Tigers top Purple Eagles in N-O opener

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Albion’s Brody Vercruysse puts up a shot against Akron defenders Zach Borton (12) and Brayden Lamont during the Purple Eagles home court loss to the Tigers this evening.

Getting point production from 11 players, Akron opened the Niagara-Orleans League boys basketball season in strong fashion by rolling to a 68-40 victory over host Albion this evening.

Brale Abrams scored 14, Jake Leach 11 and Darren Brooks 10 to lead the Tigers scoring parade as Trace Hill and Brayden Lamont both added 8, Ben Gerstung and Coy Patterson 4, Aiden Romesser 3 and Syras Jonathan, Liam Haak and Michael Bentley 2 each.

Wesley Olles scored 10, Blake Preston 7, Seth Krenning 6, Kyle Radder, John Eibl and Tyler Cody 4 each, Auston Johnson 3 and Brody Vercruysse 2 for the Purple Eagles.

Leading all the way, Akron grabbed an 18-10 first quarter lead as Lamont scored 7, Abrams 6 and Brooks 5.

Fast breaking at every opportunity, the Tigers went on to lead by as much as 24 (37-13) late in the second quarter and by 31 (56-25) at the end of the third period. Hill, Abrams, Romesser and Leach all hit threes in the second period which ended with the Tigers up by 17 (37-20).

Albion’s Tyler Cody puts up a shot as Akron’s Darren Brooks tries to block.