-0 run to close out the victory.

Newfane 54, Wilson 37
Newfane used a big third period surge to key a 54-37 victory at rival Wilson to earn a share of the N-O League championship.

The Panthers used a big 19-4 third period uprising to turn a 22-21 half-time deficit into a 40-26 lead at the three-quarter mark.

The victory earns Newfane a share of the N-O crown with Medina as both teams finish at 10-2.

Kyle DeVoogel scored 20, Max Weber 14 and Connor Hill 10 for Newfane.

Nate Fox scored 16 for Wilson which finishes the N-O season at 8-4.

Girls Basketball
Roy-Hart 65, Barker 32
Meghan Washington scored 18, Ellie Todd 14, Sophia LaPort 13 and Maddy Glena 9 to lead Roy-Hart to a 65-32 win over visiting Barker.

Gabby Baker scored 12 and Kylie Miller 7 for Barker.

Section V playoff pairings
Lyndonville and Kendall have both earned home games for next week’s opening round of the Section V Class D1 playoffs.

No. 7 Lyndonville will host No. 10 Northstar and No. 8 Kendall will entertain No 9 Alfred-Almond, both games at 7 p.m. February 20.

Roy-Hart’s Noah Kindron drives by Barker defender Cole Hanssen.