batavia

It's an established pattern for the Blue Devils so far this season: doldrums in the fourth quarter make it hard for Batavia close out a game.

Last night against Odyssey, the home squad turned a double-digit lead into a one-point deficit with 56 seconds left in the final period.

Clutch free throws in those closing seconds sealed a 57-55 victory for Batavia, but not without a few fingernails getting whittled down among the faithful.

"It's what happens every game," said Head Coach Buddy Brasky. "In the fourth quarters we can't score. We had a number of easy opportunities in that fourth quarter in the first four minutes or so, so we can maintain that lead or extend it and we missed them."

Fatigue late in the game for Jeff Redband and Justice Fagan, and defenses designed to thwart the two most consistent scores on the team, are the issues. Typically, the two standouts play nearly every minute of the game. Defenses run either a box and one (putting a man, typically, on Redband combined with an otherwise zone defense) or triangle and two(man on both Fagan and Redband and a three-defender zone).

It's a challenging puzzle for Brasky to solve.

"It's kind of hard because I can't afford to take Jeff and Justice out of the game for very long," Brasky said. "I don't have an answer to that, quite honestly. Other guys have to step up. They keep playing that triangle and two, and other guys are getting opportunities and they have to knock down some shots. That's the answer."

Batavia scored 17 in the first quarter, 20 in the second, 13 in the third and a miniscule seven in the fourth.

Last night, it was Jarrett Laskett who stepped up and took advantage of a lax defense in his vicinity. Laskett finished with 15 points, one more than Fagan's 14.

"Jarrett's capable of scoring," Brasky said. "He hadn't done it much, but he's starting to get a little bit of an opportunity now."

Redband led Batavia with 21 points, including three threes and eight free throws. He and Malachi Chenault had eight rebounds.

As the seconds ticketed away with the Blue Devils down a point, it was Redband the team turned to once again to sink the winning shots.

This time, the offense set Redband up on the near-side wing with a look at a three-point jumper. As he got the shot off he was fouled by an Odyssey player, sending him to the line with three opportunities to at least tie the game, if not give Batavia the lead.

Redband missed the first shot.

Were you nervous? Brasky was asked after the game. He smiled. "Yes," he said, "of course."

But with the game on the line, the ball in Redband's hands is never a bad thing. His shooting stroke as sweet and smooth as honey from the comb consistently delivers results.

"Jeff's clutch," Brasky said. "I really anticipated he would make all three. I would have been shocked if he didn't make at least two out of the three. Yeah, I was nervous, but he's clutch, so I didn't really doubt he would make two out of the three."

Two shots made and Batavia is up by one with 18 seconds left in the game. Odyssey fails to score on its possession and then Tyler Crawford is fouled.

Crawford came through at the line.

"Crawford's free throw, that was a big one, too," Brasky said. "That put us up two. All they could do was tie it. We're weren't going to give them a three at that point, so worst case scenario, unless we took stupid pills, it was going to be an overtime game."

Odyssey got the ball back with seven seconds left on the clock. Plenty of time to score. A dash down the court, a scramble under the board, shoot and miss, shoot and miss, and the final buzzer blares and the Blue Devils jump for joy.

Brasky-coached teams are drilled on defense and taught to never give up more than 13 points in a quarter.

Odyssey scored 16 points in the second quarter, but those final three points came on a prayer of a jumper from 20 feet out that hit the backboard and banked into the basket. Braskey said it was almost like it didn't count from a 13-point and under calculation.

"We held them to six or eight in the third (it was eight)," Brasky said. "So it was 57-55. That's three points more than we want to give them, and that's that banked three in the second quarter, so I was happy with the defense."

For Odyssey, a player Brasky said hasn't gotten a lot of playing time this year and has done very little scoring, Jamie Magone, came through big for the visitors, leading his team with 20 points. The only other player in double figures for Odyssey was Jacob Dixon, who had 14.

The win puts Batavia at 6-3 on the year and 2-1 in league play. The Blue Devils next play Eastridge on the road and come home again Jan. 17 for a game against Greece-Arcadia. Game time is 7:45 p.m.

Top photo: Jeff Redband is fouled as he takes a three-point shot in the closing seconds of the game.

Jeff Redband drives to the basket in the first quarter.

Justice Fagan looking for a lane to the basket in the first half.

Tyler Crawford grabs a loose ball during the second quarter.

Cheerleaders during their routine at the half.

Jeff Redband Inbounding the ball in the fourth quarter to Malachi Chenault.

Jarrett Laskett

Victory celebration

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A motor-vehicle accident with injuries is reported at Main and Bank streets. A 79-year-old female complains of chest pain and trouble breathing. City fire, Mercy medics and police are responding.

UPDATE 11 a.m.: Main at Ellicott will briefly be closed to eastbound traffic until a tow truck removes the vehicle.

The 25th edition of the Rotary Club of Batavia Basketball Tournament has certainly been eventful.

After the tournament was postponed because of the blizzard earlier this week, the teams finally took to the court at Genesee Community College and for the second straight season, Batavia and Notre Dame will meet in the finals.

The Lady Blue Devils were forced to play without leading scorer and rebounder Tiara Filbert due to injury, but they prevailed, defeating Alexander 44-36 in the first game of the night.

The two teams appeared evenly matched after two quarters of play, as Batavia took a four-point lead into halftime.

The Trojans came out hot in the second half, eventually tying the game at 23 midway through the third quarter.

The Blue Devils responded though, using a 14-2 run to end the frame, and at one point extended their lead to 14.

Batavia looked to miss Filbert in the fourth quarter though, as Alexander cut the lead to five with just under two minutes to play.

“To lose one of your top players, you’re not the same team,” said Batavia Head Coach Marty Hein. “But the defense shouldn’t have let down. I’m disappointed we didn’t play 32 minutes of defense.”

Madison McCulley came up big though, as she knocked down a three-pointer to extend the lead to eight  and the Blue Devils would not look back.

Sophomore Sam Cecere came up big all night for Batavia, as she scored a game-high 16 points on the night.

“I told Sam that this was a real big stepping stone game for her,” Hein said. “Tiara wasn’t here and it was time for her to step up, and she did that. The last three or four games she has been progressively getting better.”

McCulley pitched in 11 points for Batavia, which improves to 7-1.

Prior to this week’s snowstorm, Perry was scheduled to take on Notre Dame in the second game, but when the games were postponed, they had to drop out due to conflict. So, C.G. Finney stepped in to take on the Fighting Irish.

Unfortunately, they were overmatched by the defending state champions.

Notre Dame opened the game on a 34-0 run and continued onward, cruising to an 87-13 victory.

“I thought we got a lot of good minutes out of a lot girls,” said Notre Dame Head Coach Dave Pero. “Down the road, you never know. We might need some of those girls. We have been getting good bench play all year and this helps.”

Mel Taylor led the way for Notre Dame, scoring a game-high 16 points, grabbing five rebounds and adding seven steals.

Rebecca Krenzer chipped in 12 points and six rebounds, while Shea Norton added 10 points and six rebounds and Burgundy Bartlett scored 11 points for Notre Dame (7-0).

Batavia and Notre Dame will meet in the championship game for the second consecutive season, as the Lady Irish took home the title with a 41-38 victory.

“Batavia is going to give us all we want,” Pero said.

“They will be ready for us. We played them last year in the finals and had a three-point game, and I don’t see it any different this year. They have good shooters and rebounders. We have to come out to play if we are going to take home the title again.”

The Blue Devils won the title back in 2012.

Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Saturday at Genesee Community College.

Photos by Howard Owens.

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This snowman on Walnut Street may have survived the Blizzard of 2014, but it's not likely to fair well Saturday when temperatures hit the high 40s and we get a bit of rain.

A flood watch remains in effect from 7 a.m. Saturday to 1 p.m., Sunday.

Photo submitted by Steve Ognibene.

A car struck a pole at 7705 Bank Street Road. There are injuries and the pole is sheared off. Town of Batavia fire and Mercy medics are responding.

UPDATE 6:29 p.m.: An elderly male driver appears disoriented. A tractor driver has purposely blocked off the road, which is made hazardous by the downed pole. The wires appear to be phone or cable, not electrical.

UPDATE 6:33 p.m.: The driver is an 87-year-old male with a cut on his face.

UPDATE 6:40 p.m.: The wires have been cut and the pole will be removed from the roadway shortly.

UPDATE 6:50 p.m.: The roadway is reopened. The vehicle will be towed. Town of Batavia returning to service.

UPDATE 6:58 p.m.: The patient is being transported to Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester.

Press release:

On January 8, 2014 an armed robbery occurred at 113 Jackson Street in the City. Two suspects both described as black males between the ages of 18 – 24, both wearing face masks, robbed a pizza delivery person at gunpoint.

A delivery had been set up for the address and upon the arrival of the delivery person, the two black males confronted the female delivery person inside the entryway of the building. One of the suspects displayed what appeared to be a handgun and stole (cash) from the female. They then fled the area on foot and were last seen running south on Jackson Street.

Officers combed the area on foot with the assistance of the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office K-9, however were unable to locate the suspects at that time. Detectives were called to scene and processed the scene.

Anyone with information is requested to contact the Batavia Police Department at (585) 345-6350 or the Confidential Tip Line at (585) 345-6370. Information may also be submitted online using at http://www.batavianewyork.com/police-department and clicking on the “Report Suspicious Drug or Criminal Activity” link.

“This type of criminal activity won’t be tolerated” stated Chief Shawn Heubusch, “When, not if, we catch the persons responsible for this act, they will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”

“I strongly encourage anyone that has any information, however slight, to contact the Police Department and assist us in solving this crime.” Heubusch said. “We need your help to keep our neighborhoods safe.”

A house fire is reported at 2884 E. Shelby Road, between Burns and Crane roads. Fire is "in the wall with flames seen." Oakfield Fire Department is responding, along with mutual aid from Alabama, Town of Batavia and Elba.

UPDATE 2:17 p.m.: Upon arriving, the fire chief reports no fire seen.

UPDATE 2:21 p.m.: The chief is holding everything to equipment already in route. Cancelling Town of Batavia.

UPDATE 2:29 p.m.: Alabama and Elba units returning, in service.

Brooks Hawley

One of the main goals of Brooks Hawley, the new City Council president, is to make sure the council works together as a team.

They will all have their own opinions, of course, but members of the council should work together as a cooperative unit as they tackle such issues as the upcoming city budget.

He even expects newly elected Councilman Eugene Jankowski and City Manager Jason Molino to bury their differences and move on.

Jankowski is a former Batavia PD lieutenant who was forced out of his job last year when all lieutenant positions were eliminated from the city's budget. Even before that, Jankowski and Molino didn't always see eye to eye.

"People may have issues with people in the past, but I think they need to move forward from that and work as a team with the other eight city council members," Hawley said.

During last night's meeting, Jankowski sought a change in the language to council rules relating to council members contacting members of city staff.

The current language is unclear, Jankwoski said, because the rules infer council members can contact department heads but they must go through the city manager's office.

Councilwoman Rose Mary Christian said she contacts department heads all the time and doesn't see the need to change the rules, but Jankowski said a memo has already gone out to city staff telling them that if Jankowski contacts them, they are to refer him to the city manager's office.

"City employees have been ordered not to talk to me," Jankowski said.

Councilwoman Patti Pacino said the rule is necessary to help prevent, as may have happened in the past, council members abusing their position, contacting department heads to get things done for a specific council member first rather than prioritizing work on a community-wide basis.

The issue of the rule change was tabled until the council's next conference meeting.

As for the budget, Hawley said he doesn't have any preconceived ideas about what budget priorities to pursue. He is eager to see what city staff presents and dig into it.

He does oppose any tax increase.

"I think we should hold the line," Hawley said. "I never want to raise taxes. That's not why I got into office. I don't have a personal agenda on anything. I want to serve the people of Batavia and I want to hold the line."

Hawley said he would like to see more recreational opportunities in the city.

For anybody expecting a change in the current trash collection system, Hawley thinks it's a dead issue.

"I believe we dealt with that," Hawley said. "It's in the past. It's not going to go back in the budget. I believe what we have now is going to be status quo."

A pizza delivery driver reports he was robbed minutes ago at gunpoint on Jackson Street near Highland by two black males, both wearing black hoodies.

One had a red scarf on his face.

The two suspects are described as possibly teens and were last seen running down Jackson Street.

They were wearing blue jeans.

Batavia PD is responding.

UPDATE 8:58 p.m.: The robbery occurred at 113 Jackson St. An officer on scene confirms a suspect displayed what the victim believes was a handgun.

UPDATE 11:10 p.m.: Press release from Batavia PD:

The Batavia Police Department is investigating an armed robbery that occurred at 113 Jackson Street.

At approximately 8:50 p.m. on Wednesday January 8th, 2014 a pizza delivery person had been making a delivery at 113 Jackson Street when the delivery person was robbed by an individual who displayed, what was described by the delivery person, as a handgun. The suspect took (the cash) and left the area on foot. No injuries were sustained by the delivery person.

The Genesee County Sheriff’s Office K-9 assisted at the scene.

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Batavia Police Department at 345-6350.

This was what was painted on a snow bank outside the home of Tim Walton (who sent in the picture).

Amanda Page and Nate Cromwell built a snowman in front of their home on Ellicott Avenue this afternoon. The snowman was dressed in University of Arizona garb because Page worked for the football team last year.

At about 3:30 p.m., a car driven by a female struck the back of a semi-trailer on West Main Street near the intersection of River Street.

Both vehicles were westbound.

City fire, City PD and Mercy EMS all responded.

The woman suffered minor injuries and was transported to UMMC for evaluation.

No further information available at this time.

A seemingly widespread power outage has apparently hit a portion of the City of Batavia.

We've heard reports of power out on the Southside, on Park Road, West Main and all of the stop lights from Ross Street to the west are out.

The Batavian Office, at Main and Center, downtown, currently has power.

There's also a report of some people not having mobile phone service.

National Grid has not yet released any information about the outage.

Reminder: There's no need to call 9-1-1 or the emergency dispatch center about the power outage. Dispatchers are aware of the outage, have no real information about it, and can't help you get your power back on. Calls to emergency dispatch should be reserved to an actual fire, police or EMS need. The Batavian will strive to keep you as informed as possible about the outage, as information becomes available.

UPDATE 1 p.m.: City fire is responding to a report of a smoke smell in the building at the Salvation Army on Jackson Street. As for the power outage, Batavia PD is stationing officers at key intersections for traffic control.

UPDATE 1:17 p.m.: There are 4,484 National Grid customers without power. The outage is the entire west side of Batavia and as far north as the Village of Elba and south to Alexander. No word on why or an ETA for repairs. There's a question as to whether Batavia PD will man traffic control locations for an extended time period because of weather conditions. Verizon customers appear to be without service and we've also heard that Time Warner customers may be without service.

UPDATE 1:30 p.m.: From a National Grid spokesman: "It appears we've lost power to a substation that serves a good portion of the city, approx. 7,800 customer accounts. Crews have been dispatched but we do not yet know the cause or the restoration estimate. I'll get that to you as soon as we have it. We received our first report only about 15 minutes ago." That would be now, 20 minutes ago. Also, 7,800 is probably the number of accounts citywide, but the outage appears to have hit only about half the city and some outlying areas. We'll try to clarify the count."

UPDATE 3:11 p.m.: Power was fully restored about 10 minutes ago. Stephen Brady, spokesman for National Grid said the power outage was caused by an "ingress" of water into the switch gear, which caused a breaker problem.

UPDATE 3:17 p.m.: Actually, it looks like the area between Batavia and Elba is still without power. Some 500 customers affected.

UPDATE 4:40 p.m.: Photos added of traffic tie-up at Oak and Main during the power outage, with Batavia PD directing traffic. At this point, there are a total of 11 customers in the city without power.

Here's some day-after-the-big-storm pictures.

Above, City firefighters digging out a fire hydrant on Ellicott Street.

Sandy Stendts shoveling snow on South Main Street.

Greg Rada blowing snow on Lyons Street.

A city employee plowing a sidewalk on Oak Street.

Traffic on Oak Street. Streets remain covered with compacted snow (and some of it not so compacted).

Centennial Park.

The Rowell Mansion, Ellicott and Richmond.

Evan Ryan Kotarski, 22, of Oak Street, Oakfield, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, driving under the combined influence of drugs and alcohol, unlawful possession of marijuana, leaving the scene of a property damage accident, speed not reasonable and prudent and failure to keep right. Kotarski is allegedly the driver of a vehicle involved in a one-car accident at 11:45 p.m. Sunday on South Pearl Street Road, Oakfield. Kotarski's car reportedly spun out and struck a fire hydrant and a utility pole. Kotarski allegedly fled from the scene, but was located a short distance away.

Tyler Pasquale Schroder, 21, of Lewiston Road, Oakfield, was arrested on a bench warrant for alleged failure to pay the fine on a petit larceny charge. Schroeder was arrested following his release from the Wyoming County Jail on an unrelated matter and taken to Elba Town Court for his alleged failure to pay the fine on a petit larceny charge. He was jailed on $600 bail.

Oscar Enrique Martinez, 31, of Federal Drive, Batavia, was arrested as an alleged fugitive from justice. Martinez was being held at the Buffalo Federal Detention Facility in Batavia and was awaiting deportation. Martinez reportedly has 15 aliases and was being held under the name of Andres Luna-Nogroto. He was identified as by Manatee County, Fla., officials as a subject wanted for alleged sexual battery. Martinez was arraigned in Town of Batavia Court and ordered held without bail pending an extradition hearing.

Carlos Enrique Reyes, 39, of 1259 Lyell Ave., Rochester, was arrested on a warrant for alleged criminal contempt. Reyes was arrested upon his release from the Monroe County Jail, where he was held on an unrelated matter, for alleged failure to appear in Bergen Town Court. Reyes was arraigned and released on condition that he submit to a DNA test and return to court on Jan. 15.

Robert L. Kaufman, 52, of Akron Road, Akron, is charged with trespass and stalking in the 4th degree. Kaufman was arrested following a complaint of harassment reported at 12:40 p.m. Jan. 5 at an undisclosed location in the City of Batavia. Kaufman was jailed on $2,500 bail. No further details released by Batavia PD.

Juan A. Roman, 36, of Portland Avenue, Rochester, is charged with harassment, 2nd, three counts of endangering the welfare of a child and criminal contempt, 1st. Roman was allegedly involved in a domestic dispute at 11:30 a.m. Saturday at a location on Ellicott Street. Roman was arraigned and ordered held without bail. No other details released by Batavia PD.

A head-on collision is reported at 9450 Alexander Road, between Dodgeson and Pike, Alexander.

Alexander fire and Mercy EMS responding.

A chief on scene reports there appears to be no injuries.

Because of server issues, we won't likely be able to update this post if there are updates.

There are two accidents reported -- one on West Main at Lyons and the other in Darien on Route 20 near Harper Road.

The accident in the city is reportedly head-on, but with one minor injury.

Minor injuries also reported in Darien. The conditions there are described as zero visibility.

Alexander is asked to close Route 20 to westbound traffic.

From the fire in Pavilion, Pavilion fire is back in service.

Because of ongoing server issues, it will likely be impossible for us to update this post.

Here's an idea of what near zero-visibility looks like at Main and Ellicott. Driving conditions are tough and for the most part, there isn't a lot of traffic on area roads.

James Koenig shoveling his drive on Summit Street.

Daniel Wilson shoveling his drive on Vine Street.

Holland Land Office Museum.

The old Firehouse on West Main.

The County Court House, which is closed today.

The back of St. Jerome's.

Deborah A. Blackmar, 50, of Le Roy, Miranda A. Ralston, 27, of York, and Aaron M. Higgins, 33, of York, are all charged with petit larceny and conspiracy, 6th. Ralston and Higgins are also charged with criminal possession of stolen property. State Police in Warsaw accuse the trio of stealing, on two separate occasions in December, merchandise from the Walmart in Warsaw. The items allegedly stolen include two flat-screen TVs, a Blue Ray disc player, a laptop computer and other items, with a total value of $1,500. Most of the items were allegedly recovered at a residence in York. The Sheriff's offices in Livingston and Genesee counties, along with Le Roy PD, assisted in the 10-day investigation, which culminated in the Dec. 28 arrest of the three suspects.

Donald E. Cameron Jr., 54, of 9200 York Road, Le Roy, is charged with DWI and refusing to take breath test. Cameron was arrested after Le Roy PD was dispatched to McDonald's to check on the welfare of a woman. By the time, officers arrived, the woman had left McDonald's, but was located in a vehicle operated by Cameron. She was fine, but upon further investigation, officers determined that Cameron had allegedly been driving drunk.

Justin Samuel Fagan, 28, of Ellicott Street, Batavia, is charged with assault, 2nd. This is an upgraded charge. Fagan was arrested and initially charged with third-degree assault on Dec. 29 following an alleged incident at the Blue Dog Saloon in Attica. The upgraded charge alleges serious physical injury to the victim.

Michael Christopher Schulz, 31, of Buffalo Street Road, Attica, was arrested on a Family Court warrant. Schulz was arrested by Attica PD on a Family Court warrant and turned over to the Genesee County Sheriff's Office. Schulz was jailed on $2,000 cash bail or $4,000 bond.

Troy Christian Shepard, 31, of Tracy Avenue, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Shepard is accused of shoplifting at Walmart.

A natural gas leak is reported at the Rite Aid at Lewiston and West Main Street roads Batavia.

The building is evacuated.

Town of Batavia fire is on scene.

National Fuel is in route.

UPDATE 11:03 a.m.: National Fuel is on scene.

UPDATE 11:28 a.m.: Town of Batavia in service. The scene is turned over to National Fuel.