Third period surge sparks Medina past Holley

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 17 December 2022 at 3:03 pm

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Medina’s Cole Callard goes up for a shot as Vinny Golisano defends for Holley during the Mustangs non league win over the visiting Hawks this afternoon.

A big late third quarter scoring burst keyed Medina to a 71-50 victory over visiting Holley in a non league boys basketball game this afternoon.

Leading by a narrow two point, 34-32, margin, Medina put exploded for a decisive 16-3 run to break the contest open.

Aiden Pitts had a three and a three-point play, Jerrell Nealy a pair of layups, Justin Pitts a three and a fast break layup during that uprising which propelled the Mustangs out to a commanding 50-35 lead.

Holley’s Destin Kuyal tries to drive by Medina’s Jerrell Nealy with Joe Silpoch as a pick.

Medina led by 12, 51-39, at the three-quarter mark. The visiting Hawks could get no closer in the final period as the Mustangs closed with a 20-11 scoring edge down the stretch to improve to 2-2 on the young season.

Nealy finished with a game high 22 points as Justin Pitts added 14, Aiden Pitts 12, Cole Callard 9, Cayden Lilleby 7, Jason Beyer 4 and Roosevelt Mitchell 3.

Destin Kuyal scored 15, Vinny Golisano 14 and Joe Silpoch 11 to lead Holley as Ben Cox added 5, Eli Lang 3 and Carter McGwire 2.

Nealy scored 8 in the opening quarter to help Medina grab a 16-10 lead. Trailing 10-8, the Mustangs closed the period with an 8-0 run on tallies by Nealy, Lilleby and Mitchell.

The Mustangs maintained a six point, 27-21, lead at the half on a late three by Callard.

Another three and a jumper by Callard helped Medina open with an 11 point, 34-23, lead early in the third period.

Holley though came battling back as a three-point play by Cox followed by back-to-back threes by Kuyal rallied the Hawks back to within two, 34-32.

However, the Hawks could get no closer as the Mustangs answered back with the decisive 16-3 scoring surge, to pull away for good.

Holley, which next hosts Alexander in a Genesee Region League game on Monday, slips to 0-4.

Medina will next compete in the Batavia Lions Club Tournament at Genesee Community College on December 27.