Three N-O teams seek state tourney berths

The Niagara-Orleans League is guaranteed to have a team in the upcoming boys basketball state tournament as Tuesday’s Section VI Class B state qualifier will have Akron facing Wilson at 5 p.m. at Buffalo State.

In addition, the Newfane girls are also seeking a spot in the state tournament as the Lady Panthers take on Salamanca in the Section V Class B qualifier on Wednesday at 5 p.m. at Buffalo State.

Akron advanced by defeating Olmsted 49-38 for the Class B1 championship while Wilson downed Allegany-Limestone 56-47 for the Class B2 title.

The sectional championship is the first for Akron since since the Tigers won back-to-back titles in 2009 and 2010. The title is the first ever for Wilson. In Akron’s two previous appearances in the Section VI state qualifier game the Tigers lost to Olean in both 2009 and 2010.

Akron downed Wilson twice during the N-O season by scores of 51-41 and 58-34.

The Tigers bring a 22-1 record into the qualifier while the Lakemen are 17-6.

Offensively, Akron’s balanced attack is led by the trio of Ben Gerstung (202 points, 14.4 average), Derren Brooks (274 pts., 13.0 ave.) and Blake Gerstung (229 pts., 12.8 ave.).  Brooks, a 6-7 sophomore, has also grabbed off 228 rebounds and Ben Gerstung 130.

Wilson is led by Aidan Neumann (481 pts., 21.9 ave.), Ryan Hough (293 pts., 13.3 ave.) and Shamus George (186 pts., 8.5 ave.) Hough has also grabbed off 203 rebounds and George, who is a 6-5 junior, has pulled down 197.

The victor will face the Section V Class B champion, either East Rochester or World of Inquiry, in the Far West Regional at Gates Chili at 5:30 p.m. Friday.

Girls State Qualifier
Newfane (17-5) advanced to the state qualifier by defeating Health Sciences 59-38 in the Class B1 championship game Sunday while Salamanca (17-6) downed Wilson 51-32 in the Class B2 final.

The sectional title was the seventh for the Lady Panthers but the first since 1996.

The Lady Panthers are led by Anna Chunco (261 points, 112 assists, 96 rebounds), Kameryn Boyer (193 points, 118 rebounds) and Sienna Bowers (189 points, 125 rebounds).

Wednesday’s victor will face the Section V champion, either Hornell or Lyons, in the Far West Regional this weekend at Buffalo State.