Veteran quintet keys Medina’s title defense

Photo by Cheryl Wertman – This veteran quintet of, from left, Tyler Chinn, Joe Cecchini, Nate Sherman, Jarin Rhim and Brian Fry will lead Medina into the defense of its Niagara-Orleans League title this season.

Last year a small iron man group of seven players earned Medina its school record fourth straight Niagara-Orleans League boys basketball championship.

Now, the return of five of those seven players provides a strong nucleus for the Mustangs to defend their title.

The Mustangs veteran quintet includes senior Nate Sherman, juniors Brian Fry and Tyler Chinn and sophomores Joe Cecchini and Jarin Rhim.

Sherman, who scored 267 points (13.4 average) and grabbed off 155 rebounds (7.8 ave.), and Fry, who scored 193 points (9.7 ave.) and pulled down 104 rebounds (5.2 ave.), both earned second team N-O All-League honors.

“We have nice experience back with those five key players but we do have two huge holes to fill,” said Coach Tom Forrestel in noting the loss to graduation of guard/forward Izaiah Rhim and guard Vincent Montague. Rhim, who earned first team N-O All-League honors, had 228 points (11.4 ave.) and 189 rebounds (9.5 ave.)

“A big key for us is to identify our point guard. It’s really important to stabilize that,” added Forrestel. “Team defense is also a major focal point and all around team chemistry is essential.”

The Mustangs posted a 12-0 record last year to claim the N-O crown and finished with an overall mark of 17-4.

The Mustangs have four non league games scheduled, beginning with a December 2 home contest against Buffalo Academy of Science, before beginning defense of their N-O title at Barker on December 13.

Schedule
December: 2 – Buffalo Academy of Science, 6:30 p.m.; 6 – at CSAT, 6 p.m.; 9 – South Park, 6:30 p.m.; 11 – at CCA, 6:30 p.m.; 13 – at Barker, 6 p.m.; 17 – at Albion, 7 p.m.; 20 – Newfane, 6:30 p.m.; 27 and 28 – at Southtowns Tournament in East Aurora, vs. Holland on the 27th.
January: 3 – at Roy-Hart, 7 p.m.; 6 – Tapestry, 6:30 p.m.; 10 – Akron, 6:30 p.m.; 14 – at Wilson, 6 p.m.; 16 – Barker, 6:30 p.m.; 21 – Kenmore East, 6:30 p.m.; 24 – Albion, 6:30 p.m.; 28 – at Newfane, 7 p.m.; 31 – Roy-Hart, 6:30 p.m.
February: 11 – at Akron, 6:30 p.m.; 13 – Wilson, 6:30 p.m.