Tigers end long playoff victory drought

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 25 February 2015 at 12:00 am

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Lyndonville’s AJ Buckland (20) takes a shot against Alfred-Almond defenders Noah Holmok (3) and Duncan Allen (10) during the Tigers sectional victory over the Eagles this evening.

Ending an eight year playoff victory drought, No. 7 Lyndonville posted a 54-39 win over No. 10 Alfred-Almond this evening in a Section V Class D1 pre-quarterfinal game at Pavilion.

AJ Buckland scored 15, Eddie Schildt 12 and Nick Hinkson 11 to lead the way for Lyndonville whose last sectional win came during the 2006-2007 season. Trevor Bentley added 6, Jacob Hoffee 4 and Eric Neace and Corey Hydock 3 each for the Tigers.

The victory sends Lyndonville into a quarterfinal round contest at Genesee Region League foe No. 2 Notre Dame at 7 p.m. Saturday.

“It’s really nice to get the win but we know we have a tough opponent coming up Saturday so we’re going to enjoy this right now,” said Lyndonville Coach Lee Dillenbeck. “I’m very pleased with the leadership we got from our seniors and overall it was a very good team effort.”

Lyndonville’s Corey Hydock (34) drives against Noah Holmok (3) of Alfred-Almond.

Leading from wire-to wire- Lyndonville jumped out to a 12-0 advantage at the outset as Buckland had two layups, one off a steal, Hydock a three, Schildt a jumper and Hinkson a layup.

Alfred-Almond did cut the deficit to just two, 12-10, three minutes into the second quarter after a turnover aided 10-0 run but the Eagles would get no closer.

Lyndonville answered right back with a key 13-5 run to close the period and regain a nine point, 25-16, advantage at the half. Buckland hit back-to-back threes and Hinkson had a three and a jumper off a turnover to highlight that Tigers uprising.

Lyndonville’s duo of Eric Neace (23) and Nick Hinkson (12) battle for a rebound with Jordan Tomm (11) of Alfred-Almond.

Keeping the momentum, Lyndonville then broke the contest wide open by outscoring the Eagles 17-5 in the third period.

Schildt had a three-point play off a rebound basket and a jumper, Buckland a pair of layups, one off a turnover, Bentley a three-point play, Hinkson a layup and Neace a jumper during that surge which propelled the Tigers out to a commanding 21 point, 42-21, advantage at the three-quarter mark.

A three by Hoffee then gave Lyndonville what proved to be its biggest lead of 24, 45-21, at the outset of the final period.

Lyndonville improves to 8-12 while Alfred-Almond finishes the season at 5-15.

Interestingly, the win also completes a sweep for Lyndonville as the Lady Tigers also posted a 38-28 win over Alfred-Almond on Tuesday. The Lady Tigers will visit No. 2 Elba in the D1 quarterfinals at 7 p.m. Friday.

Lyndonville’s Eddie Schildt (24) puts up a shot over Duncan Allen (10) of Alfred-Almond.

Section VI playoffs

No. 6 Tonawanda defeated No. 11 Newfane 76-42 this evening in a Section VI Class B1 contest to advance to a quarterfinal game at No. 3 Medina at 7 p.m. Friday.

No. 4 Albion will host No. 5 East Aurora, a 62-40 victor over No. 12 Alden, in the Class B1 quarterfinals at 7 p.m. Friday.

In Class B2, No. 2 Wilson will host No. 7 Emerson, a 39-37 winner over No. 10 daVnci, in the quarterfinals at 7 p.m. Friday.