Roy-Hart bows in tourney opener at GCC

Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Roy-Hart’s Jamel Johnson Jr. puts up a shot against LeRoy defenders John Panepento (23) and Merritt Holly Jr. (30) as Bryan Baes (22) moves in for the Rams. The action took place during the semifinals of the Batavia Lions Club Tournament at Genesee Community College this afternoon.

Playing shorthanded, Roy-Hart dropped a 71-43 decision to LeRoy in the Large Schools Division semifinals of the Batavia Lions Club Tournament held at Genesee Community College this afternoon.

Roy-Hart, which was playing without three starters because of vacations, fell behind by 14 in the first quarter and was unable to rebound.

Merritt Holly Jr. scored 13 and Mitchel Hockey 9 in the opening quarter to spark LeRoy out to a 24-10 lead.

The Knights upped the advantage to 40-20 at the half as Holly netted 7 and Hockey 5 in the second period.

The LeRoy advantage ballooned to 37, 64-27, at the three-quarter mark as Hockey scored 10 and Holly 8 in the third period.

The Knights strong 1-2 scoring punch finished with total of 52 points as Holly tallied a game high 28 and Hockey 24.

Roy-Hart was led by Jamel Johnson Jr. who scored 24 including 16 of the Rams 20 first half points.

Nate Beyer and Brandin Masters each added 6 for the Rams as Andrew Waters had 5 and Bryan Baes 2.

LeRoy improves to 6-1 and Roy-Hart slips to 2-3.

The consolation and championship games are scheduled for Thursday.