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Elba tops Byron-Bergen 54-43

By Howard B. Owens
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Both Elba and Byron-Bergen went into Friday's girls basketball games with only a single loss each. Of course, only one team could leave the court with only one loss. In this case it was Elba, now 13-1, who came out on top, 54-43.

The Lady Bees are now 10-2.

For Elba, Brynn Walczak scored 17 points. Leah Bezon scored 15 and Lauryn Engle, nine. Taylor Augello and Maddie Muehlig has seven each.

Julianna Amesbury socred 21 for Byron-Bergen and Kelsey Fuller scored 16.

Also in girls basketball on Friday night:

  • Pembroke beat Wheatland 47-36
  • Batavia fell to HFL 50-43

In boys basketball:

  • Batavia beat HFL 66-55
  • Le Roy beat Dansville 75-65
  • Perry beat Pavilion 55-41

GCC alumni hold scholarship fundraiser with golf and new bocce tournament July 20 in Stafford

By Billie Owens

Press release:

The Alumni Affairs Office at Genesee Community College and Cougar Classic Scholarship Scramble Honorary Chairperson Robert J. Bennett, GCC Class of 1974, has confirmed the Fifth Annual Cougar Classic Scholarship Scramble will take place on Monday, July 20, at the Stafford Country Club, 8873 Morganville Road (Route 237) in Stafford.

Bennett, a Le Roy, resident, earned an associate degree in Accounting from GCC in 1974 and then a bachelor's degree in the same from SUNY Albany. He spent his entire career as a local entrepreneur and business leader until his recent retirement as vice president and sales manager after 26 years with Tompkins Bank of Castile.

A devoted volunteer and member of the GCC Foundation Board of Directors for more than 20 years, Bennett has served on or chaired every Foundation committee including having served as a president of the GCC Foundation and his efforts as part of the GCC Housing Board of Directors contributed to the creation of student housing at GCC.

In 2015, Bennett and his wife, Lori Bennett, served as co-chairs of GCC's 2015 Encore Celebration with the theme: "Nature's Bounty: Roots to Bloom," which also raises scholarship funds. All of these voluntary efforts earned him an Alpha Medal of Service Award in 2015. In addition to his service to GCC, Bennett has been an active community member participating in the Le Roy Rotary, Genesee County Planning Board, Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA), Genesee County United Way and so many more.

"How appropriate that Bob Bennett chairs the fifth annual Cougar Classic exactly five years after he received the Alpha Medal of Service at GCC's Commencement ceremony," said Vice President of External Affairs of Genesee Community College Justin M. Johnston. "In my short time at GCC, I've heard story after story of how Bob exemplifies what it means to be part of GCC. I look forward to working with him on this important scholarship scramble."

The Cougar Classic Scholarship Scramble allows up to 36 foursomes for the 18-hole event at the esteemed Stafford Country Club. Registration includes 18 holes of golf, a golf cart, all beer and nonalcoholic beverages during play, lunch and dinner with a cash bar, and much more!

As an added bonus, this year, anyone not interested in golfing can participate in an all-new Bocce Tournament which will take place during the golf scramble at the Stafford Country Club. Mary Blevins and Jenna Holota, who also work together at ESL Federal Credit Union in Batavia, have teamed up again to share their expertise and co-chair the Bocce Tournament portion of the afternoon. Sign-up details will be announced soon.

Most importantly, all proceeds from the entire Cougar Classic go directly to the GCC student scholarship program, making higher education possible for deserving students in our community.

Businesses and individuals looking to take advantage of GCC's advertising opportunities and lock in sponsorship levels are encouraged to act early and contact Assistant Director of Alumni Affairs Jennifer Wakefield directly at (585) 343-0055, ext. 6265, or via email at jgwakefield@genesee.edu.

Exciting new event details and additional registration and sponsorship forms will be posted here or available by contacting Assistant Director of Alumni Affairs Jennifer Wakefield at (585) 343-0055, ext. 6265, or via email at jgwakefield@genesee.edu.

(Photo from GCC's 2019 Cougar Classic.)

Attention bowlers! Betty Ellison Memorial 'Strike Out' bowling event is next month

By Billie Owens

The 24th Annual Betty Ellison Memorial “Strike Out” for Crossroads House Bowling event will be held:

  • Friday Feb. 21
  • Saturday, Feb. 22
  • Sunday Feb. 23rd

It will be held at the Mancuso Bowling Center in Batavia. 

Shift times those days will be:

  • Friday -- 6 p.m.
  • Saturday -- 12 p.m. & 3 p.m.
  • Sunday -- 1 p.m.

5-person team registration fees are:

  • $110 until Feb. 14th
  • $125 after Feb. 14th

Registration and payments may be made securely online at www.crossroadshouse.com (Upcoming Events tab).

This is a great way to have some fun and support a great cause in your community at the same time. Crossroads House is a nonprofit comfort care home for the dying.

There will be raffles during each of the four shifts, also mega raffles, food, and 50/50.

New this year is NO TAP! For additional information call Cindy (585) 993-0584 or Tara (585) 409-0136.

Teams are filling up fast, so find four friends and join us at the lanes!

Batavia Ski Team benefits from great conditions for racing on Wednesday

By Howard B. Owens

Write up and photos submitted by Matt Holeman.

SWAIN -- The Batavia Ski Team competed Wednesday night at Swain Resort in a two-run Giant Slalom race on Wheels Run. With the recent cold temperatures and clear sky, the temperature dipped to make the race conditions nearly perfect. The snow was hard, but not icy holding together with minimal ruts and you could almost see the stars shining through.

Junior Zach Wagner was the team's top finisher, recovering from a potential crash on his second run, completing a combined two run time of 1.50.59 was good enough for seventh place.

It was a night to forget for the girls' varsity team as two of the three skiers (Senior Aubrey Towner and eighth-grader Lily Wagner) ended up crashing, losing a ski and not finishing the race. Junior Lily Whiting, however, had a great night finishing with a combined time of 2.10.92 finishing in 12th place.

Modified finishers included Ethan Bradly in 15th and Abby Bestine in 19th. 

Midseason Standings had the Batavia Girls Team was tied for third with Livonia, both sitting behind Keshequa and Arkport-Canaseraga in the Southern Tier Race League.

Aubrey Towner is currently in sixth place for the season, Lily Whiting in 13th and Zach Wagner is sitting in 10th for the boys. Finishing in the top 10 for the season would send them to the league's all-star team.

Basketball Roundup: Le Roy falls to Avon, Amesbury scores 34 for Byron-Bergen

By Howard B. Owens

Le Roy lost to Avon on Tuesday night in girls basketball, 56-38.

Bryn Luckey scored 16 points for the Knights. Jill Curtis scored seven and Amara Condidorio scored six.

Byron-Bergen beat East Rochester 71-59 behind Julianna Amesbury's 34 points. Miriam Tardy scored 18. Kelsey Fuller scored eight.

Elba beat Akron 48-34. Brynn Walczak scored 19 points. Leah Bezon scored eight and Taylor Augello, seven.

In boys basketball: 

  • Bergen beat Barker 81-46
  • Oakfield beat Attica, 58-49
  • Pembroke beat Pavilion 59-56

Photos by Tim McArdle.

Batavia Ramparts bring home the hardware from four tournaments

By Howard B. Owens

Batavia Rampart teams had a pretty good weekend of tournament hockey.

The Peewee travel team were undefeated champions of the Niagara Falls Blizzard Tournament.

The Peewee house team came in 2nd place in the Ohio Rock N Roll Tournament.

Bantam house are undefeated champions in the Empire State Cup Tournament.

Squirt house grabbed second place in the Ohio Rock N Roll Tournament.

Photos and info submitted by Teresa Pfendler.

Pembroke Varsity Girls' Basketball Team exceeds fundraising goal, donates more than $32K to Roswell

By Billie Owens

Submitted photo and press release:

It was a record-setting night at Pembroke Jr./Sr. High School on Thursday as the community came out to support the Varsity Girls’ Basketball Team’s ninth annual "Shooting For A Cure!" game.

Throughout the evening and early into Friday morning, donations continued to pour in, bringing this year’s fundraising total to $32,520.20.

That exceeds this year's goal of $30,000.

Since the event’s inception, the team has raised more than $150,000 to help with research efforts at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Head Coach Ron Funke and the Pembroke Varsity Girls’ Basketball Team presented the proceeds of "Shooting For A Cure!" to Team Roswell coordinator Mackenzie Giancarlo in the hospital lobby yesterday. It’s a post-game tradition that Coach Funke acknowledges has great meaning to the program.

When asked how much he has seen the game grow, Funke responded, “Well it started nine years ago when my wife was diagnosed (with breast cancer). And some of the girls on the team wanted to do something for her and for me. And it was $4,000 and now it's basically taking on a life of its own as shown by the $32,000 we made this year. So, growth? Wow.”

Toni Funke, wife of Coach Funke and the inspiration for the inaugural game, joined the team at Roswell for the check presentation.

“All the money we have raised in this event is going towards research and there are always new and better treatments and care for cancer patients, so it means the world to me and a lot of other people," Toni Funke said. "The support alone has grown immensely from the event inception to now. Everybody wants to be a part of this game, and for good reason, because it's helping so many people.”

Team Roswell coordinator Giancarlo met the team to receive the donation and had a few remarks to make during the check presentation.

“We are beyond impressed with 'Shooting For A Cure!' here," Giancarlo said. "It’s one of our top school fundraising events that you guys do, and you do it in a basketball game as the whole community comes together. It’s really impressive. Coming together to raise $32,000 is just more than we could ever expect.”

Following the check presentation at Roswell, the team headed to Chef’s restaurant for their annual post-event dinner.

“There are so many factors that add to the success of our 'Shooting for a Cure!' game,” said senior and captain Megan Conibear. “As a team, we wouldn’t be able to accomplish all that we have without the love and support from our community, local business owners, and the faculty and students at Pembroke.

"Getting to walk into Roswell side by side with both Mr. and Mrs. Funke is such an amazing feeling. After we present the check, we get the chance to bond over a delicious meal.”

The team knows "Shooting For A Cure!" would not be possible without the generous support of countless people, including local businesses and merchants such as:

  • 26Shirts
  • ACES Foundation
  • ADPRO Sports
  • Batavia Country Club
  • Batavia’s Original
  • Buttercrumbs Bakery
  • Clarence Deli
  • Coca-Cola of Rochester
  • Crickler Vending Company
  • Dollar General
  • Dollars for Scholars
  • Dry Creek Group
  • Fava Brothers Lawn Care
  • Five Guys
  • Genesee Feeds
  • Hershey’s Ice Cream
  • Insty-Prints
  • JetBlue Airways
  • Kingdom Bound
  • Knockaround Sunglasses
  • Linda’s Family Diner
  • Maple Ridge Landscaping
  • Mosquito Hunters of Buffalo
  • Northtown Automotive
  • Oliver’s Candies
  • OnCore Golf
  • Original Pizza Logs
  • Pesci’s Pizza and Wings
  • Pillar Real Estate Investors
  • Platinum Fitness
  • Roswell Park Alliance Foundation
  • Sincerely Kayla
  • Six Flags Darien Lake
  • Southwest Airlines
  • Spa at Artemis
  • Sweets by Shelby
  • Terry Hills Restaurant & Banquet Facility
  • Tim Hortons
  • Walt Disney World
  • West Herr Chevy of Orchard Park
  • Yancey’s Fancy -- New York's Artisan Cheese
  • and YMCA of Batavia

About Pembroke High School Girls' Varsity Basketball Team

It is comprised of 10 young women. The current team members, their numbers and positions are: 2 -- Serene Calderón, G; 3 -- Isabel Breede, G; 4 -- Brianna Rindell, F; 11 -- Mackenna Johnson, G; 12 -- Dekari Moss, F; 13 -- Casey Wurtz, F; 14 -- Megan Conibear, F; 21 -- Allie Schwerthoffer, G; 32 -- Emily Peters, G; 34 -- Nicole vonKramer, F.

This season’s captains are Megan Conibear, Mackenna Johnson, Casey Wurtz, and Serene Calderón. The Lady Dragons are coached by Ron Funke and Guy Gabbey.

The team colors are green, white, and black. The team began "Shooting For A Cure!" as an annual event during the 2011-2012 season, and they are committed to the hard work and dedication it will take to win the battle against breast cancer.

About Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center

According to its website, “All donations made to Roswell Park are managed by the Roswell Park Alliance Foundation, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization that ensures that every donation is put to the best possible use. The Alliance Foundation has been recognized numerous times for these efforts.”

For more information about giving to Roswell Park, click here, and go to “Donate.”

Basketball: Knights fall to Livonia 50-44

By Howard B. Owens

In a home game, Le Roy lost to LCAA D1 rival Livonia 50-44.

Cody Lytle scored 14 points. Andrew Loftus, 12, and Ethan Beswick, nine.

The Knights are now 6-6 on the season.

Also in boys basketball:

  • Oakfield beat Wheatland-Chile 69-51
  • Batavia lost to Eastridge 66-60
  • Elba beat Alexander, 82-66

In girls basketball:

  • Batavia beat Sutherland 59-57
  • Livonia beat Le Roy 71-41

Photos by Tim McArdle.

Knights fall to Batavia/Attica on Senior Night for wrestlers

By Howard B. Owens

Thursday evening was Senior Night for Le Roy's wrestlers. Unfortunately, it wasn't a night for the Knights, who lost to Batavia/Attica 63-20.

Seniors honored where: Rich Carpino, Phil Hahn, Paul Harmer and Andrew Englerth

Photos and info submitted by Tim McArdle.

Alpine Ski results for Wednesday

By Howard B. Owens

From coach Matt Holman

Wednesday night was perfect conditions for ski racing, the around freezing temperatures and hard-packed snow created a slippery but not icy, fast track for a two-run Giant Slalom race on Swain's Wheels Run. 

Zach Wagner was Batavia's top skier with a two-run combined time of 1.55.46 which would account for an 8th place boys finish. Aubrey Towner continues her strong senior season by finishing in 6th place with a combined time of 2.05.05. 8th Grader Lily Wagner finished 19th 2.25.71. The girls finished in 5th place.

Modified Skiers Ben Stone, Abby Bestine, and Brody Swinehart finished 18th, 19th, and 23rd

Batavia will race next on Wednesday, January 22nd

 
 

O-A stuns Elba with 48-45 victory

By Howard B. Owens

Oakfield-Alabama, coming into the game with a 5-4, upset the #1 Class D team in the state Tuesday night, beating the Elba Lady Lancers (7-1), 48-45.

Both Brianna Smith and Kelsey Schlagenhauf notched double-doubles, with Smith scoring 22 points and nabbing 10 rebounds. Schlagenhauf scored 10 points and grabbed 11 rebounds. MaKena Reding scored six points and Brooke Reding scored six. Karly Smith had 10 rebounds.

Lauryn Engle scored 12 points, Lea Bezon 10, and Brynn Walczak, nine. Bezon and Walczak each had eight rebounds. Bezon had five assists. Engle hit four three-pointers.

Photos by Kristen Smith. For more photos from the game, click here.

Batavia's strong fourth quarter defensive effort tops Greece Olympia 61-47

By Howard Owens

The Lady Blue Devils moved to 8-3 on the season with a 61-47 win over Greece Olympia Friday night.

Emma Krolczyk and Kenzie Reigle came up big with Krolczyk scoring 22 points, grabbing six rebounds and four steals. Reigle scored 19 points, had six rebounds, five assists and six steals.

Bryn Wormley scored 13 points and had four steals. 

For Greece Olympia, Janale Miller scored 12 points, Clearra Spencer also had 12 and Abby Dewar scored nine.

Photos by Steve Ognibene. To view or purchase photos, click here.

Northgate church kicks off annual youth basketball program tomorrow

By Billie Owens

Northgate Free Methodist Church will be kicking off its annual youth basketball program this Saturday, Jan. 11.

The basketball program will be held each Saturday in January and February.

This program is designed for second- through eighth-grade students, with an emphasis on an instructional noncompetitive atmosphere for casual players.

Times are:

  • 9 to 10 a.m. for second and third grades;
  • 10:15 to 11:15 a.m. for fourth and fifth grades;
  • 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. for grades six, seven and eight.

The first two weeks will be skills and drills, with all the following six weeks being exhibition games.

Sixth, seventh and eighth grades will participate in a weekly officiated pickup game.

A more complete schedule will be provided on Jan. 18th, along with a team assignment and jersey.

Along with basketball instruction, each team will participate in a small devotional time.

The program will be conducted at Northgate’s South Campus, 350 Bank St., Batavia.

The 2020 program costs $20 per player or $30 per family (same household).

Sign-up forms are available during regular office hours and at northgatefmc.com.

Registration will be available Saturday morning at the door.

Please contact Pastor Daniel Calkins with any questions at daniel@northgatefmc.com or 585-343-4011.

Ninth annual 'Shooting For A Cure!' Pembroke girls basketball game for cancer charity is Jan. 16

By Billie Owens

Pembroke High School Girls' Varsity Basketball Team.*

Submitted photo and press release:

The Pembroke Jr./Sr. High School Girls’ Basketball Team will host its ninth annual Shooting For A Cure! event versus Oakfield-Alabama on Thursday, Jan. 16, at 5 p.m. at the high school gymnasium located at the corner of routes 5 and 77 (8750 Alleghany Road) in Pembroke.

The JV basketball game begins at 5:30, while the Varsity game begins at 7 o'clock.

To date, Shooting For A Cure! has raised more than $119,000 and has become one of Roswell Park Comprehensice Cancer Center's largest community-based fundraising events.

This year, the team hopes to raise another $30,000 for the cause. The team is accepting online donations in support of Shooting For A Cure! To make a donation, click here.

There are several other ways to support the cause. Attendees can contribute through various raffles and auctions, purchase food and beverages from the concession stand, and buy merchandise during the event.

The basket raffle includes 100 baskets and gift cards. A sheet of 25 tickets costs $5. There is also a big-item pink ticket raffle. A handful of these tickets remain and cost $5 each or 5 for $20.

One winner will be selected for each of the following prizes: a one-year supply of pizza logs from Original Pizza Logs; an Apple Watch Series 5; an autographed Sam Reinhart jersey; a pair of 200-level Sabres tickets for the March 9th game versus the Washington Capitals; and an autographed Josh Allen football.

The silent auction offers attendees the chance to bid on several high-value items such as: 12 Park Hopper passes to Walt Disney World; two round-trip plane tickets from Southwest; two round-trip plane tickets from JetBlue; a catered dinner party for eight guests; and handcrafted Adirondack chairs made by Pembroke students.

At the concession stand, there will be pizza from Batavia’s Original, pizza logs from Original Pizza Logs, taco in a bag from Clarence Deli, ice cream from Hershey’s, and drinks from Coca-Cola of Rochester and Crickler Vending. Pink ribbons and a variety of Shooting For A Cure! apparel items will also be available for purchase.

Shooting For A Cure! coordinator Mike Wilson would like to give special thanks to community member and former Western Region Vice President of NYSCOPBA (New York State Corrections Officer and Police Benevolent Association) Joe Miano.

According to Wilson, “Over the past four seasons, NYSCOPBA has donated a total of $10,000 to our cause, and I cannot express how grateful we are for the continued community support. I am overwhelmed by their generosity.”

Miano stated, “It’s been a pleasure working with Pembroke’s Shooting For A Cure! over the last four years, watching the endless work all the volunteers put into this great cause for Roswell Park.”

The 2019-2020 Shooting For A Cure! business and organization donors list includes: 26Shirts, ACES Foundation, ADPRO Sports, Batavia Country Club, Batavia’s Original, Buttercrumbs Bakery, Clarence Deli, Coca-Cola of Rochester, Crickler Vending Company, Darien Lake, Dollar General, Dollars for Scholars, Dry Creek Group, Fava Brothers Lawn Care, Five Guys, Genesee Feeds, Hershey’s Ice Cream, Insty-Prints, JetBlue Airways, Kingdom Bound, Knockaround Sunglasses, Linda’s Family Diner, Maple Ridge Landscaping, Mosquito Hunters of Buffalo, Northtown Automotive, Oliver’s Candies, OnCore Golf, Original Pizza Logs, Pesci’s Pizza and Wings, Pillar Real Estate Investors, Platinum Fitness, Roswell Park Alliance Foundation, Sincerely Kayla, Southwest Airlines, Spa at Artemis, Terry Hills, Tim Hortons, Walt Disney World, West Herr Chevy of Orchard Park, Yancey’s Fancy, and YMCA of Batavia.

Businesses or organizations wishing to donate to this year’s event should contact Mike Wilson by calling 716.949.0523.

The event itself began nine years ago when the Pembroke Girls’ Varsity Basketball team approached then Head Coach Mike Wilson with an idea to show their support for Toni Funke, wife of beloved coach and Pembroke teacher Ron Funke in her battle against breast cancer.

They wanted to play a game in her honor to raise money for cancer research. Since then, Shooting For A Cure! has blossomed into a huge community event attracting supporters from throughout Western New York.

Regardless of how large the event has grown, the goal remains the same: show support for community members in the fight against cancer. To make this night special for cancer survivors, current patients, and families, the varsity halftime program is dedicated to recognizing people from all of these groups.

As part of the halftime program, members of the varsity and junior varsity teams give each honoree a flower and a hug. It is a great way to show love and support to those who have been touched by this far-reaching disease.

Anyone who would like to support this noble cause is encouraged to do so by coming to the event or visiting the Shooting For A Cure! donation page here.

About Pembroke High School Girls' Varsity Basketball Team

The team colors are green, white, and black. The team began Shooting For A Cure! as an annual event in 2011, and they are committed to the hard work and dedication it will take to win the battle against breast cancer.

*The team is comprised of 10 young women. The current team members, their numbers and positions are: 2 -- Serene Calderón, G; 3 -- Isabel Breede, G; 4 -- Brianna RindellF; 11 -- Mackenna JohnsonG12 -- Dekari MossF13 -- Casey WurtzF; 14 -- Megan ConibearF21 -- Allie SchwerthofferG; 32 -- Emily PetersG34 -- Nicole vonKramerF.

This season’s captains are Megan Conibear, Mackenna Johnson, Casey Wurtz, and Serene Calderón. The Lady Dragons are coached by Ron Funke and Guy Gabbey.

About Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center

According to its website, “All donations made to Roswell Park are managed by the Roswell Park Alliance Foundation, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization that ensures that every donation is put to the best possible use. The Alliance Foundation has been recognized numerous times for these efforts.” For more information about giving to Roswell Park, click here, and go to “Donate.”

O-A beats ND 68-56

By Howard B. Owens

Oakfield-Alabama beat Notre Dame on the Fighting Irish home court on Thursday night 68-56.

For the Hornets, Travis Wiedrich scored 25 points and Joey Burdick scored 18. They each hit three three-pointers.

Gabe Macdonald scored 18 for ND and Cody Henry scored 10.

Photos by Kristen Smith, click here. For JV photos, click here.

Batavia ski team competes in two-run race

By Howard B. Owens

Write up and photo submitted by Coach Matt Holman.

SWAIN -- The Batavia Alpine Ski Team competed in a two-run slalom race on Wednesday. This changed from a previously scheduled giant slalom race because conditions were prime for snowmaking on the headwall of Wheels Run due to the high temperatures and rain forecasted for the weekend.

Heavy snow in the early afternoon, wind and cold; ski racing conditions were near perfect at the 5:30 p.m. start. The course wore well, but still testing each athlete's skiing ability and the importance of a freshly tuned pair of skis.

Eighth-grader Lily Wagner successfully passed the advanced placement test early this week and will now participate as a varsity racer for the rest of the season. This gives Batavia a full girls varsity team, which finished in fourth place. 

Senior Aubrey Towner was the team's top individual finisher in sixth place. Junior Lily Whiting was 14th and Lily Wagner was 15th.

Zack Wagner finished in 14th place on the boys' side.

Eighth-grader Ethan Bradley placed 10th, the first modified top-10 finish in his young career. Elijah Abdella (eighth grade) was 20th, and seventh-grader Abby Bestine was 23rd.

A big thank you to the BHS Ski Club and advisor Mr. Metler along with the Ski Team parents and alumni for helping host the race.

The Batavia Ski Team will next race at Swain on Saturday, Jan. 12th.

Photo: First-year Modified Skiers Abby Bestine, Brody Swinehart, and Elijah Abdella after receiving their team jackets.

Schumer meets with MLB Commissioner to urge preservation of Upstate ML teams

By Billie Owens

U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer today released the following statement, following his meeting with Commissioner of Major League Baseball (MLB) Rob Manfred:

“Last month, Commissioner Manfred and I had a productive meeting to discuss Minor League Baseball’s presence in New York. Throughout the state, from Binghamton to Auburn, to Batavia, Staten Island and beyond baseball is woven into the very fabric of our communities, with fan bases that glean a sense of pride and joy from their success.

"That is why I will continue to fight to ensure that these teams remain in those communities. It is critical going forward that all of the parties — from team owners, to local leaders, to MLB and MiLB representatives—step up to the plate and negotiate in good faith,” Senator Schumer said.In fact, I have urged MLB officials to come to these communities and hear directly from local leaders, and I expect that will occur early this year.” 

 “We appreciate Senator Schumer’s efforts to bring the parties together to discuss the issues that currently exist in Minor League Baseball,” said Commissioner of Baseball Robert D. Manfred Jr. “We are at the very early stage of negotiations and are hopeful that Minor League Baseball will come to the negotiating room and engage in good faith negotiations in an effort to make a deal.”

In November, news reports revealed that MLB proposed plans to take 42 teams that are currently affiliated with Major League teams and reassign them to compete in a newly-formed league, called the Dream League. Reports indicate that MLB’s proposal would mean the reassignment of four teams across New York State: the Binghamton Rumble Ponies, Batavia Muckdogs, Auburn Doubledays and Staten Island Yankees — and an alteration of the business plans of the Tri-City Valleycats, Hudson Valley Renegades and Brooklyn Cyclones.

In November, after learning of the proposal, Schumer wrote to MLB to express his serious concerns, request the league sit down with local stakeholders to discuss the plan and search for constructive solutions that would maintain minor league baseball’s strong presence in Upstate New York.

In the time since, MLB met with representatives of MiLB and team owners to work through and negotiate potential plans in further detail. Schumer is now urging those conversations to continue and for all of the parties to negotiate in good faith to figure out a way to preserve baseball throughout Upstate New York.

Batavia Ski Team opens season at Swain Resort

By Howard B. Owens

Photos and information submitted by Coach Matt Holman.

SWAIN -- The Batavia Ski Team and Southern Tier Race League began their race season Saturday at Swain Resort with a double race.

Two runs of Giant Slalom in the morning, followed by a single run of slalom in the afternoon.

It was an above-average temperature day for ski racing, spring-like conditions and morning mist turned to sleet and back to rain that making the top layer of snow soft and lumpy like mashed potatoes and also exposed the hard-packed ice base in spots of Wheels Run at Swain.

The Batavia Alpine Ski Team had a successful day, senior Aubrey Towner had the best finish of her career and led the way in fourth place in the giant slalom, and sixth in slalom. Junior Lily Whiting came in ninth in giant slalom and 13th in the slolam. Junior Zack Wagner finished in 11th in giant slalom and 12th in the slalom on the boys' side.

Modified skiers Lily Wagner (11th/13th), Ethan Bradley (12th/12th), Ben Stone (16th/18th), Elijah Abdella (18th/15th), Brody Swinehart (23rd/20th) and Abby Bestine (24th/23rd) all had strong first races.

The ski team will next compete at Swain on Wednesday, in a two-run Giant Slalom race at 5:30 p.m.

Team photo: Aubrey Towner, Lily Wagner, Lily Whiting, Elijah Abdella, Abby Bestine, Zack Wagner, Ben Stone, Ethan Bradley, and Brody Swinehart.

Zack Wagner

Aubrey Towner

Le Roy soccer player signs Letter of Intent with GCC

By Billie Owens

Submitted photo and press release:

On Dec. 19th, Genesee Women’s Soccer signed their sixth recruit for the upcoming season, Kiaya Condidorio.

Kiaya is a 5’7” center midfielder and a three-year varsity starter for Le Roy High School Girls’ Soccer Team. She is an Honor Roll student, appeared in the Exceptional Senior Game this past fall, and was awarded All Livingston County as well. She has played for the Greece Cobras in the offseason and also plays basketball at LeRoy.

When asked what Genesee Head Coach Jeff Reyngoudt saw in Condidorio, he said “She’s big, strong, and wins balls out of the air. She commands leadership on the field and distributes so well. We have been lacking a midfield with size and strength for a while.”

Reyngoudt had also mentioned that Chloe Barrett, who was Genesee’s first signee for the 2020 season, will be a perfect fit with Kiaya.

“They are both powerhouses and I’m excited to put the two of them on the field together,” Reyngoudt said.

The Genesee Cougar’s coaching staff is still in the process of recruiting for the 2020 team and have some more signings coming up. If you are interested in trying out for the Genesee Cougars, please email Jeff Reyngoudt at:  jcreyngoudt@genesee.edu.

Batavia outlasts Notre Dame to win Rotary title

By Howard B. Owens
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The Batavia Blue Devils fought through a couple of lead changes against local rival Notre Dame on Friday night in the championship game of the 31st Annual Rotary Tournament but prevailed in the end, 53-46.

Mackenzie Reigle scored 22 points on the night and was named the tournament's MVP.

Reigle's scoring included a pair of three-pointers while Bryn Wormley added 13 points, hitting four three-pointers in the second and third quarters. Emma Krolczyk scored nine points.

For Notre Dame, Morgan Rhodes scored 20 points, hitting a pair of threes along the way. Amelia McCulley, who fouled out with about 1:30 left in the game, scored 15. Lindsay Weidman scored six points.

In the consolation game, Pembroke beat Le Roy 59-49. It's the most points the 7-1 team has scored on the season. It is also the most points the Lady Dragons have allowed. Serene Calderon scored 17 points as did Nicole Von Kramer. Von Kramer hit five three-point shots. Mackenna Johnson scored 11 points. Jillian Curtis scored 12 points for Le Roy. Bryn Luckey added 11 and Kailyn Tresco scored nine.

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