Tiger cagers look to keep rolling

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 22 November 2019 at 4:44 pm

Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Leading Lyndonville into the upcoming basketball season is this group of Tiger veterans. In front are Russ Stephens, Nathan Hydock and Nate Dillenbeck. In back are Nathan Neace, Evan Horn, Devin Rounds, Jon Slingerland and Casey Winiecki.

Looking to keep the momentum from last year’s strong 18-4 campaign, the Lyndonville basketball squad is prepping for the season led by a large group of eight veterans.

Senior Nathan Hydock along with juniors Nate Dillenbeck, Russ Stephens and Casey Winiecki head that veteran contingent which also includes seniors Devin Rounds, Evan Horn, Jon Slingerland and Nathan Neace.

Dillenbeck, who earned Genesee Region League All-Star honors, scored 301 points (13.7 average) and also had 63 rebounds, 51 assists and 45 steals. Hydock scored 281 points (12.8 ave.) and pulled down as team high 199 rebounds.

“We had a good season last year and we’ve got a good returning group back so we’re looking to build off of that,” said Coach Lee Dillenbeck.

The Tigers graduation losses include G-R All-Star Zach Johnson, Nathan Poler, Matt Hess and Kane Flynn. Johnson scored 322 points (14.6 ave.) and had 169 assists and 152 rebounds while Poler scored 250 points (11.4 ave.) and had 165 rebounds.

The Tigers will host a pair of non league games (Dec. 3 vs. RAC and Dec. 6 vs. Albion) before beginning G-R League competition at division foe Notre Dame on Dec. 10. The early season schedule also includes another key division contest at Elba on Dec. 18.

Schedule
December: 3 – RAC, 7 p.m.; 6 – Albion, 6:30 p.m.; 10 – at Notre Dame, 7 p.m.; 13 – Newfane, 6:30 p.m.; 18 – at Elba, 7 p.m.; 20 – Wheatland-Chili, 6:30 p.m..
January: 3 – Barker, 1:30 p.m.; 7 – Kendall, 7 p.m.; 9 – at Holley, 7 p.m.; 15 – Alexander, 7 p.m.; 17 – at Byron-Bergen, 7 p.m.; 21 – at Akron, 6:30 p.m.; 23 – at Oakfield-Alabama, 7 p.m.; 29 – Attica, 7 p.m.; 31 – at Pembroke, 7 p.m.
February: 5 – at Kendall, 7 p.m.; 7 – at Wheatland-Chili, 7 p.m.; 11 – Elba, 7 p.m.; 17 – at Barker, 6 p.m.; 19 – Notre Dame, 7 p.m.