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Muckdogs in need of housing for baseball players

By Billie Owens

Press release:

How would you like to live with the next Ryan Howard or Chase Utley this summer? The Batavia Muckdogs are again seeking local families to assist in housing players during the 2014 baseball season.

Anyone can help provide lodging for this year's Muckdogs by either providing space or renting a room, apartment, or home. While many host families come back year after year, the team is always looking to add to their list of available options for the players and coaching staff.

Host Families play a crucial role in helping young players feel comfortable in a new environment. Many who have hosted players in the past have had incredibly wonderful experiences. However, with players coming and going throughout the season, we have constant needs as far as housing.

The 2014 season runs from June 13 until Sept. 1 and players typically range from 18-23 years of age. The team will arrive in Batavia the week of Monday, June 9.

If you are interested, need more information or know someone in the Batavia area (within just a few miles of Dwyer Stadium) who might be interested in hosting a player, please contact Travis Sick at (585) 343-5454 or tsick@muckdogs.com. You can also call our housing coordinator Shirley Fanara directly at (585) 356-3411.

Seven Cougars named All-Region in men's lacrosse

By Andrew Crofts

Seven members of the Genesee Community College men's lacrosse team were recently named to the 2014 National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Region III All-Region team. Sophomore midfielder Pete DiLaura (Chili, NY) and sophomore defenseman Johnny Astrologo (Mahopac, NY) were both selected to the first team and freshman attacks Dana Ray (Allegany Territory) and Joshua Wester (Livonia, NY), sophomore midfielder Tyler Skowronski (Clarence, NY), freshman defender Jesse Jimerson (Six Nations, ON) and sophomore goalkeeper Craig Seneca (Cattarugus Territory) were selected to the second team.

DiLaura had the sixth highest ground ball total in the country this year with 90, which led the team. He scored five goals, added five assists and led the team in takeaways with 60.

Astrologo started in all 15 games this spring. He was second on the team in ground balls with 59 and second in takeaways with 53. He also earned NJCAA All-American honors as a second team selection this year.

Ray scored a team-high 32 goals and 24 assits, totaling a team-best 56 points. He made 13 starts during his freshman season.

Wester was third on the team in total points with 47, scoring 22 goals and adding 25 assists. He totaled 30 ground balls and caused nine turnovers, playing in 13 games this spring.

Skowronski tallied 37 points. He scored 20 goals and had 17 assists. He also had 10 takeaways and collected 31 ground balls, appearing in every game this year for GCC.

Jimerson equaled the third highest ground ball total on the team with 49. He caused 38 turnovers and had two points offensively, scoring a goal and adding an assist.

Seneca had the third highest save percentage in the NJCAA this season at 64.3 percent. He made 184 total saves and held the sixth lowest goals against average in the country at 8.81.

Genesee finished the 2014 season ranked No. 4 in the NJCAA National Poll. The Cougars reached the Region III semifinals for the fourth consecutive year and had its three year run of national tournament appearances snapped after just missing out on an at-large bid.

Genesee softball receives four All-Conference selections

By Andrew Crofts

 

The Western New York Athletic Conference (WNYAC) recently released its list of 2014 softball All-Conference selections and four members of the Genesee Community College softball team were included. Freshman outfielder Georgie Miller (Attica, NY), sophomore pitcher Ashley Covel (Oakfield, NY), freshman catcher Karissa Schuster (Perry, NY) and freshman utility/DH Chelsey Ruzewski (Attica, NY) were all named to the All-Conference second team.

Miller led the team in triples this spring with four and totaled seven extra-base hits. She batted .284, scored 15 runs and drove in nine. She appeared in all but one game for the Cougars as an infielder/outfielder.

Covel pitched 129.2 innings in 26 appearances, including 16 complete games this season. She had an earned run average of 4.70, struck out 68 batters and won nine games- all team highs. Offensively, she led the Cougars with a .474 batting average, three home runs, 27 runs scored and 18 runs batted in. She was also named to the Division III Region III All-Region second team this spring.

Schuster hit .333 at the plate and stole a team-leading 22 bases. She was tied for the second most runs scored and runs batted in on the team with 22 runs and 14 RBI's. She was one of only three Cougars to appear in all 37 games this spring.

Ruzewski batted .327 in a team-high 113 at bats. She tallied 37 hits, scored 22 runs and stole 19 bases. In the field, the third baseman committed just seven errors in 75 total chances. She played in all 37 games for Genesee this year.

Genesee finished the spring ranked ninth in the Region III standings and had a 14-23 overall record.

Batavia girls, Le Roy boys pick up Section V titles in track

By Howard B. Owens

Batavia High School girls track team won the Section V Class B championship in a meet in Lyons on Saturday.

With 97.50 points, BHS topped Honeoye Falls-Lima at 82.50 and Wayne Central at 76 in a field with 14 teams competing.

Event winners include:

  • Marissa Dispenza, 100 meter hurdles, 15.87
  • Kaylee Cassidy, Alexis Kindig, Emma Eastridge and Claire Zickl, 4x800 relay, 10:02
  • Krystyn Mott, pole vault, 2.81m
  • Celia Flynn, shot put, 9.30m

Le Roy boys won the Class CC championship, with 94 points, topping Williamson Central at 88 and Wellsville at 85.

Event winners include:

  • Rubin Owens, high jump, 1.98m
  • Rubin Owens, long jump, 7.14m
  • Rubin Owens, triple jump, 14.75m

Photos: Michael Napoleone Memorial Baseball Tournament 2014

By Howard B. Owens

Michael Napoleone Memorial Baseball Tournament has returned to Batavia this weekend. The annual event started Friday and runs through the day. Most of the games are being played on the three fields at MacArthur Park, but there were games today at Dwyer Stadium (including a night game) and one this morning at Williams Park. Teams from throughout the region participate in the tournament.

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Elba upset Notre Dame in girls softball sectional playoff

By Howard B. Owens

The Elba Lancers softball team scored four runs in the top of the 7th inning to upset the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in a Class D Section V playoff game played at Genesee Community College on Friday.

Covel, ND shut out Fillmore to advance to DD semis

By Nick Sabato

Sometimes in sports a star player can get rolling and it’s hard to stop him.

That’s what happened as Alec Covel started off hot on the mound and never looked back as Notre Dame blanked Fillmore 5-0 in the Class DD quarterfinals at Dwyer Stadium.

Covel started out the game hot, as he struck out his first five batters and he dominated the Eagles all night long.

“He was strong tonight, he had good stuff,” said Notre Dame Head Coach Mike Rapone. “His last couple starts, he’s pitched well, and actually he’s pitched well all year. He has good command of the strike zone, he doesn’t walk many people. When you don’t walk anybody, it’s hard to score.”

The senior right-hander pitched seven scoreless innings, allowing just two hits and striking out 13 batters to improve his record to 4-1 on the season, with an astounding 0.55 ERA.

“I threw real well tonight,” Covel said. “I’ve had a lot of time off to get ready for this game, and I’ve got a week if we make it to the finals.”

Notre Dame got off to a solid start from the plate after Cal Tygart scored on a sac fly from Louis Reynolds in the bottom of the second to take a 1-0 lead.

The Fighting Irish would score two more in the third on a 2-run triple from Andrew Mullen, before adding two more in the fifth on an RBI double from Tygart and an RBI single from sophomore Tyler Prospero.

“We had some nice hits,” Rapone said. “We got the ball up in the air too much, we’ve got to keep the ball down a little bit more, but we didn’t strike out so that’s good.”

The only time that Covel appeared to be in any danger, was in the sixth inning after loading the bases on two walks and a hit batter with one out. He quickly dug himself out of the hole, picking off Joe Mullen at second base, before getting a strike out to end the inning and preserve the shut out.

Notre Dame (13-3) appears to have a double-headed monster on the mound with Covel and Tyler Stroud, who is 3-1 with a 1.11 ERA.

“It’s a big advantage having two pitchers,” Rapone said. “We didn’t have to space Covel out tonight, say when we want to pull him out and get somebody else in, because he’s not going to pitch Tuesday, Stroud is.”

The second-seeded Fighting Irish will play Tuesday as Tyler Stroud takes the mound with a chance to advance to the Class DD finals.

Kyle Redman allowed five runs on seven hits while striking out four batters for Fillmore.

Batavia clips Eagles as Scheuerlein tosses no-no

By Nick Sabato

In baseball, getting strong play from your pitcher is as important as a quarterback in football, and that was evident as Batavia topped Wayne 8-2 in the Class A quarterfinals at Dwyer Stadium.

The sixth-seeded Blue Devils got strong pitching from starter Jake Scheuerlein and reliever Greg Mruczek, while capitalizing on pitching errors from the 14th-seed Eagles.

Scheuerlein pitched four no-hit innings without allowing a run before Mruczek came in to close out the contest.

“Both pitchers threw the ball really well,” said Batavia Head Coach Rick Saunders. “I’m riding both Scheuerlein and Mruczek all the way through sectionals as long as the run goes.”

On the other side, Wayne pitcher Nate Currier struggled with his command all afternoon, as the Blue Devils got their first five runs without recording a hit.

Batavia struck first as Rich Francis scored from third on a sacrifice fly from James Fazio to take a 1-0 lead in the second inning. Then the floodgates opened in the third.

The third frame saw the Blue Devils score four runs on an error and three passed balls before Ryan Mullen singled (the team’s first hit of the game) in the final run of the inning to take a commanding 6-0 lead.

“Guys had quality at-bats to get on base,” Saunders said. “If they don’t catch the ball behind the plate, that’s a nice way to get a lead. It makes a little more relaxing as a coach. At this point in the tournament, you’ll take them any way you can get them.”

Fazio would score Batavia’s final two runs on a 2-run double in the fifth to go up 8-0.

Batavia would lose their no-hit bid on the first at-bat of the sixth, before finally scoring on an RBI single by Joe Dell’Olio.

Despite giving up two runs on two hits in three innings of work, Mruczek pitched a strong game as he struck out five batters, showing that the Blue Devils have a strong one-two punch on the mound.

“I like it because it puts a lot of pressure on a high school guy to go seven innings,” Saunders said. “Especially this year with the weather being so bad, it’s hard to stretch guys out. This way I can keep them both fresh the whole way, you roll the dice and take a shot.”

The Blue Devils were led by Fazio, who finished 1-for-2 with three RBIs, while Francis and Zeke Lynn added two runs each.

Batavia (13-5) will next face second-seeded Brighton on Tuesday.

Currier pitched five innings, allowing eight runs on four hits, while striking out four batters for Wayne (7-13).

 

GCC women's lacrosse pair selected All-Region

By Andrew Crofts

 

Genesee Community College's Ashley Makowski (Kendall, NY) and Kaleigh Murray (Syracuse, NY) were recently selected to the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) women's lacrosse Region III All-Region team. Makowski was named to the All-Region first team and Murray was named to the All-Region second team.

In her freshman season, Makowski led the Cougars in assists with 12 and was second on the team in goals (20) and total points (32). She played in and started all ten games this spring for GCC, collected 27 ground balls and caused 14 turnovers. She was also selected to the Western New York Athletic Conference (WNYAC) All-Conference first team this spring.

Murray, a freshman, scored a team-leading 33 goals this season, the second highest single-season mark in school history. She added three assists to total a team-high 36 points and controlled 26 draws. She was also named to the WNYAC All-Conference first team this year.

Genesee advanced to the Region III playoffs for the first time in school history this spring. The Cougars set the school record for most wins in a season, finishing the year 6-4.

Young baseball players invited to extend their season into fall

By Billie Owens

Current summer baseball players ages 9 thru 17 can extend their season through the fall with Team New Era Fall Elite Travel Teams. Teams will participate in league and tournament play in September and October.

Tryouts will be held at New Era Park in Depew, 3950 Broadway, as follows:

  • Current summer  players ages 9 thru 11: Thursday June 12th at 6 p.m. and Sunday June 22nd at 5:30 p.m.
  • Current summer players ages 12 thru 14: Thursday June 12th at 7:30 p.m and Sunday June 22nd at 7 p.m.

Fall College Showcase team tryouts (for current summer players ages 15 thru 17): Monday June 16th at 6 p.m. and Saturday June 21st at  6 p.m. Players need only attend one tryout.

For more information see www.teamnewerabaseball.com <http://www.teamnewerabaseball.com> or contact New Era Park at 716-681-3001.

Submitted by: Rich Wozniak, president, New Era Park.

GCC's Astrologo earns men's lacrosse All-American honors

By Andrew Crofts

(Astrologo)

 

Genesee Community College men's lacrosse defenseman Johnny Astrologo (Mahopac, NY) was recently named a 2014 National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) All-American. He was named to the All-American second team.

A sophomore, Astrologo was a team captain and played in and started all 15 games for the Cougars this spring. He was second on the team in both ground balls (59) and caused turnovers (53), totals that were 17th and 2nd best in all of the NJCAA this season, respectively.

He was named to the NJCAA Region III All-Region first team and the Western New York Athletic Conference (WNYAC) All-Conference second team this season as well and was an All-Conference first team selection last year as a freshman.

"Johnny is someone that the coaches and his teammates look up to as a leader because you know exactly what you are going to get from him each day," said GCC assistant coach Derek Hoover. "He's a hardworking player that will do whatever is asked of him on and off the field.  I am very pleased that he will be receiving this award because as a defenseman, you don't always get all the praise after each game. Johnny always played against the opposing team's top players and was very successful in his two years with us," Hoover said.

During his two-year career at Genesee, Astrologo started all 33 of the team's games, tallied 112 ground balls and had 112 takeaways. He will transfer and continue his athletic and academic career at National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division II Dowling College in Oakdale, NY. The Golden Lions compete in the East Coast Conference and advanced to the quarterfinals of the NCAA Division II National Championships this spring.

Genesee County girls soccer team off to hot start in new season

By Howard B. Owens

Genesee County's girls U-19 soccer team is off to a 2-0 start on the season after beating Chili 3-0 in a game played Wednesday evening at GCC.

Sunday, the team beat Corning 8-0 in a game played in Dansville.

Tonight, goals were scored by McKenna Marley-Hill, Emily Phillips and Kaylin Cicero.

Olivia Clark pitched a shutout in goal.

Six cougars earn baseball All-Region honors

By Andrew Crofts

Six members of the Genesee Community College baseball team were recently selected to the 2014 National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Division II Region III All-Region team. Sophomore infielders Josh Maier (Brockport, NY) and Rafael Lozada (Santo Domingo, PR) were first team selections and sophomore pitcher Adam Pratt (Batavia, NY), sophomore infielder Phillie Guzman (Bronx, NY), sophomore outfielder Eliecer Carrera (Rochester, NY) and freshman pitcher David Clark (Attica, NY) were second team selections.

Maier hit .323 in a team-high 96 at bats this spring. He totaled six extra-base hits, scored eight runs and drove in seven. In the field, he committed just one error and sported a .981 fielding percentage.

Lozada led the Cougars in batting average (.393), on-base percentage (.505), home runs (3), base on balls (19) and runs batted in (13). He appeared in 31 games this spring. As the primary first baseman, Lozada had a .984 fielding percentage.

Pratt led GCC in strikeouts with 32. He posted a team-best 5.00 earned run average, allowing 20 earned runs in 36.0 innings of work. He pitched a complete-game shutout in GCC's Region III tournament opening-round win over Monroe Community College to help the Cougars advance to the finals.

Guzman hit .291 at the plate and drove in 13 runs, tying him for the team lead this year. He delivered seven extra-base hits, including a home run and a triple. He appeared in 29 games this spring and committed only three fielding errors in 25 attempts.

Carrera held the second-highest batting average on the team at .328. He scored 13 runs, stole 11 bases and drove in seven. He hit one home run and struck out just six times in 67 at bats.

Clark appeared in a team-high 12 games this spring and had the fourth-lowest earned run average (5.56).  He struck out 23 batters in 34.0 innings and only 21 of the 30 runs Clark surrendered were earned.

The Cougars reached the finals of the 2014 Division II Region III playoffs this spring and finished the season 9-27.

Basketball players invited to improve their game at month-long summer camp in Batavia

By Howard B. Owens

Any hoops players from grade 7 through college who are looking for an opportunity to improve their game are invited to sign up for a summer basketball training camp sponsored by the Batavia High School Boys Basketball Boosters.

The camp is open to both boys and girls.

It runs July 7 through Aug. 15 and the cost is $375. Participants need to bring their own basketballs.

Workouts will be held at Batavia HS under the guidence of head basketball Coach Buddy Brasky.

Players will practice, learn about and be drilled on:

  • ball handling, stationary and on the move
  • shooting, 200-500 shots per day
  • 1-on-1 moves, single direction, double direction, triple direction
  • on the move series, wrist roll series, change of direction series
  • post moves series
  • point guard instruction
  • full court and ½ court game situations. 

The registration deadline is June 15.

To download more information and the registration form, click here (pdf).

Moynihan chosen as Region III Coach of the Year

By Andrew Crofts

(Tom Moynihan)

 

Genesee Community College head golf coach Tom Moynihan has been chosen as the 2014 National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Division III Region III Coach of the Year.

In his third season at the helm, Moynihan guided the GCC men's and women's golf program to a successful spring season. The Cougars placed no lower than third in any regular season team event this year, including a first place finish at the Jamestown Community College Invitational. Sophomore Adam Baumeister (Lancaster, NY) earned three individual first place finishes and Genesee placed fourth as a team at the Region III Championships earlier this month.

"We are very fortunate to have Tom as part of our coaching staff," said GCC Athletic Director Kristen Schuth. "He is great at recruiting talented athletes that have a passion for the sport. The coach of the year award is very well deserved." 

Genesee placed two individuals, Baumeister and Chris Mandia (Highland, NY), on the All-Region team and both will compete at the NJCAA National Tournament June 3-7 at the Chautauqua Country Club.

Moynihan is the third head coach at GCC to receive coach of the year honors in 2013-2014. Women's soccer head coach Jeff Reyngoudt and men's basketball head coach Terry George were also recognized in their respective sports. Moynihan resides in Alexander with his wife Patty and has three children and nine grandchildren.

Photos: Real Encounter performs bike tricks on Center Street

By Howard B. Owens

A rider performs a trick called "The Superman" during a trick riding event Tuesday evening in a parking lot off Center Street put on by a traveling evangelical group called Real Encounter.

The group, led by Brad Bennett, travels the nation performing stunts on bicycles and motorcycles and preaching the Gospel.

About halfway through the program, Bennett delivered a sermon about salvation, led the group in prayer and then asked all those who accepted Jesus Christ as savior that night to come forward. More than two dozen people gathered around Bennett. The group met briefly with Bennett and received a Bible and instructions on joining a local church.

The group performs again tonight in Pembroke and tomorrow in Attica.

Photos: Remote control racing at the Genesee County Fairgrounds

By Howard B. Owens

After leaving the Vendor Blender at the fairgrounds, I found a group of local residents racing remote control cars on a dirt track nearby. Bob Markek, a racer and race organizer for KRZ Raceway and Hobbies, said this is the third year the group has been racing at the fairgrounds.

14th Annual Jim Kelly Celebrity Golf Tournament

By Billie Owens

The 14th Annual Jim Kelly Celebrity Golf Tournament is set for Monday, June 2, at Terry Hills Golf Course, located at 5122 Clinton Street Road in Batavia.

Proceeds benefit the Kelly for Kids Foundation which aids disadvantaged and disabled youth. More than 50 celebrities typically take part in the tournament.

Registration and breakfast starts at 8:30 a.m. and the shotgun start is at 9:45.

 

Event Date and Time
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Muckdogs announce 2014 promotional schedule

By Billie Owens

Press release:

The Batavia Muckdogs, Genesee County’s only professional sports franchise, have released their 2014 promotional schedule featuring fireworks, giveaways, special events, and daily promotions.

The 2014 season is the 75th anniversary of professional baseball in Batavia. This season will feature a couple promotions to help celebrate this momentous occasion. The first one occurs every Saturday home game, as well as Sunday, Aug. 31. At these seven games, one fan will win $75 worth of “Muck Bucks” courtesy of the Genesee County Baseball Club and the Muckdogs Booster Club. “Muck Bucks” can be used to purchase food and/or merchandise at Dwyer Stadium.

The second promotion will occur on Friday, Aug. 22nd. When baseball came to Batavia in 1939, 3,000 fans attended the first game, which is an attendance record that still stands to this day. The Muckdogs will attempt to break this attendance record on Aug. 22nd. If the record is broken that night, one fan could win $3,001!

The Muckdogs will again offer fans a daily menu of money-saving promotions available throughout the season.

The Daily News will continue to sponsor Muckdog Mondays. Every Monday home game, fans can purchase buy one get one free General Admission tickets with a coupon that runs in the Saturday edition of The Daily News.

Every Tuesday, New York’s 529 College Savings Program presents Kids’ Tuesday Night Tickets. Every Tuesday home game, the first 50 kids accompanied by an adult will receive a free General Admission ticket.

The Family Four Pack will take place on every Wednesday during the 2014 season and is presented by MVP Healthcare. Fans can purchase four general admission tickets, four hot dogs, four 12-oz. sodas and a 2014 program for only $30, a savings of $16.

On Thursday nights, Bob Evans Restaurant will sponsor our Kids Eat Free promotion. At every Thursday home game, the first 100 kids 12 & under will receive a voucher for a free hot dog, soda and snack item.

Fireworks will again light up the sky after every Friday night game at Dwyer Stadium, as well as on the annual Independence Day celebration on July 3rd. Every Saturday will feature a pre-game concert in the concourse. These “Rock the Ballpark” events are presented by Tim Horton’s of Batavia and New Buffalo Impact, with Papa and Mama Root, an oldies rock and roll tribute band, and original music recording artists. All performances begin at 6 p.m. and are weather permitting. Returning to the lineup this year is Dollar Draft Saturday presented by Eastown Beverage and Redemption Center. Every Saturday home game, 12-oz. Bug Light and Genny Light drafts will be just $1 from 6 to 7 p.m.

At Sunday home games, kids can run the bases with Homer after the game courtesy of Bob Evans Restaurant. Also on Sundays, the first 100 seniors will receive a voucher for a free hot dog, soda/coffee, and a snack item courtesy of The Williams Law Firm.

Other games of note on the 2014 promotional schedule include:
Opening Day/Magnet Schedule Giveaway
Saturday, June 14th

Personal First Aid Kit Giveaway
Friday, June 20th

Muckdogs Car Decal Giveaway
Saturday, June 21st

Independence Day Celebration Fireworks
Thursday, July 3rd

Post-Game Helicopter Candy Drop
Sunday, July 20th

Prostate Cancer Awareness
Friday, July 25th

Bark in the Park
Sunday, July 27th

Le Roy Community Night
Friday, Aug. 8th

Muckdogs Note Pad Giveaway
Saturday, Aug. 9th

Snapple Night
Friday, Aug. 22nd

Team Photo Giveaway
Saturday, Aug. 23rd

Fireworks Nights will be as follows: June 20th, June 27th, July 3rd, July 18th, July 25th, Aug. 8th and Aug. 22nd.

The Muckdogs open their 2014 home schedule on Saturday, June 14th vs. the Auburn Doubledays at 7:05 p.m. For a complete 2014 promotional schedule, go to www.muckdogs.com or call the Muckdogs office at (585) 343-5454. Muckdogs season tickets, coupon books, ticket packages and individual tickets are all on sale.

Darien Lake to host 3-on-3 basketball tournment in Jully

By Howard B. Owens

Press release:

City officials, Gus Macker organizers, Darien Lake executives, and members of the Police Athletic League joined together outside Buffalo City Hall this morning to announce that the Gus Macker tournament will be returning to Western New York this year. Genesee County's Darien Lake intervened to save the tournament, which would have otherwise been canceled this year.

“We’re excited to be able to bring the tournament back (here),” said Gus Macker organizer Scott McNeal. “Darien Lake offers the necessary space and infrastructure for the thousands of players and families that come to participate in and watch the games.”

This Gus Macker tournament is the second-largest out of 38 locations nationwide, with more than 3,000 players and spectators annually. The three-on-three tournament attracts both male and female players, 78 percent of whom are under the age of 24, and 47 percent of whom are under 17. 

“As Western New York’s family-fun destination, the Gus Macker Tournament is a perfect fit for us,” said Darien Lake spokesman Vince Nicoletti. “We’re very excited to be hosting the games this year and look forward to continuing this great ... tradition.”

This year’s tournament will take place on July 19th and 20th across Darien Lake’s sprawling parking lots, which will be converted into basketball courts with four to six featured games taking place inside the park itself. Darien Lake will also be keeping the Police Athletic League as the event’s charitable beneficiary.

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