Tigers trim Mustangs in key N-O contest
Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Akron’s Derren Brooks (34) and Ben Gerstung (11) go up to block a shot attempt by Medina’s Jayzon Wills during the Tigers key win over the host Mustangs this evening.
Maintaining a hold on first place, Akron trimmed host Medina 55-50 in a key Niagara-Orleans League boys basketball game this evening.
Improving to 8-1, Akron maintains a game and a half lead over runner-up Wilson (6-2) and a two and a half game lead over third place Albion (5-3). The loss drops Medina into fourth place at 4-4.
Brayden Lamont scored a game high 20 points for Akron, including 9 in the decisive fourth quarter. Derren Brooks added 17, Ben Gerstung 13, Coy Patterson 3 and Blake Gerstung 2 for the Tigers.
Medina’s Kolton Fletcher puts up an off balance shot.
Jerrell Nealy scored 13 and Preston Woodworth 11 to pace Medina. Christian Moss added 9, Cole Callard and Kolton Fletcher 5 each, Jayzon Wills 4 and Avion Johnson 3 for the Mustangs.
Breaking away from a 37-37 deadlock, Akron opened the final period with a 7-1 run, including baskets by Lamont and Ben Gerstung, to take a 44-37 lead.
Medina answered back with a 9-2 run to take what proved to be the Mustangs last lead at 47-46 with 2:20 remaining. Back-to-back layups off steals by Fletcher and Wills highlighted that rally which also included buckets by Moss and Nealy.
However, the last scoring surge and the victory belonged to Akron.
The Tigers countered with a win clinching 9-0 run highlighted by a three and a layup off a steal by Lamont to go up 55-47 with only 22 seconds remaining. The rally also included a bucket by Brooks and a pair of free throws by Blake Gerstung.
Akron also jumped out to a 12-9 first quarter lead a Brooks scored 6 and Ben Gerstung 4.
Medina battled back to take a 20-16 lead midway through the second period as back-to-back threes by Woodworth sparked a 9-0 run.
The Tigers though countered with a 12-0 run to close the period and regain a 28-20 lead at the half. A three by Patterson ignited that uprising which also included a pair of baskets by Ben Gerstung.
The teams traded scores for much of the third period which finished tied at 37-37 setting the stage for the decisive final period. Nealy and Moss both had three-point plays for the Mustangs in the third period while Brooks had a pair of baskets for the Tigers.
N-O Standings: Akron 8-1, Wilson 6-2, Albion 5-3, Medina 4-4, Roy-Hart 2-5, Barker 2-6, Newfane 1-7.
Akron’s Derren Brooks goes in for a shot as Jerrell Nealy defends for Medina.