Section VI girls tourney celebrates 50th year

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 27 February 2025 at 11:25 am

Quarterfinal round competition begins this evening for the Section VI girls basketball tournament which is celebrating its milestone 50th anniversary year.

Since the Section VI girls championship tournament began in 1976 Niagara-Orleans League teams have captured a total of 18 titles over the event’s first 49 years.

Newfane and Wilson, which share the N-O title this season, have both captured six championships.

Newfane captured the Class B2 title in 1984, 1985, 1987, 1989, 1990 and the Class C1 title in 1996. The Lady Panthers also claimed the overall Section VI Class B title in 1987, 1989 and 1990 and the overall C title in 1996 and advanced to the state semifinals in 1989.

Wilson captured the Class C1 title in 2003 and the Class B2 championship in 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014 and 2017.

Medina captured the Class B2 championship in both 1996 and 1997.

Roy-Hart claimed the Class C1 championship in 2004 and the Class B2 title in 2005.

Former N-O member Starpoint, which now competes in the ECIC, captured the Class C1 title in 1994 and the B2 crown in 1995.

Six N-O teams have advanced to this year’s quarterfinal round beginning with No. 8 Albion at No. 1 Depew contest in Class A2 this evening at 7.

On Saturday, No. 8 Medina will visit No. 1 Southwestern and No. 4 Newfane will host No. 5 Akron in Class B1, while No. 7 Roy-Hart will visit No. 2 Salamanca and No. 4 Wilson will host No. 5 Allegany-Limestone in Class B2.